Russian Hockey Part II

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Derek

In my study of Russian Hockey, I’ll take a look at the impact Russian players have had on the NHL. This post will be about the best individual seasons. Let’s break it down further:

In league history, there have been five Hart Trophies for Most Valuable Player handed out to Russians. Washington Capital Alexander Ovechkin tops the list with three Harts (’07-08-’08-09, ’12-13). Current Pittsurgh Penguin Evgeni Malkin took the award in 2012. Recently inducted Hockey Hall of Famer Sergei Fedorov won it in ’93-94.

Fedorov became the first Russian born player to win the Hart during ’93-94. At age 24, he finished second in scoring with 120 points (56-64-120) in 82 contests for the Detroit Red Wings helping lead them to a division title. As noted in the previous post, Fedorov led the league with 39 even-strength goals and finished second in plus/minus (48). He also scored four shorthanded goals and was not surprisingly the Selke winner for top defensive forward. His big year was also recognized by his peers who elected him the Lester B. Pearson Award as MVP by the players.

Ovechkin won the first of three in ’07-08. At just 22, he lit it up with a league-leading 65 goals and 112 points taking home the Art Ross and Rocket Richard. How lethal was he? Ovechkin led in even strength goals (43) and power play goals (22) and game winners (11)  while pacing the league in shots (446). That dominant a season allowed him to win the Pearson. The Caps topped the old Southeast Division with 94 points returning to the postseason.

For an encore, Ovechkin repeated with a league best 56 markers, 56 assists and 110 points. He led the league with 36 goals coming at even strength. He still put up big numbers in power play (19) and game-winners (10) while recording a incredible league-leading 526 shots. His second postseason was also strong with 11 goals, 10 helpers for 21 points in 14 games. Unfortunately, the Caps fell to the rival Pens in a entertaining seven-game second round series. It remains the only one that matched up Ovechkin with Sidney Crosby. That could change in ’15-16.

Before Ovechkin won his third MVP, fellow Russian Malkin took home his first in ’11-12. Having already established himself with a Conn Smythe at age 22 when he followed up a career best 113 points (35-78-113) with a playoff-leading 36 points (14-22-36) in leading the Pens to a third Stanley Cup in ’08-09, the incredibly talented Malkin came back from injury to produce his first ever 50-goal season with 59 assists and a league-leading 109 points in 75 contests. Of his 50 goals, 37 were even strength and 22 were power play. For his effort, he also took home the Ted Lindsay Award which replaced the Pearson.

After a couple of down seasons, Ovechkin returned to form during the shortened season of 2013. He took home his third Hart tying Bobby Clarke, Mario Lemieux, Howie Morenz and Bobby Orr for the third most all-time. He can catch Eddie Shore (4) and possibly Gordie Howe (6). All-time leader Wayne Gretzky (9) looks unreachable. A strong finish allowed him to win the Rocket Richard with 32 goals. He tied for third in scoring with Crosby tallying 56 points (32-24-56) while playing in all 48 games. Ovechkin led the league in power play goals (16) and shots (220). For the third time in his career, he led the Caps to the second round but the Rangers eliminated them in a hard fought seven games. Unfortunately, that’s been a recurring theme for the emotional Washington leader. His team blew series leads of 3-2 in 2013 and 3-1 in 2015 to the Rangers losing in gut wrenching fashion last Spring in Round 2. On a better team that leads the East by a nice margin, Ovechkin has a chance to rewrite the script.

Throughout history, Russian players have led the NHL in scoring three times. Ovechkin was the first in ’07-08 with 112 points, Malkin followed suit with 110 in ’08-09. He won his second league scoring title in ’11-12 with 113.

The Rocket Richard count is at eight. Ovechkin is responsible for five. Ilya Kovalchuk has one and Pavel Bure won the award twice in ’99-00 and ’00-01 but also led the league in ’93-94. The award recognizing former Canadien legend Maurice Richard started in ’98-99 with Teemu Selanne fittingly winning it with 47.

While all three are deserving, the forgotten Russian who isn’t recognized is Alexander Mogilny. In ’92-93, Mogilny scored 76 goals to tie Selanne for the league lead. Playing in obscurity for the Buffalo Sabres, the electrifying Mogilny was a highlight reel while teaming with centerman Pat LaFontaine. His 76 goals in 77 games is one of the few marks that’s gotten lost. That’s basically a goal-per-game clip for a entire season. His 76 remain the most ever scored in a single season by a Russian born player. Mogilny also set the single season mark for most points by a Russian in ’92-93 with 127 (76-51-127).

