In Playoffs, Islanders can clinch third place versus Penguins

Posted on April 10, 2015 by Derek

It wasn’t the way they drew it up but the Islanders are officially back in the playoffs. Following last year’s disappointment, there’ll be playoff hockey for one final time at Nassau Coliseum. With the Panthers defeating the Bruins 4-2 last night, it wrapped up a postseason berth for the Islanders. Ironically, it was former Islander Brad Boyes who scored the winner against Boston helping the Isles make it.

A great first half was enough to get them in. Led by captain John Tavares, the Islanders can still earn home ice for the first round. Entering tonight’s road match at the Penguins, they trail the second place Capitals by three points. If they can win tonight and at home tomorrow against the Blue Jackets, that would put them at 102 points. They would need the Rangers to provide help. They visit Washington in tomorrow’s season finale.

With the Islanders two points better than the Penguins, they can guarantee themselves third place in the Metropolitan Division with a win tonight. The Pens are clinging to the second wildcard with 96 points. One up on the Bruins, who must win tomorrow at the Lightning to have any chance. Pittsburgh trails Ottawa for the first wildcard by a point. Despite their struggles having lost four straight with a depleted roster minus Norris candidate Kris Letang and down to five defensemen for tonight with Derrick Pouliot out, they can still move up to third in the division with wins in their final two including a visit at the Sabres Saturday.

The question is what do the Pens have left. Having blown a 3-0 lead in a stunning 4-3 overtime defeat to the Senators, they are playing just to get in. All they have to do is win tonight to clinch. With captain Sidney Crosby tied with Tavares and Jamie Benn for the league lead in scoring with 83 points, they still possess two of the game’s best players. Evgeni Malkin returned two games ago. He has 70 points in 67 games but has battled through injuries. Patric Hornqvist also has dealt with injuries but scored at Ottawa. He has 25 goals. David Perron has 22 points (12-10-22) in 41 games since coming over from Edmonton. He’s been cold with only one assist in the last 10. His last goal came on 3/15 against Detroit.

The Pens have been carried by Marc-Andre Fleury. Even though he hasn’t won lately, Fleury has had an excellent season with 33 wins and is tied for the league lead in shutouts (9) with Hart and Vezina front runner Carey Price and Braden Holtby. The much maligned Pittsburgh netminder also boasts a solid 2.35 goals-against-average and .920 save percentage. He wasn’t to blame for the Pens’ collapse on Tuesday.

Clearly, they’re not the same team without Letang. Don’t forget they lost talented second-year defenseman Olli Maatta. Throw in the subtractions of Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen to the Caps, who have improved defensively and it’s not surprising that the Pens are limping to the finish line. Paul Martin is their most dependable blueliner with Letang out due to a concussion. Christian Ehrhoff has only played 49 games. Ian Cole has been a good pickup providing valuable minutes. Vet Rob Scuderi is counted on.

While the Pens try to find their way into the playoffs, the Islanders are just looking to right the ship. They’ve been up and down lately. Since a March 10 2-1 loss to the Rangers, they’re 3-7-2. The wins have come against the Devils, Red Wings and Sabres. They’re coming off a stinging 5-4 road loss to the Flyers. In that one, they rallied from 4-1 down in the third period tying it up with 28 seconds left thanks to rookie Anders Lee’s second from Tavares. However, Jaroslav Halak let in an awful goal with under three seconds left to Brayden Schenn sending them to a mind boggling defeat.

Had the Bruins won, the pressure would’ve been on. Instead, the Isles can just go about building upon Tueday’s rally. Even though they lost, they did come back on goals from Lee, Johnny Boychuk and Lee. A positive sign. They can score goals. In a wild home win over Detroit, they outscored the Wings 5-4. It’s just about finding consistency. Something that hasn’t been there down the stretch.

It would help if Halak played like he did early on. He’s still got respectable numbers setting an Islanders franchise record in wins (37) with a 2.44 GAA, .913 save percentage and six shutouts. However, he hasn’t played this many games (57) since 2010-11 with the Blues. It’s only the second time in his career he’s started that many. Perhaps he’s wearing down. If they’re to go anywhere in the playoffs, they need Halak to rebound.

Since returning from a torn retina, Kyle Okposo hasn’t been the same. Though he has goals in two of the last four games, he’s only 3-1-4 over the last 12 contests with a minus-10 rating. Okposo was on track for a career year before the injury. If he can turn it up, that would make the Isles a much more dangerous team.

One player who’s playing well is second-year forward Ryan Strome. Overshadowed by Tavares and rookie Lee, he quietly is second in team scoring with 50 points (17-33-50). His plus-24 rating tops the club. Over his last eight, he has seven points (3-4-7) with a plus-six rating. A fixture for most of the season on the second line, he’s been moved up to the top line by Jack Capuano with Nikolay Kulemin.

The Islanders will be without Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin who’ll miss their second consecutive games with undisclosed injuries. Cal Clutterbuck returns to the lineup for Colin McDonald.

Islanders Projected Lines

Kulemin-Tavares-Strome

Grabner-Bailey-Okposo

Lee-Nelson-Kennedy

Boulton-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Newsday’s Arthur Staple tweeted a couple of Islanders playoff scenarios.

If the Islanders lost tonight, then they could face four different teams all on the road including the Rangers, Canadiens, Lightning or Capitals.

