Video reviews aid Rangers in win

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Derek

During last night’s 5-2 win over the Bruins, the Rangers benefited from two video reviews that went in their favor. The first took place at the halfway point of the first period when Lee Stempniak thought he has tied the game. However, coach Alain Vigneault challenged for offside. A good challenge since Brad Marchand never controlled the puck when he entered the zone, preceding it. Here’s the video review and full explanation:

As you can see, Marchand clearly enters the zone before the puck making the play offside. The play should’ve been whistled dead. Instead, play continued with Stempniak scoring. Luckily, the replay challenge showed conclusive evidence to reverse the call on the ice. It was a huge turning point with the Rangers going up 2-0 on a Derek Stepan power play goal shortly after. Instead of being tied, the Bruins trailed by two.

More controversial was the second video review. With the Bruins trailing 3-1 three and a half minutes into the third, Stempniak thought he had scored to cut it to 3-2 at the 3:35 mark. He got to a Brad Marchand rebound and fired a loose puck that a sprawling Henrik Lundqvist dove across to glove at the goal line. It was a bang bang play making the refs’ original ruling of “no goal” understandable. From upstairs, I felt the same way. Here’s what they determined during video review:

On the initial replay, one angle makes it look inconclusive that the puck completely crossed the line. However, NBC’s second angle seems to indicate that as Lundqvist gloved it, the puck was fully over which would’ve made it a good goal. Due to it being in his glove, they couldn’t determine if it clearly was making the call on the ice stand. Let’s just say the Rangers got a huge break here. In the future when they have better technology, such rulings will be reversed.

For the Blueshirts, they definitely got some breaks to win their second straight on home ice. However, they also were the better team taking advantage of a sloppy performance by the Bruins. Considering that they’ve had their fare share of calls go against them, they were due for one in their favor.

As for the challenge and video replay system, it remains inconsistent. Until that changes, there will continue to be displeasure over the system. John Tortorella has been outspoken about it. Ultimately, the NHL must make changes to improve the challenge and replay system. A revised one should make everyone happy.

Posted in NYRangers, Video Of Day | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rangers take advantage of breaks in 5-2 win over Bruins

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Derek
Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask

Keith Yandle celebrates Derek Stepan’s power play goal following his sweet set up off a rush. He had two assists in the Rangers’ 5-2 home win over Zdeno Chara and the Bruins on Rivalry Night. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

On Rivalry Night, the Rangers made the most of some breaks to post a 5-2 win on home ice over the Bruins at MSG. Taking advantage of some undisciplined play from their old Original Six nemesis, they used two power play goals from Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan in the first period to put a flat Boston team behind.

Following an early power failure, a big Tanner Glass hit on Matt Beleskey knocked the Bruins forward into his bench. He didn’t take kindly immediately dropping the gloves with Glass, who won the decision with a knockdown to the delight of the Garden crowd. It was only my fourth game of the season. The first since a 1-0 overtime win over the Red Wings on Feb. 21. A game I left early due to anxiety. A month later, I’m doing better and was able to stay more than two periods.

The Glass clean hit and win over Beleskey really got the building going. As much criticism as he continues to receive from other bloggers, he’s fit in on the new fourth line. No one can dispute the chemistry Glass has with Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg. They’ve been together since the Californian trip and continue to provide consistent shifts under coach Alain Vigneault. I’ve critiqued him as much as anyone in this space but shifting Stalberg to that line was a good move. The fourth line has been dependable since both forechecking and generating chances while playing responsibly in their end.

Not coincidentally, the Rangers carried the play in the first period. With the Bruins continuing to take bad penalties, it was a recipe for disaster for a team that entered on a three-game skid dropping all three in California. In particular, Jimmy Hayes had a miserable game taking two ill advised minors. The first was a trip that led to the game’s first goal.

On their second power play, some great passing from Stepan and Yandle led to a nice put away for Zuccarello, who notched his career best 24th goal at 8:37. Yandle’s pass was remarkable. He looked like he was shooting. But froze Boston’s penalty killers allowing Zuccarello to score on his own Zucc Gnome Night. Every fan received one. Since my brother got one, I gave mine to a cool Rangers friend I met from Twitter. It was for her daughter. 🙂

”I like him not only on the rush and on the power play but he does a real good job of breaking the puck out for us and helping us come out clean,” Vigneault praised of the pint sized Norwegian with the gigantic heart.

”He’s able to beat that first fore checker and make that pass where we can come out with speed. He’s really playing hard and well for us right now.”

Zuccarello’s tally wasn’t without controversy. Prior to the faceoff at center ice, the Bruins bench contested that a Chris Kreider tip hit the protective netting. Actually, it didn’t. In such instances where the officials miss it, it’s not reviewable. That wasn’t the case later on with Henrik Lundqvist’s glove save of a Bruins chance being upheld despite video review that seemed to prove otherwise. More on that later.

 

Prior to Stepan tallying on another brilliant Yandle feed in transition which made it 2-0, the Bruins had an apparent tying goal from Lee Stempniak reversed. I remarked to my brother that I thought Brad Marchand was off side when he entered the zone. Nobody picked up on it. Play continued. Following a turnover, Stempniak steered home a rebound. However, Vigneault challenged immediately for offside. He hasn’t a lot of success. But this was a good challenge. If I saw it from our seats in 419, how could the four officials miss it?

Another lazy Bruins penalty- this time from normally reliable David Krejci- led directly to Yandle outracing Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara before dishing across to Stepan for a lay-up with Tuukka Rask out of position. The goal came at 11:39. It was Stepan’s 17th from Yandle and Lundqvist, who started the play picking up his third assist this season. Even though Boston finished the period better, the Rangers took a two-goal lead to the locker room.

”He understands the importance of passing on the power play, and I think that’s something that he is so good at,” Stepan told reporters of Yandle. ”When he makes a pass it is right on the tape, and it’s to a guy in a scoring area, and that’s something that is not easy.”

Jimmy Hayes took a silly goalie interference minor a couple of minutes into the second when his team finally seemed to be getting on track. A key block from Rick Nash of an Adam McQuaid shot allowed Jesper Fast to start the play in the other direction. A Kevin Klein pass to Derick Brassard sprung him. He didn’t hesitate winding up for a huge slap shot that beat Boston backup Jonas Gustavsson top shelf for a 3-0 lead at 5:26. He absolutely wired it past The Monster, who replaced Rask at the start of the second. It was Brassard’s team-leading 26th. With eight games left in the regular season, he has a shot at 30 goals. Six of the remaining eight are at home where he’s scored 20 of his 26.

The Bruins finally beat Lundqvist legally when Stempniak got a reprieve. The Ranger killer who did damage with the Devils earlier this season continued his mastery of his former team. Following a Ryan McDonagh turnover, he was the recipient of a Brad Marchand backdoor pass for his 18th at 9:34 cutting the deficit to 3-1. Bergeron started it after intercepting McDonagh’s clear attempt. He really didn’t have many options and tried to lift it out. But Bergeron used hid stick to knock it down. That’s why he’s one of the best two-way players.

