Kyle Palmieri adds more than Local Flair to Rebuilding Devils

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Pan Karalis

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Two years ago to the day today, I was sitting somewhere in the 230’s at Prudential Center watching the Devils take on the Ducks. Andy Greene excitingly sent the game to overtime with five minutes left, and I was still hurling curses and insults at Jagr for what I perceived as lone responsibility for Anaheim’s first goal when the puck dropped for the start of the four-on-four. When the Ducks mercifully scored and ended the game before they could add to what would become a record breaking 0-18 winless streak in the shootout for the Devils, the unmistakable roar of family and friends there to proudly support their loved one’s homecoming erupted from the other side of the Rock. New Jersey native Kyle Palmieri had won the game for Anaheim.

 
18 months earlier the Devils were playing in the Stanley Cup Finals, led by three 30 goal scorers: Captain Zach Parise, Ilya Kovalchuk, and David Clarkson. In the following year and a half, all three left New Jersey to return to their respective homes. Parise, just weeks after he blew a chance to give the Devils the lead in the third period of game one of the Stanley Cup Finals by sweeping a puck that was loose in the crease into the net with his hand (no one seems to remember that), fled to the Wild on matching contracts with fellow Minnesotan Ryan Suter. A year later, former agitator-turned-goal scorer David Clarkson took a lucrative deal with his hometown Maple Leafs. He has since been traded for Nathan Horton’s contract, so Toronto could pay someone who will never play another game instead of dealing with the disaster that became David Clarkson. He has scored 16 total goals since leaving the Devils. Less than a week after he left, in what was the most surprising of the three departures, Kovalchuk retired from the NHL to head home to Russia and join SKA St. Petersburgh. The core of a team that won an Eastern Conference Championship had all gone home, and left the Devils with a couple of overpaid Newfoundlanders and an aging foundation that had no hopes of competing in the modern NHL.

 
New Jersey is not exactly Minnesota, Toronto, or Russia in terms of professional hockey talent. Fifteen New Jerseyans have suited up in the NHL, and illustrating how much the sport has grown here in the last couple of decades, eight are currently active. A third van Riemsdyk has committed to the University of New Hampshire, after also following in his brothers’ footsteps starring at Christian Brothers Academy, and we have one defenseman and a forward in Plymouth, Michigan with the United States Hockey National Team Development Program. And while the Devils are as guilty as every NHL team for passing over Salem County native Johnny Gaudreau (he ended up going 104th overall in the 4th round to Calgary in 2011), Devils fans were left wondering when we were going to be compensated with hometown talent of our own.

 
Jim Dowd was the first New Jersey native to play for the Devils, drafted directly from Brick Township High School after leading the Dragons to a state championship in 1986. His number was still hanging at Ocean Ice Palace, not far off Route 70 in Brick, last time I was there. He won a cup on the 1995 team, scoring the game-winning goal in game two against Detroit, and came back to the Devils in 2006 after a long career with eight other NHL teams. He retired with the Flyers a season later. He was back in the news earlier this year as head coach of the Manasquan-Point Beach high schools hockey team, appearing in court after being accused of assaulting one of his players. A few years ago we just called that Shore Conference hockey. Rumor has it Dowd spends a lot of his time soliciting “partners” for his pyramid scheme these days. That is entirely not a joke.

 
When the Lamoriello Patriarchy fell this summer, Ray Shero acquired Kyle Palmieri for what felt like nothing; a 2nd round pick in 2015, and a 3rd round pick in 2016. For some of us, Palmieri’s role on the ice was the last thing we were thinking about when he came over. We had a young RFA forward from just up the street from the Prudential Center. Montvale was no longer just the last rest stop on the Garden State Parkway before crossing north into New York. It was the hometown of the Devil that instantly became one of the most valued players to our fan base. Eventually, we had to think about Palmieri the player. Palmieri the player had a career high of 14 goals, which he achieved last season with Anaheim in 57 games. Palmieri the player put up four points in three playoff rounds last year. Palmieri the player might not do a whole lot to help an untalented roster with more holes and question marks than any other team in the NHL. We knew that Palmieri was buried on an extremely talented roster in Anaheim, and we knew he was playing 4th line minutes in a diminished role. We did not know he would explode the way he has.

 
What the advanced metrics showed was that Palmieri was producing at a first line rate in goals per 60 minutes, his Corsi was above Anaheim’s average, and his production has skyrocketed with his second line role and power play minutes with the Devils this season. Palmieri is a goal away from matching last year’s career high. Through 32 games, he has 25 points, on pace for 64 this season, far above what most expected. While this number may drop as the Devils are finally beginning to perform like the helpless team they were predicted to be coming into the season, he has continued amassing points as the Devils have struggled.

 
While Palmieri is producing like a top six forward, what may be the biggest thing he adds is the bite he brings to a team that has been criminally soft for far too long. Too often have Devils goalies been poked and slashed at with little to no response from teammates, forwards have provided little in the way of fight in front of the net, and too few puck carriers have been hammered trying to cross New Jersey’s blue line. The passion has just not been there, and Palmieri brings some of that attitude back to a once great franchise. Kyle stands up for his teammates in all three zones, gets under opponents’ skin, and has a passion for the game and for winning, evident every time he puts the puck in the net.

 
Palmieri has gone from just another Rangers fan from Jersey (which, as Devils fans know, is inexcusable and unacceptable. If I am reaching any of you with this article, there are plenty of parts of New York that are pretty affordable) to a highly valuable asset for the Devils, both on and off the ice. What he brings to the rink and his roots in Jersey made him an immediate fan favorite, and his point production gives the Devils an offensive punch they desperately need. His status as a restricted free agent keeps him under New Jersey control for the foreseeable future. If the Devils eventually exceed expectations and make the playoffs this season, Palmieri will be playing a central role, and hopefully the hometown guy from Montvale becomes a major piece of the Devils’ core going forward.

