Zuccarello puts on show for streaking Rangers in 4-3 win over Leafs

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Derek
This Zucc's For You: Mats Zuccarello celebrates his game-winning goal with less than a minute left in the Rangers' 4-3 win over the Leafs. AP Photo by Seth Wenig/Getty Images

This Zucc’s For You: Mats Zuccarello celebrates his game-winning goal with less than a minute left in the Rangers’ 4-3 win over the Leafs. AP Photo by Seth Wenig/Getty Images

How hot a start is it for Mats Zuccarello? Another three-point effort from the Rangers’ leading scorer was the difference in an exciting 4-3 home win over the Maple Leafs at MSG Sunday night. His team-leading ninth goal with 53.3 seconds left in regulation gave the Blueshirts a ninth straight win.

It’s the first time they’ve won that many in a row in 43 years. They’re now 14-2-2 with a league best 30 points. The 18-game start is the best in franchise history.

“He’s on top of his game,” coach Alain Vigneault said afterwards of the 28-year old Norwegian who’s become his team’s most consistent skater. “He’s been playing real well and his enthusiasm is contagious.

“There’s no doubt that he is well liked and well respected by his teammates, and I think everyone is happy that he’s playing so well right now.”

During the nine-game winning streak, Zuccarello has starred recording 12 points (5-7-12). Over a stretch that’s seen the Blueshirts outscore opponents 32-13, he has posted three multi-point games. That included his first hat trick in a Oct. 30 win over Toronto. In a recent 6-3 win over St. Louis, he had a goal and two assists. A day after being held in check in a 2-1 shootout victory at Ottawa thanks to Dan Boyle, he was at it again posting his third three-point game in the last eight.

The more they win, the more Zuccarello’s imprints are on the team’s play. It’s not just having a knack for scoring the big goal as he did when he backhanded home a Ryan McDonagh rebound past Jonathan Bernier at 19:06. It’s the play making too. He also set up two goals with brilliant feeds. The first was to a trailing McDonagh who converted a 3-on-1 to tie the score 44 seconds into the second period.

“When you (have) more confidence, you make those plays,” Zuccarello said. “It’s a nice feeling to be that confident. The whole team is like that. We have a good stretch here, so it’s a good feeling.”

Zuccarello’s uncanny ability to draw attention while finding open teammates has been a constant. With the game knotted again following a Joffrey Lupul put back late in the second, a attacking Zuccarello went around former Ranger Matt Hunwick and slid the puck in front for a Derick Brassard finish that made it 3-2 at 3:37 of the third.

To their credit, the Leafs didn’t give up. As they had throughout the match, they bounced back with captain Dion Phaneuf evening the score off a Tyler Bozak face-off win with 14:45 left. Phaneuf’s right point shot dipped under backup Antti Raanta who outside of that goal against, was steady improving to 4-0-0 with 23 saves.

With the game tied, the Rangers twice had to kill off penalties. The first was a successful kill of a Chris Kreider cross check in the offensive zone. The second was with Brassard off for hi-sticking. Dominic Moore made two shorthanded bids but was caught from behind on each.

As time approached a minute to go, the contest looked to be headed to a 3-on-3 derby. As I pondered whether this team could finally score in it, McDonagh had a nice rush and low shot which Bernier kicked out. Zuccarello was right there to backhand it home sending the crowd to their feet in familiar chants of “Zuuuccc! Zuuuccc! Zuuuccc!”

That’s the kind of special player he’s become. At first when it was suggested on Twitter that last year’s team might have won the Cup had they had Zuccarello, I disagreed. But the more you watch him, the more I’ve come to the conclusion that they would’ve at least gotten past the Lightning with a healthy Zuccarello. Whether or not they would’ve defeated the Blackhawks is too hard a question to answer.

Zuccarello has become the fabric of the team. He means so much. Who would’ve ever thought a pint sized Norwegian would be so vital? It’s still hard to believe how well he’s playing after the near career threatening injury sustained on a McDonagh shot in Game 5 of the first round against Pittsburgh. From a brain contusion and hairline fracture in his skull to the best forward on the roster.

It was already storybook. Now it’s a show from the most popular Blueshirt outside of Henrik Lundqvist. Simply amazing.

Notes: Peter Holland got the Leafs on the board first at 17:57 of the first. … Derek Stepan scored from 100 feet out when his long wrist shot from center ice went through Bernier at 13:55 of the second. Lupul tied it less than four minutes later when he beat Keith Yandle in front for a rebound of a Byron Froese deflection. … Dylan McIlrath returned to the lineup. He paired with Yandle mostly finishing minus-two with three hits in 17 shifts (11:00). They were also on for Phaneuf’s tying marker on a lost draw from Stepan. … After getting dominated early, the Rangers came out on top going 39-and-37 on face-offs. Brassard (12-and-8), Moore (7-and-4) and Jarret Stoll (9-and-5) all had good nights. … Rangers now have three days off before a two-game Florida trip with stops at Tampa Thursday and the Panthers Saturday.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (assist, 4 SOG in 6 attempts, 2 blocked shots, +3 in 36 shifts-20:45)

2nd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (3rd of season, assist, 5 SOG, +3 in 33 shifts-22:03)

1st Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (9th of season, 2 assists, +2 in 16:52)

Paris, France In Thoughts: Prior to the national anthems sang by Heather Cox, there was a moment of silence for all the victims in the horrible Paris, France tragedy. The French national anthem was played. Polite applause followed.

