Battle Of Hudson

It’s time for the Rangers to respond to the challenge minus captain Ryan McDonagh. It starts with Henrik Lundqvist, who must return the favor against Devil adversary Cory Schneider tonight.

Since their match against the Flyers on Saturday, plenty has been said in the aftermath of Wayne Simmonds’ sucker punch that KO’d Ranger captain Ryan McDonagh. To their credit, the Rangers dug deep rallying back for an emotional 3-2 shootout win over the Flyers in the City of Brotherly Love. It was a critical two points earned thanks to Keith Yandle’s tying goal with 12.9 seconds left in regulation and then Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan each beating Steve Mason in the shootout.

As they enter another crucial match against a classic division rival in the overachieving Devils, the Rangers must turn the page. It won’t be easy minus McDonagh, who suffered a concussion from Simmonds’ short left hook with his glove on which led to his dismissal. At the time, I felt it wasn’t worth a match penalty. But in hindsight, the appropriate call was made. Given the nature of McDonagh’s injury, Simmonds got the rest of the day off- leaving both benches without a key player. With the Flyers opting to go full prevent mode, the Rangers took advantage despite four of their five defensemen logging over 24 minutes including 27:33 from game hero Yandle. He’ll now play a larger role until McDonagh recovers.

While the team turns its focus to tonight’s game against Hudson rival New Jersey, coach Alain Vigneault erupted at the league following the morning skate. Still hot over Simmonds not facing any discipline with the Flyers’ power forward in the lineup for Sunday’s loss to Washington, he went after the NHL Department of Player Safety. He even went full John Tortorella referencing if McDonagh was Sidney Crosby, would the league have ignored it entirely.

“What I didn’t expect was the reaction from the league,” Vigneault told reporters following team practice courtesy The Journal News’ Rick Carpinello. “An All-Star player gets sucker-punched, goes down. I wonder if that’s (Sidney) Crosby, what happens? What are the consequences? And, on top of that, a player breaks his stick, throws it at the referees. In the rulebook, that’s automatic. It’s three games. Nothing happens.”

He’s referring to Simmonds’ overreaction to getting tossed from the game. He lost his cool breaking a stick and tossing it in the direction of the officials. A no no. Per a tweet from the always outspoken New York Post’s Larry Brooks, he cites Rule 40.4 which states that any player who physically threatens an official by either throwing a piece of equipment or stick at them is subject to an automatic three-game suspension. Somewhat curiously, Rule 39.5 contradicts Rule 40.4 because it’s not viewed the same.

Perhaps the league felt the match and game misconduct were enough in this case. Whatever the reason, they decided not to further discipline Simmonds for his actions. It’s easy to forget that he reacted to McDonagh’s crosscheck to the head. Something first-year Flyer coach Dave Hakstol didn’t take kindly to. As Simmonds went for a check, McDonagh got his stick up and then gave him a whack in the helmet, earning two for hi-sticking and two for crosschecking. He reacted angrily with a gloved punch McDonagh never saw coming.

Sadly, some Flyers’ pundits accused him of “acting.” Well, he stayed down and is now hurt. The same fans and media are now using Crosby taking a Marc Staal two-handed to the back of the neck in the playoffs as their defense. Kind of ironic considering how much hate there is for Crosby and the interstate rival Pens. By the same token, Vigneault uses Crosby as a crutch when Staal wasn’t disciplined for that crosscheck in a series the Rangers came back and won.

The whole thing is nonsensical. The usual arguments on social media are silly. It’s time to stop complaining. What’s done is done. Whether the league got it right is another story. However, there isn’t anymore time to spend on McDonagh and Simmonds. The Rangers do face the Flyers once more at The Garden this Sunday. That could be interesting.

As for what’s important, it’s the remaining 30 games starting with the Devils tonight. A team they haven’t beaten losing twice in two tries including a deflating 3-2 loss on Feb. 2 in which they blew a one-goal third period lead. The other loss came way back on Oct. 18 with Ranger killer Lee Stempniak winning it in overtime. That was the first Devil victory under rookie coach John Hynes. Since, they’ve been a factor entering play tied in points (60) with the Pens but out of the second wildcard due to one less regulation/overtime win and two more games played. Both New Jersey and Pittsburgh are a point behind the Islanders for third in the Metro and trail the Rangers by four.