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Stumbling Blueshirts a mess

Posted on December 19, 2015 by Derek
New York Rangers v Philadelphia Flyers

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

There was a game last night for the Rangers in Winnipeg. Funny thing is I don’t think they realized it. On a night where I skipped watching it for a late shift and then a night out with my coworkers, they took the same approach. They were beaten badly by the Jets 5-2 making it a clean sweep on consecutive nights from Minnesota and Winnipeg.

What’s most alarming is the lackadaisical play of the top line. At times, they dazzle offensively. With Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard combining with Rick Nash to create some nice goals. The problem for the cohesive trio is consistency. By that, I mean the lack of defensive awareness. In last weekend’s awfulness at Edmonton and Calgary, they were responsible for a few goals against. It continued to be a theme in the latest road debacles.

You can’t be successful when your best players aren’t your best players. Lately, that’s been the case during a brutal stretch that’s seen the Rangers lose nine of their last 12. They’re just not sharp. That includes Henrik Lundqvist who was unprepared to go in and relieve injured backup Antti Raanta Thursday night giving up two stinkers. While it’s true his team has hung him out to dry, Lundqvist has not bailed them out. Even if he is the least of the Rangers’ issues, if he’s bad then they have no chance.

The same goes for captain Ryan McDonagh whose performances are so up and down it makes you wonder if he’ll ever get back to the elite level he displayed in 2014. Is it the past injuries or all the games catching up? At times, he still shows flashes. But is a lot easier to beat. Especially along the wall. Even without ailing partner Dan Girardi, McDonagh isn’t the same player. Of course, his Corsi possession numbers have gone up but he’s making too many mistakes.

Mistakes have been common for this team. In the first two months, they got away with it due to Lundqvist and Raanta covering them up. A 16-3-1 start was the best in franchise history. During that stretch, the goalies made the big saves and our team took advantage of opponents’ mistakes finding ways to win. In December, that’s changed. They have a tendency to give up goals after they score. There’s way too many gaps and blown assignments. Their bad habits are finally being exposed.

Even in a game Derek Stepan returned, it didn’t change. Stepan can help an offense that’s been too reliant on the top line. Due in large part to the disappointing play of Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider, coach Alain Vigneault has been unable to find a second line. Kreider went back to play with Stepan Friday.

In a startling move, Vigneault healthy scratched rookie Oscar Lindberg. Granted. His play has come down. He’s been taking a lot of undisciplined penalties. He’s far from alone. It just boggles the mind that Vigneault would choose to make an example out of one of his few secondary scorers with skill while keeping Viktor Stalberg in the lineup. Stalberg has had his moments but makes far too many mistakes in the neutral zone. He is what he is. A spare part that shouldn’t play daily. Tanner Glass has been better since his recall meshing with Dominic Moore on the fourth line. The decision should be easy. Mix and match with Stalberg and Glass.

Vigneault rewarded Emerson Etem by moving him up. He should stay in the top nine and be given a real chance. There’s more skill from the 23-year old than reliable defensive penalty killing forward Jesper Fast. Fast is a better fit for the fourth line.

The player who is moved around the most is J.T. Miller. He scored his sixth in the loss last night. He can play both the wing and center. But Miller is better suited for the wing where he can complement Stepan and Kreider on the second line. Unless Vigneault wants to find out what Etem can do in a more defined role.

The third-year Rangers coach faces a tough decision soon with Girardi. Kevin Klein will be ready soon. When he is and Girardi is too, who comes out of the lineup? It can’t be Dylan McIlrath. The 2010 first round pick continues to establish himself while teaming with Keith Yandle on the team’s most consistent pair. It would be ridiculous for the 23-year old to sit for Girardi. But one is paid top dollar and has a no-movement clause.

Complicating matters is Dan Boyle has finally found his scoring touch. He scored a power play goal Friday and has been much more involved over this bad stretch. With Boyle doing positive things on the power play and more effective on the forecheck, he’s not coming out of the lineup.

There’s no question the defense is better with Klein. It’s no coincidence that the structure has fallen apart without him. When he returns, Klein should pair with McDonagh. That leaves Marc Staal to pair with Boyle. Staal is up and down too. He was minus-three in the Winnipeg loss. Maybe Vigneault should do the unthinkable and rotate Staal and Girardi. They both aren’t the same players. Each have their flaws. Neither is a great skater and can be exposed by speed. They are prone to mistakes in their end with the puck making it harder to get it out. Both have wear and tear. There’s no reason for either to play every night. Resting each could be what’s best for the long-term.

With the red hot Caps visiting MSG tomorrow, either things will get straightened out or it could get a lot worse. As much as they’ve had their number, the one team that can expose the Rangers are the Caps. A strong possession team with quality netminding from Vezina contender Braden Holtby. Key acquisitions T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams have fit in well. John Carlson is having a strong season. Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom are all lethal.

Normally, when they face a good opponent the Rangers rise up to the challenge. These aren’t normal circumstances. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

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Inconsistent Devils look to get back in gear this weekend

Posted on December 18, 2015 by hasan4978

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After a recent game, Derek and I both wrote pieces on the Devils that had a dramatically different tone to them, and while some of that’s due to the fact he’s not a Devils fan and I am, it’s also perfectly indiciative of just how Jekyll-and-Hyde this team has been of late.  Over the last week it’s been especially pronounced, after a big home win against the Wings on Friday they threw up a dud 4-0 loss in Brooklyn on Sunday that got an F- grade from coach John Hynes.  Then on Tuesday the Devils looked at least solid if not dominant against the Sabres in a 2-0 shutout win.  Last night the pendulum swung back to dud-ville with a 5-1 loss against the Panthers where the team looked like they mailed in the last two periods.  While the Devils remain tied for the final playoff spot in the East, they won’t stay there for long if they continue to lose home games and go back and forth with their effort level.  I’m in fact going to steal a quote from the coach for one of my other teams, when Todd Bowles said after last weekend’s Jet win that ‘the Golden State Warriors can have trap games, we can’t’.  That’s the mindset this Devil team needs to take, they can’t have off nights or there’ll be more nights like last night or Sunday afternoon.