A legal J.T. Miller hit that caught Chara against the boards led to the Boston captain losing his mind with a double-minor for hi-sticking Fast. The Rangers nearly made them pay again. But following another great Yandle pass, Zuccarello missed on Stepan’s perfect pass across with Gustavsson down and out. That missed opportunity kept the Bruins afloat. They pressed the action in the second half of the period. A Dan Boyle minor gave them their second straight power play. But despite a couple of close calls, Lundqvist was able to keep it a two-goal contest after the second.

At the start of the third, the Bruins started quickly. As has been customary, the Rangers let them attack more. As usual, it led to some dangerous chances around Lundqvist’s crease. Once such opportunity saw him flat out rob Stempniak with a remarkable glove save with the puck dangerously close to the goal line. The play went to video review. At first look live, I felt it was only halfway across. But the final replay NBCSN showed indicated otherwise. It looked like the puck was in Lundqvist’s glove over the line completely. But, the officials ruled that it wasn’t conclusive enough to overturn.

In the future when they put in better technology, such controversial rulings will be overturned. The reason it wasn’t was due to the original call on the ice. With the puck being in his glove, they couldn’t determine if it crossed completely. But even the biggest Rangers homer knows they caught a break. Their second of the game on a night it went their way. Frankly, they were the better team despite the Bruins holding a 41-24 shots edge.

As if to confirm that, Miller reached 20 goals for the first time when he converted at the doorstep from Stepan and Zuccarello at 6:32. That made it 4-1. Miller has been moved around plenty by Vigneault, who tonight decided to start him with Stepan and Zuccarello. They were good. The line combined for three goals and three assists. While they flourished, Eric Staal continued to struggle offensively. Vigneault still hasn’t found the right combo. It was Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider with neither distinguishing themselves.

Frank Vatrano got one back for the B’s with his seventh coming with 7:54 left in regulation. Loui Eriksson and Chara netted helpers that cut it to 4-2. But that was as close as they got. Nash’s third empty netter (fourth if you count his first goal of season which never entered the net) salted it away with 2:53 left.

Battle Of NY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (39 saves incl. a couple of gems-didn’t have to be good early but more than made up for it)

2nd Star-Stepan/Zuccarello, NYR (2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points for cohesive duo that should stay together)

1st Star-Keith Yandle, NYR (2 assists-leads team with 37, dynamic passer who could’ve had another helper and a goal if he was more selfish)

Notes:  Prior to the puck drop, the Rangers held a moment of silence for the tragedy in Brussels. The best part is no one made a sound. Following it, fan favorite John Amirante did the national anthem to loud cheers before and after. You can’t replace a legend. … Dan Girardi was recognized by MSG during a stoppage. He took part in his 719th game as a Ranger, which tied him with the late Andy Bathgate for 10th on the all-time list. … With his 17th goal, Stepan is three shy of 20. His most came during his rookie year when he recorded 21 in ’10-11. With three points (1-2-3), he reached 40-or-more for the sixth straight year to start his career. The only other Ranger who did that was Steve Vickers. … Rangers (42-24-8, 92) get two days off to prepare for a big weekend. They visit Montreal Saturday night and return home for Pittsburgh Sunday.

… With the Islanders finally winning (3-1 over Senators), they are up to 87 points with 10 games remaining. The idle Penguins remain a point up for third in the division with 88. Pittsburgh holds the first tiebreaker with 37 ROW (regulation overtime wins) to Isles’ 35. Rangers have 39 with eight left. They see the Pens Sunday and the Isles April 7.

EAST PLAYOFF PICTURE

+*M1.Caps 72 GP 109 Pts  48 ROW

M2. Rangers 74 GP 92        39

M3.Penguins 72 GP 88       37

WC1.Islanders 72 GP 87     35

WC2.Flyers       72 GP 83     33

6.Devils              73 GP 77     33 (Tragic No. 13)

7.Hurricanes     73 GP 76     30 (Tragic No. 11)

8.Blue Jackets    73 GP 68     24 (Tragic No. 3)

A1.Lightning      73 GP 89      39

A2.Panthers        73 GP 89      33

A3.Bruins             74 GP 86      35

4.Red Wings        73 GP 83      34

5.Senators            75 GP 76      28 (Tragic No. 8)

6.Canadiens         74 GP 74      29 (Tragic No. 8)

7.Sabres                74 GP 70      28 (Tragic No. 3)

#8.Maple Leafs   72 GP 63       20

+Clinched Conference

*Clinched Postseason

#Eliminated

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rangers respond by clawing Panthers 4-2

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Derek
Mats Zuccarello

Mats Zuccarello gets congratulated by Derick Brassard and Chris Kreider following his power play goal during the Rangers’ 4-2 home win over the Panthers. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Following Saturday’s embarrassment, the Rangers responded by clawing the Panthers 4-2 at MSG tonight. The win snapped a two-game losing streak, moving them back into sole possession of second place in the Metro Division. With the Penguins idle, they moved two points up. With nine games left in the regular season, they have 90 points. Pittsburgh has 88. Coupled with an Islanders’ 4-1 home loss to the Flyers, they remained five points clear of the first wildcard.

For almost two periods, the Blueshirts controlled much of the play. They outscored the Panthers 2-0 and out-shot them 23-12. Florida also came in off a bad home loss to Detroit over the weekend in which they allowed four unanswered goals in a 5-3 loss.

It was exclusively the home team in a dominant first. They only gave up three shots. Playing stronger defensively, they got the lone goal of the period from Viktor Stalberg. Forcing a neutral zone turnover, he stole the puck from Jaromir Jagr and worked a give-and-go with Dominic Moore that resulted in Stalberg finishing off a nice Moore feed to beat Panthers’ goalie Al Montoya. The former Rangers ’04 first round pick got the start over a slumping Roberto Luongo. He was superb throughout finishing with 28 saves.

If not for Montoya’s acrobatics, it easily could’ve been two or three after the first. Vincent Trocheck’s second consecutive minor penalty early in the second allowed the Rangers to go up by two. Taking full advantage, Mats Zuccarello took a Brassard feed in between three Panther penalty killers and let go of a wrist shot that beat Montoya top shelf at 3:33. The goal was Zuccarello’s first in six. He has a career high 23. The point was his 54th. Five shy of his career best 59 established in ’13-14.

Buoyed by their catalyst, the Rangers continued to press the attack. They forced Montoya into some difficult stops. He turned aside 14 of 15 shots in a busy second stanza. While his teammates didn’t offer much support, a big hit by defenseman Steve Kampfer on Tanner Glass drew the ire of Brassard. Kampfer caught Glass with a clean check at his own blueline knocking him down. Brassard engaged Kampfer leading to matching minors for “Delay of game.” It was basically matching roughs.

On the ensuing four-on-four, J.T. Miller nearly set up a third goal but his pass for Zuccarello missed connection. At that point, the Rangers could’ve been up by four or five. Instead, Montoya kept it close giving his team a chance. The Panthers finally came on towards the end of the period forcing Henrik Lundqvist to make some saves. He bailed out Marc Staal after a giveaway led to a dangerous Trocheck chance in front. On one attempt, his shot went off the post. Fiery Panthers coach Gerard Gallant fumed at the refs. He had steam coming out all game.