The Blueshirts must concern themselves with life without McDonagh. If the second period Saturday was any indication, it’ll be challenging. Right now, they have four right defensemen and two left. That means Vigneault must rotate one right D. For now, that includes rookie Dylan McIlrath, who he still won’t commit to which is puzzling. The Rangers will be recalling a defenseman from Hartford with either Raphael Diaz or Brady Skjei the likely candidates.

Yandle and Staal will receive big minutes as the two naturals lefts. Dan Girardi and Dan Boyle will be leaned on heavily. In his return after missing one game with a fractured thumb, Kevin Klein struggled in 19-plus minutes. He’s clearly not 100 percent. But then again, neither is Girardi who continues to play with a battered kneecap. The defense will be tested this week by the Devils, Pens on Wednesday and Kings Friday. Then the rematch with the Flyers is on Valentine’s Day.

They’re also still minus Rick Nash, whose bone bruise still isn’t fully recovered. He hasn’t played since Jan. 22 against Carolina. Astonishingly, his 33 points rank third in team scoring behind Derick Brassard (39) and Mats Zuccarello (38). J.T. Miller has picked up the slack with eight goals and an assist in the last nine games. Chris Kreider scored for a second straight game and is up to 11 goals and 25 points. He is on a line with Zuccarello and Derek Stepan. They’ll need to continue to contribute.

Jesper Fast has been a key contributor during this stretch. He had the key primary assist setting up Yandle’s tying goal. The second-year Swede quietly is playing well with four helpers over the last four with a plus-seven rating. He hasn’t scored a goal since Jan. 11 but does other things including getting in on the forecheck and penalty killing which is still a work in progress on a struggling unit. However, Vigneault trusts him enough to keep him on the right wing with Brassard and Miller.

The lines remain intact. Kevin Hayes will continue to be between Oscar Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg. Hayes remains a disappointment with seven goals and hasn’t recorded one since Jan. 9. Lindberg has no goals in the last nine. However, his fight with Matt Read sparked the Ranger revival in Philly. He still isn’t fully trusted by the coaching staff. Stalberg kills penalties and has been a tireless worker. The fourth line will continue to be Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore and Daniel Paille. They must become more of a factor at 5-on-5. But it’ll take a total team effort with a tough schedule.

That means Henrik Lundqvist must be at his best. He’s facing Vezina candidate Cory Schneider later. He was outperformed by Schneider in the last meeting. If he can deliver a win, he’ll tie Martin Brodeur for the most wins in the first 11 seasons. He’s won 364 thus far with 33 coming against the Devils in 55 starts. For his career, he’s 33-15-7 with a 1.88 goals-against-average, .931 save percentage and eight shutouts versus New Jersey in the regular season. It would be fitting if he tied Brodeur tonight. Especially with the Devils set to honor the all-time winningest netminder tomorrow in Newark.

Astonishingly, Kevin Klein practiced even with a fractured thumb. The injury occurred on a check from Devils forward Reid Boucher with 3:02 left in the Rangers’ 3-2 loss Tuesday. Klein immediately left the ice in pain.

Coach Alain Vigneault indicated that he would be out indefinitely. It looked bleak. But following the morning skate for tonight’s home game against the Wild, Klein won’t be out as long as expected. That’s why the team didn’t recall an extra defenseman from Hartford. A credit to Klein’s toughness. He won’t play tonight. So, Dylan McIlrath is in.

Klein’s determination sums up the urgency there is with 32 games left. The playoffs are not a certainty. With 59 points and 25 regulation/overtime wins, the Rangers lead the Islanders by a point for second in the division and both the Pens and Devils by two. There’s a lot of work to be done.

Instead, forward Jayson Megna gets another chance. He replaces Tanner Glass, who finally sits after dressing in 25 consecutive games since his recall. To his credit, he’s been better bring a lunch pail work ethic and physical edge to a roster that lacks toughness. But there’s no way they can continue to ice a fourth line that includes both Glass and penalty killer Daniel Paille with Dominic Moore. So, Vigneault chose to stick with Paille, who will be in for a fifth straight game since signing.