Speaking of my Jets I’m not amused that Saturday’s Devil game will conflict with their start time.  Memo to the Devils: Don’t you dare put up another dud effort against the Ducks tomorrow night, or you will get booed by me at least.  Even with a Devils team playing well there’s always that fear that for at least one game the Ducks will magically flash the form they had in recent seasons as opposed to the dissapointment they’ve been this year – particularly with backup Keith Kinkaid slated to start tomorrow night with Cory Schneider’s next game being on Boston on the back-to-back Sunday.  Thankfully I didn’t go to the dud that was Thursday night’s game but for a team that still does have a winning record the Devils have been very suspect at home, going 7-7-3 (compared to their 9-5-1 on the road).  I’ve only seen three wins in the nine games I’ve gone to thus far, none in regulation.

Of course we can’t totally lose sight of the fact this season’s supposed to be a retooling year (if not outright rebuilding) and any kind of playoff run’s a bonus.  That said, part of what needs to happen is players stepping up and earning icetime and roles.  For the most part that hasn’t happened, as the back six forwards have been a total wasteland.  Pretty much the only difference between last season’s forward core and this season’s is a healthy Adam Henrique getting off to a great start, plus the additions of Kyle Palmeri and Lee Stempniak, which has at least given the Devils a respectable top six (along with Mike Cammalleri) now, though that top six has been missing centerman Travis Zajac the last several games.  Zajac may well return this weekend and not a moment too soon since his absence has not only created a hole at center ice offensively but a hole in the entire team defensively.  Early in the season the penalty kill was a strength but lately it’s been leaking goals without key PK’ers Zajac and Henrique – who also missed a couple of recent games himself.

Arguably the most important part of this season even beyond making the playoffs is developing the young defense.  So far results have been mixed, for most of the season vet Andy Greene and emerging force Adam Larsson made a fine pairing but lately even their play’s started to slip.  Perhaps playing in a purely defensive role is wearing on them mentally.  None of the other defensemen have really stepped up either aside from bargain bin signing David Schlemko.  At times John Moore’s been good – usually in the offensive end – and at times not so great (usually in the defensive end) but at least he can create offense unlike most of our blueline.  Sophomore Damon Severson’s been streaky himself, prone to flashes of greatness and flashes of OMG what was he thinking there?  While Jon Merrill hasn’t been bad defensively he’s been a total black hole offensively with zero points in twenty-five games, and a GF/60 total of just over 1.1 – in layman’s terms for every sixty minutes of icetime Merrill gets his team scores just over 1.1 goals.  That’s…not good.  And Eric Gelinas after his nightmare game against the Canadiens a few weeks back has improved defensively at least, though his offensive game that he flashed two years ago is still missing in action.

If we’re being honest here the only things we truly have to get out of this season is development and effort.  Problem being neither one’s been consistent lately.  At least coach Hynes will call a spade a spade and admit when effort was lacking unlike some previous administrations who tried to couch it.  Of course it would be nice if the staff didn’t only selectively hold guys accountable.  Sergey Kalinin or Stefan Matteau has one bad shift, demote him and/or scratch him.  Jacob Josefson has one goal and six points in thirty-two games?  Let’s just keep running him out there on the PP and in a top six role.  Jordin Tootoo has a -17 for the season?  No problem, we’ll keep playing him too and give him PP minutes as well.  With fourteen healthy forwards once Zajac returns plus Bobby Farnham who’s mysteriously dissapeared onto IR lately (and maybe it’s not a coincidence this team’s had more ‘off’ effort nights without him), there’s no reason not to hold everyone accountable for lack of production.  Especially with zero production the entire season out of the back six.  Farnham probably has almost as many goals as the rest of the back six combined.  Yes Josefson’s too valuable on the shootout to healthy scratch him, but can you at least bump him back down the pecking order?  And there’s no reason Tootoo should get to play in perpituity.  Or Tuomo Ruutu for that matter, who’s been just another body since we acquired him two years ago.  Not to mention with kids down in Albany thirsting for a chance to play you can hold vets accountable that way too.

With two games this weekend there isn’t much time for the staff to go back to the drawing board at the moment but at least a little more heat should be coming down on people who either aren’t producing or aren’t giving effort.  There’s been too much of both lately.

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Sabres shutout Ducks behind Johnson’s 44 saves

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Derek
Andrew Cogliano, Chad Johnson

Chad Johnson turns aside Andrew Cogliano en route to a 44 save shutout for the Sabres in a 3-0 win over the Ducks. AP Photo by Gary Wiepert/Getty Images

It was a good night for the Sabres at First Niagara Center. Especially for goalie Chad Johnson. The journeyman made 44 saves to shutout the Ducks in a 3-0 Buffalo win.

That allowed the Sabres to bounce back from 2-0 shutout loss to the Devils. They’ve won three of four. In each game, a Buffalo netminder has allowed two goals-or-less. Johnson was also splendid in stifling the Red Wings in a 2-1 come from behind win at Detroit.

”Usually when you start thinking about it is when something bad happens or it goes in,” Johnson said regarding his fourth career shutout and first since May 21, 2014 when he was a member of the Bruins. ”For me it was just next shot and trying to get to the end.”

Johnson’s 44 saves were a Sabres’ franchise record for saves in a shutout during regulation. That included stopping all 19 shots he saw in a busy third period.

”I can think of six times in the first and second periods where they had a good look at him from a good shooting spot with some good player shooting the puck and never looked like it was going to get by him,” Sabres coach Dan Bylsma said. ”I’m glad we buckled down and got the shutout for him.”

”We’re playing a lot better defensively in front of the crease and boxing guys out than we did at the beginning of the year and you see the results,” Johnson added on his teammates who he credited.

Following a scoreless first, rookie Jack Eichel set up Evander Kane for the game’s opening goal. Both entered in slumps. Eichel without a point in five straight while Kane was scoreless in six. But on a good play started by Eichel’s strong skating and puck possession, he got the puck back from fellow rookie Sam Reinhart and took a wrist shot from the left point that Kane was able to redirect past Anaheim starter John Gibson at 2:36 of the second.