Quotable: “I sent [former Islander] Brad Boyes a text saying thanks, it was a big game-winner for us. It’s always a little bit of a relief when you officially know it’s done, especially the way things happened the past couple of nights. We’ve worked hard, I think we’ve earned it. We want to go do some damage. We want to finish strong.”-Islanders captain John Tavares

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Playoff Races Heat Up: Sens, Kings must win

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Derek

While tonight’s game doesn’t mean a whole lot for the Rangers except resting key players and remaining healthy, it means everything for the Senators. Tied with the Bruins for the final wildcard in points (95), Ottawa doesn’t have the tiebreaker trailing Boston in regulation/overtime wins 37-35. The Sens are coming off a miraculous 4-3 comeback overtime win over the Pens. A game they trailed 3-0. Late Calder hopeful Mark Stone scored twice including the game-winner. Mike Hoffman scored the tying marker. The Hamburglar, Andrew Hammond gets the start. Erik Karlsson leads all defensemen with 65 points.

If the Sens win, they’ll put enormous pressure on the Islanders and Penguins tomorrow. The same can be echoed for the Bruins, who were blanked by Braden Holtby in a 3-0 loss last night. Boston has a big one at Florida tonight. They finish at Tampa. Not exactly an easy path. Detroit is third in the Atlantic with 97 points. They’re at Montreal. The Habs lead the Lightning by two points for first. Tampa hosts the Devils.

Here is the schedule for the four games in the East:

Ottawa vs NY Rangers 7 EST

Detroit vs Montreal 7:30 EST

Devils vs Tampa Bay 7:30 EST

Boston vs Florida 7:30 EST

Out West, there are two big games everyone will be glued to. The Kings are at Calgary for what amounts to a playoff game. LA must win to stay alive. They trail the Flames by two points and don’t have the ROW tiebreaker. Calgary leads 40-37. So, a Calgary win in regulation would finish off Los Angeles.

The Kings need at least a point and a Winnipeg loss in regulation at Colorado to have any chance. The Jets can clinch the second wildcard with a win. They have 96 points. The Flames have 95 and the Kings have 93. If LA gets at least a point and Winnipeg gets none, they would still be alive due to having more ROW (37-35). The Kings would then have to win their final game at home against San Jose, who you know would love to play spoiler. Don’t forget Winnipeg’s final game is home against Calgary Saturday at 3 EST. If the Flames prevail tonight, the West will be decided. Calgary and Winnipeg would both be in.

Calgary can still catch Vancouver for second in the Pacific. The Canucks are two points up with two left. Each have 40 ROW. Vancouver hosts Arizona. A win seals second place and home ice in the first round.

Key Western Games

LA Kings vs Calgary 9 EST

Winnipeg vs Colorado 9 EST

Arizona vs Vancouver 10 EST

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Ryan Bourque recalled for tonight , Team MVP Nash and Staal Out

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Derek

In what will be the final home game of the regular season, the Rangers have recalled forward Ryan Bourque from Hartford for tonight’s match against Ottawa.

The younger son of Hall Of Famer Ray Bourque, Ryan was selected by the Rangers in the third round of the ’09 Draft. A former member of the 2010 gold medal USA U20 World Junior Championship team, he’s 24 and has spent the past four seasons in the AHL. In 70 games with the Wold Pack, he has 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points.

With Team MVP and Players’ Player Rick Nash expected to rest, Bourque will make his NHL debut. A nice reward for an undersized player who’s a hard worker. Listed only at 5-9, 185 pounds, he’s a solid skater who brings energy to shifts. I remember him being a playmaker for USA and playing on the penalty kill. Now, he’ll get the chance to join American teammates Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. Pretty cool.

The Rangers also recalled defenseman Chris Summers. With Marc Staal expected to sit out, it looks like Summers gets into another game. He came over from Arizona as part of the Keith Yandle deal. Kevin Klein is skating but isn’t expected to be ready until Game 1 of the first round next week.

Mats Zuccarello also could miss his second straight game with “body soreness.” That would mean another chance for James Sheppard to make an impression on Alain Vigneault. He scored the winner the other night playing with Dominic Moore and Tanner Glass.

Henrik Lundqvist will get the start. He’s expected to start the final two games which means we could’ve seen the last of Cam Talbot. If it results in a championship, I’m all for it. I hope we still see Talbot here this Fall. He is a valuable weapon giving the Rangers a huge edge. They have two number one goalies. Pretty amazing.

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Why celebrate the President’s Trophy?

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Derek
The Rangers have done a lot of celebrating this year. The President's Trophy isn't the ultimate goal. AP Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The Rangers have done a lot of celebrating this year. The President’s Trophy isn’t the ultimate goal.
AP Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Before the Rangers take the ice to host the Senators, apparently there’ll be a presentation before puck drop. The official Rangers twitter account teased what it’ll be about.

Obviously, with the franchise clinching the President’s Trophy for the league’s best record on Tuesday, they’re going to honor the team. While it is a nice accomplishment considering the history of the Rangers, it doesn’t mean a whole lot. Unless this season results in a Stanley Cup, nobody will care. As has been the team mantra, it’s championship or bust.

What I don’t get is why they’re making such a big deal out of it. It’s almost as if MSG wants fans to celebrate every win. If you listen to the broadcast tandem of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti, everything is blown up. I don’t remember Rosen and former partner John Davidson going gaga over the President’s Trophy in ’93-94. That’s because MSG Network actually used to be down the middle prior to James Dolan. They actually used to have hard hitting shows like SportsDesk hosted by Bob Page and Mike Crispino. It was even okay to criticize the Garden’s own teams.