Mogilny is an interesting case for the Hockey Hall of Fame. He doesn’t have the star power of Fedorov or Bure. But he did total 473 goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points in 990 career NHL games. Injuries limited his production. Had he been healthier, 500 goals would’ve been a lock along with 1,000 games. His final season was ’05-06 with the Devils when he totaled 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 34 contests. The bitter conclusion to an otherwise brilliant career has made him overlooked. He ranks second behind Fedorov in most points (1,032) as a Russian star. He was over a point-per-game and won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000. Will he be recognized?

Somewhat curiously, Kovalchuk has 816 points in 816 games. When he returned home to star in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for St. Petersburg SKA, Kovalchuk was at 417 goals with 399 assists. He last played in the NHL in ’12-13 totaling 11 goals and 31 points in 37 games. He’s still only 32. If he ever returned, 500 goals would be a lock as would 1,000 points. It remains to be seen.

Interestingly, Russia has never produced a Norris winner for top defenseman. They’ve had some excellent ones including former Rangers’ Cup hero Sergei Zubov and former Cap/Pen Sergei Gonchar. Both had superb careers that should be recognized. Gonchar played in 1,301 games for six teams (Caps, Bruins, Pens, Sens, Stars, Habs) totaling 220 goals and 591 assists for 811 points. The 811 are the most ever by a Russian defenseman in the NHL. Gonchar won a Cup with the Pens. He retired last year with Montreal posting a goal and 12 helpers in 45 contests.

Zubov is a two-time Cup winner (’94 Rangers, ’99 Stars) who tallied 152 goals, 619 assists and 771 points in 1,068 games. His last NHL season was ’08-09. Zubov played one season in the KHL with St. Petersburg SKA totaling 42 points (10-32-42) before retiring. He went out the right way. 

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Streaking Devils take down the Stars in OT

Posted on January 2, 2016 by hasan4978

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Just a week ago it looked like the season was hanging in the balance for the Devils after a string of up and down efforts with up and down results to match.  However I’m sure coach John Hynes is a happier man tonight after one of the team’s most complete performances of the season, where they not only beat the Stars 3-2 in OT but played well throughout against a fine team.  Of course that isn’t unusual this season where the Devils have usually stepped up to the challenge of facing good teams, but the win tonight gave them a three-game winning streak with two of them at home – both welcome developments to be sure after it’d been weeks since the Devils had even a two-game winning streak and weren’t winning as frequently at home.

All in all it’s been a good week to be a Devils fan starting with the open practice and autograph session the team held on Sunday afternoon at the Rock.  The event itself was well done with about a dozen tables of two players each spread throughout the arena to cut down on lines although with approximately a thousand people there and about an hour wait between the end of practice and when the players got to their tables, the lines still got packed.  I wasn’t going to stay for the autographs being I had a big Jet game to watch but going out of the seating area I wound up next to the Cory Schneider line and it hadn’t filled up yet so I figured I’d at least stay for that.  I wound up getting him, Keith Kinkaid, Jon Merrill and Sergey Kalinin to sign the poster and still left around 1:30, every other line had filled by then anyway so my attention was back on the football at that point.

Of course on the ice things improved as well even though Tuesday’s game against Carolina the Devils were more fortunate to win than anything else, being they were outplayed badly as the game wore on and all three goals they scored went off a body part.  The next night they shut out Ottawa in a Cory showcase game with 36 saves.  Tonight’s game however was a complete effort, their remodeled d-pairings held up against a high-powered offense for most of the night while their offense chipped in just enough to win, despite the surprise absence of leading scorer Mike Cammalleri with an upper-body injury.

At least the Devils still had Kyle Palmeri in the lineup, and among others he played maybe his best game as a Devil, not only scoring the team’s first goal on a wraparound early in the second period but taking the body throughout with some physical play.  He was credited with three hits in twenty-one minutes but it seemed like more.  Centerman Travis Zajac was also singled out for effective work shadowing Dallas’s dangerous scorers in the postgame both by coach Hynes, and by his teammates who gave him the hardhat of the game.  Another Devil who’s impressed lately – really since he’s got here – is sparkplug Bobby Farnham.  Initially thought to only be a fourth-line energy guy, Farnham scored his fifth goal of the season which is quite impressive considering he’s only played nineteen games so far.  And every one of the goals has been more of a goalscorers’ goal as opposed to the lucky random goals fourth-liners typically get.  Even his bank shot off a defenseman against the Canes on Tuesday took some thought.  Tonight he had a nice shot from inside the faceoff circle after good work from Stephen Gionta and Jordin Tootoo on the boards.  Sure he’s not going to keep up a 26% shooting percentage but hey if you’re going to put guys like Tootoo, Jacob Josefson (relegated back to being a healthy scratch this week) and AHL’er Mike Sislo on the PP why not give Wild Thing a shot?  Maybe this guy could follow a David Clarkson path and develop some late-blooming offense?