With Johnson repelling all 11 shots in the stanza, Buffalo was able to increase the lead to two thanks to a Jake McCabe bomb from long distance. After some strong work behind the net from Nicolas Deslauriers, Cal O’Reilly came out and set up an open McCabe for a one-timer that beat Gibson making it 2-zip at 13:35.

To help Johnson record the shutout, the Sabres killed off two penalties. One spanned the second and third while the other came just 3:08 into the final period with Josh Gorges in the box for tripping. The Ducks had some good looks but were unable to bury them against the stingy Johnson. That led to criticism from perturbed coach Bruce Boudreau who was behind the Anaheim bench for his 300th game.

”Quite frankly, when your best players aren’t your best players you’re not going to win the game,” he said which was in clear reference to stars Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Both of who have struggled with Getzlaf in particular mystifying. He entered with only one goal. ”And that’s the bottom line. And on a too consistent basis, our best players aren’t our best players.”

The Ducks captain Getzlaf was also very vocal afterwards about the scoring issues for the league’s worst ranked offense. They only have 58 goals in their first 30 games.

”We don’t have enough hunger, we don’t have enough drive,” he admitted. “Everything I think right now it feels like we’re almost there. It was almost a nice play, it was almost, and in this league that’s not good enough.”

Jamie McGinn closed the scoring when he was able to get to a fanned shot of teammate Rasmus Ristolainen and beat Gibson in front with 6:10 remaining in the contest. For Ristolainen, that was his 17th assist. The third-year defenseman is tied with Ryan O’Reilly for the team lead in helpers. He’s having an All-Star year with 24 points. Nineteen have come in the last 20 games making him the first Buffalo defenseman since Garry Galley to accomplish that. Only 21, the former 2013 first round pick (8th overall) is realizing his potential.

That rapid development along with defensive improvement has the Sabres two games under .500. They improved to 14-16-3 with 31 points. That’s still seventh best in a competitive Atlantic Division. However, six total points separates wild card leader Ottawa (fourth) from them with Florida (5-1 winners at New Jersey) and Tampa Bay sandwiched in between. Real progress for a rebuilding team.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Cal O’Reilly, Sabres (assist was his first point in NHL since ’11-12 when he had a helper in 6 games with the Pens)

2nd Star-Evander Kane, Sabres (1st point/goal in seven-game-winner, 5 SOG, 8 attempts, 6 hits, +1 in 24 shifts-19:09)

1st Star-Chad Johnson, Sabres (44 saves for 4th career shutout)

Quotable:

”A pretty special moment, especially being on a team with my brother. ”For a while I wasn’t sure if I’d ever play in the NHL again. The Sabres organization gave me a chance and it’s pretty special.”-Cal O’Reilly on his assist while playing with younger brother Ryan.

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Hello New York Puck

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Pan Karalis

Hey everyone! My name is Pan, and I am the newest contributor here at New York Puck. I wanted to write a quick post introducing myself and telling you guys a little bit about who I am. I recently graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography & Urban Studies, and although I have set up a home here in Philadelphia, I am a lifelong Devils born and raised in Toms River, New Jersey.

My role here is far from set in stone, but it is likely most of what I will be posting will have something to do with the Devils. It has been an exciting season for the red-and-black faithful, and I look forward to adding my comments on this surprising season.

My journey into hockey began long before I remember. I am the first of my American family born outside of New Hampshire, so I was always surrounded by hockey fans, players, and countless UNH alumni who never miss a Hockey East tournament. I will never know for sure how I became a Devils fan; in my immediate family, hockey was not on the television growing up, and I was not in Devils onesies or making trips to the Meadowlands as a young child.

I do have a suspicion my devotion to the Devils began with NHL ’94, toggling through the teams until I stumbled on what would eventually become a source of such happiness and heartbreak for me. I remember being in New Hampshire one summer and excitedly running up to my grandmother telling her that we had a hockey team back in Jersey. I managed to get to my first game at then Continental Airlines Arena when I was seven, a few months before Jason Arnott planted the idea in my head that the Devils were supposed to win the Stanley Cup every year.

Hockey has always been my favorite sport, and no team has been more important to me throughout my life than the Devils. I played until I was sixteen, and I have been trying to get myself back on the ice for the last couple months. It is pretty difficult without a ton of disposable income. I do watch other sports, and I can be entertained by almost anything except for football. I play soccer as frequently as I can (I am a goalkeeper, so I use the term “playing soccer” pretty liberally), and the time I am not spending running around outside between April and October, I am probably pulling my television out of my window to watch baseball in my backyard. I love participating in any sporting activity, having also played basketball, rugby, and run track at different points in my life.
I always pictured myself going to a Hockey East school in New England, but I ended up in North Philly at Temple. I absolutely loved it there, and although my one complaint was the lack of Division I hockey, there is something about college basketball that is hard to top. I have been to playoff games at Prudential Center, MLB games at a number of parks including a walk-off at Fenway, MLS games that feature 90+ minutes of chanting and song, NBA buzzer beaters, you name it; but the loudest sporting event I have ever attended was a Temple-St. Joe’s game at Liacouras Center. There is something magical about the Big 5, and if you ever find yourself in Philadelphia while there is a Big 5 game going on, get a ticket and go.

Although I do not live in the Garden State right now, I am a proud New Jerseyan and firmly believe there is no better place in the world. I do keep myself within the distance that I can see Camden if I jump high enough (and that is not always an exaggeration). I am opposed to teams within state lines using “New York” identification, and believe the NBA and MLB should immediately relocate or expand to Jersey. The Nets moving to Brooklyn is one of the greatest injustices in North American sport since the turn of the century. I dislike our governor for a number of reasons, but the biggest indictment of Christie is his traitorous allegiance to the Rangers.

If you have made it this far, thank you for reading me ramble on about nothing too exciting. I hope I am able to bring a new angle and perspective to New York Puck, and I certainly look forward to hearing feedback from our readers. Let’s Go Devils!