The penalty kill remains an eye sore allowing two power play goals in two chances to the Devils. It’s ranked 25th out of 30 teams at 78.4 percent. Ironically, the Wild are 24th killing 79.3 percent. Both teams also have bad power plays. Minnesota is 22nd (17.4) and the Rangers are 24th (17.0).

Speaking of the man-advantage, Vigneault has finally made a change to the top unit promoting Keith Yandle and demoting Ryan McDonagh to the second unit. Here’s how they look:

PP1 Yandle-Brassard-Zuccarello-Stepan-Kreider

PP2 McDonagh-Boyle-Megna-Miller-Hayes

Still without Rick Nash who did a workout off the ice rather than skate, the lines remain the same except Megna slides into Glass’s spot on the fourth line and gets power play time with the second unit.

NYR Lines

Miller-Brassard-Fast

Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello

Lindberg-Hayes-Stalberg

Paille-Moore-Megna

Defense Pairs

McDonagh-Girardi

Staal-Boyle

Yandle-McIlrath

Justin Williams converts one of two goals past a helpless Henrik Lundqvist in a Caps’ 7-3 humiliation of the Rangers back in December. AP Photo by Seth Wenig/Getty Images

Picture the anticipation of something great only to be let down. Maybe it’s a cool ride everyone’s told you about at a amusement park. Or a new movie that’s out. Or a rock concert or Broadway show. Whatever it is, it just doesn’t fulfill expectations. For this True Blue diehard who’s attended games up in the Blueseats for two decades, that’s the ’15-16 Rangers.

I’ll admit that I still had optimism. I believed in the roster despite key subtractions Carl Hagelin to Anaheim (now a Pen) and Martin St. Louis to retirement. I even went against logic taking this team to the Stanley Cup Final. Even crazier, I believed Ducks could fly together picking them to defeat our Blueshirts breaking New York hearts again.

Part of the rationale was that with young talented forwards Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller a year older, I felt they could more than make up for the loss of production from Hagelin and St. Louis. Like many Garden Faithful, I bought into the hype. I believed Hayes and Kreider would take their games to the next level. Instead, they’ve left our fanbase exasperated. I also felt Miller would be a key cog. At least that part has come to fruition with the third-year forward emerging into the team’s most consistent player. With two more goals in a gut wrenching 3-2 defeat to the Devils Tuesday night, he now has seven goals over his last seven games. His 15 markers are third on the club behind Derick Brassard (17) and team leader Mats Zuccarello (18). His 27 points are tied with Keith Yandle for fourth in team scoring. It is also Miller whose four game-winners lead the club. He’s also tied with Brassard in plus/minus (11) for tops among forwards.

Fifty games into the season, the Rangers are clinging to second place in the Metropolitan Division with 59 points. One clear of the third place Islanders and only two ahead of the Penguins and Devils. A tough position to be in considering they still haven’t put together a win streak of over two since reeling off a season high nine in a row between Oct. 25 thru Nov. 15. In fact, they went two months without winning two straight until posting consecutive wins over the Canucks on 1/19 and Hurricanes on 1/22. Prior to that, it came between 11/21-23 against the Panthers and Predators. Since that point, they’re 11-15-3. Considering that they started 16-3-2, the current record of 27-18-5 has them in a close battle with teams who have closed the gap.

The Rangers are no longer a playoff lock. Even as they sit with the East’s third most points trailing conference leader Washington and Atlantic Division leader Florida, two total points separate the top three seeds in each division from the two wildcards. In fact, Tampa Bay and Detroit will break a three-team tie for second with Boston in points. All have 58. The Bruins have the first wildcard due to playing one more game (50) and having less regulation/overtime wins. The Pens are the second wildcard over the Devils by virtue two fewer games played (49). They’re playing their best hockey with star captain Sidney Crosby recording a hat trick in a 6-5 win over the Senators on Tuesday. The addition of Hagelin has dramatically improved them, fitting in with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel.

