Devils get glimpse of the future in Arizona

Posted on January 17, 2016 by hasan4978

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Heading into Arizona yesterday afternoon, the Devils’ season was at a crossroads after going 1-5 in their previous six games with the injury bug suddenly making its way through the lineup, particularly up front with leading scorer Mike Cammaleri still out, Patrik Elias recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery with his future even more cloudy than ever and Jordin Tootoo also out with a whatever body injury to go along with Bobby Farnham’s suspension.  Although John Moore would make it back for the game against the Coyotes at least putting the Devils at full strength on D, he only played about fifteen minutes in the game – perhaps a concession to easing him back in the lineup, not to mention the fact that the Devils contreversially went with an 11 forward, 7 defenseman lineup for the second straight game despite it not going very well in a 3-0 loss in Colorado.  That game the Devils iced a non-competitive lineup that featured recent callup Joe Blandisi with role players Sergey Kalinin and Tyler Kennedy as their only left wings with Reid Boucher still tearing up Albany.

Finally after the lifeless shutout in Denver, the Devils recalled Boucher and restored Eric Gelinas to the lineup, looking for a jumpstart to a lineup that had only scored six goals in their six-game skid out of a playoff spot and onto the bubble.  With Boucher and Blandisi in the top six yesterday and both contributing, the Devils’ eventual 2-0 win may have meant just as much to the team down the road as it did for keeping the team’s fading playoff chances alive for another day.  Leaving aside the fact the Devils were dominated by and large, being outshot 38-16 (inlcuding 28-8 in the final two periods) last night’s game was a showcase for several players including Boucher, who got the first goal less than four minutes into the game firing a wrister past Anders Lindback after a nice give-and-go with Lee Stempniak.  Boucher had scored fourteen goals in thirty AHL games this year, producing nearly a point a game but last night’s goal was just his fourth in 38 NHL games.  Then again Boucher rarely if ever had the chance to actually succeed he did last night, placed on a top line practically out of neccesity.  His goal and nearly sixteen minutes of icetime yesterday hopefully ensures him a longer look in the top six.

After a fairly even first period most of the rest of the night was the Cory Schneider show, as he put on an extraordinary show-stopping (not to mention puck-stopping) performance with a 38-save shutout, holding the fort in the final forty minutes as the play was almost all one-way.  One of the exceptions was Kyle Palmeri who earned special notice being physical, blocking shots and coming back into the game twice after getting banged up.  Between Palmeri and Schneider, they refused to allow the Devils to lose yesterday and Palmeri’s efforts were rewarded on the scoresheet just eighteen seconds into the third when Blandisi won a race to a loose puck – with the help of Adam Henrique finishing off a check – then trickled a pass toward the front that Palmeri stuffed home past Lindback for his eighteenth goal of the season.  Palmeri’s already exceeded his career high in both goals and points as his breakout season continues to pay dividends, and he’s almost assuredly a part of the future I was alluding to before as he won’t be 25 years old until February.  Blandisi’s assist was his second and with any luck he’d already have a goal or two on his ledger after a terrific performance in St. Louis went unrewarded.

Certainly the 2-0 win wasn’t artistic, but it was critical.  Heading into the season this was supposed to be a look toward the future year for GM Ray Shero and coach John Hynes as they figured out who was going to be a part of the team’s future, but a funny thing happened and this team kept staying in the playoff race.  At times management’s seemed to serve cross purposes, professing development in keeping Boucher down in the AHL for half the season and Gelinas off the power play saying he needed to work on his overall game, but being short-sighted enough to scratch Gelinas for AHL defenseman Marc-Andre Gragniani and scratching Stefan Matteau for any number of unimpressive vet forwards including AHL’er Paul Thompson.  Another weird decision came yesterday when they recalled forward Brian O’Neill and put him on the flight from Newark to Arizona, only to scratch him.  New Jersey’s next home game is back in Newark Tuesday, it would have made infinitely more sense to keep O’Neill down for the weekend then recall him Tuesday without needing to get him on a plane.

While the present still looks bleak vis-a-vis the injury report and the playoff hunt (where even the Hurricanes and Flyers have caught and passed us in recent days leaving us only clear of last-place Columbus in the Metro), perhaps the future is now for Boucher and Blandisi though, as each has earned the opportunity to crack a thin and banged-up Devils lineup and get a chance to succeed.  Not only is the more immediate future getting brighter but the distant future is as well with first and second-rounders Pavel Zacha (center/wing) and Mackenzie Blackwood (goalie) tearing up the OHL, though in Blackwood’s case he definitely has some edginess he needs to polish, as he’s been suspended twice this season…once for protecting the crease Billy Smith-style and more recently for shooting a puck into the stands after allowing a goal.  Recent first-rounder John Quenneville is also having a good season in the WHL and made the Canadian WJC team in December, even getting some top-line duty.  Another darkhorse to watch is 2013 fourth-rounder Miles Wood – son of former NHL’er Randy – who’s still 20 years old but doing well in his first college season.