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Wild Disappointment: Rangers no match for Wild

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Derek
Mikko Koivu, Antti Raanta

Antti Raanta cannot stop Mikko Koivu from scoring early. AP Photo by Ann Heisenfelt/Getty Images

I honestly didn’t expect much. Maybe that’s because I knew better. The Rangers don’t do well against solid fundamental teams. So, the end result was an all too predictable 5-2 loss to the Wild. They have now lost nine of their last 12 and continue to struggle without Derek Stepan. The second line center took the morning skate and hinted if there were no setbacks he could be back for tomorrow night at Winnipeg.

Stepan missed his 10th consecutive game due to broken ribs. That he actually might be ready is surprising. That’s is a testament to his toughness and willingness to get back. Hopefully he’s not rushing. They definitely need him. Not coincidentally, they’re 3-5-2. In five of those defeats, they’ve scored two-or-less goals. The only two they completely stunk in were the awful display at Edmonton and Calgary when they allowed a combined 12 goals.

Without Stepan, coach Alain Vigneault has yet to find the right combination for Kevin Hayes or Chris Kreider. Each continue to struggle with consistency. Though he showed some life with a highlight reel goal and two assists over last weekend, Kreider still hasn’t gotten hot. He was fairly quiet in the home win over Edmonton and wasn’t noticeable against an air tight Wild defense that shutdown the top line. Hayes has been worse. Despite creating chances, he is without a goal in 12 straight with only two helpers. The growing pains of the Boston College duo is plaguing the team.

It’s up to the coach to find a solution. He must push the right buttons. Of course, the players must perform better. Maybe it clicks when Stepan returns. Part of it is Vigneault figuring it out. If that means making Hayes accountable, so be it. Something he’s been reluctant to do with both Hayes and Kreider while mixing and matching with J.T. Miller and Emerson Etem. Interestingly, Miller was in between Kreider and Jesper Fast tonight. He and Fast set up Ryan McDonagh for a goal that cut the deficit to 4-2. It was too late with the game’s number one star Mikko Koivu cashing in on a McDonagh turnover for his second goal and third point of the contest 80 seconds later.

Henrik Lundqvist didn’t play well either. That he played was a story in itself. He relieved backup Antti Raanta who left the game in the first period woozy after taking a hard Marco Scandella slap shot to the mask. It didn’t look good with Raanta clearly struggling with help from Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay as he went back to the locker room. He probably went to the dark room for concussion tests. If he’s out for tomorrow, the club will have to summon either Magnus Hellberg or Mackenzie Skapski from Hartford. With Raanta going down during the game, Minnesota resident Santino Vasquez was the Rangers’ emergency reserve goalie.

Of most concern was their overall game which wasn’t good against a quality opponent who takes advantage of mistakes. Keith Yandle had a penalty shot in the first minute. But he was unable to beat Wild starter Devan Dubnyk, who made a nice glove save on Yandle’s attempt. Only Dan Boyle has converted on penalty shots this season doing so at Vancouver in a 2-1 loss on Dec. 9.

When Lundqvist relieved the injured Raanta, they were already down 1-0 with Koivu getting his first from Thomas Vanek and Zach Parise at 8:27 of the first. A Viktor Stalberg giveaway in the neutral zone allowed the Wild to take the lead with Koivu able to beat Raanta in front.

 

A Dan Boyle hooking minor allowed the Wild to go up by two late in the second. Matt Dumba was able to legally bat a Nino Niederreiter rebound out of mid-air past Lundqvist for at 17:30. Mikael Granlund drew the other assist.

Some hustle from Tanner Glass allowed Etem to find Dominic Moore in the slot for a big goal with under nine seconds left that cut the deficit to 2-1. The fourth line was one of the few bright spots. Glass outworked a Wild player to a loose puck freeing it up for Etem who dished for Moore. Moore made a great shot to beat Dubnyk scoring against one of his former teams. He played for them in part of ’06-07 and ’07-08.

If only the more talented Blueshirts had shown up. It was a nondescript game for the trio of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. None were involved offensively combining for an ungodly two shots while going a combined minus-four. Zuccarello was caught out for Kevin Porter’s back breaker 40 seconds following a Jason Pominville power play goal that made it 4-1. That one was on Lundqvist who allowed one of his worst goals. Fooled by Porter who threw a no angle backhand, he didn’t guard the post and had it bank off him.

Previously, Pominville’s goal came with Minnesota native Brady Skjei off for holding. His first penalty resulted in Pominville taking a Koivu feed and beating Lundqvist. The other rookie Dylan McIlrath wasn’t sharp either getting beat along with McDonagh, who had a rough night. With the rookies, at least it’s expected. They’re still learning. I can’t explain why McDonagh’s been so inconsistent. Are the injuries still nagging him?

The Ranger captain did get his fifth off a nice cross ice feed from Miller making it 4-2 with 3:37 left in regulation. But just as quickly as he did something positive, his turnover resulted in Koivu’s second of the game from Ryan Carter and Charlie Coyle.

For the Blueshirts, there’s no time off. They will face a rested Jets team Friday. One that loves to take the body and plays well in front of the loudest crowd in the league.

Devan Dubnyk, Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle is denied by the glove of Devan Dubnyk on a penalty shot in the first minute of a disappointing Rangers 5-2 loss to the Wild. AP Photo by Ann Heisenfelt/Getty Images

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Emerson Etem, Rangers (assist, 4 SOG in 5 attempts earning 20 shifts, +1 in 11:50)

2nd Star-Jason Pominville, Wild (power play goal-4th of season, 4 SOG including 1 goal post, even in 22 shifts-16:08)

1st Star-Mikko Koivu, Wild (2 goals and an assist, +1 in 26 shifts-19:03-dominated)

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Underachieving Ducks biggest disappointment before Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Derek

Hagelin

On a busy Thursday night for the NHL, there are 11 games. Twenty-two teams are in action including the Devils, Islanders, Rangers and Sabres. The Devils and Sabres both are at home with 7 PM starts. New Jersey hosts the Panthers aiming for two in a row following a 3-0 shutout of Buffalo. The Sabres play host to the surprisingly woeful Ducks.