Complicating matters is that the Blueshirts’ remaining schedule is mostly against division rivals and teams in the conference they’re battling. So far, they’re 7-5-4 against the Metropolitan. They fell to 0-1-1 against the Devils with two left including a MSG rematch 2/8. The final meeting is 2/23 in Newark. Interestingly, they have yet to face the Pens. The two rivals will play four times over the next month. The first meeting is 2/10 in Pittsburgh. The other three are in March with a road date 3/3 and two home dates on 3/13 and 3/27. They’ve also lost twice to the Islanders in Brooklyn going 0-1-1. The Islanders don’t visit The Garden until 3/6 with a potential big meeting on Apr. 7. The Rangers’ 81st game. They also play the Flyers twice more visiting Philly on 2/6 with the hated rivals invading Broadway on Valentine’s Day. The Flyers hold the upper hand with a 2-0-1 record. The defending champion Blackhawks visit on 2/17.

Then there are the Caps who have dominated. Since beating them 5-2 on Nov. 3, the Rangers have dropped the last three meetings including a tough 4-3 overtime loss on Jan. 9. A game they came back in before allowing a tying goal to Nicklas Backstrom with under six seconds left and a Alex Ovechkin overtime winner. The Caps dominated on special teams in a 5-2 home win on Jan. 17. The Rangers see Washington once more on Mar. 4 in D.C. The two combatants have a great rivalry going. But if they do get in and see the Caps once more, it probably won’t be until the second round again.

There are also challenging parts of the schedule such as a two-game in three day road trip at St. Louis and Dallas between Feb. 25-27. There’s also a three-game Western California trip in four days at Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose spanning Mar. 16-19. They also still have to play the Red Wings twice including on the final day of the season on Apr. 9. The final three games are all at home but against quality opponents in the Lightning, Islanders and Detroit.

There just aren’t many cupcakes left. Even with all Montreal’s struggles, the Rangers have one more trip to Canada on Mar. 26. The Bell Centre has always been a house of horrors. It follows a crucial home date against the Bruins. No one can predict where the Canadiens will be or whether Carey Price will return. Games like at Toronto and two more against Columbus are must haves. Ditto for the Sabres and Jack Eichel, who they see twice more. Plus one more visit at Carolina who are improved but remain beatable.

Break it all down and they need to get hot. Parity is great for the league who encourage wild playoff races. The Rangers have 32 left starting with the low scoring Wild at MSG tomorrow. They already lost once to them. Then, it’s the Flyers, Devils, Pens, Kings, Flyers and Hawks. In other words, either they figure it out or they’ll be booking tee times a lot sooner than most expected.

If they are to turn it around, it starts in net with Henrik Lundqvist. Since a world class start, he’s been average letting in questionable goals that make you wonder if he’s mentally taxed from the subpar play of Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Dan Boyle. Alain Vigneault has leaned heavily on him. Lundqvist has started 41 of 50 and still has respectable numbers with a 2.43 goals-against-average and .921 save percentage. But he’s facing more shots and dangerous scoring chances which are starting to show. The tying goal he allowed to Joseph Blandisi was unacceptable. Even if the rookie blew past Girardi and fired from the circle quickly, it was a momentum killer. Shortly after, Oscar Lindberg’s penalty led to a complete breakdown allowing David Schlemko to beat Lundqvist for the winner. That wasn’t his fault. Just as the Lee Stempniak power play put back wasn’t. Defensively, the Rangers haven’t helped him as much as in past years.

It’s up to Lundqvist to answer the challenge. He’s the unquestioned emotional leader in the room. Now approaching 34, the affable Swede has shown some frustration. He’s questioned the coaching staff more including calling out Vigneault for not using a timeout to rest players following a icing in a game the Caps tied. He knows the window is closing. His elite play won’t last forever.

The aforementioned defense has been the biggest drop off. With wear and tear showing on Girardi and Staal, they are no longer the same lock down defenders. However, Vigneault and assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson continue to have blind faith sending them out against top competition. After splitting apart Ryan McDonagh from Girardi while giving the more dependable Kevin Klein a chance, Vigneault went back to his original top pair. Even though they performed better recently, goals like the one Blandisi scored off the rush are more common due to Girardi’s lack of foot speed. The same can be echoed of Staal, whose game has come and gone. Having him paired with Dan Boyle is a nightmare defensively. They’ll continue to be together with Klein out which also means Girardi stays with McDonagh. Dylan McIlrath at least gets back in and teams with Keith Yandle with who he’s comfortable with.