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Smith hit to Stepan was dirty

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Derek

In the second period of yesterday’s game, Senators forward Zack Smith took a run at Rangers center Derek Stepan catching him in the chin with a blindside hit that made head contact. The controversial play led to Chris Kreider immediately pounding Smith and rag dolling him in retaliation.

When it comes to the Department of Player Safety, they look for a couple of things on such hits. What was called? In this instance, Smith was assessed a two-minute minor for interference and a five-minute major. When Rangers coach asked the refs how it wasn’t a major penalty, he got the usual response. Somehow, Kreider wound up with 17 penalty minutes including a instigator and misconduct. In this instance, he was justified in seeking justice.

Stepan went to the locker room probably to go through concussion tests. Fortunately, he was able to return and finish the game. That he wasn’t seriously injured is a miracle. Smith’s intent was clear. This wasn’t shoulder to shoulder or chest. It was dangerously high catching a prone Stepan on the chin with head contact. In our estimation, a dirty hit that should be automatically reviewed for supplementary discipline.

Will it? That remains to be seen. It would be nice for the league to take action. It doesn’t matter that Stepan wasn’t hurt. It’s the kind of cheap hit they’re trying to eliminate. Even if it means Smith sitting two games, it’s better than nothing.

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Fun is back at the Rock as Devils roll over Penguins

Posted on November 15, 2015 by hasan4978

https://twitter.com/NHLDevils/status/665713479785943040

Pretty much everything about the Devils’ 4-0 shutout win at the Rock against a surprisingly ineffective Penguin offense felt like a symbolic purging of the last three years of misery that’s befallen the Devils since Game 6 in 2012.  It’s been rare in the last three years to see a dominant start-to-finish performance (still rarer when it manifested in the final score with our offensively challenged teams), tonight was the first I can remember in a long time.  Perhaps almost as significantly, this is the first time in a long time it seemed as if the crowd was actually having fun at the Rock.  And I say seemed only because I had to be a late scratch from going to this game thanks to a bad cold I’ve had the last few days, but the ‘Crosby Sucks!’ chants in the third period came across loud and clear among other things.  Certainly the performance itself gave reason for a sellout crowd to be upbeat, but coming off the heels of a home-and-home sweep of the defending champ Hawks, this week and really this season has finally given the Devil fanbase hope again.

Most of the pundits thought it would be years before this team could be competitive between a young defense, a rookie coach and a questionable talent base up front.  At best I figured this would be a 75-80 point season where Cory Schneider could drag the team into being in games most nights and we’d see some progress from the defense but overall there was still too much maturing and work to done up front to expect anymore than that.   However, this version of the Devils doesn’t want to hear about next year or waiting to win…they’re winning right now.  Even more shockingly, they’re acting like they expect to win.  For most of the season the results bear that out, after an 0-3-1 start the Devils are 10-3 in their last thirteen games against some tough competition including the streak-starting game at Madison Square Garden beating the Rangers in OT.

There hasn’t been much reason for anyone associated with the Devils – least of all the fans – to harbor optomism about the direction of the franchise during three bad years and a summer of upheaval.  Even most of us that were fed up about the team the last few years were sorry to see most of the people who’d been responsible for our greatest successes leave the organization one way or another, but acknowledged change was inevitable.  I among others cautioned that change wasn’t automatically good by rote.  Right now however things couldn’t be going better for new GM Ray Shero and new coach John Hynes, both of whom I’m sure took some personal satisfaction from tonight’s win over a team they were a part of for years, and in Shero’s case fired from.

Shero in particular had a lot to live up to in the shadow of now former president/GM/czar Lou Lamoriello though ironically he also took over for a longtime successful GM in Pittsburgh (Craig Patrick).  Still given the team had one of the lowest payrolls in the league with few big-name FA or trade additions it was hard to envision positive results immediately.  So far however, just about every move Shero’s made has paid off.  On defense signing John Moore and David Schlemko certainly didn’t gain as much ink as say, the Flames trading for Dougie Hamilton.  However, both Moore and Schlemko have both become regulars and stabilizing forces in our young defense, playing 16-18 quality minutes most nights.  It was thought Shero wouldn’t be able to address the forward core to a big extent immediately but his draft-day steal of Kyle Palmeri (six goals and fourteen points in 17 games) combined with offseason pickup Sergey Kalinin and camp invitee Lee Stempniak (also fourteen points in seven games) has actually pumped life into what last year was a lifeless, decrepit forward core.  Kalinin only has four points on the season but three of them have come in the last four games including the game-winning goal in Chicago and an assist that same night, as the KHL import is playing with more confidence in his first season and getting time in the top six.  Even recent waiver pickup Bobby Farnham has scored two goals, gotten in several scraps and already become a fan favorite, especially after trolling the team that cut him earlier this season with a goal tonight.