If there’s one thing I can’t stomach about the social media craze, it’s this waving the pom poms approach. From the way new fans act to the way the Twitter has become, it’s enough to make you sick. The real diehard who sits up in what used to be the Blue Seats doesn’t care about any of this stuff. Believe it or not, there are still passionate fans who bled Blue during the awful years when they missed the playoffs for nearly a decade. We sat through many sleepless nights watching an awful product. The true loyalty and patience paid off. Even if Dolan’s new MSG wants to price us out and cater to the newbies.

I’ll be honest. I hate the new MSG. They have divided the fanbase. It’s not as fun going to games. The atmosphere isn’t the same. It’s been dead ever since the renovation. The place just isn’t as loud. It can still be that way for the big playoff game. Ask any player about why they’ve won the big ones at home and they’ll tell you. Game 6 of the 2014 Eastern Conference Final felt like Game 7 against Montreal. One goal was enough. That team played a perfect game to reach the Stanley Cup Final. That’s how it MUST be this Spring. Home ice can still be an advantage when it’s needed. That’s where the diehards come in.

I tweet with most of them on Twitter. They’re the kind who aren’t making a big deal out of our team clinching the best record. For the 2014-15 Rangers, the journey isn’t over. Far from it. When you hear the players talk, they seem focused on a much bigger goal. That’s because they could care less about a President’s Trophy. The ultimate goal is still ahead. It involves going through four grueling rounds and requires 16 wins. Something they fell three short of doing last year. They tasted bitter defeat against the Kings. This year is about retribution. It’s about winning a championship.

2014-15 has a chance to be a very special season for the New York Rangers. While the organization will recognize what they’ve accomplished so far later tonight, that’s not what their players are thinking about. It all begins for real next week. Whether it’s Wednesday or Thursday, that’s what everyone is waiting for. I’m ready. Are you?

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Oilers put Kings on brink

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Derek
Benoit Pouliot scored a big goal for the Oilers against the Kings putting the defending champs on the brink. They must win at Calgary tomorrow. AP Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

Benoit Pouliot scored a big goal for the Oilers against the Kings putting the defending champs on the brink. They must win at Calgary tomorrow.
AP Photo by Jason Franson/The Canadian Press

By show of hands, how many had the Kings missing the playoffs? It could become reality by tomorrow. The defending champs had recently destroyed the Oilers 8-2. However, Edmonton exacted revenge with a damaging 4-2 win on home ice to put the Kings on the brink. The last time a defending champion didn’t qualify for the postseason was in ’06-07 when the Hurricanes missed.

Matt Fraser scored twice. Benoit Pouliot scored his career best 18th and set up another. After missing 41 games due to a spleen injury, Tyler Pitlick notched what proved to be the game-winner as the Oilers dealt the Kings a second consecutive loss. LA was coming off a shootout loss at Vancouver. With 93 points and only two games left including a do or die match at Calgary Thursday, they need to win their final two and get help. Their defeat allowed the Canucks to clinch a playoff berth. The Canucks have 97 points. Four better than the Kings but also hold the first tiebreaker with three more regulation/overtime wins (40-37) with two games left.

”We just didn’t have enough energy, enough jump,” Anze Kopitar said. ”We didn’t play our style of game. I don’t know what the reason was. It just wasn’t good enough. That’s the bottom line.”

LA coach Darryl Sutter curiously started backup Martin Jones in a back-to-back. Citing recent success with Jones pitching shutouts against Edmonton, he gave former Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick a rare night off. His team wasn’t good enough in front of him. They allowed Pouliot to score on a clean breakaway. Following a Pouliot near miss that needed a brief review in Toronto, the Kings lost a faceoff allowing Pitlick to get to a loose puck and beat Jones making it 3-1 with 14:29 left.

Drew Doughty gave them a chance when he surprised Edmonton starter Richard Bachman with a shot from the red line for a power play goal cutting the deficit to one with 11:22 remaining. But that’s as close as they got. The Oilers were able to protect the lead. Ironically, Doughty got the best chance with two minutes to go but wasn’t able to beat Bachman. He was hooked from behind but there was no call leaving the Kings’ top defenseman irate.

The Kings pulled Jones for the extra attacker. However, they never really threatened. Unable to get the one chance needed to force overtime, they watched hopelessly as Nail Yakupov used his speed to skate the puck out and hand for Fraser, who scored his second of the game into an open net at 19:58.

”We just have to win our next game and go from there,” Marian Gaborik said. ”We are obviously disappointed to be in this position, but we have to go to Calgary (on Thursday) and win. That’s all there is to it.”

With Calgary getting a late Sean Monahan goal and a few clutch stops from Jonas Hiller to hold off Arizona 3-2 at home, the Flames moved up to 95 points with the big home match versus the Kings tomorrow.

With Winnipeg continuing to win thanks Ondrej Pavelec pitching a second straight shutout- this time stopping all 30 in a 1-0 road win over St. Louis- the Jets are up to 96 points with two games remaining. Despite only having 35 ROW, they’re in position to wrap up the final wildcard. The Wild sewed up the first by defeating the Blackhawks 2-1. Devan Dubnyk made 32 saves to get Minnesota in.