Palmeri and Farnham scoring in a five-minute span of the second period gave the Devils a 2-0 lead but even with Schneider and the team playing well I wasn’t totally confident we’d be able to hold a lead against that offense.  Sure enough in the third period Dallas’s skill began to show when John Klingberg abused David Schlemko out of his skates and whipped a pass off the stick of Adam Larsson to Patrick Sharp in front for an in-close score to cut the lead to 2-1 at 10:54.  Less then four minutes later the Stars tied the game with the immortal Colton Sceviour beating Schneider through traffic (some of which was apparently caused by Schlemko, who got benched pretty much thereafter).  Fortunately the Devils were able to get the game to OT after Schneider stoned an unidentifed Star with a wicked glove save late in the game.  In OT, Jamie Benn’s early penalty gave the Devils a 4-on-3 chance, and for the second time this season in OT John Moore delivered with a bomb from the point to win the game.  Overall, the Devils are 6-1 in games decided in OT this season, yet another incentive to avoid the shootout.  And don’t look now, but not only do the Devils have a wild card spot but they’re actually gaining ground fast on the other local teams for one of the automatic three playoff berths in the Metro.

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Panthers claw listless Rangers

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Derek

The more things change… the more they stay the same. That is the story for the ’15-16 Rangers who can’t seem to find any consistency 38 games into what’s turning into a worrisome season. Especially with the Pens heating up and the Devils continuing to win.

Facing the Panthers to start the new calendar year, they couldn’t build on their last effort in Tampa. Instead, it was another frustrating night. Make no mistake. The better team won. The hungrier one too. The Panthers cashed in on Ranger mistakes for a 3-0 shutout win moving back into first in the Atlantic Division. It was their franchise record eighth consecutive win.

It didn’t start out that way. For most of the first period, they were fine. Limiting the faster Panthers offensively, the Rangers looked to be in good shape until the final shift. An unforced turnover from Emerson Etem led directly to Logan Shaw finishing off his fourth from Corban Knight with 24.6 seconds left. It was part of a horrible night for Etem, who also was responsible for the second goal.

Despite firing 15 shots on Roberto Luongo in the second, they couldn’t get one past the future Hall of Famer. Unlike the first meeting at BB&T Center when he was culpable on a few in a 5-4 overtime loss back on 11/21, Luongo was sharp throughout. He made some key stops when the Rangers had pressure. In particular, his cat-like glove did some nice work to deny Derek Stepan, Keith Yandle and Rick Nash.

The end result was Luongo’s 71st career shutout. The most among active goalies. Henrik Lundqvist is second with 57. He stopped all 40 Ranger shots for his 418th career victory.

Jaromir Jagr gave his former team a couple of power play chances with undisciplined penalties. But they weren’t willing to oblige. Luongo made some timely saves the Blueshirts weren’t willing to pay the price in front. Notably Chris Kreider, who has stopped screening goalies. On one such sequence, he watched Yandle wind up and gave Luongo a clear path for a routine glove save. That wasn’t his only hiccup.

Despite only getting six shots in the second, the Cats increased their lead to two. Vincent Trocheck deflected home a Alex Petrovic shot from the right point past a frustrated Lundqvist at 4:41. On the play, a scrambling Etem was lost in coverage and didn’t get back to take Brian Campbell, who dished across for an open Petrovic shot that took a favorable bounce for the home team.

It was Etem again who took a mindless hooking minor with 16 seconds left. Given another look on the third line, he was brutal. A turnover that led to the game-winner. A blown assignment on the second. Then a foolish penalty after a strong shift where he was noticeable on the forecheck. So here we are folks. In his 19th game as a Blueshirt, Etem took 10 shifts and was minus-two in 6:38. Kevin Hayes will be back no doubt for the first overall Stars on Tuesday.

The end came when Brandon Pirri was left all alone by Ryan McDonagh to beat Lundqvist on the power play with Etem in the box. His power play goal made it 3-0 a little past the halfway point.

It didn’t matter that there was still a period and a half left. The game was over. The Rangers predictably didn’t score. Once again, if you can shutdown Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Nash, who was with Stepan and Jesper Fast a second straight game, you basically neutralize the offense.

As if it wasn’t already ugly enough, Kreider pulled one of his foolish cheap shots shoving Florida defenseman Willie Mitchell from behind into the boards which earned him two for cross-checking and two for roughing with Pirri coming to Mitchell’s aid. It wasn’t as bad as it looked. However, it’s the kind of dirty play the NHL is trying to eliminate. Maybe this is the one that earns Kreider some discipline.