Perhaps chief among Shero’s apparently solid moves though was his head coach hire – first-year man John Hynes.  Hynes had a good AHL record to be sure over the previous few years but given the fact he was the youngest coach in the NHL it seemed only natural to expect growing pains, especially with a ‘rebuilding’ team.  From day one though, Hynes has walked in the door with the confidence of someone that had been coaching for years, knowing exactly what he wanted to do and how he wanted to do it, even bringing in a skills coach to work with the players on the basics.  Many coaches find it easy to challenge younger players and fringe guys while rarely going after big names, but Hynes challenged holdovers Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique during camp and said he expected more from them this year.  So far, they’ve delivered with Henrique leading the team in goals with eight so far, while Zajac has 11 points in 16 games a season after a pitiful output of 27 points.  By the same token Hynes has also attempted to spur on younger players like Damon Severson to be better, even scratching the highly-touted and skilled defenseman earlier this season for a game.

While admittedly I mocked all the slogans the PR department was coming up with during camp, the team IS living up to the #RELENTLESS motto.  Very seldom this season has the team been out of any game, even during the 0-3-1 start.  Not only has this team shown the capability to come from behind like the Ottawa game earlier in the year where they rallied from two goals down late, but they’ve also shown an ability to hold a lead late (one of our biggest bugaboos in recent years), even against quality opposition.  Certainly coach Hynes deserves credit for getting the most out of almost everyone on the roster to this point but obviously the players themselves deserve credit for buying in to the system and not the outside hype about their lack of a chance this season.  Schneider’s obviously been the stabilizing force in goal, with his usual stellar numbers and his equally usual soft-spoken humbleness always crediting his teammates and never throwing one under the bus in three years as a Devil.  Certainly new captain Greene has been a rock for a young defense and the pairing of he and Adam Larsson has been the backbone of the unit, frequently playing in the neighborhood of 25 minutes a night against the opponents’ top lines including on the first PK unit.  And up front even with a pro like Mike Cammalleri, in my opinion Adam Henrique’s been the guy who’s stepped forward the most to provide leadership after the team got younger and quicker this offseason, and began without icon Patrik Elias – who’s only now started to skate with the team after an unspecified knee injury.  Henrique’s been the go-to-guy for scoring as well as one of our main PK forwards – and perpetual shorthanded threat.

Enjoy it Devil fans, right now things are looking up – not only for the short term but in the long-term as well.  Top 2015 picks Pavel Zacha and Mackenzie Blackwood are both off to strong starts in the OHL.  Heck, even Albany is 8-3-2 so far in the AHL.  After years of allowing the farm team to atrophy it appears as if there’s accountability there too, as well as other young legs who look like they’ll be able to help in the near future.

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Relentless Devils stun Hawks for second time in six days

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Derek
Kyle Palmieri celebrates his second period goal in a Devils win over the Hawks. AP Photo by Nam Y. Huh/Getty Images

Kyle Palmieri celebrates his second period goal in a Devils win over the Hawks.
AP Photo by Nam Y. Huh/Getty Images

#Relentless. That’s been the theme of the 2015-16 Devils. Like the popular hashtag on Twitter, these Devils continue to battle hard for first-year coach John Hynes. The rookie coach is getting results. Facing the defending champs again, the Devils stunned the Hawks for the second time in six days.

Rookie Sergei Kalinin’s power play goal with 2:27 left in regulation proved to be the difference. Ultimately, it was the brilliant play of Cory Schneider who finished with 27 saves to give his team another thrilling victory. Following an 0-3-1 start, the Devils have won nine of their last 12 (9-3-0) and are right in the thick of things in a tight Metropolitan Division. At 9-6-1 with 19 points, they sit fourth a point behind third place Pittsburgh who they face Saturday at home.

It’s not always pretty. But the Devils make it work with timely scoring and clutch netminding from Schneider. The most encouraging aspect is their best players continue to step up in key moments. After trailing on a Patrick Kane goal, they responded with a two goal second period. Adam Henrique stayed hot scoring his team-leading eighth from John Moore 59 seconds into the second.

Kyle Palmieri slammed home his sixth with 2:59 remaining in the middle stanza. It was set up by the improving Kalinin. Signed out of the KHL, the 24-year old Russian is showing more confidence as his role has increased. His willingness to go to the dirty areas is paying off.

”When you play more, when coach and team trusts you, it’s more power for you,” Kalinin said after recording a power play goal and assist. ”You feel more comfortable on the ice, and try to create things.”

When the Hawks fell behind, they did what they usually do. Turn up the heat. As the Devils found out less than a week ago, when Chicago pushes the attack they’re nearly impossible to control. Puck possession has long been a Blackhawk trait during their three Cups. Even without top defenseman Duncan Keith, they’re a handful. They came in waves launching an all out assault at Schneider, who for a good portion of the third was up to the challenge.

That didn’t stop the Hawks from finally getting the equalizer. Another talented Russian KHL import Artemi Panarin (Panera Bread anyone?) was able to beat Schneider with a quick wrist shot evening the score with 6:41 left. Erik Gustafsson and Kane set it up. Considering that Schneider had made other sprawling saves, it was a stoppable shot. However, that doesn’t account for the pressure he faced. Plus Panarin is gonna be in the Calder conversation. He’s that dangerous.