At what point does Vigneault finally give Yandle more time on the top power play unit? He continues to lean on McDonagh, who doubles as the top shutdown defenseman drawing tough assignments. Yandle is the Rangers’ best offensive defenseman leading them in assists (24) with 27 points which are three better than McDonagh. Yet he’s mostly on the second unit despite producing one less power play point (1-7-8) than McDonagh (2-7-9). At times, Yandle drives me crazy with his pass first, rarely shoot mentality. But when it works, it’s a thing of beauty like the set up for Miller’s second last night. A point of contention on social media is that the organization didn’t give up Anthony Duclair and a conditional first for Vigneault to under utilize Yandle, who can walk this summer. There are too many instances where he’s not seeing the ice enough while Girardi and Staal get more responsibility.

Then there’s the offense. Since a hot start, Zuccarello has been very inconsistent. There are some nights where you can’t even find him. Maybe the drop in play has to do with what he came back from. It’s easy to forget that he took a McDonagh shot to the head and suffered a brain contusion and partial skull fracture that forced him to see a speech therapist. Early in the season, he was brilliant. It was like he never had a career threatening injury. But over the past two months, he has lost that edge. Instead, he is mostly on the perimeter and never backchecks getting toasted by Blandisi in the neutral zone. His production has dropped off. He’s now second in scoring with 35 points (18-17-35) trailing Brassard by two.

Speaking of Brassard, he’s been streaky. At times, you don’t notice him except for laziness defensively. However, he’s the most talented center the team possesses. Capable of career nights like the five-point explosion he had in a home win over Buffalo. Or most notably, the hat trick and five points he had in Game 6 against the Lightning of the Eastern Conference Final. He can be that good. Brassard’s goal production is up with 17. He’s never scored 20 before with the 19 he got along with a career high 41 assists and 60 points his best season in ’14-15. He’s also improved dramatically on faceoffs winning 52.0 percent. No matter who he plays with, the Rangers need him to be more consistent. He has it in him.

While we’re on the case of consistency, look no further than Derek Stepan. Granted. The more responsible two-way pivot who plays in every situation including penalty kill hasn’t been 100 percent missing 10 games due to a broken rib. However, more is expected than nine goals and 21 points in 40 games with a disappointing plus-five rating. The lazy penalty he took in the offensive zone at the end of the first period Tuesday led directly to Stempniak’s power play goal. It’s the kind you don’t expect from a team leader. Afterwards, Stepan emphasized how the Devils competed several times. That’s been part of the issue with this team. He’s made strides on faceoffs closing in on 50.0 percent for the first time in his career. Now, it’s about production for a player who’s getting paid $6.5 million-per-season.

We’ve already documented the struggles of Hayes and Kreider. Both have underachieved in key restricted years that could cost them dollars with the cap possibly not going up due to the drop in the Canadian dollar. With Miller outperforming them, he could be the beneficiary. Simply put, Hayes gets a F for his season. Seven goals and 15 assists along with costly giveaways and blown coverage along with a dismal faceoff percentage make him the biggest disappointment. A puck possession beast, he’s capable of much better.

The same can be echoed of the physically gifted Kreider who has just nine goals and 14 assists in 47 games. After showing signs with points in four straight including three markers, he’s without a point and minus-three since missing a game with neck spasms. He shows flashes nightly using his game breaking speed to create dangerous chances like the one he got on Cory Schneider, who stoned him on a break in. However, Kreider needs to bury some of the opportunities. He’s been unlucky. It’s time for that to change.

Hayes’ inconsistency has really hurt the third line. Last year, he had an advantage playing with speed demon Hagelin, who doubled as a two-way threat. This year, he’s bounced around due to setbacks with the latest one to Rick Nash (bone bruise) forcing Vigneault to mix and match. While Miller has found a spot on the top line with Brassard and for now the more hard working Jesper Fast, Hayes is with Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg. Hayes makes that line go with his skating and puck possession. Stalberg has been terrific lately creating on the forecheck and even contributing seven goals.