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Hagelin is now a Pen

Posted on January 16, 2016 by Derek
Carl Hagelin

Carl Hagelin is now a teammate of Marc-Andre Fleury. He was traded to the Pens last night. Getty Images/John Minchillo

When the Rangers dealt Carl Hagelin to the Ducks at last year’s NHL Draft, they probably didn’t expect him to wind up back in the division on a rival chasing them. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened. Less than a year into a four-year contract that pays him $16 million, he was traded by Anaheim this morning to Pittsburgh in exchange for David Perron and Adam Clendening.

Hagelin is a now a Pen. Hard to fathom. It didn’t work out in Anaheim. In only 43 games, he had four goals and eight assists totaling 12 points with 14 penalty minutes and a minus-1o rating. Interestingly, four of those points came in his last four games. After recording a goal and helper in a win over Ottawa, he tallied an assist in another win over Dallas. Just as he may have been figuring it out under Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau, he goes to the Pens where he’ll be coached by former Rangers assistant Mike Sullivan. Someone who knows what he brings.

It’s probably a better fit. The speedy Hagelin improves the Pens’ depth. He is a great skater and strong possession player who plays both ends. A solid penalty killer, the 27-year old Swede should make some new fans in the Steel City. The ironic part is he ended their season last Spring when he beat Marc-Andre Fleury in the first overtime of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal (Metro Division Semifinal). I’m sure there will be some teasing from his new teammates which includes captain Sidney Crosby.

Hagelin in a Pens jersey is kinda sickening. It’s like a nightmare for Blueshirt fans. A guy we loved now plays for the enemy on a team we love to hate. Oddly enough, the teams have yet to face each other this season. They’ll meet four times in February and March. The Rangers visit the Pens next month on Feb. 10. They also visit Pittsburgh on Mar. 5. Having already returned with the Ducks to MSG on Dec. 22, Hagelin will return again as a Pen on 3/13 and 3/27.

With Crosby and the Pens playing better, those four games will be huge. They trail the Blueshirts by four points for third place in the division. If anything, having Hagelin will only spice up the rivalry. The thing is he’s an impossible player to hate. I won’t boo him. Those who do will if he scores against us.

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Vigneault comes to senses, changes lines

Posted on January 15, 2016 by Derek

Following last night’s disappointment in Brooklyn, Alain Vigneault came to his senses by changing the lines. With a visit to the Flyers for a 1 PM Saturday matinee, it looks like he’ll go more conventionally. Here’s what the projected lines look like based on this morning’s practice:

The first noticeable thing is Jayson Megna is rotating with Viktor Stalberg on the fourth line. After getting a extended look on the top line with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash/J.T. Miller, Megna went without a point the last three games. He had that great start with a goal and assist in a win over Dallas. Clearly, he isn’t cut out for a top six role let alone a top nine. With Stalberg going well, the fourth line should remain intact with Megna coming out of the lineup.

What that also means is after two games off, Oscar Lindberg returns tomorrow in Philadelphia. He’s back on the third line with Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast. At this point, that’s what it should be. Lindberg has 11 goals which ranks fourth on the team. It never made sense for him to come out. But that’s how bad a job Vigneault has done with the lineup this season.

It also means Chris Kreider returns to the top line where he’ll reunite with Stepan and Rick Nash. At this point, it’s either sink or swim for the disappointing third-year forward. In 41 games, he has six goals and 13 assists. There’s no if’s and’s or buts about it. He must be better in the second half. The livelihood of the team depends on it. Ditto for Nash, who despite getting his usual looks didn’t bury any against Jaroslav Halak. He has 12 goals with two empty net and one that didn’t even go in. That means Nash has only beaten goalies nine times. That is unacceptable. Even with time missed, Stepan has eight and he hasn’t been consistent either. No one has.

Vigneault decided to shift Miller back to the second line with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. They looked good when together recently until he had Nash back with them yesterday. Why not keep Miller there and see if he rubs off on them? Brassard is either really good or invisible like Thursday night. He is on pace for over 20 goals with his 15 trailing linemate Zuccarello by one. Speaking of which, he hasn’t been consistent either. After putting up nine points (5-4-9) in December over 13 games, he has only one assist in five contests so far in the new calendar year. The primary helper on Brassard’s tally against Boston. They need the old Zucc back.

Also, the D pairings remain the same. It looks like for now, Kevin Klein will stay with Ryan McDonagh on the top pair which is perfect. He’s been much steadier than Dan Girardi, who was rotating with Dylan McIlrath on the third pair with Keith Yandle. That leaves Marc Staal with Dan Boyle, whose game has slipped after a hot December. So much of it has to do with the power play. It’s 0-for-18 over the past seven games. The last power play goal came in a 3-2 overtime home win over Anaheim on 12/22. Zuccarello tallied on a 4-on-3. Boyle had the last PPG on a 5-on-4 in a blowout loss to Washington 12/20. That has to change. If that means moving Yandle up to the top unit, then do it already. Get the most out of your best offensive defenseman. That would require more ice-time from a stubborn coach who prefers McDonagh and Boyle on the first PP.

The bigger question is does McIlrath sit for Girardi. I’d like to think McIlrath would get another game. Outside of that undisciplined roughing minor that led to Nick Leddy’s game-winner, he was good again despite sitting six consecutive games. There’s clearly a place in the lineup for McIlrath’s combination of size and strength. He also is responsible in front of his net. Why not give him another one and rest Girardi for Washington on Sunday? When it comes to the coach, it’s ultimately his decision whether I agree with it or not. We’ll see.