Then came the third. As everyone knows, the Rangers are no longer a lock down team. They have had their struggles. Right away, the Panthers came out and attacked. They nearly got their first goal a couple of minutes in but the officials made the right call denying Kampfer’s baseball bat swing due to a high stick. It went to video review and they were unable to determine enough conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the ice.

With the Rangers back in a shell, Florida suddenly dominated the puck possession getting plenty of chances. They kept most of the Panthers’ shots to the outside. But on a rush, Trocheck beat Keith Yandle to the spot deflecting home a Jussi Jokinen feed for his 23rd cutting it to 2-1 with 13:09 remaining. There wasn’t much backchecking from Brassard or Rick Nash. Dan Girardi was up high leaving Yandle to take Trocheck, who got inside position.

It got dicey with Jonathan Huberdeau off for hi-sticking Chris Kreider. Gallant even protested that even though the replay proved otherwise. Be that as it may, Jokinen got away with one on Derek Stepan for a dangerous shorthanded chance that was thwarted by Lundqvist. Clearly hooking Stepan off the puck, he broke in looking for the equalizer. But Lundqvist stayed with him getting a piece of his point blank shot to keep the Rangers ahead. Had the Panthers scored there, that would’ve been some argument.

Instead, Nash finally got his first goal since returning. Right as the power play expired, he took a beautiful Kevin Klein feed and one-timed the puck past Montoya. They took advantage of a bad turnover from Teddy Purcell. He panicked with the puck due to a Zuccarello forecheck handing it right to Klein, who threaded the needle to Nash for a huge goal. That restored a two-goal lead with 8:46 left.

It proved to be the winner. The Panthers were able to score on a late power play with under a minute left. Deadline pickup Jiri Hudler snapped home his 14th from Purcell and Dmitry Kulikov at 19:24. Kulikov was able to stay in the game after taking a Yandle shot up high.

Florida was unable to get anything in the final 36 seconds. Alain Vigneault went with his fourth line. They were good again. Glass got rewarded for his effort scoring into an open net with nine seconds left. Klein drew the only assist. Glass had an earlier chance but pushed a Stalberg rebound wide. That’s four straight good games from the trio of Glass, Dominic Moore and Stalberg. Give Vigneault credit for moving Stalberg down. It’s clicked.

Battle Of NY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Al Montoya, FLA (28 saves incl. 21/23 first 2 periods)

2nd Star-Kevin Klein, NYR (2 assists, 2 blocked shots, +2 in 27 shifts-19:21)

1st Star-Viktor Stalberg, NYR (goal-9th of season, 4 SOG, 6 attempts, +1 in 19 shifts-11:48)

Notes: Oscar Lindberg was a healthy scratch for the fourth consecutive game. … Recognizing a legendary player who was responsible along with Lundqvist for their revival post-lockout, the Rangers honored Jaromir Jagr with a video tribute for him moving up to third all-time in scoring with 1,857 points (746-1111-1857). Jagr spent over three seasons as a Blueshirt totaling 124 goals and 195 assists for 319 points. … Nash’s goal was his first of the calendar year. His last came on 12/30. … Lundqvist made 25 saves to win for the first time since Feb. 27. … Kevin Hayes only took 14 shifts (9:58). … Rangers (41-24-8, 90) host Bruins Wednesday before visiting Canadiens Saturday. Then return to MSG for Pens Sunday.

Key Stat: Faceoffs Fla-21 NYR-35 (Moore 9-and-4, Stepan 9-and-6, Brassard 11-and-8, E. Staal 5-and-2)

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vigneault to blame for current state of Rangers

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Derek

Alain Vigneault

Too often when a team falters, it’s pinned on one player. Case in point, the current state of the Rangers. Much has been made of the downturn defenseman Dan Girardi has taken this season. The 31-year old veteran who has given his heart and soul to the team for a decade is not the same player. Once part of a shutdown tandem with captain Ryan McDonagh, his play has suffered.

Unsurprisingly, the wear and tear from the recent postseasons is finally showing. A player who has sacrificed his body for the cause blocking shots while defending against opponent’s best, Girardi has slowed down. He has struggled in his own end more than in past seasons. Not the best skater, his puck management has been a issue as has his coverage. The decision making isn’t as sharp.

However, it’s not just one player who has under performed. Marc Staal has been up and down as well. The 29-year old former ’05 first round pick in the same draft as Sidney Crosby has been a stalwart since joining the Blueshirts in ’07-08. Once, he and Girardi were the top pair who had the difficult task of drawing the toughest assignments. One was drafted while the other was signed as a rookie free agent. They took different paths to the NHL. Girardi recently played his 700th game. Staal has played over 600.

They are proud warriors who have battled through injuries to play. It’s not their fault former GM Glen Sather gave them long-term contracts with no-movement clauses. While many cynics have cried over spilled milk, they earned it. Even if it was known how risky the deals were due to the taxing style each play, at the time it was understandable why they were kept. Sather chose Girardi over former captain Ryan Callahan two years ago sending the gritty emotional leader to the Lightning in a captain for captain trade for Martin St. Louis. The end result was the franchise’s first Stanley Cup appearance since 1994. As close a five-game series as possible with the Kings prevailing in all three games at Staples Center in sudden death. Callahan’s Lightning beat the St. Louis Blueshirts in a bizarre seven-game Eastern Conference Final in 2015.

If the last two postseasons ended in excruciating fashion under coach Alain Vigneault, this Spring could be without such drama. Entering tonight’s home match against the Atlantic-leading Panthers, the Rangers are tied with the Penguins for second in the Metropolitan Division with 88 points. It’s a flatfooted tie with each team boasting a 40-24-8 record with an identical amount of regulation/overtime wins (37). Both have 10 games remaining. Pittsburgh is second due to owning the head-to-head match-up. They lead 2-1 with the final one this Sunday at MSG.

After playing one of their more complete games in a impressive 2-1 road win over Anaheim, the Rangers dropped the final two games in California. In a frustrating 4-3 overtime defeat at the Kings, they fell apart by allowing the final two goals of the third period including Anze Kopitar’s tying goal with under five minutes left. The 15th time they have given up a game-tying or game-winning goal with five minutes or less remaining in the third. The OT was uglier with a puzzling Keith Yandle stretch pass to no one resulting in a rare icing during 3-on-3. Kopitar beat Derick Brassard on the offensive draw and then deflected home a Jake Muzzin shot past Henrik Lundqvist for the winner.

Even though they got a point, it was like Groundhog Day. Another third period lead blown and to the Kings, who also did it in 5-4 overtime win at MSG on Feb. 12. A big, physical team, Los Angeles owns the Rangers. They’re also back in the playoffs after missing out last year. It’s one thing to lose in a competitive game against one of the league’s best. But quite another to fail to show in a mind boggling 4-1 blowout loss at San Jose. A game so bad that it prompted Sather to visit the locker room. They were severely outplayed by the Sharks, who got 52 shots on net and had over 70 shot attempts.