What’s so puzzling about him is he won’t use his physical tools to screen goalies or score garbage goals. But he’ll show frustration and deliver a cheap hit that could’ve injured a respected veteran. It was just a dumb play by a confused player.

To their credit, the Rangers didn’t give up. They kept trying to score on Luongo. But came away empty handed.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Tanner Glass, NYR (one of few players to battle, fought Thornton to lengthy draw after clean check on Kulikov)

2nd Star-Brandon Pirri, FLA (power play goal-8th, stood up for Mitchell)

1st Star-Roberto Luongo, FLA (39 saves for 71st career shutout)

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Video of Day: Draisaitl’s wizardry sets up Hall goal

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Derek

Part of what makes hockey special is the remarkable vision some players have. In the second Video of Day installment, Oilers center Leon Draisaitl with already a Play of The Year candidate. On a rush, he has enough wizardry to make a no look feed for a trailing Taylor Hall for a highlight reel goal.

Even better, it came with a defender on him and was of the backhand variety from behind the net. Simply amazing. Draisaitl sure has made the most of his second chance which poetically came when top pick Connor McDavid went down with a broken clavicle. At the time, Draisaitl was upset for being sent down. All he’s done is produce on the top line with Hall and Teddy Purcell. He now has nine goals and 23 assists in 30 games. And Hall is having a monster season with 16 goals and 25 helpers.

Wait till McDavid returns. The fun is just beginning.

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Hayes Scratched Again

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Derek

If Alain Vigneault didn’t make his point before, he certainly has now. After having Kevin Hayes sit out a Rangers 5-2 win over the Lightning to end 2015, he’s decided to make Hayes a healthy scratch again for the Panthers tonight.

It’s unsurprising that Vigneault decided to stick with the same lineup that played the Rangers’ most complete game in a while. Usually, it’s been how he operates. If the team wins, he’ll go back to it and see if it can again. Facing one of the league’s most improved teams, he sending a message to Hayes and the team. He wants a more consistent effort from everyone. New York Post beat writer Brett Cyrgalis got a interesting response from Vigneault.

Clearly, Vigneault has finally decided to take a stand. It’s about time. This is what I’ve been asking for. Consistency. Accountability. Hayes has played his way out of the lineup. Considering that Viktor Stalberg and Tanner Glass remain in on the fourth line, that should change. In order to be successful, the Blueshirts need more from Hayes. When he does return, it’ll be interesting to see how he responds.

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Video of Day: Eichel scores on breakaway

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Derek

Our Video of Day is back for the New Year. The first post of 2016 features Sabres rookie center Jack Eichel scoring on a breakaway against the Red Wings during today’s game. He got his second on a break in after Pavel Datsyuk fell down and beat Petr Mrazek with a forehand deke off the goal post and off Mrazek and in.

The best part is listening to a revved up Rick Jeanneret call the goal. Is there a more exciting announcer in sports? Jeanneret is a legend. His enthusiasm is second to none.

Eichel also got the other Buffalo goal in the second period. His two goals came 3:01 apart to help tie the game. The first was a snap shot from the right circle. Buffalo now trails Detroit 3-2 early in the third.

The 19-year old Eichel has been hot of late. He concluded December with nine points (2-7-9) in the last six games. That included a career high four points (2-2-4) in a 6-3 win over the Bruins. With two more goals today, that gives him 11 points in the last 7. He’s now tied with Detroit’s Dylan Larkin for first in goals (13) among rookies.

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Russian Hockey

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Derek
A decade earlier, I discussed a potential book with a great Devil fan Sue. She pitched the idea of digging deeper into Russian hockey roots. Russia’s influence changed the game with the historic ’72 Summit Series the tip of the iceberg. With more time for other hockey ventures, reexaming Russia is worth looking into.

During the lockout, MSG Network has run hockey specials, including some classic exhibitions between the Rangers and Russia during the 1970’s. What we got was a rude awakening to just how skilled the Russians were. They were so advanced, using superior conditioning, skating and playmaking to mount an attack. One we weren’t ready for. It makes Canadian hero Paul Henderson that much more special. And also explains why Bobby Clarke simply followed orders with a two-hander breaking Valeri Kharlamov’s ankle. No way would they have come back.

It’s rare that I’ve seen highlights of Kharlamov. However, either by YouTube curiosity and thanks to MSG, I got to see how breathtaking he was. This was a special talent who would’ve brought fans out of their seats had he been able to play in the NHL. There’s no telling how many goals he would’ve scored. A look into how good the Stastnys were with particularly Peter gives us only a glimpse. And we know how great he was. If you haven’t seen the piece on NHL Network about their defection, watch it.