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Rangers lose to Islanders in mind boggling fashion

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Derek
Brock Nelson

Brock Nelson celebrates his tying goal at the bench as the Islanders rallied from a goal back to beat the Rangers 3-1 at Barclays Center. A damaging loss that the Blueshirts earned with undisciplined play befitting of a flawed team in trouble. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

This one broke me. I can’t say for sure how other fans of the Rangers feel. After watching that, I have had it with this team. They are heartless. Soft. Vanilla. You can put whatever adjective you like. That’s what they are.

There’s simply no explanation for losing in the fashion they did to a hungrier, more determined bitter rival. Make no mistake. The Rangers gave this game away to the Islanders. Oh. No question. They wanted it more. That much was obvious by the way they played the third period. A period our team used to be money at. But no longer. And not for a while either despite that silly “stat” finally going to waste in a mind boggling 3-1 loss at Barclays Center.

So, there you have it. It took over two years for the Rangers to lose in regulation when leading after two periods. The Isles dealt them their first defeat since Nov. 29, 2013. According to Seth Rothman, they were 70-0-3 since and an astounding 165-1-9 since 2/6/2010.

By scoring three unanswered goals in the third, the Islanders overtook the Rangers for second in the division. They’re now 24-15-5 with 53 points and 20 ROW (regulation overtime wins) in 44 games. The Rangers fell to 23-15-5 and remain in third with 51 points and 21 ROW in 43 games. Once again, they failed to win two in a row. They haven’t been able to do so since 11/21-23. Mind boggling.

On goals from Brock Nelson (17th), Nick Leddy (power play) and Kyle Okposo (empty net), the Islanders took the game from the Blueshirts. One they were willing to let slip in a awful third. Coach Alain Vigneault should burn the DVD. This was putrid. Unmistakable. Undeniable. Every bad term in the book. There was no reason for it either. It was a game they had and just handed away.

For two periods, the hockey was well played by both teams. Despite no scoring for the first 39 minutes, the action was intense and satisfying. There didn’t need to be any offense added for artificial reasons. It was a classic game between the Rangers and Islanders. Tense shifts. Good shots. Scoring chances. Physicality. Defense. Great goaltending. Neither Henrik Lundqvist nor Jaroslav Halak budged. It was fantastic hockey in a true #RivalryNight. Not the fake ones NBCSN makes up sometimes.

The real shame is that there won’t be a rematch tomorrow or Saturday. The Brooklyn installment of the rivalry is done unless these teams finally meet in the playoffs. A distinct possibility if form holds. That’s a big if. A lot can happen. Instead, they won’t meet again in the regular season until March 6 and April 7 at MSG. Four meetings between bitter rivals. And not one back-to-back or home and home. NHL logic.

For the Rangers, they’ll be thinking about how they unraveled in a brutal third. It took a perfect play for them to beat Halak. A goalie they can’t beat. Oh. Everyone else can. But not our team. On a play where all five skaters touched the puck, Marc Staal redirected a Kevin Hayes centering feed past Halak at 19:14 of the second. Chris Kreider drew the other assist. He also was in front and originally credited but never touched it. It was that offensive dynamo Staal’s goal all the way. His second of the season that had the Rangers ahead 1-0 after two.

Normally, that’s a comfortable position for the Blueshirts. But not this team. The same Hayes who made such a great play skating and creating for Staal made an equally mystifying play that led to the Isles’ tying goal. Foolishly skating back into his zone, he twice gave away the puck. After the first giveaway, he recovered it but then lost control to an equally prone Keith Yandle. Succumbing to forecheck pressure, Yandle threw the puck away right to Nelson who had no trouble continuing his upswing with his fourth goal in two games. A team-leading 18th from Adam Pelech at 1:53.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Dylan McIlrath took a mind numbing roughing minor post-whistle. Back in the lineup for an injured Dan Girardi (thumb), he played two good periods even responding to Matt Martin’s challenge at the end of the second. But he gave Nelson an extra shot following a whistle and got nabbed. The officiating was fine till that point. They let them play. It was bit tacky. But a penalty nonetheless that proved costly.

The Isles took full advantage when John Tavares was allowed to roam around down low and set up a wide open Leddy for a wrist shot in front past Lundqvist for the game-winner at 4:17. It took less than a minute which sums it up. The Rangers penalty kill isn’t as lock down anymore. The forwards are never in the right position or the D screw up. Even Kevin Klein who went down allowing Leddy to get off the shot. Derek Stepan didn’t do a good job either. Just like that, a game they were in winning position from became losing position with two Isles goals in the first 4:17 of the third. Disastrous.

As if to prove a point although I have no idea what Vigneault was doing, he had both Yandle and Dan Boyle out for the next shift. It didn’t take long for the Isles to get another glorious scoring chance with Lundqvist bailing them out with a huge stop on Isles’ immortal Brian Strait. How was he even that wide open to begin with? On the same shift, Okposo got nabbed for a soft hook on Yandle giving the Rangers a power play.