Henrik Lundqvist was on his own making remarkable saves for two periods before wilting. Joe Thornton, Joel Ward and Joe Pavelski scored in succession during a brutal 3:20 span that prompted Vigneault to get Lundqvist replacing him with Antti Raanta.

“I don’t know what to say to that,” Lundqvist told the New York Post’s Brett Cyrgalis on Saturday following the loss to the Sharks. “I think it’s important we understand how important this is, the situation we’re in. But I think the best thing you can do, for everyone, is to look at yourself. What can I do to make this team better? What can I do to help this team win?

“Then hopefully we have 20 guys doing that instead of looking over your shoulder.”

While Lundqvist chose his words carefully, McDonagh was more poignant indicating, “It seemed like guys weren’t willing to compete hard, and that’s a very hard thing to say, but you have to admit it sometimes.”

Clearly, this is a fragile team that’s not very confident. Their inconsistent play isn’t encouraging. The foundation which once was the defense has broken down. While Girardi and Staal’s regression was predictable, it still doesn’t fully explain the underachievement of Kevin Hayes or Chris Kreider’s up and down performance. Even top performers Brassard and Mats Zuccarello aren’t without blame. Each has been negligible defensively with Brassard in particular unwilling to backcheck. Zuccarello has never been a strong defensive forward and sometimes gets caught watching. But at least he hustles back.

All year, Vigneault has juggled his lines searching for the right combo. Even after acquiring Eric Staal, this team isn’t scoring enough to offset the defensive deficiencies and a woeful penalty kill that ranks near the bottom. By now, the veteran coach who has guided two teams to the Stanley Cup Final should’ve figured it out. Whether it’s adjusting his defensive system to better protect slower skaters like Girardi or Staal or finding two players the newly acquired Eric Staal can play with, he better figure it out quick.

His mistreatment of once top nine forward Oscar Lindberg is inexplicable. A harder working forward who comes back in his end, Lindberg is a two-way player. With Hayes continuing to baffle with sloppy turnovers and not bothering to come back hard, why not sit out the second-year forward for a night? Outside of a good spurt last month, he’s been the biggest disappointment. A player of his size with strong possession skills should be a lock for 20 goals and 50 points. Instead, he is 12-20-32 and has lost 100 more faceoffs. Vigneault is trying him on the wing with Staal and J.T. Miller hoping it clicks.

Much criticism of the coach has been due to his loyalty to Tanner Glass. However, unlike other bloggers who emphasize Corsi, I can’t fault him. Glass has been a consistent hard worker with a lunch pail work ethic. Since Vigneault shifted Viktor Stalberg down to the fourth line with Glass and Dominic Moore, they have been effective at even strength. Showing the ability to forecheck, that line isn’t the problem. It’s been the failure of the others to consistently perform. Derek Stepan has been one of their best forwards during this stretch. But he’s without a point in four straight and is 16-22-38 in 62 contests. He and Kreider must be factors down the stretch. They’ll have Jesper Fast on the right side tonight.

Vigneault seems to prefer using the hustling Fast in the top six. He’s a right shot who outworks the opposition. The 10 goals and 15 helpers is a nice reward for a good team guy who plays both ends. However, he isn’t a top six forward. If the coach wants to try him on the third line with Staal, that’s a better fit. As for Lindberg, it’s a mystery as to why he has become the odd man out. There’s no reason he shouldn’t play. If that means sitting Glass a couple of games, so be it. But also, Lindberg is a top nine forward. If they had him on the third line and moved Fast down to the fourth line with Moore and Stalberg, it would be better.

The bottom line with the coach is he’s loyal to a fault. It’s why he stuck with Girardi keeping him with McDonagh for so long. His loyalty to the vets is understandable. For the team to succeed, he needs them. Now, it’s Kevin Klein with McDonagh while Girardi works with Yandle, whose defensive play has slipped. It’s no longer working. Staal continues to play with Dan Boyle, who shows his age during some shifts and on others, he scores a highlight reel goal like the sweet finish against his former team at the Shark Tank.

Vigneault’s misuse of Dylan McIlrath has been a huge miscalculation. When he played, McIlrath was the perfect complement to Yandle. The big behemoth demonstrated that he could play strong in front of his net and clear out the crease. An area that’s been a sore spot for years with this team since Dion Phaneuf ended Mike Sauer’s career. Now, McIlrath is recovering from a knee injury sustained in a home loss to the Islanders earlier this month. He’s close to returning. But will he even see the light of day from a stubborn coach who is unwilling to change?

All these questions continue as the Rangers get ready to drop the puck on 33rd and 7th Avenue against the Panthers.

Posted in NY Rangers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brutal loss to Kings brings more questions for Rangers

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Derek
Groundhog Day At Staples: Anze Kopitar celebrates with Jake Muzzin after scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals to once again give the Rangers 2014 Stanley Cup Final flashbacks. AP Photo/Chris Carlson/Getty Images

Groundhog Day At Staples: Anze Kopitar celebrates with Jake Muzzin after scoring the game-tying and game-winning goals to once again give the Rangers 2014 Stanley Cup Final flashbacks. AP Photo/Chris Carlson/Getty Images

It was deja vu all over again. Back at the scene of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers had a two-goal lead in the third period against the Kings. It turned into Groundhog Day at Staples Center. Predictably, they gagged it up allowing the Kings to score twice in regulation before losing 94 seconds into overtime 4-3 on a Anze Kopitar deflection past an irate Henrik Lundqvist.

The normally unflappable goalie went off on Kopitar’s game-tying goal scored with 4:10 left in the third period which was upheld following a coaches challenge by Alain Vigneault. Feeling he was interfered with by Tyler Toffoli, Lundqvist fumed to reporters afterwards.

Regarding whether he’s correct, it’s hard to say. It’s true that Toffoli was in the crease and made contact with Lundqvist. However, while there was no explanation from the officials on the ice, Toronto told the media that Toffoli was pushed in by Ryan McDonagh. So, that made it a good goal.

That it was the Kings in Lundqvist’s first start against them since Game 5 on June 13, 2014 probably didn’t improve his mood. Unlike the Dwight King fiasco in Game 2, there was a video review due to the challenge. The ruling came in the same building causing Lundqvist’s meltdown.

Whether or not you agree with the tying goal, it doesn’t matter. It was another blown lead in the third period. It was the 15th goal the Rangers have allowed in the final five minutes of the third. An NHL worst eye popping statistic that they can’t escape. It also was the Kings. A opponent they can’t beat. In the first match at MSG, they got a tying goal in the final 30 seconds and won it in overtime. This time, after Kevin Hayes put them behind two, they responded immediately with nobody taking Kyle Clifford on Jeff Carter’s backdoor feed that cut it to 3-2 two minutes later.