The situation is this. Winnipeg has 96 points with two left while Calgary has 95 with two left. But the Flames play the Kings tomorrow. They lead them by two and have three more ROW. LA has two more ROW (37-35) over Winnipeg. If they somehow finish tied, the Kings would get in. At 93 points, the Kings have their work cut out. They must win. Making it more complicated, the Flames and Jets meet Saturday in what could be an elimination game if LA beats Calgary. Here’s how it shakes out for the three teams chasing the final two spots.

Winnipeg 96 Points 35 ROW 4/9 @ Avalanche 4/11 vs Flames

Calgary 95 Points 40 ROW 4/9 vs Kings 4/11 @ Jets

Los Angeles 93 Points 37 ROW 4/9 @ Flames 4/11 vs Sharks

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Wild Tuesday Sets Up Frantic Finish

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Derek
Stone Mountain: Sens rookie sensation Mark Stone is pumped after scoring the overtime winner to stun the Pens. Ottawa rallied from 3-0 down to win 4-3. The Canadian Press by Justin Tang AP

Stone Mountain: Sens rookie sensation Mark Stone is pumped after scoring the overtime winner to stun the Pens. Ottawa rallied from 3-0 down to win 4-3.
The Canadian Press by Justin Tang AP

While the Rangers wrapped up the President’s Trophy last night, a wild Tuesday around the league set up a frantic finish. With playoff spots still up for grabs in both conferences, there’s plenty to follow as the regular season nears conclusion this weekend.

In the East, only four teams have clinched playoff berths. We know the winner of the Atlantic Division will be either Montreal or Tampa Bay. We also know Washington is a playoff team with 99 points. The rest is uncertain. The top three spots in each division guarantee themselves. In the Metro, the Islanders and Penguins are battling for the final spot with a wildcard likely going down to the wire. In the Atlantic, the Red Wings got a big win holding off Carolina 3-2 to move two points up on Boston and Ottawa.

What transpired Tuesday between 9:30 and 10:30 EST was unbelievable. Entering their match at Philadelphia, the Islanders needed one point to clinch the playoffs. However, they fell behind the Flyers 4-1 early in the third. A frantic rally allowed them to tie it. Anders Lee started the comeback by rifling home his 24th from Josh Bailey.

Still trailing by two late, coach Jack Capuano pulled Jaroslav Halak for an extra attacker. After Johnny Boychuk scored from John Tavares, the Flyers blew a few chances at an empty net. An icing led directly to Tavares outsmarting Claude Giroux on an offensive draw, setting up Lee’s tying marker with under 28 seconds left. All they needed was to get to overtime. But the unthinkable happened. With Brayden Schenn tightly guarded by Travis Hamonic, he got off a prayer through Hamonic’s legs that Halak muffed allowing the Flyers to win the game 5-4 with three seconds left.

While that bizarre conclusion happened, the Senators were rallying back from a 3-0 deficit against the Penguins. Pittsburgh started well with captain Sidney Crosby scoring 10 seconds in. Beau Bennett and Patric Hornqvist added goals in a lopsided first that had the Pens in total control leading by three. Needing the game, the Sens never gave up. A Jean-Gabriel Pageau shorthanded goal at 14:41 of the second got them back in it.

When red hot rookie Mark Stone scored his 23rd only 34 seconds into the third, Ottawa fans were back in it. A game they once trailed by three was down to one. Part of the reason was the play of the Hamburglar. Andrew Hammond made several key saves in the second to keep his team in it. He didn’t need to do much in the third. The Pens only took three shots. They were outshot 18-3.

With Pittsburgh nursing a one-goal lead, it came down to the final two minutes of regulation. After several close calls with only Marc-Andre Fleury preventing the inevitable, rookie Mike Hoffman’s seeing eye shot beat the Pittsburgh netminder shortside from Mike Zibanejad. Canadian Tire Centre went wild. After the Pens took a mind boggling bench minor. the Sens nearly won it before the end of regulation but a sprawling Fleury save forced extras.

In overtime, they wouldn’t be denied. A couple of days removed from a gut wrenching shootout loss at Toronto, the Sens made sure to get it done in OT. After Pittsburgh killed a 4-on-3 power play, Erik Karlsson made the biggest play breaking up a pass for Crosby at his own blueline. Earlier, he was on for all three Pens goals against. This time, the former Norris winner came up big making the key defensive play and then setting up Stone’s winner with 2:17 left setting off a celebration.

Had the Pens held on to beat the Sens in regulation, the Islanders would’ve clinched. Instead, the Sens have 95 points and are tied with the Bruins. Boston is locked into a wildcard due to two more regulation and overtime wins (37) and one extra game remaining. They make that up tonight at Washington. With only three games on Wednesday’s schedule, that is the only one with playoff significance. Boston can inch closer to clinching with a win. Washington can close in on second place in the Metro and home ice for the first round.

Whatever happens, Ottawa is still alive with two left. They have the fewest ROW (35) and don’t have the tiebreaker. That means they need to win and get help. They can still finish with more points than the Red Wings, Bruins, Islanders and Penguins. They can get to 99 but can’t be tied because they’ll lose on the first tiebreaker. Their remaining two games are tomorrow at the Rangers and Saturday at the Flyers. In an odd twist, Islander and Penguin fans will be pulling for the Rangers to beat Ottawa Thursday.

If the Sens are able to win tomorrow, that puts them at 97. The Islanders and Pens each have two games remaining. However, they meet Friday in Pittsburgh. A Senators victory would put an enormous amount of pressure on the Isles and Pens. The loser would go into their final game knowing they’ll probably have to win. The Islanders finish with Columbus at Nassau Coliseum Saturday. The Pens finish at Buffalo. Facing a team chasing last overall to give them the highest odds to win the lottery for McEichel. Buffalo needs one more loss or a Coyotes win to clinch 30th.

With so much still at stake, here are the remaining schedules for the five teams broken down further with points and ROW.

Islanders 98 Pts 39 ROW 4/10 @ Pens 4/11 vs Blue Jackets

Penguins 96 Pts 38 ROW 4/10 vs Isles 4/11 @ Sabres

Red Wings 97 Pts 38 ROW 4/9 @ Habs 4/11 @ Canes

Bruins 95 Pts 37 ROW 4/8 @ Caps 4/9 @ Panthers 4/11 @ Bolts

Senators 95 Pts 35 ROW 4/9 @ NYR 4/11 @ Flyers

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Rangers Defeat Devils 4-2 to clinch President’s Trophy

Posted on April 8, 2015 by Derek
Sheppard's Pie: Rangers' goalscorer James Sheppard is congratulated by Dominic Moore and Dan Boyle. AP Photo by Julio Cortez/Getty Images

Sheppard’s Pie: Rangers’ goalscorer James Sheppard is congratulated by Dominic Moore and Dan Boyle.
AP Photo by Julio Cortez/Getty Images

For the first time since ’93-94, the Rangers won the President’s Trophy clinching the NHL’s best record and home ice advantage by defeating the Devils 4-2 in Newark Tuesday night. Their fifth consecutive win gives them 111 points. It’s the third time in franchise history they’ve won the President’s Trophy also winning it in ’91-92.

Rookie Kevin Hayes led the way with a goal and two assists. Carl Hagelin scored an empty netter with 1:48 left sealing it. Ryan McDonagh and James Sheppard also tallied in the win. Steven McDonald winner Cam Talbot picked up his 21st victory finishing with 19 saves including a few key ones in the third period. A nice reward for the popular backup who’s been a huge part of the Rangers’ run to the NHL’s top spot.

Playing for the second time in two nights, the Blueshirts had enough left to defeat the Devils for the second time in four days. Unlike Saturday’s 6-1 blowout win, this one was closer. It was also a lot more heated. With New Jersey playing with an edge, they were physical from the outset finishing checks legally and illegally. The latter part became a story in the second period when they were whistled for four straight penalties. Some of which included a few extra shots. Eventually, ref Kevin Pollock went over to the Devils bench and gave Lou Lamoriello a warning following an extra Eric Gelinas crosscheck.

Despite playing a more rugged style, the Devils were badly outplayed in the first. They were outscored 2-1 and outshot 19-4. Mike Cammalleri (hi-sticking) and Adam Larsson (phantom elbow) took consecutive minors 33 seconds apart. As usual, the Rangers power play fired blanks failing on a 5-on-3 for the 10th time in 11 tries. It is absolutely mystifying how poorly executed it is. Nobody ever shoots. They force passes and make it easy on opponents. This is an area that needs improvement when the playoffs begin next week.

Following a dominant shift in which the All American Line of J.T. Miller, Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider spent a long time in the Devils end, Hayes scored his 16th thanks to some hustle from wingers Martin St. Louis and Hagelin. Off a faceoff loss, St. Louis and Hagelin forechecked freeing up a loose puck which came to Hayes in front for the game’s first goal at 13:45. On the next shift, Sheppard drew a hooking minor on Josefson. Given their third power play, this time the Rangers wasted no time. Off a Hayes faceoff win, Keith Yandle fed McDonagh for a one-timer that beat Cory Schneider through a double screen for their second goal in 47 seconds.

Trailing by two, the Devils were able to get one back on a power play of their own. Tanner Glass took a ill advised holding minor in the offensive zone. Off some brilliant passing started by Scott Gomez, Steve Bernier fed Patrik Elias for his 12th at 17:44 cutting the deficit in half. A pretty power play goal for the Devils franchise all-time leading scorer.

Following the first, the second became more about the Devils physical play. Playing a bit reckless, they took runs at some Rangers. Whether it be legal like most of Jon Merrill’s hits or illegal such as some of Gelinas’ shenanigans post whistle, it was interesting. They kept handing the Rangers power plays. But if you don’t make them pay, they’ll continue taking liberties. On one shift, Jordin Tootoo actually challenged Matt Hunwick following a clean hit. It was a bit much seeing the noted tough guy go after the veteran defenseman who didn’t oblige.

Not surprisingly, there were no fights. Just a lot of jawing during scrums. Kreider had a few run ins. He didn’t like Larsson’s elbow on St. Louis. Though the MSG replay showed it wasn’t much of a penalty. Kreider was pretty ornery throughout. On a team without much toughness, he’s one of the few skill guys who’s shown a willingness to mix it up.

Due to the penalty fest, there wasn’t much play at even strength. The Devils didn’t get much done. Outshot 14-6, they still trailed 2-1 despite the Rangers holding a healthy 33-10 shots edge. The only reason it was close was the play of Schneider. After being chased Saturday giving up three goals on six shots, he was brilliant. The Devils’ starter played like it making big stops when his team was pinned in. He did all he could making 36 saves in the Devils’ last home game.

As much criticism as the Devils received from the Ranger broadcast of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti, they played hockey in the third. It resulted in some good opportunities. In a penalty free period, they generated more outshooting the Rangers 11-7. When challenged, Talbot was up to the task turning aside 10 of 11 helping preserve the lead. His best save was a nice glove stop denying a good opportunity.

Alain Vigneault made it a point to use his fourth line. With Mats Zuccarello resting, Sheppard returned to the lineup. Playing with Glass and Dominic Moore, he paid dividends by scoring a key insurance marker that wound up being the game decider. Off a strong forecheck, Moore fired a shot that a driving Sheppard deflected past Schneider giving the Rangers a 3-1 lead with 9:19 left. Marc Staal drew a helper keeping the play alive on the forecheck. He played a strong game.

But less than a minute later, Bernier scored his 14th from Travis Zajac and Cammalleri. Off a rush, he took a Zajac pass and centered the puck into the crease. It took a funny bounce going off Talbot with Derick Brassard accidentally putting it in his own net. Brassard is the last guy you want preventing a goal. Even on a attempted backcheck, he made the blooper reel. Oops.

Trailing by one, the Devils got a couple of chances but were thwarted by Talbot. Eventually, they pulled Schneider for an extra attacker with two minutes left. A strong defensive play in the neutral zone by Hayes forced a turnover. He passed for hard working linemate Hagelin, who has become a bit of an empty net specialist. He deposited his 17th clinching the win.

As the final seconds ticked off, the Ranger contingent cheered. While it is a great team accomplishment, as Talbot noted afterwards it’s just another check mark with a much bigger goal ahead. It’s been a fun regular season. The way they’ve played has been special. There’s still so much left to accomplish.

”We battled hard all season long to get to this point but we know that the job’s not finished yet,” Talbot said.

”It’s not an easy thing to do,” Vigneault said. ”You look at the teams still fighting to get into the playoffs. It’s a challenging thing. For our group, it’s one thing in the direction that we’re looking to get to. I’m very proud of our group but we all know that we are going to be judged by what we do in the playoffs. So this is a first step and we’re going to get ready for the next one.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (empty net goal-17th, assist, 7 SOG, +2 in 21 shifts-13:28)

2nd Star-Cory Schneider, NJD (36 saves incl. 31/33 1st 2 periods)

1st Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (goal-16th, 2 assists, +2 in 23 shifts-14:42)

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Stepan’s late heroics lift Rangers past Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime, close in on President’s Trophy

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Derek
Stepan Up: Overtime hero Derek Stepan celebrates his winner with Dan Girardi. AP Photo by John Minchillo/Getty Images

Stepan Up: Overtime hero Derek Stepan celebrates his winner with Dan Girardi.
AP Photo by John Minchillo/Getty Images

One thing you can never question about this team. Their heart and character. They never give up. That fighting spirit allowed the Rangers to rally past the Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime at an electric MSG.

Derek Stepan’s late heroics allowed them to move closer to the President’s Trophy. His goal with 27.7 seconds left in regulation and overtime winner with 49.6 seconds left pulled the Rangers within two points of securing home ice throughout the playoffs.

”It’s a huge accomplishment,” captain Ryan McDonagh said in reference to possibly earning the franchise’s second President’s Trophy. Their first came in ’93-94. ”It’s about us playing to our strengths and giving us a chance to win.”

They’ll get the chance to do it when they visit the Devils later tonight in Newark. If they earn two points, it would give them 111. Anaheim could match that total. However, the Ducks and Blues trail the Rangers in regulation and overtime wins 47-42. In winning their fourth in a row, the Blueshirts improved to 51-21-7. They have three games left with the Devils Tuesday, the Senators Thursday and finish up with the Capitals Saturday. They need at least one point to wrap up home ice in the East. Montreal has 106 points with two left. They can get to 110 but only have 42 ROW.

Facing the hottest team in the league, it was a emotional roller coaster. On a special night in which the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award was given to Cam Talbot, the Blue Jackets and Rangers battled for nearly 65 minutes.

The teams traded goals in each of the first three periods. The Garden hosts led twice on goals by Martin St. Louis and Dan Girardi. But fell behind on consecutive Columbus goals from Marko Dano and former Steven McDonald winner Brandon Dubinsky. Of course, Dubinsky would score to put his team ahead with 11:46 left. It was his second goal against his former team in seven games. That’s when he’s been healthy enough to play.

Seeking their 10th straight victory, the Jackets led until the final frantic minute. With Henrik Lundqvist off for an extra attacker, the Rangers wouldn’t be denied. The newly formed All-American Line delivered the tying goal when Stepan finished off a Chris Kreider drop pass at 19:32 of regulation from Kreider and J.T. Miller. They were pumped.

In what amounted to pond hockey during a rambunctious 4-on-4 that saw each side trade chances, the Rangers won it following a great save from Lundqvist. Moments earlier, he robbed Jack Johnson off a gorgeous rush and set up from Nick Foligno. Then former Blueshirt Artem Anisimov had the game on his stick. Off a faceoff win, he had Lundqvist dead to rights but a Kreider backcheck forced a miss upstairs that left Anisimov shaking his head.

At the opposite end, the Rangers buzzed around Sergei Bobrovsky’s net. He had stopped the first five shots in OT. Then Stepan got free and deposited a Keith Yandle feed past Bobrovsky for the game-winner.

”I think in order to have success in the playoffs, you have to be able to handle ebbs and flows,” an excited Stepan explained after tallying twice and setting up another in the win. ”We’ve been able to find ways to win hockey games.”

They did it because they found a way. That is who they are. It was a good win against a tough opponent that’s been playing lights out. If not for nearly 500 man-games lost, the Blue Jackets could be in the playoffs. Instead, they’re on the outside looking in. A point not lost on Lundqvist.

”It was a good test for me and for us,” the former Vezina winner said after winning his fourth straight decision making 29 saves. ”They’re a really good team. They’re a fast team. If they didn’t have the injuries during the season to key guys, I think they’d be in the playoffs because they play good hockey: physical, good speed, good quality up front, good goaltending.

“It was a great test for us.”

There’ll be a lot more tests forthcoming. We’ll see if they’re ready.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (goal-4th of season, 3 blocked shots in 30 shifts-22:11)

2nd Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (2 assists, +3 in 21 shifts-17:41)

1st Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (tying goal and OT winner-15th, 16th, assist, 14-and-6 on faceoffs, +2 in 24 shifts-18:20)

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Devils finish out their season in obscurity

Posted on April 5, 2015 by hasan4978

Divided loyalties for Tuesday’s home finale provide a fitting end to the Devils’ season (NJ.com picture)

It’s one thing for the New Jersey Devils to be eliminated from the playoffs with eight games to go, in what was only news to the media who highlighted the actual elimination as if it wasn’t a fait accompli since the Calgary and Boston losses at the end of the long February homestand.  It’s another to not even be able to play spoiler down the stretch, since our games against Montreal, the Rangers and Tampa in the last two weeks only could affect the top teams’ playoff seeding while the season finale in Florida (and Jaromir Jagr’s first game against the Devils since being traded) next Saturday will be played in front of crickets now that the Panthers have been eliminated from postseason contention themselves.

As such, it’s become impossible to blog about – or watch this team – aside from the games I’m actually attending like the home finale on Tuesday.  I don’t really want to watch hoping to lose, especially since is it really that big a deal to pick in the six spot or pick in the eight spot anyway?  Maybe so if you’re a draftnik but it’s still way too far in advance to take most prospect rankings and evaluations seriously.  Skaters rise and fall every year in the weeks before the draft, and there’s a non-zero chance we trade the pick for more immediate scoring help anyway.  Of course, the very idea of trading a top ten pick is anethma to Devils fans who want youth, and confidence in GM Lou Lamoriello is so low among the naysayer fans right now you’d think he was going to trade the pick for Patrick Sharp or another over-the-hill 30+ player (apparently forgetting about the Cory Schneider trade, where Lou traded a top ten pick for an obvious cornerstone to the team’s present and future).

Either way, the painful reality is no singular quick-fix trade is going to be enough to get the Devils out of the mess they’re currently in.  Maybe a series of moves can, but if last night’s embarassment at the Garden proved one thing, it’s that the Devils aren’t on the same planet with a true contender right now.  Despite the fact I didn’t even watch the game, just seeing the score on Twitter after the first period and the fact the game balooned to 6-0 before a practically meaningless late goal from Jacob Josefson (only practically cause Jake kind of needs to continue to prove he should be in the lineup next year) was still annoying.  At that point I was kind of hoping for the shutout, if you’re really going to come out and lay that much of an egg against your biggest rival you deserve all the embarassment you can get.  If it wasn’t for the fact I got hit with cold-like symptoms last night I probably would have ranted although at this point it’s beating a dead horse.  Still, there’s only three games left in the season…can you at least try to be more than just a clown prop for the Rangers on Tuesday?!  Especially in front of what’ll likely be a 50-50 Ranger crowd on our ‘Fan Appreciation Night’, which is actually rant material in itself.

Whatever brainiac in this organization decided it was okay to have Fan Appreciation Night on Tuesday should be fired.  I get it’s tradition to have it the last home game of the year, but to have a team poster giveaway and other fan-themed stuff when you can have a significant opposition fan presence in the building to mock, jeer and do worse to the giveaways is just asking for egg on your face.  Ideally you would have had it on Friday against the Habs, but as it worked out there was a significant Hab fan contingent in the building for that game too – although it might not have been the case if the Devils were actually playing meaningful games.  Montreal fans were bad enough, booing Scott Gomez in our building (which quite possibly annoyed him enough to take a match penalty in the game, much to the delight of the Hab fans in attendance) – I just can’t wait for Tuesday with Ranger fans getting even chestier in our building.

What’s more, I can’t blame a single Devils fan for selling their tickets and cashing out of this mess in the making, particularly when entertainment-wise this team honestly just isn’t worth watching.  Admittedly sometimes I sneer at fans who only sell their tickets to Devil-Ranger games to turn a few bucks on it, but I really can’t blame anyone who just doesn’t want to deal with what’s coming on Tuesday.  Not only is it a glorified preseason game for us but who really wants to go to a home game that’s going to be more like an away game regardless?  I don’t want to deal with it either but me and my friend always go to Fan Appreciation Day for the posters, and so I’ll be forced to watch one more Devil game this year, and that’ll be it for me this season.  Part of me wishes this game wasn’t against the Rangers so if the Devils laid an egg they’d get deserved boos as opposed to hearing the Ranger fans cheer their own team.  Especially since I want to just boo them out of the building if they shame themselves again the way they did last night, it would be a fitting end to what’s been a sorry season for the Devils.

It is what it is at this point though, our last home game was against them in 2008 as well but at least they had the good sense then to make it a ‘Fan Appreciation Week’, spreading out the stuff between our next-to-last home game against the Bruins and the finale.  At least that Devil team was in the playoffs though.  This team is getting further away from even that level every season.

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Rangers Dismantle Devils 6-1

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Derek
Can't Handle Yandle: Keith Yandle celebrates a goal in the first with Chris Kreider and Matt Hunwick. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Can’t Handle Yandle: Keith Yandle celebrates a goal in the first with Chris Kreider and Matt Hunwick.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Oh how the mighty have fallen. In this case, that would be the Devils who were badly beaten by the Rangers 6-1 at MSG. Once a proud franchise of three Stanley Cups, they’ll be in the lottery this year with their hopes pinned on the future.

The team with the NHL’s sixth worst record was no match for a first place Blueshirts chasing after the President’s Trophy. Their third straight win tied idle Anaheim for the league lead in points (107). Thirteen different players registered a point. Dominic Moore scored twice. Derek Stepan had a shorthanded goal and assist. Keith Yandle and Rick Nash each had a goal and assist. Ryan McDonagh had two assists. Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves in winning his third straight.

Despite some early defensive lapses that forced Lundqvist into some key stops, the Rangers were on a different level than their Hudson rival. The combination of speed and skill did in the Devils. A three-goal first period chased Devil starter Cory Schneider. He allowed three goals on six shots before rookie Keith Kinkaid relieved him.

Nash opened the scoring when he steered home a Mats Zuccarello rebound batting it out of mid-air at 5:10. Yandle started the play in transition passing for Zuccarello whose shot Schneider mishandled allowing Nash to cash in his 42nd. He has three goals over his last five and is 2-2-4 in the last three- all wins. A great sign.

Yandle increased it to 2-0 when his right point shot eluded Schneider, who wasn’t set. Off a clean Stepan faceoff win, Chris Kreider won the puck back to Yandle, who fired a laser top shelf for his second goal as a Blueshirt. With the crowd still buzzing, the fourth line struck just 25 seconds later. Off a brilliant feed from Tanner Glass, Moore converted his eighth in front easily beating Schneider sending him to an early exit. Jesper Fast added the secondary helper.

There wasn’t much going on in the second. Zuccarello had a run in with Mike Cammalleri leading to matching minors. When they returned from the box, Cammalleri took a run at Zuccarello nearly injuring him. Fortunately, he was okay. The last thing the Rangers want is to see one of their most consistent forwards suffer an injury in a meaningless game.

I’d say for most of the second, they didn’t try. The Devils were harder on the puck and able to generate a few scoring chances. One of their best saw Lundqvist at his best making a sprawling save on a three-on-one set up by Adam Henrique. I have no idea how he saved it. With Lundqvist down, the Devils had a gaping net but McDonagh made a diving block to deny them. It’s that style that makes this team legit contenders. They compete so well at both ends never giving up.

The Devils did get a power play with under a minute left still down three. But instead of getting back into it, they allowed Stepan to get behind the D for a shorthanded goal with under three seconds left. Following a McDonagh defensive play, he made an outlet for Nash, who found his penalty killing partner at center for a clean breakaway with seven seconds left. Stepan calmly took his time before using the same exact move he did on 12/27 with a deke and backhand tuck five-hole. Ironically, it came against the same opponent. Only this time Kinkaid fell victim.

After two, I talked to my Dad about how sad it was to see the Devils like this. It wasn’t even fun. Sure. Blowout wins are nice. But I prefer closely fought wins even against close rivals. It’s harder earned. Once, the roles were reversed and the Devils came into our barn and won these games with similar ease. It’s odd to see it come full circle. They’re a long way from competing. I can only ponder what Devil blogger Hasan feels watching this.

How bad are the Devils? Handed a two-man advantage in the first minute of the third, they got nothing accomplished. Devils legend Patrik Elias made a blind back pass to no one sending the puck out of the zone. Interestingly, there were some Devil fans who stuck it out around our section. One wearing a red Elias jersey. A good natured fan who had a nice back and forth with our fans. There were no fights between rival fans. Just fun laughs. That’s how it should be.

Off a Dan Girardi cross ice feed, McDonagh fired a laser that Moore somehow deflected home for his second of the night. He has quietly been coming on as the regular season nears conclusion. That gives the overlooked fourth line checking center three goals in the last two. Interesting that Moore now has more goals (9) and points (24) than he had last year playing with better personnel. It says a lot about his character. He’s an important player for the postseason. Though that line still worries me with Alain Vigneault’s loyalty to Glass over James Sheppard. Glass has played better but still.

After Derick Brassard squeaked one through Kinkaid for his third goal in the last four, we stayed until about the six-minute mark. Good thing because we missed the dancing idiot and Jacob Josefson breaking Lundqvist’s shutout.

This was just another win for a team whose ultimate goal doesn’t start until probably a week from this Thursday. They now are three points clear of Montreal with four left. The Rangers have the tiebreaker and also have a game at hand on the Habs and two on Tampa, who with a win tied Montreal in points (104). Columbus visits Tuesday. They keep on winning beating the Pens, who might fall into the wildcard. That should at least be a test.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (shorthanded goal-14, assist, 5 SOG, 9-and-9 on faceoffs, +2 in 18:13)

2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (35 saves-King is finding his game)

1st Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (2 goals-8th, 9th, 11-and-6 on faceoffs, +1 in 12:13)

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