The thing about the Devils is they usually bounce back. Following Panarin’s goal, they had two point blank chances to go back ahead. But Corey Crawford made his best stops including thwarting Palmieri on the doorstep. He also denied Cammalleri prior to Panarin’s tying marker.

Chicago had a power play with less than six minutes to play on a iffy tripping call on Mike Cammalleri. But New Jersey was able to kill it off. With the game still hanging in the balance, Kane was nabbed for hi-sticking with 2:35 left. It gave the Devils the chance they needed.

Off a face-off win, Palmieri deflected a David Schlemko shot into Crawford. But a pesky Kalinin poked the puck home before Crawford could get a whistle for the game-winner at 17:33. They used only eight second of the power play. 

”The game-winner was great,” beamed Hynes. ”We have him now net-front on the power play, which he earned.”

The game wasn’t over yet. The Devils still had to deal with the predictable Hawks onslaught. They sure had their chances. But even with Crawford pulled, they were unable to beat Schneider. The Devils defensively did just enough to seal the victory.

”What we’re real happy with, even more than the record, is just the way the team’s come together,” Hynes added. ”Guys are playing for one another. There’s a lot of belief in how we’re playing.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Kyle Palmieri, NJD (goal-6th of season, assist)

2nd Star-Cory Schneider, NJD (27 saves incl. 10/10 in 2nd)

1st Star-Sergei Kalinin, NJD (game-winning PPG with 2:27 left in 3rd, assist, 4 SOG, 4 hits in 20 shifts-14:33)

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Rangers make it seven in a row with win over Blues

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Derek
Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello celebrate Brassard's early goal in another Rangers win. AP Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello celebrate Brassard’s early goal in another Rangers win.
AP Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

They keep winning games. Make it seven in a row for the Rangers who defeated the Blues 6-3 at MSG last night. Even a step up in competition couldn’t cool them off.

This is one I didn’t see. My Dad, brother and friend attended. They got to see six goals on 22 shots including the first three on only five chasing the previously red hot St. Louis starter Jake Allen. He entered with a shutout streak of 165:59. But didn’t last a whole period. Mats Zuccarello was the catalyst setting up Derick Brassard for the game’s first goal and scoring his eighth goal just 2:18 later by abusing Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester.

”He’s playing at such a high level right now. It starts with his compete level,” teammate Derek Stepan praised of the pint sized Norwegian with the gigantic heart. ”He competes so hard.”

Since Alain Vigneault reunited the top line, they’ve been hot. Nash just came back and scored in the win over Carolina. He helped set up the first two goals and set a perfect screen on captain Ryan McDonagh’s big power play goal in the third which gave them some much needed breathing room against quality opponent. Zuccarello earned the game’s first star recording a goal and two assists. Brassard had a goal and helper allowing the trio to combine for seven points.

Kevin Hayes chased Allen when he beat him on a breakaway with 5:22 remaining in the first. Sent in on a perfect feed from Viktor Stalberg, the improving second-year forward went forehand deke to send Allen to the bench in favor of veteran backup Brian Elliott. By the time McDonagh scored, he was equally frustrated.

During this stretch, the Blueshirts haven’t been perfect by any stretch. In home victories over the Caps and Blues, they’ve been opportunistic. Able to victimize mistake prone yet talented opponents, they’re making the most of their chances. At times, they’ve been on their heels defensively. Washington was all over them last week for half the game. St. Louis was similar attacking for long stretches. They out-shot the Rangers 16-5 in the first but still trailed on the scoreboard.

”The best period we played all year on the road was the first period and we were down 3-0,” St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. ”I thought for sure with the way we were playing, we were really dominating the offensive zone. I thought we were going to win for sure.”

The difference is the goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist continues to perform at a high level. In by far his best start, he is making key saves at critical moments. Even when he allows a rare clunker like the rebound to Dmitrij Jaskin that got the Blues within 3-1 before the end of the first, he always bounces back. The three goals allowed were the first time he’s given up over two since Oct. 13 against Winnipeg. He finished with 31 saves to win his fifth straight decision. In fact, he hasn’t lost in regulation since Oct. 15 at Montreal.

As they’ve proven throughout the streak, the Rangers bend but don’t break. When they are stuck in their end, it’s usually because they can’t clear the zone. A bad trend that needs fixing. They also haven’t always managed the puck in the neutral zone. A clear example was Stalberg giving away the puck to the Blues most dangerous scorer Vladimir Tarasenko resulting in a highlight reel goal. Tarasenko took the early Christmas gift and blew into the Ranger zone whistling a lethal wrist shot past Lundqvist for an unassisted goal that cut it to 3-2 at 5:24 of the second.

”He’s one of the best players in the game,” Lundqvist admitted. ”He’s up there with (Ovechkin), I think, in the way he shoots the puck. I thought I was in good position and (his shot is) just so fast and accurate. Give him credit.

”It’s definitely a test for a goalie.”