The fundamental flaw with this team is they go into a collective shell when they have a lead. Case in point. Following J.T. Miller’s unassisted tally past Jonathan Quick on a great rush and finish, the Kings responded 19 seconds later in the first. Dustin Brown out-muscled Dan Boyle to beat Lundqvist from distance with Carter in front. Defensively, this is who the Rangers are. A unpredictable inconsistent mess shift to shift. It’s why I don’t have much confidence that this group can succeed in the postseason.

Currently, they’re second in the division with 88 points. Three up on the Islanders and four clear of the Penguins. They have 11 games left including one against the Isles on Apr. 7 and one against the Pens on Mar. 27. They both have games at hand. But the Rangers lead with 37 regulation/overtime wins. The Pens have 35 and the Isles 34.

Unless things change systematically, it doesn’t matter where they finish. How many times can this team blow leads in awful fashion? They’re not the same defensively. No longer able to lock down like past clubs that made deep runs in the playoffs, it’s hard to take them seriously. Not when aging blueliners Dan Girardi and Marc Staal continue to struggle. Not when Keith Yandle becomes a turnover machine against heavy teams as he did last night. It was his awful icing off a forced stretch pass during the 3-on-3 that resulted in a clean faceoff win by Kopitar over Derick Brassard and then Kopitar’s terrific tip of a Jake Muzzin shot for the OT winner.

For some, the scapegoat is the declining Girardi, who got caught chasing up high on Clifford’s tally. Never mind that Yandle and Brassard were also liable. That Vigneault had Yandle with Girardi along with the reunited first line of Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash all out following Hayes’ goal was a huge miscalculation. It’s not just the D who struggle defending. Brassard and Zuccarello aren’t known for their defense. And Nash just played his fourth game since returning.

Vigneault would’ve been better off sending any of the other three units out. Why not the newly minted fourth line who seem to have good chemistry? For the second consecutive night, Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg were effective. A good backcheck by Stalberg at the end of his shift led to Boyle stealing the puck from Brown and beating Quick top shelf for a 2-1 lead in the second. Stalberg’s been one of the hardest working forwards. He’s proven me wrong. What ever line he plays on, his energy rubs off.

A closer look at who’s been on the ice for the last five games that the Blueshirts allowed a game-tying goal or game-winning goal reveals that it’s not just one defenseman. Per Larry Brooks’ tweet:

It was McDonagh and Klein who were on for Kopitar’s controversial GTG at 15:50 of the third. On what else but a Kopitar faceoff win, Drew Doughty worked the puck to Milan Lucic. Lucic’s shot went through a maze of players battling in front of Lundqvist. Both Toffoli and Kopitar were there. So too were McDonagh and Moore. While the Kings celebrated Kopitar’s tip in front, Vigneault quickly called the refs over to initiate a challenge. After a couple of minutes, they ruled it a good goal.

“When you get calls like that, it’s definitely a flashback,” Lundqvist told the New York Post’s Brett Cyrgalis. “No question.”

Does it come off bad? Sure. It seems that he’s blaming the officiating for another excruciating loss. McDonagh was more analytical.

“I think that’s the most frustrating part. We seem to give this team plenty of opportunities,” the Rangers captain said. “Obviously they have some experience and chemistry, and they capitalize on it, but that’s shades of what we went through in the finals right there.”

The haunting aspect is it’s been happening all year. We saw it with the Caps in what would’ve been their best win in early January. They rallied from two down in the third scoring three unanswered. But weren’t able to finish it off. Instead, allowing a Nicklas Backstrom GTG with six seconds left followed by an Alex Ovechkin OT winner end to end. It happened against the Islanders in a game they fell behind 3-0 and 4-2. They worked so hard to tie it but allowed Cal Clutterbuck’s winner with 1:28 left followed by Frans Nielsen’s empty netter 27 seconds later.

This is who the 2015-16 Rangers are. A good team that can compete with anyone. Good enough to go into Anaheim and beat the more physical Ducks. Good enough to beat the Caps twice including once with Antti Raanta. But also the same team that blew one to the defending champion Blackhawks at MSG permitting three unanswered following power play goals from Brassard and Boyle to start the third. In that one, it was undisciplined penalties causing their demise. Against the Red Wings, the same story with Brad Richards forcing overtime at 19:28. Pavel Datsyuk had a shot deflect off Darren Helm in overtime.

The big question is with 11 games remaining, can they change the script? Or are they doomed to fail? Many pundits have pondered if “the window” closed with the bitter Game 7 home defeat to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final. This core has been through a lot. What started under former coach John Tortorella in 2012 has continued under Vigneault with the closest five-game Stanley Cup Final in 2014 followed by the unpredictable gut wrenching seven-game series loss in 2015.

Are they done? No one knows the answer. Only the 18 skaters and goalie can provide that detail along with the coaching staff. See ya this Spring.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Glass makes impact in win over Ducks

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Derek
Tanner Glass

Tanner Glass has been more consistent in his second season on Broadway.

Since he signed with the Rangers in the summer of 2014, Tanner Glass has been subject to fan criticism. Whether on social media or the blogosphere, the likable 32-year old fourth liner has had his share of detractors. In this space during his first season, I was one of them. However, the amount of blame he received and a solid showing last postseason changed my mind.

Glass will never be the fastest skater or the most skilled. He gets by on effort and grit. On a team that isn’t overly physical, he does have a role under Alain Vigneault, who also coached him in Vancouver. Whether or not you agree with the coach’s loyalty or deployment, that’s not on Glass. All he does is suit up and give an honest effort. Something a few of his more talented teammates could learn from.

Since returning to the lineup on Dec. 2 after a recall from Hartford, he’s given a good account of himself. The hard working role player has gotten rewarded with three goals and three assists. It was Glass who was in the right place for a Dominic Moore centering feed with his shot rebounding off Anaheim goalie John Gibson to Kevin Klein for the first of two goals in a feel good 2-1 win over the Ducks on Wednesday.

Klein redeemed himself in a big way tallying twice including the game-winner with 6:41 left in regulation. It was his turnover that led to Corey Perry setting up Jamie McGinn for the Ducks’ only goal against backup Antti Raanta. Raanta was steady making 22 saves for the big win to start a three-game California trip in four days on the right foot. Henrik Lundqvist gets the call at Los Angeles tonight.

The Rangers didn’t get a lot done offensively in a tightly played first period. In fact, shots were at a premium with the teams combining for nine. The Ducks held a slight 5-4 edge. The only mistake was Klein getting pick pocketed by Perry, who fed McGinn for a lay-up.

It was the strong play from a newly formed fourth line consisting of Glass, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg that provided a spark. The trio were very effective getting the puck deep and forechecking. Vigneault moved Stalberg down flipping Kevin Hayes on a new third line with Eric Staal and J.T. Miller. He reunited Rick Nash with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Jesper Fast joined Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider.

While the more offensive lines weren’t consistent shift to shift, it was the fourth line that could be counted on. Off a clean faceoff win from Moore, who went a perfect 9-for-9 in the dot, they outworked the Ducks to tie the game on Klein’s first of the game coming at 3:11 of the second. Stalberg chipped the puck down low to Moore who fed Glass for a tough low shot Gibson leaked to Klein, who finished. Glass got the primary assist. A nice reward for a player who continues to be unfairly scapegoated.