On NBC Sports Network last year, they aired a great documentary on the Summit Series. It gave us more perspective from both sides as far as what they were thinking and strategy. This is a must for any hockey fan.

In my first discovery, hockey was originally called “banty” in Russia. Played in the 1890’s, they used a ball instead of a puck. Ice hockey was introduced in the 1930’s. From my understanding, their version was much different from Canada with the Russians carrying over banty rules.

It wasn’t until the 1950’s that coach Anatoli Tarasov changed their philosophy, turning the CCCP into a powerful unit. They were successful instantly, winning the world championships in ’54 and finishing first in the Olympics in ’56. It was just the beginning with the Soviets taking nine consecutive world championships and winning eight European. Under Tarasov, they took Olympic gold in ’64, ’68 and ’72. Their dominance gave them the nickname Big Red Machine.

Tarasov also coached CSKA (Central Sports Club of the Army), guiding them to 17 championships. He coached them for 27 years (’47-74). For his contribution, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 1974 in the builders category. A Kontinental Hockey League division is named after him. The Tarasov Division is one of four in the KHL featuring CSKA Moscow, HC Vityaz, Severstal Cherepovets, HC Sochi, Dynamo Moscow, Topedo Nizhny Novgorod and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

STYLE OF PLAY: The Russian style of hockey is all about skating, puck possession and play making. As emerging Caps second-year center Evgeny Kuznetsov references in a post he wrote entitled How We Play Hockey in Russia on the Players Tribune, Russian players are taught from a young age to skate, hold onto the puck and pass.

My father teach me, too. First thing, you never look at puck. Eyes always up. Look left, right, forward. You look down, it’s over. Even now, if I look down at puck in a game, my dad let me know about it. He texts me. If I score three goals but I don’t have an assist, he texts me. Because he teach me to be unselfish. You have to play for your partner. This is very Russian, this principle. I guess because of the Red Machine.

But this works only when all five guys working together perfect. If a guy skates in and shoots from blue line without passing, it’s like he doesn’t have respect. That’s how we play in Russia. When I come to America last year to play in NHL, I learn it’s a little different.

Russian hockey is all about skating and skill. One point Kuznetsov mentioned was that if a player dumped the puck in the KHL, they were often benched. It probably helps better explain why some Russian players aren’t as successful in the NHL. There’s a huge difference in philosophy. On a smaller ice surface with less time and space, sometimes the only good play is to dump the puck in rather than risk a turnover at the blue line.


However, Kuznetsov also illustrates the team oriented style the Caps play. Similar to how the defending champion Blackhawks play, they possess the puck and play off each other. It’s resulted in a Eastern Conference best 28-7-2 record with 58 points in 37 games. It’s also worth noting that that puck possession style has won Chicago three Cups in six years. 
Two of the greatest Russian hockey players who can control a game are Sergei Fedorov and Pavel Datsyuk. Ironically, they’ve starred for the same team in Hockeytown for the Red Wings. They followed in the footsteps of countryman Igor Larionov. Aside from the fact they all played together winning Cups in Detroit, what do they all have in common? All three could skate and make plays with the puck. They could each use their speed to back up the D gaining the blue line while circling around looking for open teammates.
Both Larionov (2008) and Fedorov (2015) were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Datsyuk should join them when his career is over. A remarkable two-way player who’s won two Cups and three Selke Trophies as the league’s top defensive forward, the supremely skilled Datsyuk combines great skating and play making with tremendous defensive acumen. Throughout his career, he’s only finished a season with a minus rating once. Like Fedorov, he’s a fantastic skater who makes everyone around him better.
To be honest, Fedorov’s ’93-94 Hart season is still one of the more memorable. He had 56 goals and 64 assists totaling 120 points with a plus-48 rating. He finished second behind Wayne Gretzky in scoring, third in goals trailing countryman Pavel Bure (60) and Brett Hull (57). Fedorov was second to Scott Stevens (+52) in plus/minus leading all NHL forwards. He led the league with 39 goals at even strength and tied for second in game-winning goals with 10. 
Until recently, Fedorov held the record for most goals (483) scored by a Russian in the NHL. Alexander Ovechkin passed him this season. Ovechkin currently has 496 and will become the first Russian born player to reach 500. Astonishingly, he’ll do it at only 30. The three-time Hart winner and five-time Rocket Richard winner is writing his own legendary script in Washington.