Undeterred, the Rangers responded less than five minutes later thanks to J.T. Miller connecting off a Stepan feed from Dan Girardi. On the play, Stepan walked out and fed Miller for a one-timer that took a favorable bounce off a Blues skate past a helpless Elliott. That restored a two-goal lead for the time being. St. Louis wasn’t done. With Brassard off for a hook, Scott Gomez started a nice passing play with Robby Fabri finding a wide open Troy Brouwer in front for a power play goal that cut it to 4-3.

However, a Brouwer slash handed the Rangers their first power play less than two minutes into the third. On it, Zuccarello and Stepan combined to set up a McDonagh one-time blast from the point for his second at 2:44. With Nash parking his big frame in front of Elliott, he never saw the shot and then slammed his goal stick against the cage. A pleased McDonagh pumped his fist.

One of the best lock down teams in the game, the Rangers held down the forte improving to 12-2-2. Off a good fore check from Chris Kreider and Miller, Girardi iced it with an empty netter.

”A good test for us to raise our level,” Marc Staal said. ”I thought (it was) one of the hardest competition games (we’ve) had. They play a strong game. They play smart. I think it was our best effort, emotional type of win. It (was) a good test for us and (I’m) glad we responded the way we did.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-J.T. Miller, NYR (goal-4th of season, assist, 4 hits, +2 in 20 shifts-13:51)

2nd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 assists plus a big time screen on McDonagh’s PPG)

1st Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (8th of season, 2 assists-Most Valuable Forward)

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Lundqvist makes 33 saves for 56th career shutout in 3-0 win over Canes

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Derek

The only thing missing from this quick start was a shutout for Henrik Lundqvist. In a 3-0 win over the Hurricanes, the Rangers matched their best start in franchise history winning for the 11th time in the first 15 games. In upping their record to 11-2-2, they got another brilliant performance from Lundqvist, who made 33 saves to post his 56th career shutout.

As is often the case with shutouts, he had some help from his best friend the goalpost. Snake bit Canes forward Jeff Skinner hit the post twice. Carolina had some other close calls but were unable to beat Lundqvist. He’s off to a sensational start with eight wins in 12 starts decreasing his goals-against-average to 1.65 and increasing his save percentage to .949 while recording his first shutout of the season.

The Blueshirts didn’t play a good first period. They were out-shot 8-3 by the Canes.But it didn’t much matter due to goals 11 seconds apart from Jesper Fast and Rick Nash. Playing on the fourth line with Jarret Stoll and Emerson Etem, Fast scored for a second straight game when his turnaround shot beat Cam Ward at 9:21. Etem and Keith Yandle drew assists.

On the following shift, a sloppy Canes turnover led to Dan Girardi intercepting a pass and starting a 2-on-1 with Mats Zuccarello and Nash. Drawing attention, Zuccarello slap passed in front to Nash who deked around a very aggressive Ward for a sweet backhand finish for a goal in his return. He missed the previous two games with a stiff back. It was nice to see him actually score into a net as opposed to his only goal being counted when he was taken down with an empty net. Nash had a good night also setting up Ryan McDonagh’s first while recording four shots and finishing plus-two in 28 shifts (16:46).

The Rangers penalty kill got a workout. They were successful killing off all five Carolina power plays. In particular, the top forward tandem of Nash and Derek Stepan created havoc. McDonagh also had one of his best games recording a goal with two hits and four blocked shots. Marc Staal also was a standout aside from a hooking minor that prevented a scoring chance. Girardi was solid going plus-two with a helper and four blocks. He did have one glaring turnover over skating a loose puck that led to a chance against. Of course, a sliding Lundqvist slid across to bail out his teammate.

It wasn’t a masterpiece. But didn’t have to be. After Lundqvist turned aside all 14 Carolina shots in a more entertaining second that saw the teams combine for 28, Nash got in on the forecheck and fed an open McDonagh at the left point for a shot that caromed off Canes defenseman Ron Hainsey past Ward 13 seconds into the third.

Lundqvist did the rest turning aside all 11 shots to earn the shutout. He continues to be the early story. Brilliant play from the 33-year old Swede. Could this be a special season? A Vezina and even a Hart could be in play. But individual awards pale in comparison to the ultimate prize. So far, so good.

Note: The 11-2-2 start matched the Rangers’ best start in 15 games tying 1990. … Rangers blocked 19 shots as a team including 10 in the first. Canes had nine. … In 14 shifts, Etem played his best game recording an assist with two hits in 9:31. Stoll went 8-and-9 on draws. As a team, the Rangers got beat badly 37-21 with the combination of Jordan Staal and Victor Rask going 27-and-9. … Rangers should get a better test when the Blues visit MSG Thursday. St. Louis shutout the Devils 2-0.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (goal-1st of season, +2 in 28 shifts-20:24)

2nd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (goal-2nd of season, assist)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (33 save shutout-56th career)

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Moore a healthy scratch for tonight

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Derek

In a bit of a surprise, coach Alain Vigneault has decided to scratch Dominic Moore when the Rangers host the Hurricanes tonight. In his words, he wants to take a look at Emerson Etem and Jesper Fast in their natural positions with Jarret Stoll. So, Moore will sit out for the first time this season.

Moore has been a solid performer since returning to his original team in ’13-14. Who could ever forget his series clincher from Brian Boyle in Game 6 of an emotional Eastern Conference Final against the Canadiens? The affable 35-year old veteran overcame the loss of his wife Katie to liver cancer. He sat out an entire season.

Moore, who recently remarried is someone to root for. A hard working player who fills his fourth line penalty killing checking role well. After posting 10 goals and 17 helpers last season, he has a goal in 14 contests so far. It’s been a bit of an adjustment playing with Stoll, who also is a natural center. Both have split duty on face-offs while killing penalties. Stoll sat out once. He has a goal and two assists in 13 games.

Vigneault wants to take another look at Etem. A player acquired from Anaheim as part of the Carl Hagelin trade which allowed the Rangers to move up in the second round and select Ryan Gropp. The 23-year old from Long Beach, California has just an assist in five games. He got a chance to play on the top line the past two with Rick Nash out with a bad back. Nash is good to go tonight and will play with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello.

The Blueshirts need to see what they have in Etem. A former first round pick who’s only totaled 15 goals and 17 assists in 117 games with the Ducks and Rangers. At some point, he must perform to stay in the lineup. He has more skill than Fast, who’s a hard working defensive forward that kills penalties. His hustle led to his second goal on a redirect of a Dan Girardi shot in a recent 4-1 win over Arizona. Fast won’t blow anyone away offensively but is more consistent than Etem.

With Nash returning to the top line and Moore sitting out, here are the lines:

Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello

Kreider-Stepan-Miller

Stalberg-Hayes-Lindberg

Etem-Stoll-Fast

As for the blue line, it’ll be Dan Boyle paired with Keith Yandle. Boyle returned to the lineup over the weekend and had an assist with a plus-two rating. He still was shaky in his end but the veteran gets another start.

With Dylan McIlrath performing well, it’s time for the organization to tell Raphael Diaz to go play in Sweden instead of keeping a handshake agreement that would have him up this month. McIlrath has done enough to stay. He should continue to spell Boyle and maybe even Dan Girardi if he needs a blow. It’s not worth losing McIlrath, who adds size and is more well rounded this time.

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start. With eight more saves, he’ll move past Mike Richter for the most total saves in franchise history counting regular season and postseason. It would be fitting if it comes in a win. Cam Ward will oppose him.

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Improving Sabres visit Lightning in fourth and final meeting

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Derek

Rebuilding takes time. That much is known. For the Sabres, they’re showing improvement under new coach Dan Bylsma. Winners of two of their last three, they visit the talented Lightning tonight.

At 6-8-0 with 12 points in the first 14 games, they are seventh in the Atlantic Division. However, outside of the Canadiens who are off to a whopping 13-2-1 start leading the NHL with 27 points, the Atlantic is mediocre with five points separating second place Ottawa from seventh place Buffalo. Even Tampa Bay has struggled entering play a disappointing 7-7-2 with 16 points.

The Sabres are coming off an emotional 3-2 win over the Canucks this past weekend. It was the return of Ryan Miller. The franchise leader in wins (284) and games played (540) by a goalie. Buffalo welcomed home Miller with a nice video tribute during a stoppage highlighting his best moments. He acknowledged the cheers from an appreciative crowd.

2015 second overall pick Jack Eichel recorded his first two assists. He set up Jamie McGinn and Rasmus Ristolainen. For the season, he has five goals and two helpers for seven points. He leads the Sabres in shots (49). Eichel has been okay on face-offs going 79-and-88.

Buffalo blew a two-goal lead against Vancouver. The Canucks rallied on goals from Henrik Sedin and Chris Higgins, who just squeaked one through rookie goalie Linus Ullmark. Ullmark has been a revelation winning three of his last four starts. The 22-year old from Sweden was a 2012 sixth round pick. He made 35 saves in the win over the Canucks. With starter Robin Lehner still out, Ullmark has earned starts over backup Chad Johnson, who gets the call at Tampa.

The Sabres showed character pulling out the one-goal victory on Saturday. Ristolainen scored his second goal with 16.5 seconds remaining in regulation. The play was made by Tyler Ennis, who out-skated three Canucks before passing for Marcus Foligno who found a open Ristolainen for the winner at 19:43. Ristolainen showed patience moving to the left before firing past Miller.

When they visit the Lightning, it’s already the fourth and final meeting of the season. Tampa took the first three winning 4-1 at Buffalo on Oct. 10, 2-1 at Tampa on 10/17 and 4-1 at Buffalo on 11/5. The good news is after tonight, the Sabres won’t see the Bolts again unless they meet in the playoffs. That the schedule would have them play a division rival four times in a month without any more match-ups is odd to say the least.

Tampa will be without Ondre Palat (lower body). He’s expected to miss anywhere between three to five weeks. Evander Kane (knee) remains out for Buffalo. He could return before Thanksgiving.

Victor Hedman leads the Bolts with 11 points (1-10-11). The gifted defenseman should be a leading candidate for the Norris. In a contract year, captain Steven Stamkos paces them with seven goals. After a slow start, Tyler Johnson has points in three of his last four. He and Nikita Kucherov each have eight points. Scoring has actually been an issue for Tampa. Ryan Callahan has four goals so far playing mostly on the third line with Jonathan Drouin replacing him on the Stamkos unit.

Newest Sabre Ryan O’Reilly has been as advertised. He leads them in scoring with 13 points (4-9-13). Seven of his 13 have come on the power play. O’Reilly has three power play goals and four power play assists. Since putting up 10 points (3-7-10) over a five-game stretch, he’s without a point in three straight.

With Johnson returning to net, he’ll oppose Andrei Vasilevskiy. He made 30 saves in his first start of the season against Buffalo five days ago. All-time, he’s 3-0-0 versus the Sabres with his only career shutout coming on March 3, 2015.

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Slumping Islanders hit California for three game road trip

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Derek
Jaroslav Halak and Johnny Boychuk can't look after Brad Marchand scores the winner in a Bruins 2-1 win over the Islanders. AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek/Getty Images

Jaroslav Halak and Johnny Boychuk can’t look after Brad Marchand scores the winner in a Bruins 2-1 win over the Islanders.
AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek/Getty Images

After dropping a 2-1 decision to the Bruins Sunday at Barclays Center, the Islanders have dropped five of their last six. In all six, they have scored two goals-or-fewer. They’ll have to muster more offense when they hit California for a three-game road trip beginning Tuesday in San Jose. It’s a tough three games over four days with stops at Los Angeles and Anaheim Thursday and Friday.

In their first season relocated to Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue, goals weren’t supposed to be hard to come by. Franchise center John Tavares got off to a blistering start with 11 points (4-7-11) in the first six games leading the Islanders to a 5-1-0 record. But a mystery illness kept Tavares out of of three games between Halloween and Nov. 3. The team went 1-1-1 splitting a home-and-home with the Devils while losing to the Sabres in between.

Tavares returned for Montreal with some bad luck leading to a 4-1 loss. They followed it up with only a Johnny Boychuk third period goal in a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Boston. Thus far, the Islanders captain and Kyle Okposo are tied for the club lead in scoring with 11 points. One ahead of Frans Nielsen. Boychuk, Nikolay Kulemin and Anders Lee each have seven. The trouble is after the trio of Tavares, Okposo and Nielsen who have combined for 14 goals, no one has over three.

Ryan Strome was expected to do big things this season. Instead, a poor start caused Islanders coach Jack Capuano to send him down to Bridgeport. A strange decision that was mutual with Strome admitting he needed a kick in the ass. The 22-year old Strome was coming off a breakout year in which he posted career bests with 17 goals, 33 assists and 50 points with a plus-23 rating in 81 contests last season. In his first dozen games, he had only one goal and four helpers with 18 shots-on-goal. He missed two games with an illness. But the lack of production was alarming. He needs to regain his confidence.

Strome isn’t the only young player under performing. Brock Nelson has three goals and three assists so far. In the first year of a new contract, he must be more consistent. Meanwhile, second-year forward Anders Lee also has a similar line of 3-4-7 with a team worst minus-six rating. This is the same young core that were key contributors last year.

Mikhail Grabovski has only five points. Josh Bailey has six which is about right for a third line forward who is a strong penalty killer. Defenseman Nick Leddy is off to a slow start with no goals and four assists. One less goal and point than Marek Zidlicky. Casey Cizikas, Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin remain an effective fourth line that contributes while being tough to play against.

They’re getting good goaltending from Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss. Halak has four wins in eight starts with a 1.87 goals-against-average and two shutouts. Greiss is 3-1-0 with a 2.45 GAA and .924 save percentage. Each netminder has done the job keeping their team in games.

Due to the recent slump, the Isles find themselves fifth in the Metropolitan Division with a 7-5-3 record. They have 17 points which is tied with the surprising Devils who won again Sunday in overtime over Vancouver. New Jersey has played one less game. So they’re fourth. Unlike the Isles, they’re getting maximum effort from key cogs Adam Henrique, Travis Zajac and Mike Cammalleri. Even Lee Stempniak is scoring and setting up big goals.

For the Islanders to turn it around, it starts with Tavares who’s one of the top players in the game. They follow his lead. He is the emotional leader. Playing the Sharks, Kings and Ducks out West will be a challenge. But maybe it’s for the best. The Isles need that extra spark. This could be it.

Isles recall D prospect Pelech: With the team struggling, the Islanders recalled defense prospect Adam Pelech. A former 2012 third round pick, Pelech had four points (2-2-4 with the Sound Tigers and a plus-nine rating. He will join the team in San Jose and could get his first chance in place of defenseman Brian Strait.

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Devils get emotional OT win over Canucks

Posted on November 8, 2015 by hasan4978

For an interconference game between two non-rivals this afternoon’s game with the Canucks certainly featured an unusual amount of fireworks – on and off the ice.  From a successful coach’s challenge that nullified a second-period Canucks goal to Bobby Farnham and Jordin Tootoo making like the Hanson brothers to a contreversial third-period major penalty/game misconduct for Adam Larsson that drew the ire of coach John Hynes and the nearly 15000 Devil fans in attendance, there was no shortage of emotion or contreversy in this game.  Even after the game Tootoo was fired up by unspecified comments the Canucks’ Alex Burrows made when both were in the penalty box.  Throw in some hideous power plays by both teams (or great penalty kill work, depending on your perspective), a lot of bad goaltending early, and clearly this game had a little of everything.

In a way then, I suppose it was fitting that the Devils won this wild and wacky contest with a 4-on-3 OT power play goal after the Canucks were whistled for a blatant New England Patriot-like pick play.  Jersey native Kyle Palmeri whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his OT winner at 3:33 of the extra period, as the Devils hung in there after blowing a 3-1 lead in regulation.  Perhaps this game epitomized the Devils, not exactly artistic but very gritty in terms of effort and determination and contributions from just about everyone on the roster.  More importantly from a team standpoint the win made their Friday performance against the Hawks stick and gave them still more confidence going into a brutal week that sees the Devils play the red-hot Blues on Tuesday then go on a one-game trip to Chicago Thursday before playing the Penguins on Saturday night.

Even during the first period you could tell there was something a little wacky about this game when just 2:20 in Sergey Kalinin and Damon Severson got caught playing soccer with the puck instead of hockey, and backup goalie Keith Kinkaid gave up a weak turnaround goal by Chris Higgins in the slot.  Perhaps Kinkaid was rusty after not having played for a month, and this certainly was far from his best game as a Devil.   Second-year defenseman Severson didn’t have a great start either, taking an early penalty just a couple minutes after Higgins’ goal, but the Devils’ PK turned into a man disadvantage for Vancouver when Travis Zajac and Adam Henrique teamed up for a shorthanded goal at 5:18 with Zajac making the nice cross-ice feed to Henrique for his seventh goal of the season.  Despite being outplayed for much of the period, the Devils took the lead at 16:32, taking advantage of overpursuit by Vancouver in the offensive zone with Henrique and Lee Stempniak starting a breakout and Mike Cammalleri finished it off, deking out Ryan Miller for an easy goal, his fifth of the year.  For good measure the Canucks tied the game late in the period with Jake Virtanen beating Kinkaid on a wraparound…but coach Hynes used a challenge to appeal for goaltender interference/contact and unlike Friday night this challenge overturned the call on the ice and disallowed the goal.

After a roller-coaster first period emotions certainly picked up during the second although according to Tootoo the seeds were planted during the first when Canuck agitator Burrows made some below the belt comments, and then declined to resolve the issue himself when Tootoo challenged him, leaving it to Derek Dorsett to fight Tootoo in the second period.  Since the fight took place before the faceoff both players also got ten-minute misconducts.  After thumping Dorsett in the fight, Tootoo whipped the crowd even more into a frenzy by raising his fists in the air.  Just two minutes later Farnham also decided to get into a scrap with Virtanen, and though he didn’t do as well in his fight he still played to the crowd afterwards himself – and got another rise out of the patrons in attendance.  Between the fights there was actually hockey being played, with some very questionable goaltending on both sides.  Kalinin got his first NHL goal at 10:31 beating Ryan Miller with an excuse me floater that was so bad I was even mocking Millertime.  Of course, with this game being what it was I could barely say anything before Kinkaid gave up his own soft goal, albeit one deflected by Tootoo just before his takedown of Dorsett.  That fight didn’t stop Vancouver’s momentum as Sven Baertschi scored just two minutes later.  Although Kinkaid wasn’t directly at fault for this goal his horrible rebound control seconds earlier kept the play alive in the offensive zone.

Just after Baertschi’s goal came Farnham’s fight, and soon after that the Devils found themselves with an extended 5-on-3 after penalties by Yannick Weber and Alex Edler just twenty-eight seconds apart.  Of course the Devils’ PP again looked worse than their PK offensively, and that opportunity to retake the lead went by the boards.  Midway through the third after the action had quieted a bit, Larsson checked Jared McCann into the boards and he was given a game misconduct for interference.  Try to mute/not get influenced by the obvious homerism from the Canuck announcers and judge yourself how dirty this hit was.  It’s pretty bad when even many Canuck fans felt the call was unjust and way over the top.  Admittedly on first glance I also thought it was dirty but I didn’t have an ice-level view of the play the way the refs did either.  Be that as it may, the Devils now had to kill off a five-minute major in a tie game without one of their key penalty-killing defenseman.  Somehow…someway…this team found a way to do it, and that sequence turned out to be the difference between getting zero points and getting two.  Hockey being the back and forth game it is, the Devils had their own glorious chance to win in regulation after a late penalty on Edler gave the Devils a power play.  Kalinin had by far the best chance of the man advantage, getting a breakaway on a counterattack and somehow missing the net entirely from point-blank range on a backhand.  A cruel twist of fortune indeed for the KHL import that could have really made the night of his first NHL goal memorable.

Somewhat fittingly the game finally went into overtime, and once Dan Hamhuis committed an interference penalty by taking John Moore out on a pick play the Devils had one final chance to cash in after going 0-4 on the power play in the game.  Stempniak and Cammalleri gained the zone with Cammalleri making like he was going to shoot from the faceoff circle – but passing at the last moment to Palmeri, who rifled a one-timer past Miller for the winner.  After everything that happened in the game it was certainly one of the most emotional wins I can remember since the Spring of 2012.  So nice I even wrote a second recap this week haha…seriously though, when there’s so much to write about doing recaps are a lot easier, particularly happy recaps.

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