It’s not his fault Vigneault has mismanaged rookie forward Oscar Lindberg. A big contributor at the start of the season, the 24-year old Swede has seen his ice-time dwindle. Things could not have gone better for him in October. He scored in the team’s first three games totaling four goals all in wins. In fact, nine of his 12 goals came during the first two months. In the first 25 games, Lindberg was 9-7-16.

Like most first-year players, he hit a wall. His offense dried up with just one goal in 12 games during December. A bad penchant for taking penalties led to reduced playing time. He also sat out a couple of times. He was a healthy scratch Wednesday and likely will be again versus the Kings. To be fair, he’s played 66 of the Rangers’ 70 games. The production of 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points isn’t bad. He ranks 10th in team scoring.

By comparison, struggling sophomore Kevin Hayes has 11 goals and 20 helpers totaling 31 points in 68 games. Vigneault made an example of him twice. However, even after Hayes’ initial positive response, he’s back to disappearing. He’s followed his best stretch of the season in which he tallied eight points (4-4-8) over eight games by registering just an assist over the past nine. The inconsistency of the gifted big forward with strong possession and play making skills is puzzling. He was demoted to the fourth line for a couple of games until yesterday.

At this moment, Glass has been more consistent than Hayes. Hard as that is to believe, it’s true. With Glass, you know what to expect. He brings energy every shift. He played one of his best games in the 2-1 win over the Ducks registering a game high 10 hits with the primary helper on Klein’s first of two. In 45 games, his 182 hits lead the Blueshirts. He also has shown improvement defensively. While you never want to see him or the fourth line trapped in their zone due to coach’s exploiting the match-up, Glass’ effort has been commendable.

On a team that doesn’t always have every forward going, Glass isn’t the issue. It would be nice to see the stubborn Vigneault change his mind on Lindberg. But with the addition of Staal and Nash back, he’s become the odd man out. Lindberg is a better skater than Glass. Without question, he can bring more offense. If the coach is willing to try him with Moore and Stalberg, the argument can be made for a better skating line.

With 11 games remaining following tonight, there isn’t much time. Even now, Vigneault continues to tweak his lines searching for the right combination. Unlike the past two seasons, there isn’t any consistency. That includes the defense where from time to time, he’ll move Klein up to the top pair with Ryan McDonagh. One that makes better sense with Dan Girardi susceptible to hiccups like the giveaway he had late in the second that almost led to a Anaheim goal.

Girardi and Marc Staal have a lot of miles on them. All the games played and injuries have caught up. Staal put in a strong effort at Anaheim playing with more edge. It’s when the two elder statesmen of the blue line are more instinctive that they play their best hockey. When they hesitate, they get in trouble. Aggressive opponents know they can forecheck each and force them into turnovers. It is this area that is more of a concern than Glass. There are also scary moments where Dan Boyle puts himself in bad spots. At 39, he is what he is. A effective possession player who can contribute offense but a defensive liability.

Without Dylan McIlrath, the Rangers are going with six defensemen. With Brady Skjei down in Hartford, that means it falls on a unit anchored by McDonagh and offensive leader Keith Yandle to carry the load. As The Journal News’ Rick Carpiniello has alluded to throughout the season, they need Girardi and Staal to be counted on for any kind of run this postseason. The team’s best two defensive D are McDonagh and Klein, who should be together more than apart.

Yandle is high risk, high reward. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee he will be back. GM Jeff Gorton has been noncommittal to re-signing him due to the development of Skjei. Hopefully, McIlrath is part of the plan. His current knee injury is a concern. It isn’t the same one that was operated on. But you have to wonder why Vigneault termed it ‘not serious.’ Now he’s out longer. Who will be the extra defenseman? Probably Skjei if the Wolf Pack don’t qualify for the postseason.

As for Glass, he’ll continue to give 100 percent and be a good teammate. Character.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

With point or win, Islanders can overtake Rangers

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Derek

When they visit the Penguins tonight, the Islanders know they can finally overtake the Rangers for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Locked in a tight battle for home ice in a potential first round match-up 22 years in the making, Brooklyn is on the heels of their close Manhattan rival.

After pulling off a stunning come from behind 3-2 win over the Panthers last night with three consecutive goals in a 5:31 span highlighted by Clutter Clutch, Cal Clutterbuck’s game-winner with 1:39 left in regulation, the Islanders trail the Rangers by a point. They make up the second game of three with face off set for 7 PM at Console Energy Center. The Rangers have 85 points with 13 games remaining. The Isles have 84 with 15 left. The Pens have 80 with 14 remaining. A Pens win in regulation would further complicate things. But an Islander one would keep Pittsburgh at distance in the wildcard.

Keep in mind that the first tiebreaker is regulation/overtime wins (ROW). Eventually, all three teams will finish with 82 games played. Right now, the Rangers hold the edge with 36 ROW while the Isles and Pens each have 34. Even though they have won all three match-ups so far over the Rangers, the Islanders know they must beat them out on the first tiebreaker to gain home ice advantage. They are 21-8-4 in their first season at Barclays Center. The Rangers also boast a strong home mark going 23-8-3 at MSG. The Pens are 20-10-4 at home. Even though home ice might not mean a whole lot if it’s Islanders and Rangers, a potential seventh game in a hostile environment could loom large. The final regular season meeting is April 7 at The Garden.

After tonight, the Isles and Pens will see each other once more when Pittsburgh visits Brooklyn on April 2. Thus far, they’ve split the first two with each prevailing on home ice. The Pens won the first match 5-2 on 1/2 and the Isles prevailed 2-1 on 3/8. The Rangers have lost two of three to the Pens with one game left when they meet on 3/27 at MSG. Each match will help determine where the teams finish in the Metro.

For the Islanders, it’s the start of a three-game road trip. They also will visit Nashville Thursday and conclude the trip in Dallas Saturday. With it being the second of a back-to-back, the Isles will call on Jean-Francois Berube to make the start versus the Pens. Thomas Greiss gets the night off.

“Back to back games,” coach Jack Capuano told the Isles website. “He is going to play down the stretch, he’s going to get a great opportunity here tonight against a really good hockey team.”

That won’t be the only change. Capuano has decided to switch things up for tonight. Forwards Mikhail Grabovski and Steve Bernier are in for Brock Nelson and Shane Prince. Brian Strait replaces Ryan Pulock on defense.

“I’m not look at those guys sitting because of their effort or the way they’ve played,” he said. “It’s a tough decision to make, they’ve played well. At the end of the day it was more or less getting fresh legs in the lineup. Come the next game, those guys will probably be back in.”