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Moore’s go ahead goal gives Rangers win over Lightning

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Derek

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Alain Vigneault got his wish. With Kevin Hayes a healthy scratch, his team showed more urgency earning a 5-2 road win over the Lightning. It snapped a eight-game road losing streak. It was their first win away from MSG since 11/23 at Florida. The final stop on a three-game road trip Jan. 2.

At the very least, they closed 2015 on a more positive note. They finished December with a 4-7-2 record. With the Caps continuing to win (5-2 over Sabres), the Rangers are second in the Metro with 46 points. One better than the idle Islanders and three ahead of the Devils, who prevailed at Ottawa 3-0. Through 38 games, they’re 21-13-4.

A big part of the win was the play of the fourth line. The trio of Dominic Moore, Tanner Glass and Viktor Stalberg were factors. Moore got the winner from Stalberg with 16:44 remaining in the third period. Stalberg added an empty netter from 153 feet out with 1:21 left.

After being called for a “interference penalty” on a great hit on Brian Boyle that led to a controversial power play goal from Anton Stralman at 19:51 of the second, Glass separated Stralman from the puck causing a turnover which allowed Stalberg to feed Moore in front for a sweet finish. It was the hustle of that line which allowed the Blueshirts to beat Ben Bishop for the first time in 10 regular season meetings. He gave up 3 goals on 24 shots.

Moore also was involved on the first goal. On a forecheck, he fed Keith Yandle who passed across for an open Dan Boyle, who continued his great play by burying his fifth at 1:53 of the first. Boyle has been the team’s best defenseman since returning to the lineup. He’s scored all five goals in the last 10 games between 12/9 and 12/30. In fact, nine of his 12 points have come during that stretch. He also helped set up the second goal in the second period.

The only thing they did wrong was take bad penalties. Near the conclusion of the first, Rick Nash went off for hi-sticking. At that point, the Bolts were 0-for-2 on the power play with just one shot total in the first. That changed quickly when Jonathan Marchessault was able to deflect home a Stralman point shot past Henrik Lundqvist to tie the score at 16:35. That made it points in eight of Marchessault’s last nine games. Not bad for a guy who never got a sniff here or Columbus.

It was in the second that the Rangers retook the lead. Taking a Boyle outlet, J.T. Miller out-skated three Lightning players zipping through the neutral zone and around before dropping for a quick Mats Zuccarello one-timer that went high glove on a asleep Bishop. Just a great play by a more confident player who’s blossoming in his third year. A hard working player who is very involved physically, Miller finished the month with seven points (4-3-7) in the last eight contests. In fact, his 13 points (6-7-13) on the road lead all Blueshirts this season.

Unable to get much done at 5-on-5, the Lightning made the Rangers pay again on the power play. It was due to a puzzling call on Glass. With Boyle a couple of feet from the puck, an attacking Glass went to finish his check knocking Boyle into the Rangers bench where he greeted a few of his former teammates. Following a Boyle complaint to refs Tom Chmielewski and Brad Meier, Glass was sent off for interference. The explanation was that Boyle didn’t have the puck when Glass delivered the hit. It still was a garbage call by a hypocritical league that half the time doesn’t punish offenders who do far worse.

Even odder was the Bolts’ tying goal from Stralman. With time winding down in the second, Stralman battled Jesper Fast in front for a loose puck. After taking a few swipes, he connected sending a shot towards Lundqvist who looked to have it covered leading to Chmielewski and Meier blowing the whistle. However, the puck crossed the line causing the Lightning players to protest. Originally, it looked like an intent to blow rule which would prevent the goal. But after a review, they reversed the call. An awful decision by two incompetent officials who somehow missed a good goal. Instead of sticking with their mistake on a controversial rule, they changed it giving the Bolts a goal.

None of it mattered in the third when Moore was able to beat Bishop in front for his fourth on a Stalberg feed following a Glass takeout of Stralman. Moore also beat Victor Hedman on the clutch play to put the Blueshirts ahead for good.

It wasn’t a Picasso. It didn’t need to be. The Rangers played a 1-4 sending one forechecker in while clogging up the neutral zone. A strategy once employed by former coach Tom Renney. It’s ugly hockey for sure. Something that troubled Phil Esposito during a radio interview with MSG’s Dave Maloney during the second intermission. Esposito isn’t a fan of this style and feels players are over coached and that there’s not enough creativity. He also isn’t a fan of parity. All good points.

The play of the game was made from Marc Staal who saved a goal prior to Moore’s winner. He prevented a sure goal by just doing enough to keep the puck out while in mid-air. It was that close. If he doesn’t make that play, who knows if the Rangers win. Defensively, they were a lot better than recently. There weren’t many panic attacks although I cringed when Ryan Callahan caught a pinching Girardi flatfooted and then forced Lundqvist into a difficult stick save.