The Rangers visit the Wild at 8 PM where they’ll get to greet Jarret Stoll. The checking center was claimed off waivers by Minnesota. Ironically, his first game for his new team will be against the team that dropped him. He had a goal and two helpers with over a 57 percent faceoff win percentage in 29 games. Good for him that he gets another chance. There was more than one team interested. Stoll goes to a playoff team back in the West.

The Islanders visit the Avalanche at 9 PM. They look to bounce back from an ugly 5-1 home defeat to the Panthers.

Let’s go back to the main theme of this post. The Anaheim Ducks. Entering the season, they were expected to contend for the Stanley Cup. In the off-season, they acquired Carl Hagelin from the Rangers for only Emerson Etem and a draft pick swap that allowed New York to move up in the second round and select Ryan Gropp. Adding a speedy two-way forward like Hagelin was a no-brainer. It was an upgrade over Etem who continues to be in Alain Vigneault’s doghouse. If he ever gets ideal ice-time, maybe the former 2010 first round pick will figure it out. And we don’t mean fourth line duty either.

Astonishingly, the Ducks enter tonight’s game at the rebuilding Sabres with a worse record. Somehow, through 29 games the Ducks are 11-13-5 with a West worst 27 points. How bad are they? They have scored only 55 goals with a roster that features Ryan Getzlaf and former Hart winner Corey Perry. Perry is the only player who’s performed admirably pacing them in goals (10) and points (19). Getzlaf has only one goal which was an empty netter in 25 contests. He does lead Anaheim with 17 helpers. But has way under performed.

Even with Hagelin struggling to fit in under coach Bruce Boudreau with just two goals, seven points and an uncharacteristic minus-eight rating, the Ducks find themselves only three points out of a playoff spot. That’s due to the division they play in. The Pacific is the worst in the NHL. The Kings lead it with 40 points. They’re the only team that’s over regular .500 with a 19-9-2 record (19-11). The Sharks are 15-14-1 (15-15). They have 31 points. Arizona, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver are all tied with 30. So, there’s plenty of time for Anaheim to turn it around.

The Ducks have gotten strong netminding from former USA World Junior Championship hero John Gibson. Since being recalled, he’s won four of seven starts posting a 1.74 goals-against-average with a .934 save percentage and two shutouts. Starter Frederik Andersen has yet to find his groove. He just returned from “illness” replacing Gibson in a 5-1 home defeat to the Hurricanes. Prior to that, Gibson had won three of his previous four including home shutouts over the Canucks and Sharks. Gibson gets his eighth straight start in an hour.

Anaheim has gotten little out of Ryan Kesler. In the final year of a contract that pays him $5 million, he signed a huge extension that’ll allow him to make an average cap hit of $6.875 million over the following six seasons which would go thru 2022. That’s if he lasts. It was a curious move considering that he’s already over 30. The 31-year old American posted 20 goals and 27 helpers in his first year after coming over from Vancouver. He had a good postseason notching seven goals with six assists in a run to the Western Conference Final. Thus far, he’s been a big disappointment with three goals and 12 points with a team worst minus-12.

It isn’t so much a question of the kind of player Kesler is. A superb faceoff guy who is 53.5 percent over his career and 56.7 percent for the Ducks, he is considered that second line big pivot that they lacked which is why they traded for him. Offense is a necessity. A six-time 20 goalscorer who once reached 41 with the Canucks under Alain Vigneault in ’10-11 when they made the Stanley Cup Final, Kesler should be better than this. But scoring has plagued the Ducks in the first half. Richard Rackell ranks second with six goals. Jacob Silfverberg only has three. Chris Stewart, who was brought in to replace Matt Beleskey (signed with Bruins) has five. The aforementioned Hagelin has three as does Andrew Cogliano. Shawn Horcoff has four. They’ve also gotten nothing out of Patrick Maroon or Jiri Sekac with the latter returning against the Sabres following an ankle injury.

The Ducks are anchored by Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler. Vatanen has performed well with five goals and 11 assists. His 16 points rank third in team scoring trailing only Perry and Getzlaf. Fowler has three goals and seven helpers but is a minus-10. A superb puck moving skating defenseman who can contribute offensively, the 24-year old from Windsor, Ontario who represented Team USA at the Olympics and World Championships has posted at least 30 points in three seasons including the past two. However, his defense at times can be a bit challenging. He was taken two spots after the Rangers took Dylan McIlrath in the 2010 Draft. McIlrath has taken much longer to develop but at 23 is starting to look like a player recording his first NHL goal in a recent win.

Hampus Lindholm had two great seasons to start his career. The 21-year old totaled 64 points and a plus-54 rating in his first 156 games. A solid two-way stay at home blueliner who can contribute offensively, he also has struggled in ’15-16 with seven points and a minus-four in 28 contests. He was excellent during last postseason tallying two goals and eight assists for 10 points.

Perhaps the Ducks miscalculated by letting Francois Beauchemin go to Colorado. Beauchemin has always been underrated. A integral part of the Ducks Stanley Cup in 2007, he’s a solid stay at home type who also can contribute offensively. While he has 17 points for the Avalanche, replacement Kevin Bieksa has struggled so far with three assists and a minus-seven rating. The former Canuck plays a more physical style as evidenced by his 40 penalty minutes and team-leading 76 hits. But that style is taxing. The 34-year old is a righty shot who once put up over 40 points in Vancouver but is no longer that kind of player.

Anaheim has been without Simon Despres most of the season due to a concussion. The former Pen only got into four games. He was acquired last season for Ben Lovejoy.

The bottom line is the Ducks are the biggest disappointment before Christmas. A preseason Cup favorite that doesn’t score enough to win consistently. Ironically, that sums up the Pens who got Mike Johnston fired. They’ve scored one total goal in two losses under Mike Sullivan. They have 33 points and are fifth in the Metropolitan Division and out of the playoffs.

One thing about hockey. It’s a long season. For the Ducks, there’s a lot of season left. We’ll see if they figure it out. If they don’t, Boudreau will be next coaching casualty.