Here are the Islanders Lines:

Grabovski-Tavares-Okposo

Bailey-Nielsen-Strome

Lee-Kulemin-Bernier

Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Posted in NY Islanders | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Comeback kids do it again in Brooklyn

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Derek
New York Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck (15), third from right, celebrates scoring a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers in New York, Monday, March 14, 2016. The Islanders won 3-2. (AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith)

Clutter Clutch: Cal Clutterbuck raises his arms after beating Roberto Luongo with 1:39 left in a stunning third period comeback in Islanders’ 3-2 win over Panthers. They trail the Rangers by one for second. AP Photo/Bryan R. Smith/Getty Images

For two periods, Barclays Center was quiet. Similar to their team that only had gotten 11 shots on Roberto Luongo. What ever was said in the locker room worked. Playing a relentless style, the Islanders dominated the third period scoring three unanswered goals to stun the Panthers 3-2 in Brooklyn.

The big comeback pulled the Isles within one point of the Rangers for second in the Metropolitan Division. If they can beat the Penguins tomorrow night on the road, they’ll pass their Broadway crosstown rivals in the standings. They entered three behind with three extra games left. Now, it’s down to one with two more at hand. They make up the second tomorrow prior to the Blueshirts’ three-game California road trip.

It was all Florida the first 40 minutes. They outscored the Isles 2-0 and outshot them 18-11. Sasha Barkov and Nick Bjugstad each tallied during the first two periods. When the second ended, disappointed fans at the new arena on Atlantic Avenue let their team know about it.

From the outset of the third, it was a different Islander team. With coach Jack Capuano starting his fourth line anchored by Casey Cizikas, they established a strong forecheck which provided some energy. With Florida going into a preventive shell, the more determined Isles came after the Cats with vigor. They fired as many shots (11) in the first half of the stanza but were unable to beat Luongo. He made a couple of sparkling saves and had a bit of luck with his best friend the goalpost.

But with the ice tilted, it was just a matter of time. Finally off a Panthers’ turnover in the neutral zone, Kyle Okposo broke through when his wrist shot from distance beat Luongo cutting the deficit to 2-1 with 7:10 left. Suddenly alive, they nearly fell behind on the following shift. The Panthers’ top line of Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau and Jaromir Jagr nearly connected. But Jagr sent a cross ice feed over the net with a gaping net.

It was that close to being 3-1. Instead, the Isles tied it on the following shift. On a strong cycle from Cizikas, Josh Bailey was able to get to a John Tavares rebound that Luongo leaked out and steer one home for the tying marker sending Barclays Center into bedlam. The two goals came 81 seconds apart.

The way the period was played, you could tell overtime would not be required. The Panthers went for it but were denied by Thomas Greiss. It was Luongo and his struggling defense that cracked. On a broken play, Cal Clutterbuck sent a backhand from a sharp angle in tight that fooled Luongo for the game-winner with 1:39 remaining. It was Clutterbuck’s second clutch goal in eight days. He also was the hero in a one-goal win over the Rangers on Mar. 6.

After Florida pulled Luongo, they pressured but were unable to force extras. Interestingly, the Isles have now won 11 straight when Clutterbuck scores a goal. He has 13 on the season.

Notes: The Islanders got defenseman Calvin de Haan back from a injury. He took 21 shifts logging 22:48 of ice-time with four shot attempts, a minus-one rating and five blocked shots. As a team, the Isles blocked 18. The trio of de Haan, Johnny Boychuk (4) and Travis Hamonic (3) accounted for 12 of the 18. … After getting outshot 18-11 in the first two periods, the Isles held a 17-7 shots advantage in the third. … Greiss picked up the win with 23 saves while counterpart Luongo stopped 25 of 28.

Battle Of NY 3 Star Selection

3rd Star-Sasha Barkov, FLA (goal-22nd, assist, 9 shot attempts, 9-and-4 on draws in 23 shifts (18:29)

2nd Star-Josh Bailey, NYI (game-tying goal-12th, 3 SOG, +1 in 17 shifts-14:48)

1st Star-Cal Clutterbuck, NYI (game-winner at 18:21, 3rd-13th of season, 5 hits, +1 in 19 shifts-14:39)

Posted in NY Islanders | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vigneault comes under criticism

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Derek
Oscar Lindberg has seen his ice-time dwindle under Alain Vigneault, who benched his fourth line in a back-to-back. The Rangers fell 5-3 to the Penguins at MSG. AP Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Oscar Lindberg has seen his ice-time dwindle under Alain Vigneault, who benched his fourth line in a back-to-back. The Rangers fell 5-3 to the Penguins at MSG.
AP Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Playing for the second straight day, the Rangers dropped a 5-3 decision to the Pens at MSG. If there one word to sum up a weekend in which they got one point against Detroit and Pittsburgh, it would be disappointing. They didn’t do quite enough to win. So, the end results were predictable.

A day after getting dominated for long stretches against the puck possession Red Wings, the Rangers were underwhelming in losing to the Pens a second straight time. They still have one more game against them this month. It’s in two weeks when Pittsburgh visits the Garden again for the final regular season match up on March 27. If it’s anything like the last two, I think I’ll just skip it.

Most perplexing about today’s home defeat was the questionable decision making of coach Alain Vigneault. With his team playing the second of a back-to-back, he decided to shorten his bench by sitting the fourth line. Kevin Hayes (5:36), Dominic Moore (5:47) and Oscar Lindberg (7:02) hardly played. Somehow, a more playable fourth line didn’t receive one shift in the third period. It didn’t make a whole lot of sense. In a tweet, I noted how MSG Radio’s Dave Maloney took him to task. The consensus is overwhelming.

https://twitter.com/NewYorkPuck/status/709092196482416641

Would Vigneault have come to the same conclusion had Tanner Glass been in the lineup? He sat due to an upper body injury. No disrespect to Glass, who has given a good account of himself in his second season on Broadway. The three goals and two assists with a minus-one and 42 penalty minutes in 44 games is a solid output for the physical forward who leads the club with 172 hits. However, he’s not as good a skater as Hayes or Lindberg. Glass’ effort is unquestioned. Vigneault even trusts him to kill penalties. An area he’s been hesitant to use Lindberg, who has seen less and less ice-time. Is there any doubt he’ll be the odd man out when Glass returns?

It’s interesting to note that when Glass is on the fourth line, they usually get shifts in the third period. On a day where he had a chance to see what four skating lines could look like, Vigneault chose to shorten up. Double shifting players can be effective when trailing. But with a tired team, it probably made better sense to roll four lines. It’s not like Hayes can’t be a factor at even strength. He’s a superb skater with strong possession skills who is good at finding teammates. Lindberg has size and has scored 12 goals and added 14 helpers in his rookie year. He is willing to go to the net. Moore has always been a clutch performer. If you give him skilled linemates, he can come through offensively.

So, what gives? It’s a better question for a coach who usually sidesteps such issues during the post game. He didn’t avoid it. But just chose to go with a top nine that now includes Eric Staal and Rick Nash, who played his second consecutive game. He led the team with six shots. If he can find chemistry with Staal, that could make the Rangers dangerous this postseason. Especially with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider going.