For the most part, everybody did their job. Lundqvist only had to make 20 saves. Following Stalberg’s odd turnaround empty netter from way out after a Moore faceoff win, Nash added an empty netter giving him 12 goals.

Now, they get New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day off. Hopefully, they’ll start the new calendar year in the same fashion against the improved Panthers.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Tanner Glass, NYR (2 attempts, 4 hits, +3 in 19 shifts-9:53-did take 2 penalties but 1 was a weak call and he was strong overall as was Stalberg)

2nd Star-Dan Boyle, NYR (5th of season, assist, +2 in 25 shifts-19:04-possibly his final game against former team)

1st Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (GWG-4th of season, assist, 10-for-14 on draws, +3 in 20 shifts-11:39)

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Rangers visit Lightning in final game of 2015

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Derek

Later tonight, the Rangers visit the Lightning in the final game of 2015. Having dropped eight straight away from MSG (0-6-2), they will face the team that beat them in a emotionally draining Eastern Conference Final. It still hurts. That said, that team was different. They were more consistent in all phases of the game despite injuries to our top three defensemen.

With the Islanders pulling back ahead for second and the Devils suddenly three points behind with the Flyers creeping up, the time is now for the Blueshirts to start turning things around. The playoffs are no longer a lock. Not with how they’ve played. The lackadaisical coverage, lazy turnovers and undisciplined penalties have caught up. They’re also not getting the big saves from Henrik Lundqvist, who’s been in a funk. If that continues, then the postseason is in jeopardy.

Kevin Hayes has played himself out of the lineup. His response to Alain Vigneault’s criticism is worrisome. If he won’t change, then the second half could be empty. Hopefully, logic will prevail and he’ll respond to the challenge.

With him out, Vigneault has again altered the lines. J.T. Miller moves up to the top line with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Rick Nash will start with Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast. Chris Kreider is on the third line with Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem. I guess this is Etem’s chance to prove himself. He’s playing with better talent. We’ll see if it works.

That leaves Dominic Moore anchoring Tanner Glass and Viktor Stalberg. A grind line that should supply energy. If Stalberg can stay away from the bad neutral zone turnovers, it should be okay. Glass has continued to bring a lunch pail work ethic. You can tell how much this second chance means to him. If only more skilled under performing players played with that urgency.

More is needed from Kreider who remains puzzling. He did record two assists in the loss to the Predators. During that comeback attempt, his strong work on the forecheck resulted in a Miller goal that cut it to 5-3. Vigneault got that line back out and Kreider nearly deflected a shot past Pekka Rinne forcing him into a difficult save. What I don’t get is why Vigneault changed that line. Kreider works best with Stepan. Miller is playing his best hockey. So much for patience.

Nash has also disappointed with 11 goals. Sure. He scored a gimme the other night on a Rinne giveaway. But 11 goals from their best finisher is not enough production. He just hasn’t performed well. Nash finds himself with Stepan and Fast, who is miscast as a second liner. I get it. He brings energy and scored on a deflection of a Dan Girardi shot. But the idea that he’s in the top six is absurd. That he has the same amount of goals (6) as Kreider and Hayes sums it up.

As for the blueline, it’s not even worth discussing. Girardi went back in and had a decent first game with Ryan McDonagh. How long will the trademark top pair last before Vigneault switches to McDonagh and Kevin Klein? Klein is with Keith Yandle, whose game has slipped. When he’s not contributing offensively, Yandle is mistake prone and can be exploited. That’s why Klein is with him.

Marc Staal has struggled with consistency. Like Girardi, he doesn’t have the foot speed and can be attacked by fast skaters. Facing the Lightning who boast Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat could be dicey. Jonathan Drouin is expected to return. The Bolts have gotten good play from Jonathan Marchessault. A former Ranger property who lit it up in Hartford, he has seven points over his last seven contests. Does he come out for Drouin or does Jon Cooper scratch someone else?

Given that the Bolts also boast lethal shutdown tandem Victor Hedman and former buddy Anton Stralman, this match-up is troublesome. I neglected to mention Steven Stamkos and Ranger killer Alex Killorn (somewhat appropriate). Plus you know Brian Boyle and Ryan Callahan will be up for this game.

There’s also the matter of Ben Bishop, who’s never lost to the Rangers in nine regular season games. He’s 9-0-0 with a 1.43 goals-against-average, .947 save percentage and two shutouts against them. He also beat Lundqvist last Spring which still stings. Bishop played hurt and still shut our team out in Games 5 and 7.