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McIlrath’s first NHL goal highlights Rangers win over Oilers

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Derek
Oilers Rangers Hockey

Dylan McIlrath is congratulated by Emerson Etem and Dominic Moore after scoring his first NHL goal in Rangers’ 4-2 win over Oilers. AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images

It was a night of firsts at Madison Square Garden. On a night 21-year old rookie defenseman Brady Skjei made his NHL debut, another rookie blueliner had a first of his own. Dylan McIlrath scored his first NHL goal highlighting a Rangers 4-2 win over the Oilers Tuesday night.

The 23-year old former 2010 first round pick is starting to prove why the Rangers went off the radar selecting the big physical defenseman 10th overall over the likes of Cam Fowler and Vladimir Tarasenko. For the longest time, doubts surrounded whether McIlrath would ever see the light of day in the NHL. Given the setbacks he went through in Hartford, the hard work and dedication has paid off.

So has the Rangers’ patience. Sticking with a project who has improved his skating becoming a more well rounded player under the tutelage of Hartford assistant coach Jeff Beukeboom. McIlrath’s development finally has coaches, teammates and fans excited. A behemoth of size and muscle, the defensive defenseman has not looked out of place in his first NHL season.

The confidence is there for the Winnipeg, Manitoba native. Ever since Kevin Klein went down to a oblique strain, it’s forced Rangers coach Alain Vigneault to play McIlrath. Finally getting consistent minutes while former a good partnership with Keith Yandle, he’s excelling. Tonight, Rangers assistant Ulf Samuelsson even had McIlrath play with Skjei for some shifts. Even though they were at the bottom in terms of shot differential combining for a minus-21 per war-on-ice.com, each had good games. McIlrath scoring his first goal while Skjei showed he belonged by making strong defensive reads to get pucks out.

There was a lot to like. Unlike the nightmare in Edmonton when the teams combined for 12 goals with the Blueshirts losing in epic fashion, the Garden rematch was a lot more close to the vest with the teams combining for 41 shots. The Rangers held a 21-20 edge and came out on top.

Mats Zuccarello scored the lone goal in the first period. On an extended shift thanks to some great puck possession, Rick Nash and Yandle combined to find an open Zuccarello at the left circle. He didn’t hesitate whistling a perfect wrist shot top shelf past Edmonton starter Anders Nilsson. A night after former Ranger backup Cam Talbot stifled the Bruins in overtime, Nilsson was back in net for Talbot’s return. Nothing storybook to tell.

The Rangers killed off two penalties in the first including a McIlrath hi-stick to take a one-goal lead to the locker room. Sharper to start the second, the Oilers drew even on another Ranger penalty. Oscar Lindberg took a hooking minor negating a scoring chance for Lauri Korpikoski, who had a hat trick over the weekend. Lindberg’s second minor resulted in the red hot Taylor Hall ripping home his 15th from Leon Draisaitl and Teddy Purcell. A sniper’s goal with Hall finding the five-hole on Henrik Lundqvist to tie the score.

It only took a couple of minutes for the Blueshirts to respond. It came as a result of a strong shift from the fourth line. Dominic Moore continued his strong play winning a battle to get the puck back to Yandle, who threaded the needle for a perfect McIlrath one-timer that found its target at 7:54. A pumped up rookie was mobbed by Yandle and excited teammates. A feel good moment.

Late in the second, the Oilers drew even thanks to a breakaway goal from one of the game’s most exciting players, Jordan Eberle. A Ranger turnover in the neutral zone allowed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to send the dangerous Eberle in on Lundqvist. He made no mistake going top shelf at 18:20.

But just when Edmonton seemed on track, a bench minor handed the Rangers a power play with under a minute left. Rick Nash took full advantage when he stuffed one home past Nilsson for his 10th from Zuccarello and Derick Brassard- giving them a 3-2 lead after two.

The Rangers gave the Oilers chances in the third. Marc Staal took two penalties and J.T. Miller also took one. But they escaped trouble due to strong penalty killing. That included McIlrath taking some key shifts with McDonagh. Skjei also got some time logging 2:15 shorthanded.

Lundqvist made timely saves. But didn’t have to stand on his head turning aside all seven Edmonton shots in the third on his way to 18. He picked up his 15th win.

Jesper Fast added an empty netter from Moore and Viktor Stalberg at 19:56. A nice reward for a hard working guy. Fast has become the Carl Hagelin of this year’s team. Hags specialized in empty netters. Now it’s Fast who got his second to close an opponent out.

Notes: In his NHL debut, Skjei received 21 shifts (14:54) including 12:39 at even strength. He finished minus-one with a shot, three takeaways and two blocked shots. … McIlrath got 29 shifts logging 18:38 recording his first goal with two hits, a blocked shot along with a plus-two rating. The breakdown was 13:56 even strength and 4:42 shorthanded. … With a goal in a third straight, Zuccarello now leads the Blueshirts with 14. Four Rangers recorded two points including Nash (PPG, assist), Yandle (2 assists) and Moore (2 assists). … As a team, the Rangers blocked 23 shots (McDonagh, D. Boyle-4 each). The Oilers had 16 with 3 apiece from Andrej Sekera, Eric Gryba and Nugent-Hopkins. … With a victory, the Rangers moved a point ahead of the Islanders who lost to the Panthers for second. They travel to Minnesota Thursday and face Winnipeg Friday for a tough back-to-back.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (2 assists, 5 attempts, 9-and-5 on draws-Dom is steady)

2nd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (PPG-10th of season, assist, 4 SOG, +1 in 29 shifts-18:38-much more involved)

1st Star-Dylan McIlrath, NYR (1st career goal-Big Mac continues to improve)

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Skjei recalled for tonight

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Derek
Brady Skjei

Ranger prospect Brady Skjei and USA teammate Connor Patrick. zimbio.com

With defenseman Dan Girardi ailing with a knee injury, the Rangers recalled Brady Skjei from Hartford for tonight’s game against the Oilers. For the 21-year old Lakeville, Minnesota native who was taken in the first round in the 2012 NHL Draft, it’s a chance to show what he’s got on Broadway.