Then there’s the current state of the fourth line. It’s not pretty with Daniel Paille and Tanner Glass struggling since being put together with Dominic Moore. There’s not enough speed nor skill for any type of consistency. Glass was good when he returned but has leveled off. Moore has been spotty even on the penalty kill. If things were normal, Stalberg would be on the fourth line with Fast. But they aren’t. So, it leaves them a little short on depth.

With Nash, who’s been a terrible disappointment with only 12 goals in 45 contests still out, the organization recalled Jayson Megna. That they felt he should be the guy again speaks volumes. After giving up on Emerson Etem for Nicklas Jensen, he doesn’t even get a look. Instead, it’s Megna who is a righty shot that had initial success with a great Broadway debut with a goal and helper in a win. But he went pointless the last four and feel down the depth chart.

What about giving a kid like Ryan Bourque a shot on the fourth line and penalty kill? He can kill penalties. His 24 points for the Wolf Pack are tied for second with Marek Hrivik. Another forgotten prospect. If Megna really is the only player they’re comfortable with, what does that say for the organization? Of course, it’s understandable why first-year pros Adam Tambellini and Ryan Graves would stay down. They’re not ready. But they already gave Brady Skjei a cameo. He’ll be a big part of the blue line in the future.

Then you add Klein’s re-injury to his thumb which could impact what the Rangers do at the Feb. 29 deadline. Right now, they’re carrying six defensemen. Not even Raphael Diaz is coming up. Instead, it’s Megna with Vigneault wanting to make a lineup change. I wonder who for. Paille or Glass. If it’s Lindberg for his penalty, there truly is no hope.

So, what does it all mean? That more and more fans are getting fed up with the coach and organization. There seems to be a double standard. Vets are treated differently than kids. I get that the core is beloved. Vigneault has made his decision. He’ll live and die with the mistakes of Girardi, Staal and Boyle. Particularly Girardi and Staal, who are blood and guts leaders who helped lead the team to its only Stanley Cup appearance since 1994. They played hurt last May and still somehow got within a period of a second straight Cup Final. If it works, then there’s hope. If not, then you can pretty much guarantee that Vigneault’s stubborn ways will cost him his job by next year.

Kevin Klein celebrates an overtime goal. Getty Images/nydailynews.com

The Rangers announced that defenseman Kevin Klein is out indefinitely with a fractured thumb. He sustained the injury after taking a uncalled slash from Reid Boucher landing awkwardly into the boards with 3:02 remaining in the third period. He immediately left the game and was in pain.

It comes as no surprise that Klein will miss time. It didn’t look good. So, once again the Blueshirts will be without one of their most dependable players on the back end. Since coming over in a trade for Michael Del Zotto, he’s been a steady influence that coach Alain Vigneault trusts. After putting up career marks in goals (9), points (26) and plus/minus (24) last season, the 31-year old vet has been unlucky with injuries. He missed 11 games with a oblique injury and injured the same thumb after blocking a shot last month.

Despite missing 12 games, Klein ranks first on the Rangers in plus/minus (14) and has three goals and seven assists with 13 penalty minutes, 64 hits and 81 blocked shots. Without him, rookie Dylan McIlrath will slot in and be reunited with Keith Yandle on the third pair. It speaks volumes that despite McIlrath proving he belongs in the lineup, he has to wait for an injury to get back in. With Vigneault showing way too much loyalty to the struggling Dan Girardi and even Dan Boyle and Marc Staal, it’s a shame that McIlrath has gotten into only three games since Dec. 22. At least now he’ll get the chance to play consistently until Klein returns.

What it means for the current roster is that the organization must recall someone from Hartford. They are down to six defensemen. It better not be Chris Summers again. Raphael Diaz makes sense because he can be carried as a serviceable extra. Hopefully, he doesn’t play at the expense of McIlrath. If that happens, that would be unfathomable. One thing about Vigneault. Don’t put anything past him.