All these factors along with the Blueshirts’ road woes point to a Lightning victory. Hopefully, the boys will respond well and send 2015 off on a happier note.

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Vigneault criticizes “healthy scratch” Hayes

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Derek
Kevin Hayes

Kevin Hayes will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season when the Rangers visit Tampa Wednesday. Alain Vigneault had some choice words for the struggling second-year forward. AP Photo by David Zalubowski/Getty Images

I’ve been all over Kevin Hayes for a while. It’s no secret that the second-year forward has been a huge disappointment for the Blueshirts. His struggles continued in Monday’s 5-3 road loss at Nashville. He was minus-one and lost seven of eight face-offs.

In December, Hayes has only two assists in 12 games. Aside from the lack of production, he has been one of the culprits defensively. There have been too many instances where he has failed to pick up his man resulting in goals against. An unselfish player, he has also been guilty of bad turnovers due to over passing.

But as we learned today, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault went out of his way to criticize Hayes. Indicating that Hayes would be a “healthy scratch” for the first time this season when they visit the Lightning tomorrow, Vigneault didn’t mince words.

“I think we all have our tipping points, and I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash, especially considering [center Derek Stepan] was out for quite some time,” Vigneault told reporters after a team workout before traveling to Tampa. “But there’s just nothing going on. At the end of the day, we’re at the point now where we have to make some decisions in the best interests of the team.”

Following a promising rookie season that saw him finish with 17 goals and 28 helpers for 45 points in 79 contests, much was expected of Hayes. But the 23-year old former BC alum has not come close with just six goals and 11 helpers in 37 games. He is without a goal in 16 straight. His last one came in a home win over Nashville which was also the last time he registered two points.

“When you go through a season, there are phases when you’re trying to develop, you’re trying to work, as you’re trying to win — winning is obviously the final component to everything,” Vigneault said. “But in those early on there, you’re trying to figure out and find out about people. In Kevin’s case, I think we made it clear our expectations about him and what we felt he could do were very high. Obviously, he hasn’t lived up to that.

“Did we over-estimate his possibilities? I don’t know, time will tell. But I do know that what I’m seeing now, and what we’re seeing now, is not good enough.”

Most notably, Vigneault expressed disappointment in another aspect of Hayes. One that raised eyebrows.

“I think part of work is not just on the ice and off the ice, but it’s in the preparation — preparation that permits you to execute on the ice. When I say that we’ve reached our tipping point, me and management, those are decisions that we discuss. Just felt that this time, this is the right thing for him to do.”

What Vigneault is likely referring to is what Hayes does off the ice between games. That is not what you want to hear from a patient coach who has given Hayes chance after chance to figure it out. It’s well documented that he once misbehaved when he was at Boston College. He’s known as a cocky kid who doesn’t lack for confidence. When asked by the press about the criticism, here was Hayes’ response:

“The reason why I’m here — I’m confident in my abilities. Things aren’t going my way, aren’t going the team’s way, I’m not going to switch. There [are] things I need to switch, get pucks in their end, do things a little bit better, but I’m not going to stray away from what I bring to the table. I’m confident with what I have.”

“My game isn’t nearly where I want it to be. Goals and aspirations coming into a season, and I haven’t even come close to mine. I’m struggling right now, so take it day-by-day, see how it goes.”

It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that Hayes’ game has fallen apart. He hasn’t found chemistry with anyone. Vigneault tried him out on the wing with Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan but that was a short lived experiment. After he put Hayes back at center, he showed signs anchoring the third line. By far his best play came on the third line when he totaled nine points (4-5-9) over a 10-game stretch between 10/22 thru 11/14.

Stepan went down 13 days later forcing Vigneault to scramble to find the right combo. He also made an example of rookie Oscar Lindberg sitting him out once due to undisciplined penalties. With Hayes out for tomorrow, that means Emerson Etem returns to the lineup. What Vigneault wants is for Hayes to learn a lesson.

“I think I like players that project that confidence, whether it be that swagger or that cockiness — but you have to be able to go on the ice and perform,” he added. “Right now, we need all our top foot soldiers, all our top guys, to bring their A-game to the table. Kevin is one of our younger players that can help us and can complement what our top soldiers are supposed to do.

“For us to be at this stage right now, it’s obviously because we’re very unhappy with the way he’s played so far.”

It’ll be interesting to see if this changes anything. Hayes won’t play again until January 2 in the new calendar year when the Rangers visit the Panthers. That’s assuming Vigneault reinserts him. Logic dictates he will over Viktor Stalberg. With the team struggling in all aspects, is this the message that turns things around? We’ll have to wait and see.

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