It’s definitely exciting for Skjei and for Blueshirt fans to finally see what Skjei can do. Following a strong camp and preseason, he was sent down. In his first pro season, there’s no reason to rush him. That’s why he’s played with the Wolf Pack learning under Hartford coach Ken Gernander and former defenseman Jeff Beukeboom who did a great job with former 2010 first rounder Dylan McIlrath.

After spending three seasons playing for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in college, Skjei has two goals and nine assists totaling 11 points with four penalty minutes and a minus-nine rating in 27 games for Hartford. The 11 points pace all Wolf Pack defensemen as do the nine helpers.

It’ll be interesting to see how Rangers coach Alain Vigneault deploys him. This is a young player who will be making his NHL debut at the World’s Most Famous Arena. With Girardi out, does Vigneault try McIlrath on the top pair with Ryan McDonagh or will he go with someone else? It’s hard to figure out. Dan Boyle has played better lately. Vigneault has rewarded him with more minutes.

With Kevin Klein still recovering from an oblique strain and Girardi finally getting a night off, it’s a bit of a dilemma for Vigneault and assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson. Do they break up Keith Yandle and McIlrath? Figure Samuelsson to mix and match for shifts.

What that means for Skjei remains to be seen. He’s definitely got the skill set. A strong skater and puck mover, he should aid the Rangers from a possession aspect. Will there be nerves? Maybe the nervous energy will help once he gets in a couple of shifts. It should be fun to watch.

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Stoll lands in Minnesota, A criticism of Vigneault

Posted on December 15, 2015 by Derek
Alain Vigneault

Alain Vignault has been part of the problem with the Rangers who have several key players miscast. http://www.cbc.ca

A day after being put on waivers, center Jarret Stoll found a new home. The Minnesota Wild are the team who claimed him. So, he goes with Fox sideline reporter girlfriend Erin Andrews from Broadway to St. Paul.

Signed by the Rangers in the off-season for one year at $800,000, Stoll was excellent on face-offs winning nearly 58 percent (158-and-115). But the face-off ace whose career winning percentage is 55.4 percent did little else. Sure. He killed penalties. But he had just a goal and two assists while looking out of place due to Dominic Moore.

The signing never made sense. Especially with the development of rookie Oscar Lindberg. They probably should’ve cut him after camp. Instead, they held onto him for roughly one-third of the season with coach Alain Vigneault struggling to figure out his role. It’s laughable that for one game on that awful Western Canadian road trip, he had Moore centering the third line and Stoll the fourth. He was overusing the checkers at the expense of Lindberg, J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes.

Vigneault has not had a good season. He’s mishandled the lines. With Derek Stepan out, he hasn’t settled on a second line. Hopefully, with Tanner Glass reemerging on the fourth line, he’ll realize that Jesper Fast is miscast in a top nine role. Viktor Stalberg has been decent in a secondary role. But once Stepan returns, he should be on the fourth line. Emerson Etem should play on the third line with Hayes and Lindberg when Stepan is back. That would allow Lindberg to take the draws. It would also give the team better balance.

For now, Vigneault can mix and match with Lindberg anchoring the second line and Hayes the third. He tried Chris Kreider with Hayes and Mats Zuccarello before reuniting the top line. There’s no reason to split up Zuccarello, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash when they’re easily their best unit. Granted. Nash has been disappointing with some lazy defensive play. He must be more consistent production wise and overall. Nine goals and 21 points in 29 games isn’t what they pay him for. Neither is his dramatic slip defensively.

If there’s a criticism of Vigneault, it’s that he hasn’t been patient enough with Etem. Brought in from Anaheim for Carl Hagelin in a deal that allowed the Rangers to move up in the second round and select Ryan Gropp, Etem has only gotten into a dozen games and has two assists. While it’s true a poor camp contributed to him being a healthy scratch to begin the season, Vigneault has done a poor job finding a role for the 23-year old. It’s time for Etem to sink or swim. When Stepan went down, it was the perfect opportunity. Now with Stoll gone, he’ll play. Though I’d prefer him on the third line and not the fourth.

Vigneault has also bounced Miller around. In his second full year, he’s still looking to establish himself. From a consistency standpoint, the former 2011 first round pick can be better. But it’s clear that Miller is an effective fore-checker who adds energy and a net presence. Areas that have been lacking. I still believe he should be the right wing on the second line with Stepan and Kreider. But AV prefers Hayes even though he is more effective at center. But Hayes doesn’t use his size from a physical standpoint. If he’s not scoring, it’s a waste.

The thing with young players is it takes time. Hayes is 23 and only in his second year. He’s experiencing the same growing pains Anders Lee is with the Islanders. As for Kreider, he should be more consistent by this point. Given all the playoff games since 2012, he should have figured it out by now. He shows flashes. Five goals in 31 games doesn’t cut it. The Blueshirts need better production.

That’s the issue when you subtract key leadership from a President’s Trophy roster. Even though he hasn’t fit in Anaheim, Hagelin was perfect under Vigneault. His speed and gritty style made him a strong possession player who was always a threat in transition. The style Vigneault loves. Hagelin also was superb as a penalty killer. Ironically, the Rangers still don’t have a shorthanded goal. Part of it is Nash under performing and their best penalty killer Stepan remaining out. That’s a disappointment.

Say what you want about him. But Martin St. Louis was a valuable leader who brought a lot to the table. Even in his final year, he still wound up tied with Kreider for second in goals (21) and fourth in scoring with 52 points. His skill allowed Kreider more time and space to finish. Vigneault has yet to find a suitable replacement. It’s probably one reason why Kreider has struggled. The coach hasn’t settled on Miller or Hayes yet. His decision is delayed until Stepan returns which likely means not till the next calendar year.

For the Rangers who play host to the Oilers and Cam Talbot tonight, it’s about finding more consistency. The coach has some responsibility. Ultimately, it’s up to the players to deliver. That includes doing a better job in coverage with Nash and Hayes guilty parties in losses to Edmonton and Calgary. With the cushion they had almost gone, it’s time for the team to come together.

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