Here’s the difference between these two rivals. When the Isles get one, they bury it. When the Rangers do, they fumble it. A perfect word considering the tomfoolery that was playoff football the past weekend in Cincinnati and Minnesota. Yandle finally got more power play time because he was already out. It didn’t matter. Despite forcing Halak to make a tough stop, he wasn’t able to atone for his mistake on Nelson’s goal.

The agonizing thing about the power play is it doesn’t matter who the personnel are anymore. They fail miserably. What are they now? 0 for their last 18? You want a reason why this team can’t string wins together? Whoop there it is. Nobody consistently scores. Derick Brassard has been the only forward worth a damn lately. Not even Mats Zuccarello escapes criticism. And Rick Nash? Do you want me to go there? He was very good early but disappeared back to the perimeter in crunch time. He of 12 goals with two empty netters. Same guy who led them with 42 last year.

If you can’t protect leads and can’t score goals, you aren’t winning hockey games with any consistency. The even worse aspect is they got shutdown by the Islanders who were without their two best defensemen. No Johnny Boychuk and no Travis Hamonic. And they had no problem protecting the lead with Okposo hitting the open net with two seconds left.

There is something seriously wrong with the Rangers. This was an eye opener. A game they looked in control of with Tanner Glass even giving Cal Clutterbuck the chicken wave at the end of the second turning into a complete debacle. Lundqvist did nothing wrong on either goal. They were complete breakdowns with guys wide open from point blank range.

And that’s just it. That’s been the norm. Since 15-4-1 start, this is for all intents and purposes, your hockey team. A flawed one that could blow the playoffs. A far cry from what anyone envisioned.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dylan McIlrath, NYR (a brutal penalty resulting in the Leddy winner)

2nd Star-Keith Yandle, NYR (great giveaway right to Nelson for tying goal)

1st Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (from hero to goat with 2 giveaways on nightmarish shift)

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Video: NHL suspends Farnham four games, Tootoo out for tonight

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Derek

On Tuesday, Jan. 12, Devils forward Bobby Farnham delivered a retaliatory cheap shot on an unsuspecting Blues forward Dmitrij Jaskin resulting in a five-minute interference major and misconduct. He had a hearing with the NHL yesterday to determine supplementary discipline. The Department of Player Safety determined that Farnham is suspended four games.

In the above video, the Department of Player Safety explains in detail the severity of the hit to Jaskin, who had already released the puck and wasn’t eligible to be checked. After taking a clean hit from St. Louis defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, Farnham lost his discipline and went after the closest Blue for retribution. He delivered a dangerous high hit that could’ve resulted in injury a full second after Jaskin had gotten rid of the puck. Fortunately, he was able to return to the game.

Regarding the suspension, Farnham had no prior history in 38 NHL games. However, the league came down hard on him for a reckless hit that has no place in hockey. Not only will he serve four games but also cough up $12,365.60 in salary which will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. That’s pretty costly. Especially for a player who earns $575,000 this season. He won’t appeal the decision.

I probably would’ve given him two games instead of four. He was a first time offender. The NHL had already assessed Farnham a $2,000 fine for diving/embellishment. So, he was being watched. While I agree that it was a bad hit, giving him four seems excessive. What would you expect from a league that’s never consistent when it comes to discipline.

The Devils claimed Farnham off waivers from the Penguins. He’s been a solid contributor scoring seven goals with an assist and 44 penalty minutes in 24 contests. Prior to playing for New Jersey, the 26-year old from North Andover, Massachusetts had never registered a point in 14 total games with the Pens. He’s made the most of his opportunity with the Devs. But silly acts like the other night won’t help him stay in the NHL.

Due to Farnham’s selfishness, he watched Blues enforcer Ryan Reaves deck Jordin Tootoo during a one-sided fight. Reaves gave Tootoo an extra shot with him already down. A no no in The Code. Reaves later admitted that he waited six years to avenge a cheap shot he sustained from Tootoo as a rookie.

“To be honest, I’ve been waiting for that one for about six years because he had a little cheap shot on me in my first year,” Reaves told Tom Gulitti. “I told him it was going to come and it came. That was long-awaited.”

Tootoo didn’t take the morning skate and is out for tonight’s game at Colorado. He had sinus issue prior to the road trip. That leaves the Devils short a forward. It looks like they’ll go with 11 and seven defensemen.

Somewhat curiously, the NHL also fined Tootoo $2,000 for diving/embellishment. He had been warned before. Guess the league doesn’t like the Devils much.

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Video Of Day: Nelson’s first career hat trick

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Derek

In today’s Video of Day, we highlight Brock Nelson’s first career hat trick which helped the Islanders win 5-2 over the Blue Jackets at Barclays Center in Brooklyn Tuesday night. He beat Anton Forsberg twice including for the game-winner converting a 2-on-1 by going five-hole with 2:31 left in the second period.

Nelson completed the hat trick when he scored an empty netter with 10.8 seconds left in the contest. His sliding nudge hit the open net giving him three goals and an assist along with a plus-three rating in the Isles’ win which tied them with the Rangers in points (51).

A Battle of New York will take place tomorrow evening on Atlantic Avenue with the two clubs tied for second place in the Metro Division. By virtue of one less game played and two more ROW (regulation overtime wins), the Rangers are ahead. The Islanders took the first meeting 2-1 in a shootout on Dec. 2.

Interestingly, Nelson’s three goals gave him the team lead with 17. Two better than team captain John Tavares, who hasn’t taken off yet. He’s got 15 markers and 15 helpers with his 30 points one behind club leader Kyle Okposo (10-21-31). Nelson continues to show improvement. With 27 points (17-10-27) in all 43 games, he’s tied with Frans Nielsen (14-13-27) for third in team scoring.

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Heroes: Rangers come back to beat Bruins

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Derek

“We can be heroes just for one day.”-David Bowie

On an emotional day for the music world, the Rangers dug deep in a come from behind 2-1 victory over the Bruins at MSG. It was their third win in the last five. Jesper Fast’s goal with 1:42 left in regulation gave them their first comeback win after two periods when trailing this season. His deflection of a wide Keith Yandle shot and some crucial stops from Henrik Lundqvist pulled them into second place two points ahead of the idle Islanders. They’ll face the Islanders next on Thursday at Barclays Center.

For two periods, little separated the Original 6 rivals. Boston and New York battled for every inch of ice. The Bruins had the lead thanks to Jimmy Hayes, whose unscreened 40-foot wrist shot beat Lundqvist at 9:04 of the second. Chris Kreider committed a turnover in the neutral zone that allowed Boston to transition the other direction for Hayes’ fifth in the last six games. Back in the lineup after missing two games with a hand cut, he tried a pass to himself off the boards. Zdeno Chara stopped him and Ryan Spooner sent Hayes in with Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein backing in too much.

It wasn’t the best goal for Lundqvist to allow. Having given up more uncharacteristic goals during a six-week long stretch that’s seen his goals-against-average rise to an Unking like 2.54, it was troublesome. Especially with him fighting the puck for the first 40 minutes. He still was able to keep them afloat while counterpart Tuukka Rask stopped the first 22 shots. Lundqvist was 21 of 22 entering the third.

Part of the problem was the Blueshirts were unable to get a consistent forecheck. They got shots on Rask but none were difficult. His defense allowed him to see the puck. In the third, that changed. Trailing by a goal, the Rangers drew even 35 seconds in thanks to a nice Derick Brassard put away in front off a Mats Zuccarello set up. A pinching Ryan McDonagh made the goal possible with two strong plays to keep the puck alive and push it down to Zuccarello, who turned it into a two-on-one that Brassard finished with his 15th.

That got what to that point had been a dead crowd back into it. Let’s face it. The hockey was hard to watch until Brassard scored. It was a defensive struggle between two desperate clubs in a tight playoff race. Boston entered with 47 points which had them tied with idle New Jersey for one of two wildcards. A point up on Ottawa and Florida with Pittsburgh two behind. The game was important for both clubs. So, what you got was a tactical battle.

At times, the Rangers were disjointed. Yandle got caught up ice twice leading to odd-man rushes in the first which had our team scrambling back. On the second one, Hayes had a step on younger brother Kevin Hayes forcing Lundqvist into a tough save before colliding with our goalie. He had nowhere to go. For a moment, he stayed down but was told by the officials to get up and back into the play. This is what you get in the NHL where players try to draw penalties even when it’s obviously not the case.

Prior to Hayes’ goal that broke a scoreless tie, Kreider had a great chance on a three-on-one but broke his stick on the shot. Such is his luck. Alain Vigneault mixed up his lines. He slid Rick Nash down to Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast for some shifts and also moved Kreider back up with Derek Stepan and Jayson Megna. Eventually, Nash was reunited with Brassard and Zuccarello for the third. Vigneault wisely subbed the more defensively responsible Fast for Megna with the game tied late. It paid huge dividends. Fast was able to screen Rask in front and neatly deflect a Yandle shot past the Bruins goalie at 18:18.

I’ve questioned Fast being in the top nine. But he’s one of the few forwards on the team who’s not afraid to go to the front of the net and get the jersey dirty. Earlier in the contest, he had another deflection go off the goalpost. It’s that kinda hustle that the Blueshirts too often lack. It was nice to see a determined player who doesn’t have that much talent get rewarded. I’ll take that kind of effort any day. Ditto for Tanner Glass, who along with Viktor Stalberg played another big boy game finishing with a game high 10 hits. He even had a shorthanded chance and was out with Dominic Moore and Stalberg with 35 seconds left protecting a one-goal lead.

It wasn’t without panic at the disco. The Bruins came close to tying it on the next shift. That pest Brad Marchand also took a nudge at Lundqvist after he stopped him in the final minute. Despite losing Dan Girardi to a lacerated hand, the Blueshirts prevailed with five defensemen. It wouldn’t have been possible without a ridiculous scorpion save from Lundqvist robbing Max Talbot a couple of minutes following Brassard’s tying marker. Credit Hank for responding to the challenge. He made 32 saves.

More pointedly, he emphasized the positive to MSG’s John Giannone following the game. Most of the attention has been on how up and down the Rangers have been. They’ve alternated wins and losses over the last eight (4-3-1). Rather than discuss how they haven’t won two straight since 11/21-23, Lundqvist chose to point out that their play has improved. He’s not wrong. Baby steps.

The most touching thing about the win was MSG playing David Bowie’s “We Can Be Heroes,” when the Blueshirts saluted the crowd at center ice. Bowie last his battle with cancer at 69. It’s sad that rock n’ roll lost another legend. But heaven gained another great one. Good on The Garden and the Rangers to pay tribute to Bowie. In fact, that should be their celebration song after every home win the rest of the season.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Kevin Klein, NYR (assist, 4 blocked shots in 32 big shifts, +1 in 25:50)

2nd Star-Viktor Stalberg, NYR (2 shots, 5 attempts, hit a post, 2 blocks in 19 shifts-13:34-playing best hockey)

1st Star-Jesper Fast, NYR (game-winner with 1:42 left-7th of season-perseverance pays off)

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Jon Merrill exorcises Xcel Energy Center demons with game-winning goal

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Pan Karalis

merrill

Jon Merrill making a play in front of Wild forward Justin Fontaine; the two played against each other at Xcel Energy Center for the 2011 NCAA National Championship

 

While the country was busy watching the Ducks-Red Wings game in Anaheim while NBC experienced technical difficulties during their Devils-Wild broadcast, Jon Merrill scored in the third period to give the Devils a 2-1 lead against Minnesota, one they would hold onto to snap their three-game losing streak. The two points New Jersey earned in a must-win game in Minnesota helped them jump Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Tampa Bay and climb back into a playoff spot after falling outside of the Eastern Conference’s top eight. Although every team directly below the Devils have at least one game in hand on New Jersey, the Devils and their fans find themselves in a situation most thought was impossible coming into this season: holding a playoff position in the middle of January. For Merrill, it wasn’t only his first goal in 82 games, it was a positive memory in the building his NHL debut came to a swift and unfortunate end more than two years ago.

 
After a rocky amateur career during which at the University of Michigan Merrill was suspended for the first 22 games of the Wolverines’ 2011-12 season, his stock fell in the 2010 draft, eventually landing with the Devils in the second round. Merrill made his professional debut in the spring of 2013 with Albany, and his NHL debut came with the Devils later that year in November against Minnesota. Less than five minutes into the first period of that game at Xcel Energy Center, Merrill was tripped during his third shift by Wild forward Torrey Mitchell and slid into the boards. He left a pool of blood behind him on the ice, and a dazed Merrill was helped to the bench by the Devils trainer and a few teammates, with a Gatorade towel pressed up against the gash above his left eye under his protective visor. Despite the gruesome scene and subsequent concussion diagnosis, Merrill only missed eight games, and rejoined the Devils to get his NHL career into full swing later that November.

 
Somehow, the abrupt and likely painful end to Merrill’s NHL debut was not the first and perhaps not the most severe heartbreak he experienced at Xcel Energy Center. In 2011, Merrill and the University of Michigan played the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the NCAA national championship game there in St. Paul, which went to overtime. Senior Kyle Schmidt won the game for Minnesota-Duluth at 3:21 of the first OT, with a freshman Merrill on the ice for Michigan. The Bulldogs of Minnesota-Duluth, a team that included Justin Faulk, had won their first national title in school history. Justin Fontaine, who skated for the Wild last night, was also with UMD that year. Merrill was named to the all-tournament team, but it was for him likely a minor consolation. The University of Michigan would have one more tournament appearance during his time at the school, coming the following season. Although they were a favorite going into the 2012 tournament, Michigan would lose in the first round to Cornell, again in overtime.

 
Merrill has had an up-and-down NHL career to this point. When he first returned from his injury sustained in Minnesota in 2013, he spent a good chunk of time as a useless, cone of a defenseman. His positioning was awful, he was easily out-muscled and pushed off the play, and when he had possession of the puck, he looked like a deer in headlights. As someone who wasn’t very good at hockey when I played, I can easily identify the signs of a clueless defenseman. I remember thinking when he would nervously sweep the puck up the ice without picking his head up or miss his passes by 5 or 6 feet, that those were the same plays I used to make, and how could someone who earned an NHL appearance be that bad. Despite Peter DeBoer’s pattern of benching and neglecting rookies who made even the slightest of mistakes, he allowed Merrill to remain in the lineup, earning playing time over Adam Larsson who spent much of that season with Albany. Jon eventually worked out what probably amounted to issues of nerves and lack of confidence, and emerged in his rookie year as a strong and serviceable NHL defenseman that many said (both fans and media) had the making of a potential future superstar.

 
Last year, Merrill had a largely forgettable season, and until the last few weeks, it seemed he had yet to shake off the effects of his clichéd sophomore slump. Until last night, he had not scored since December of 2014, and while his defensive game has not been as ineffective as his play in the offensive zone, he has experienced a definite slump since his outstanding rookie campaign. His 2014-15 year was buried under the other blue-line headlines of Damon Severson’s outstanding rookie campaign, Adam Larsson’s emergence as a top pairing defenseman, and what was probably eventual captain Andy Greene’s best career season. It seems that Merrill has earned a consistent spot in the Devils lineup, no longer juggling press box appearances with Eric Gelinas, who, after coming into the league in 2013-14 along with Merrill, has been a major disappointment. While Merrill has yet to cement his place as a regular NHL defenseman, and he will have to put up some sustained impressive performance before he again is called a potential superstar at the NHL level, these peaks and valleys that have accompanied Merrill during his development are normal for defenseman. As Adam Larsson has emerged from a similar pattern of inconsistency during the dawn of his career to become a highly effective top pairing defenseman and one of the Devils most valuable assets, so still might Jon Merrill.

 
Saying that this goal has helped Jon Merrill erase the awful memories he has at Xcel Energy Center could be a bit of an overstatement. He will likely have to have a few more very positive experiences there before going to St. Paul without seeing the bleach-blonde headed group of UMD Bulldogs celebrating their national championship through a bloody visor. One goal in the middle of January will not help him forget the heartbreak he experienced after coming so close to something he probably knew he had one opportunity to achieve, nor will it help him forget the stitches Devils trainers were sewing into his face after he was so quickly sent to the locker room after realizing his lifelong dream of playing in the NHL. I am sure it is even a little bit disappointing for Jon that after a somewhat difficult year and a half, his goal was not broadcasted live for Devils fans, who have not been easy on him during his development period, to celebrate with him and his teammates when he broke the tie. It is, however, a very positive moment for a young defenseman still trying to fulfill his potential and find his way as a regular NHLer. Hopefully Merrill builds on this goal and his improved play in recent weeks to turn the page, and find the long-term consistency his young career has so far lacked.

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Vigneault’s loyalty to Girardi and Staal hurting Rangers

Posted on January 11, 2016 by Derek

As they start the second part of their schedule with the Bruins visiting MSG later, the Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. After going 15-3-2 thru their first 20 games, they’re 6-11-3 since. Even by earning three out of four points against the Stars and Caps in better performances, they’re no longer a playoff lock.

Tied in points (49) with the Islanders for second in the Metro despite holding the tiebreaker in regulation/overtime wins (21) and one less game played (41), the Rangers are only two up on both wildcards, Boston and New Jersey. Each have 47 points. The playoff picture is tightening up. The Lightning and Senators have 46. The Penguins have 45. Both the Flyers and Hurricanes have 43.

Since defeating the Panthers on 11/21 and Predators on 11/23, the Rangers have not won consecutive games. Instead, they’ve struggled with consistency. Their best players haven’t been. From the goal out to a defense that’s fallen off dramatically, this isn’t the same team that went to a Stanley Cup Final and within a period of a return trip the first two seasons under Alain Vigneault. A coach who’s shown too much loyalty to Dan Girardi and Marc Staal.

It’s understandable why Vigneault would stick with core guys who have given their blood and guts to the cause. Without either, the team doesn’t become elite making the Final Four in three of the past four years. That underlying fact can’t be disputed. It’s understood that Girardi and Staal have been reliable top and second pair defensemen during this span. It’s easy to forget that each played big roles in stifling tough competition that featured Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. No matter what you believe in, they were part of the solution.

Unfortunately, time hasn’t been kind to either. The decline for each has been rapid. It’s also worth pointing out that both Girardi and Staal were coming off injuries. The same can be echoed for anchor Ryan McDonagh, whose play has also slipped even though he’s an All-Star for the first time in his career. Keith Yandle and Kevin Klein also played hurt with the latter just returning from a oblique strain. Only Dan Boyle has remained relatively healthy. From that standpoint, it isn’t surprising that his play has improved with him becoming a fixture on the top power play unit.

The dilemma facing Vigneault is that his loyalty could be getting in the way. Since Girardi returned from a crack in his right kneecap, he has played in all five games along with Klein. He continues to be on the first pair with McDonagh despite their shortcomings. He’s played over 20 minutes in three of the five and for the season averages the second most ice-time (20:21) behind McDonagh (22:54). In the 4-3 loss to the Caps, he was responsible for Ovechkin’s power play goal which was a nightmare to end the first period. He also got caught pinching on Justin Williams’ second period tally with partner McDonagh beaten.

Unfortunately, simple plays like clearing the zone have become an issue for Girardi and Staal, who at times handles the puck like a grenade. Staal is three years younger than Girardi and will turn 29 in two days. Girardi doesn’t turn 32 until April 29 when hopefully, there will be meaningful hockey played at The Garden. Staal gets the fourth most ice-time averaging 19:34 which trails Klein, who’s at 19:53. Boyle is fifth (19:14). Astonishingly, Yandle is sixth at 19:09 which makes no sense given his skill set. He leads all Ranger blueliners in assists (20) and points (22).

Part of the problem is Vigneault prefers to have his lefties paired with a right-handed defenseman. So, rather than try Yandle with McDonagh and load up the first pair, he is set in his ways. That means Girardi stays with McDonagh while Klein works with Yandle leaving Staal to play with Boyle.

That leaves Dylan McIlrath out of the equation. The 23-year old rookie who demonstrated that he’s fully capable of being in the top six worked best with Yandle on the third pair. In fact, their play together was more effective at 5-on-5 than either of the other two pairings. If you want to argue that they faced lesser quality of competition as compared with McDonagh and Girardi or Staal, Klein or Boyle, go right ahead.

What can’t be disputed is that McIlrath’s size, strength and toughness are a characteristic the defense has lacked since Dion Phaneuf ended Mike Sauer’s career. It took some time for the former 2010 first round pick to develop. After overcoming injuries, he improved dramatically under Hartford assistant coach Jeff Beukeboom. A player who knows a thing or two about playing the game with the same purpose McIlrath brings. Too often, the Rangers’ D are pushed off the puck by attacking forecheckers or turnover prone with the latter causing them to lose possession.

Even more puzzling is Vigneault’s insistence that Girardi and Staal are ‘better overall defensemen’ than McIlrath. Maybe off their resumes, the answer is a resounding yes. However, we’re dealing with reality. Each has regressed. It happens when heart and soul types wear down. The same thing is happening in Tampa Bay with former captain Ryan Callahan. Ditto in Hollywood with Kings captain Dustin Brown. The common denominator is all four players have big contracts that pay them top dollar. It’s a lot easier to play a forward less time on a different line than a defenseman who makes what Girardi ($5.5 million) and Staal ($5.7 million) earn on average. Both have no-move clauses. Girardi’s expires this year and becomes a modified no-trade between 2017-19. Staal has a NMC thru 2017 with a modified NT between 2018-20.

Basically, former GM Glen Sather put Jeff Gorton in a difficult position. At some point, the new Rangers GM must try to dump one or both of the contracts. Finding a taker for either player won’t be easy. How many teams can use experienced veteran defensemen? Unless it’s Buffalo, Edmonton or even Columbus with old pal John Tortorella who just got himself a potential stud in Seth Jones for Ryan Johansen, the Rangers will have to include a young forward (Kreider, Hayes, Lindberg?) or more draft picks which they don’t have.

Even worse, Yandle might become available before the Feb. 29 deadline. If the report from Sportsnet’s Damien Cox on Hockey Night In Canada is accurate that he isn’t likely to negotiate an extension, then the Rangers must think long and hard about what to do. A player Sather overpaid for last deadline with top prospect Anthony Duclair, a 2016 lottery protected first and 2015 second round pick along with John Moore, who was an expendable part. Ironically, he now plays in New Jersey and is helping them challenge for a playoff spot.

So, when will we see Vigneault change? Outside of healthy scratching Hayes for two games and Lindberg, who will sit out tonight with Chris Kreider back after missing two games. Lindberg is out despite registering a goal Saturday giving him points in two straight. Can anyone explain why Jesper Fast remains on the third line and Lindberg gets a seat in the press box? Because he likes the fourth line. To be honest, Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg have been good lately.

Vets get more leniency from the coach. If Girardi still has swelling in his knee, why does he get so many minutes? Shouldn’t Vigneault be micromanaging him? He can sub Klein in to work with McDonagh. He was out for Nicklas Backstrom’s tying goal with 5.7 seconds left after coming on for Girardi. What about sitting Staal? I get that he’s a team leader. But it’s okay to rest him. He’s played in all 41. Anyone can see that he’s fighting it. Is Vigneault that reluctant to use Yandle on the second pair and play two righties together even if it means getting McIlrath back in?

With every point so crucial, I don’t see it changing much. That means the coach is going to lean heavily on his guys. It doesn’t matter if we disagree.

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Congrats Ovechkin on No. 500

Posted on January 10, 2016 by Derek

Occasionally on this blog, we take time out to appreciate greatness. A night before, we saw some of it from Alex Ovechkin when he undressed Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh with a highlight reel goal in 3-on-3 overtime giving the league-leading Caps a 4-3 win over the Rangers. He also tallied on the power play giving him 498 and 499 entering tonight’s game against the Senators.

As only he can do, Ovechkin gave Caps fans a great show by scoring number 500 on the power play with what else but a rocket past Ottawa netminder Andrew Hammond with 3:41 left in the second period. The Great 8 becomes the 43rd member of the 500 Goal Club. He’s also the fifth fastest doing it in game number 801. Of course, he wasn’t done getting one more for good measure in a 7-1 home win over the Sens at Verizon Center.

It’s been a special year for Washington who now are a league best 32-7-3 with 67 points. They are way ahead of everyone else in the Metro. This post is about Ovechkin. A special player that comes around once in a lifetime. Ever since he was selected first overall by the Caps in the 2004 NHL Draft, he’s been a whirlwind of electricity. The greatest Russian born player to ever play hockey in the NHL. We are lucky to have him.

Ovechkin now leads the NHL with 26 goals passing Patrick Kane (25). At 30, he already has 501 goals. What if there hadn’t been a lockout shortened season in ’12-13? He got 32 in 48 games. How many more could he have reached? In become the first Russian to score 500 in the league, he’s also the fifth fastest player trailing Wayne Gretzky (575), Mario Lemieux (605), Mike Bossy (647) and Brett Hull (693). Ovechkin edged Phil Esposito (803) for fifth.

How many can he get? Ovechkin shows no signs of slowing down. A three-time Hart winner who’s won the Rocket Richard five times including the last three, Ovechkin is writing a Hollywood script. He’s never been past the second round in the playoffs. On a better team, that could finally change. Maybe this is the year he wins the Stanley Cup. There’s still a lot of season left. But the Caps are gonna be overwhelming favorites.

What I admire most about him is his passion. Ovechkin plays with a flair not seen. His enthusiasm is great for a sport that too often has star athletes who are more reserved. There’s nothing wrong with showing a little emotion when you score. There’s a reason why I own a classic Russian Ovi 8 in Russian lettering. Congrats to Ovechkin!

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