The question is with Vigneault behind the bench, will he make the most out of his improved forward depth? On the contrary, the blueline remains a issue. In his second game back, Marc Staal had the misfortune of having Matt Cullen’s game-winner go off his skate. Partner Dan Boyle was on for four goals against including Sidney Crosby’s odd empty netter that he couldn’t stop. With inconsistency from vets including Dan Girardi, the defense appears to be much weaker than in past years.

The Rangers have always been successful from the goal out. Henrik Lundqvist and backup Antti Raanta have covered up for a lot of mistakes. However, there have been inopportune times where they have let in goals late in periods that have tied or cost them games. Whether it be a game-tying goal such as Brad Richards’ with the goalie pulled at Detroit or Artemi Panarin’s power play winner with three minutes to go in a home defeat to the Blackhawks, it’s as disturbing as the Rangers’ penalty kill. A once team strength remains a flaw. They entered ranked 27th out of 30 on the PK.

In the postseason, scoring dries up. It becomes a battle won in the trenches. Five-on-five, the Rangers are capable. But they also don’t defend consistently. Special teams are an important aspect. The good news is the power play has improved. Derick Brassard converted on it with Chris Kreider screening. Kreider also scored on a tip at Detroit. The Rangers have scored at least one power play goal in five straight. Brassard, Kreider and Keith Yandle have been key contributors.

The bad news is the penalty kill remains a issue. They’ve allowed power plays goals in five of the last six. They have a tendency for giving them up at bad moments. Unless the coaching staff can fix it, it could be a disappointing Spring. Even with Lundqvist, this team is more beatable. They have struggled against the division losing all three meetings with projected first round opponent and rival the Islanders. They are 1-2-0 against the Pens and finished 2-2-1 against the Caps. They were better against Washington. A familiar opponent they have had good history with. Less convincing was losing three of four to the Devils.

So, who are the 2015-16 Rangers? After 69 games and 85 points, we still don’t have the answer.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Lost Weekend for struggling Rangers

Posted on March 13, 2016 by Derek
Connor Sheary gets congrats from Justin Schultz and Eric Fehr after scoring one of two goals during a Pens' 5-3 win over the Rangers. AP Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Connor Sheary gets congrats from Justin Schultz and Eric Fehr after scoring one of two goals during a Pens’ 5-3 win over the Rangers.
AP Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

It was a disappointing weekend for the struggling Rangers. After giving up another tying goal in the final minute during a frustrating 3-2 overtime defeat at Detroit, they played a bad home game in a equally exasperating 5-3 loss to the Penguins. With a chance to put some distance between them and the idle Islanders- 3-1 losers at Boston Saturday- they blew a golden opportunity and remain three up on the Isles, who have three extra games left.

In the loss to the Red Wings, they got back Henrik Lundqvist, Rick Nash and Marc Staal. Lundqvist did his part standing on his head making 40 saves. Defensively, the Rangers were atrocious. They gave the skilled Wings too much room and were dominated at even strength. Lundqvist stopped all 15 Detroit shots in a lopsided first that saw his team get a late goal from the hot Derek Stepan in the final minute. Stepan is playing his best hockey scoring and setting up big goals. He and linemate Chris Kreider were bright spots with Kreider scoring for a second consecutive game on a Stepan set up in the first against Pittsburgh.

It was a Kreider tip of a Keith Yandle shot for a power play goal that put the Rangers in a winning position against Detroit. His goal with 4:27 left in regulation put them ahead 2-1. But with Eric Staal off for holding Red Wings’ rookie Dylan Larkin, they pulled Petr Mrazek for a 6-on-4. During a wild sequence, former Ranger Brad Richards was able to beat Lundqvist tying the score with 32 seconds remaining. In the 3-on-3 overtime, Pavel Datsyuk worked his magic stealing the puck and having his shot carom off teammate Darren Helm for the winner at 3:03.

Playing for a second straight day in another early start (12:30 PM) following Daylight Savings, the Blueshirts got off to a good start. They outshot the Pens 19-13 in a entertaining first period. However, they only came out even. A J.T. Miller minor for holding the stick led to the Pens taking the lead on a Patric Hornqvist power play tally at 11:56 from Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Before the period concluded, Kreider finished off a pretty pass from Stepan for his 16th with 1:54 left. A nice play in transition started by Kevin Klein, who drew the secondary assist.

After recording 19 shots in the first, the Rangers had only eight the rest of the contest. Not good enough against a quality opponent desperate for points with the Flyers breathing down their neck. It wasn’t the Pens’ stars who did them in. Instead, it was Connor Sheary scoring twice during a bad second period that saw the Pens outshoot the Blueshirts 10-2.

Following Sheary’s first goal on a neat deflection of a Justin Schultz shot, the Rangers made one of their two shots count when Derick Brassard scored his team-leading 25th on the power play thru a Kreider screen. Keith Yandle continues to be a factor on the man-advantage recording his 15th power play assist on Brassard’s tally. Seventeen of Yandle’s 40 points have come via the man-advantage. Brassard leads the team with seven power play goals and 19 power play points. Stepan also netted a assist for his second of the game. He extended his point streak to five straight (2-5-7). He’s 3-6-9 over the last eight.

Sheary got his second of the game beating Lundqvist on a breakaway at 15:55 of the second to give the Pens their third lead. He went high blocker. Tom Kuhnhackl and Eric Fehr drew assists. They led 3-2 after two.

In the third, captain Ryan McDonagh tied it by beating Fleury with a pretty wrap around at 5:04. Jesper Fast continued his impressive play with the primary helper. The second-year Swede is one of the club’s hardest workers. Alain Vigneault has rewarded him by putting Fast with Brassard and J.T. Miller on the first line. He probably is better suited on a bottom line but the coach likes what he brings. Fast has quietly had a good season with 10 goals and 15 assists. His improvement is noticeable due to hustle. He never takes a shift off. J.T. Miller notched the other assist. His second point in the last three following bad stretch.

With the game tied, the Pens had some good luck. Matt Cullen had his centering feed from behind the net bank off Marc Staal past Lundqvist with 8:51 left. The Rangers’ misfortune was the Pens’ good fortune. Cullen’s 11th from rookie Dominik Simon (1st NHL point) and Brian Dumoulin proved to be the game-winner.

When it’s going bad, you don’t get the breaks. The Pens’ final two goals took funny bounces off Rangers. Crosby’s empty netter went off Dan Boyle’s stick and in at 19:21. Obviously, fans weren’t happy about it on Twitter.

It concluded a bad weekend. At least they got a point against Detroit. Not coming away with anything against the Pens, who are without Evgeni Malkin for at least six to eight weeks, is inexplicable. Sure. They were more rested. But this was another disjointed performance. A disturbing trend that’s rearing its ugly head again. Aside from the 3-2 win over the Caps, they have been badly outplayed lately. Even in the 4-2 victory over Buffalo, it was ugly. They rely too much on the goalies.

What’s done is done. Now, they must go on a challenging three-game Californian trip with stops in Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose. Three tough road games over four days including a back-to-back at the Ducks and Kings between March 16 and St. Patrick’s Day. We’ll see how they respond.

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment