Winning Ugly: Rangers outscore Avalanche 6-3

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Derek
Purple Hayes: Kevin Hayes finishes off a beauty on Semyon Varlamov. AP Photo by David Zalubowski/Getty Images

Purple Hayes: Kevin Hayes finishes off a beauty on Semyon Varlamov.
AP Photo by David Zalubowski/Getty Images

This one won’t be remembered as a Picasso. For a second straight game, the Rangers won ugly outscoring the Avalanche 6-3. They overcame an awful stretch in the first half of the third period that saw Colorado get the first 11 shots erasing a 3-1 deficit. Astonishingly, the Rangers first shot went in with Carl Hagelin getting the winner with 7:58 left.

Rick Nash added his league-leading 34th and Ryan McDonagh scored a power play empty netter for the final margin. Emerging freshman Kevin Hayes had a goal and two assists in front of his proud father. Every father was in attendance as part of the cool Fathers’ Road Trip. That included Nash’s, who towered over MSG tandem Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti during the telecast. His son continues to play like a Hart candidate scoring and setting up another. Reunited with Mats Zuccarello (goal to extend point streak to seven) and Derick Brassard, Nash continues to carry the team.

On a night where the unit of Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis and Chris Kreider struggled again, the Rangers overcame it due to Nash and Hayes. Both were dominant. Ever since Hagelin joined Hayes, they’ve been a formidable duo. J.T. Miller was the third wheel finishing with a assist and plus-three rating. He did take a bad penalty followed by another undisciplined one from Dan Girardi that handed the Avs a long 5-on-3. Their power play was so atrocious, it barely tested Cam Talbot. Talbot allowed three goals on 29 shots but was much sharper throughout. None of the three he gave up were his fault.

In the early going, it looked like they would run the Avalanche out of the building. A great Hayes feed resulted in an unguarded Dan Boyle doing a ridiculous playground move going backhand to beat Semyon Varlamov. Leading by one, Hayes undressed the Avalanche early in the second scoring a highlight reel goal. It’s one that’ll be replayed for a while. I’ll put it up soon.

For so long, the Rangers had total control of the neutral zone. They locked down the Avs and threatened to blow them out. But they got lazy. A bad characteristic that keeps happening. Finally, Colorado pinned in the Stepan unit for a minute and got back in the game. Gabriel Landeskog got to a loose puck in the slot and buried it past a helpless Talbot cutting the deficit to 2-1 with 7:14 left. John Mitchell and Nathan MacKinnon added assists.

Following an Avalanche of chances, the Rangers countered with Nash threading the needle to Zuccarello for a perfect wrist shot restoring a two-goal lead with 3:59 left in the second. Brassard drew the secondary helper. When the period ended, Hagelin warned that they must remember to finish the game unlike what happened at Toronto. His teammates didn’t listen.

Asleep for a majority of the third, they easily blew a 3-1 lead. First, an unchecked Jarome Iginla got to a Max Talbot rebound and buried his 17th. After a Colorado flurry, they finally tied it when defensive defenseman Jan Hedja found an Iginla rebound and drove home his first past Cam Talbot at 10:44. It was the end result of a brutal St. Louis turnover. He really has struggled in every aspect. The longer this poor stretch goes on, the less likely he won’t re-sign. Especially with Zuccarello waking up.

But as they have done lately, the tandem of Hayes and Hagelin bailed them out. Finally able to muster an attack, Hayes took a Kevin Klein feed and fired in front for a Hagelin deflection that gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead with 7:58 left. It was fitting that it was Hagelin because he’s really raised his level. He is a second half player. The goal gave him points in his last three. Over the last 10, Hagelin has four goals and four assists with a plus-six rating.

”Obviously it gave us momentum,” Hagelin said. ”They were dominating us for 10 minutes in the third. When you give a team like that a lot of room to skate they’re going to make plays.”

His younger linemate Hayes is playing very well. With a career high three points, he has a four-game point streak (2-4-6) and is 4-5-9 and plus-four over the past 10.

”I was thinking, ‘get it deep,’ but there was no one in front of me,” said Hayes of his highlight reel goal. ”The (defenseman) gave me some space and I cut it back.”

That special combination of skating, patience and skill is what makes Hayes someone to keep an eye on. He has gotten a lot better. His confidence is growing. By the Spring, he could be ready for prime time.

If only the same could be said of Tanner Glass. He was a minus again after taking a bad penalty. For the season, he has one assist and is a team worst minus-17. Between him and Lee Stempniak, you really have to wonder when Glen Sather will make a move. No disrespect to either. They give an honest effort. It’s painfully obvious that neither should be a regular. They’re dragging down Dominic Moore. Alain Vigneault likes to roll four lines. There’s no way he can do it confidently with the current roster.

The positive is the Rangers kept pace with the Penguins and Islanders going back in front of the Capitals. They’ll next meet the Coyotes in the desert Saturday. Talbot played well too. So, that bodes well.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dan Boyle, NYR (8th of season, +4 in 14:57-much better last 2)

2nd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (game-winner-12th, +2 in 15:48)

1st Star-Kevin Hayes, NYR (9th, 2 assists for career high 3 points, +4 in 13:02)

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The Lazy Plays Must Stop

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Derek

The Rangers are currently up on the Avalanche 3-1 in Denver. They might win for a second consecutive time but all is not well. Too many players continue to turn over the puck and not defend. At some point, the blatant giveaways that have led to dangerous chances the last two games have to stop.

It doesn’t matter if it’s Hank or Cam in net. For a while, this team hasn’t played smart hockey. They’ve been helter skelter. It’s nice to pile up the points when you don’t play your best. However, this style isn’t conducive. It’s risky. If it continues, they’ll be exposed again by the Islanders next week. Against better competition, they must tighten up.

The Rangers have fallen into bad work habits. That includes the struggling Martin St. Louis and disjointed Derek Stepan, who’s looked like a shadow of the player we saw since returning from the flu. That top unit has been out of sync with even Chris Kreider having a brutal giveaway in the Leafs game that led to a goal against. Updating the game, a careless St. Louis turnover results in Jarome Iginla scoring to cut it to 3-2 with 13:17 left in regulation.

This is how the team plays. In spurts allowing mediocre teams to stay in games. The coaching staff needs to reevaluate things. From the uneven play of the top pair to the continued search for a sixth defenseman, it has to stop.

Now Tanner Glass got a foolish penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. He does nothing well. It’s past the point of keeping him in the lineup. The Rangers have been outshot 10-0. If they prevail, it’ll be pure luck.

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Talbot must perform better

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Derek

With Henrik Lundqvist out for a while due to a sprained blood vessel, the Rangers are down to Cam Talbot. So far, the results have been mixed. In four starts, the 27-year old backup is 2-1-1 with a 3.01 goals-against-average and .882 save percentage. Tonight at Colorado, he’ll make his fifth consecutive start.

That isn’t good enough. Granted, the defense continues to play inconsistently in front of him. Talbot has given up some questionable goals from long range. Opponents are going high. Something the Stars and Leafs were able to do with some success. He needs to challenge more and cut down the angles.

With no one in the Metro Division losing, the Rangers enter a critical stretch. After visiting Colorado tonight, they travel to Arizona Saturday before another crucial game at the Islanders on Monday. They then get a couple of days off before returning to MSG to host Vancouver and then visit Buffalo for a back-to-back.

At what point does 20-year old prospect MacKenzie Skapski make his NHL debut? They can’t just rely on Talbot when he’s never done it before. Eventually, he’ll need a breather. Do they put their trust in Skapski, who’s performed respectably for Hartford winning 12 games with a 2.38 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in his first pro year? With the Sabres dealing Jhonas Enroth to Dallas yesterday, there aren’t many goalie options.

For now, the Rangers will put their faith in Talbot. What he’s discovering is that it’s a lot harder to be the man. The team needs to tighten up in front of him. The win at Toronto was as ugly as it gets. They were sloppy in coverage and turnovers. That won’t cut it against better competition.

Neither will Martin St. Louis’ scoring slump. Without a point in three straight, the 39-year old veteran has no goals over his last 13 with five assists. The former Hart and Stanley Cup winner is playing for a contract. With Mats Zuccarello also unrestricted and Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin due raises as Group II’s, the pressure is on St. Louis to perform.

Team President and GM Glen Sather has some tough decisions to make. Does he make a deal to bolster the team’s center weakness and lack of depth? Sixth defenseman is also a concern with neither Matt Hunwick or John Moore proving capable.

One player the Rangers won’t be trading for is Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes two-way center is out for the season facing back surgery. Arizona Central reporter Sarah McLellan has more on that.

The Coyotes still have Antoine Vermette available but the cost might be too steep. If they want a good prospect, a first round pick which the Rangers don’t have and another player for a rental, it doesn’t make much sense. Maybe they’ll go after Leafs center Mike Santorelli instead. He’s cheaper making $1.5 million in the final year and shouldn’t cost as much. Obviously, Vermette’s better dominating on faceoffs (56.3 percent) while producing similar numbers.

With less than three weeks until the March 2 deadline, things should continue to heat up.

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Sabres roll the dice on Evander Kane

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Derek
Evander Kane will have to do more than show the money for his new team the Buffalo Sabres who traded for the disgruntled former Winnipeg Jet in a blockbuster deal. www.winnipegsun.com/Getty Images

Evander Kane will have to do more than show the money for his new team the Buffalo Sabres who traded for the disgruntled former Winnipeg Jet in a blockbuster deal.
http://www.winnipegsun.com/Getty Images

On the same day they dealt goalie Jhonas Enroth to the Stars for Anders Lindback and a conditional pick, the Sabres rolled the dice gambling on Evander Kane. In what amounted to a blockbuster trade, Buffalo sent Tyler Myers, Drew Stafford, prospects Brendan Lemieux, Joel Armia and a 2015 first round pick to Winnipeg in exchange for Kane, Zach Bogosian and unsigned goalie prospect Jason Kasdorf.

A trade involving seven players is very hard to digest. No matter the teams involved, it is ballsy. I guess that isn’t a problem for Buffalo GM Tim Murray. Following the disturbing back story to Kane missing a game for Winnipeg due to violating team policy by wearing a tracksuit to a meeting which led to Dustin Byfuglien tossing it in a shower, Murray still decided to acquire the controversial 23-year old injured power forward. Despite questionable character off the ice, Kane played a majority of this season with a shoulder injury that required season-ending shoulder surgery which he had earlier this week.

Despite his talent which got him drafted by the former Thrashers fourth overall in the 2009 Draft, Kane was playing on the third line under veteran coach Paul Maurice. Even though the former 30-goalscorer wasn’t getting ideal minutes, he still had 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points with 56 penalty minutes and 119 hits in 37 contests. When the franchise relocated to Winnipeg, he wasn’t popular with fans. Part of it could be due to his off-ice shenanigans which included a selfie he took of himself with wads of cash outside a Vegas room. The latest incident was apparently the tip of the iceberg. He wasn’t popular with teammates, who openly criticized him.

“There’s definitely a lot more to it than some of the funny story lines that came out,” Kane told TSN’s Pierre LeBrun. “Sometimes you have to just let a story die and I guess that’s what we’ll do. But it was definitely disappointing with how everything shook out and some of the information was misconstrued, misleading, some of the facts kind of came out wrong or didn’t come out at all. That’s to be expected.”

“Just looking at next year, they’re going to get a top pick and that’s exciting,” Kane added. “Just to have one of those two guys [Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel] maybe to play with next year, plus the other young players on that team.”

“It’s nice to go somewhere where you feel wanted and you feel that they want to put you in a situation to have success.”

That last quote is particularly telling. It was obvious for some time that Kane’s days were numbered in Winnipeg. Even before the latest news came out, his name had been rumored for a couple of years. For his Jets career, he totaled 109 goals, 113 assists and 222 points in 361 games. Kane is making $6 million per season on a contract that runs through 2017-18. The contract averages a cap hit of $5.25 million.

In order for such a trade to be made, the Sabres parted with former first round pick Myers. After winning the Calder Trophy in ’09-10 with 11 goals, 37 assists and 48 points, expectations increased for the 25-year old Houston native who eventually signed a seven-year extension worth $38.5 million. He never quite fulfilled expectations with his production suffering. After scoring nine times with 13 assists in ’13-14, Myers has four goals and nine assists with 61 penalty minutes in 47 games this season. There are four years remaining at an average cap hit of $5.5 million. He finishes his Sabres career with 45 goals, 106 assists and 151 points in 365 games.

The Jets also received Stafford, who is in the final year of a deal that pays him $4 million. The Sabres will pick up half the remaining contract with Stafford eligible to turn unrestricted this summer. The 29-year old Stafford was drafted by Buffalo in the first round of the 2004 Draft. He had a solid career as a second liner. Three times, he scored at least 20 goals with a career best 31 along with 52 points and 11 power play goals in ’10-11. In 45 games this season, he has nine goals and 15 assists. Stafford finishes his Sabres career with 145 goals, 177 assists and 322 points in 563 games.

In exchange for Myers, the Sabres received Bogosian. A former third overall selection of the Thrashers in 2008, the rugged 24-year old Massena, New York native returns home to play for Buffalo. More of a defensive defenseman who gives an honest effort, Bogosian has five years remaining on a deal that pays him an average cap hit of $5.143 million. He’s signed through 2018-19 and is earning $5.25 million this season. In 41 contests for Winnipeg, he has three goals, 10 assists and 40 penalty minutes.

“I’m happy. I believe in these players. I think they make us a better organization and a better team…these guys are hard to get,” Murray said of his new acquisitions. He parted with the last of the Sabres’ three first round picks in this year’s draft. He also took a risk dealing away 2014 second rounder Lemieux, who has 35 goals and 15 assists with 120 penalty minutes for the Barrie Colts of the OHL. If he pans out, that could be a steal for Winnipeg. Former Buffalo 2011 first rounder Armia was included. The 21-year old Finn has only played in one NHL game and has 10 goals and 25 assists for Rochester of the AHL.

The final part of the deal is Kasdorf. He’s 22 and was taken by Winnipeg in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft. A 6-4, 195 pound goalie from Manitoba, he’s starred for R.P.I. in the ECAC for three years. In ’12-13, Kasdorf went 14-5-2 with a 1.62 goals-against-average, .935 save percentage and three shutouts as a freshman. After missing most of ’13-14, he’s appeared in 23 games posting a 9-14-0 record with a 2.94 GAA, .900 save percentage and a shutout.

Considering that Murray got very little back for Enroth leaving the number one job to Michael Neuvirth, he better hope Kasdorf turns into something. Murray must still sign him. A must considering how unstable the Sabres’ goaltending situation is. Unless Matt Hackett suddenly figures it out, Buffalo doesn’t have much of a goalie plan. Who knows? Maybe they’ll trade for or sign current Ranger Cam Talbot. He’s signed for one more year and can turn unrestricted the following summer.

So, who won the trade? That can’t be answered right away. If you want to go based on the current season with Winnipeg chasing the playoffs, it looks like the Jets should win early. They’re currently fourth in the Central Division with 66 points and are the first wildcard five points up on second wildcard Vancouver and seven up on Minnesota with Los Angeles eight back. Adding a depth forward in Stafford and a top four defenseman in Myers should aid their chances. Considering they also got Lemieux and a first round pick, the Jets made out extremely well.

For the Sabres, it’s all about Kane. If he can repair his image and mature as a player, then the sky’s the limit. He’s a player capable of averaging 30 goals and at least 60 points with power potential. Don’t forget he’ll be returning from shoulder surgery. This is a player who’s never played a full 82 games in a season. They need Kane to flourish.

They also exchanged Myers for Bogosian. Two different style defensemen. You can argue that Myers has more talent and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Sabres went for a more hard nosed defenseman who plays the position well. It could work out in their favor. However, so much depends on Kane and whether Kasforf pans out.

Murray is gambling that this move will solidify the Sabres’ future. With either Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel on the horizon barring something unforeseen, Buffalo has a bright future. Don’t forget former 2014 first overall pick Sam Reinhart. With the future solidified including J.T. Compher, Hudson Fasching, Jake McCabe, and current NHLers Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov, there’s plenty for Sabres fans to be excited about. Now if former first rounder Mikhail Grigorenko can figure it out, they sure are set up.

With the latest fire sale underway, is Chris Stewart next? He’s unrestricted this summer and has turned his season around. The 27-year old has nine goals and 13 assists in 53 games. Teams that can use size might come calling. The Rangers could be one of them. The trade deadline is March 2.

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Zuccarello’s pair allow Rangers to escape Toronto with win

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Derek
Zucc's Back: A happy Mats Zuccarello gets congrats from Derick Brassard for one of his two goals in the Rangers' 5-4 win over the Leafs. The Canadian Press by Frank Gunn

Zucc’s Back: A happy Mats Zuccarello gets congrats from Derick Brassard for one of his two goals in the Rangers’ 5-4 win over the Leafs.
The Canadian Press by Frank Gunn

Truth be told, I didn’t see much of tonight’s game. To my delight, at least I was able to catch the end. Mats Zuccarello’s pair allowed the Rangers to escape Toronto with a 5-4 win. Escape being the operative word. They finally beat the Leafs and gained two points. That’s about all that can be said. They’ll take the two and run.

Zuccarello continued his turnaround tallying twice to extend his point streak to six straight. Over that stretch, he’s got three goals and five assists totaling eight points. For most of the season, Zuccarello has been gun shy. Good things have happened for him by shooting the puck. It was his goal with 5:56 left that proved to be the game-winner.

Basically, the Rangers held on for dear life with the Leafs hitting the post and coming awfully close. They were able to win because Cam Talbot held up during a third period onslaught stopping 16 of 18 en route to 30 saves. He improved to 2-1-1 since Henrik Lundqvist’s injury. What the backup is finding out is that it’s not so easy being the number one guy. That’s how he must’ve felt after the Leafs rallied from two goals down in the third on goals from Morgan Rielly and Daniel Winnik 6:26 apart in the third period.

They blew three separate leads before finding a way to win for the first time in three. Dan Boyle started off the scoring by finishing off a Derick Brassard in front past a helpless James Reimer. There wasn’t a Leaf in sight on the offensive defenseman. Not to state the obvious but the Leafs aren’t great defensively. As if to prove a point, a blatant giveaway allowed Brassard and Nash to set up a wide open Zuccarello for his first increasing to 2-0 at 10:37 of the first.

There weren’t many penalties called on either side with four total (two apiece). But a Dan Girardi boarding minor led directly to Rielly scoring the first of two on the power play. Off a clean faceoff win from Tyler Bozak, Rielly took a Cody Franson feed and walked in and snapped a laser past Talbot cutting it to 2-1 with 4:21 left. Despite controlling much of the first by outshooting Toronto 17-6, the Rangers took a one-goal lead to the locker room.

Early in the second, the Original Sixes traded goals 26 seconds apart. First, Marc Staal skated around the entire Toronto D and set up rookie Kevin Hayes for an easy put away making it 3-1 Rangers at 1:42. But the Leafs came right back thanks to veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas, whose long wrister fooled Talbot. It was his first of the season.

How bad are the Leafs defensively? They’re hideous. Playing without captain Dion Phaneuf, the follies continued. While on the power play, they allowed a shorthanded goal to Dominic Moore from distance. Staal and Carl Hagelin took advantage of a turnover inside the Toronto blueline. Hagelin fed Moore, who skated and then took a long shot that squeaked through Reimer putting the Rangers ahead 4-2 halfway through.

By the time I got to the car following a late shift, MSG radio tandem Don LaGreca and Dave Maloney were discussing how much the Rangers dominated yet found themselves only up two. Maloney issued a warning. Apparently, he called the Leafs comeback. On the opening shift of the third, a vacated Rielly took a Winnik feed and beat Talbot stick side for his second only 20 seconds in cutting the deficit to 4-3.

A terrible Chris Kreider turnover allowed Winnik to steal the puck and center it off a Ranger skate past Talbot for an unassisted goal at 6:46 evening the score. By that point, I had just arrived at my buddy’s place and saw Dad’s text. I was pissed. How could they blow such leads against a awful team? Even with Talbot, it shouldn’t happen. They already suffered two humiliations to the Leafs when they still had a pulse.

Thankfully, another strong shift from Moore and Nash resulted in Zuccarello depositing his 10th at 14:04 to break the tie. It only held up because the Leafs hit a post. I thought for sure the puck was in with under three minutes remaining. Fortunately, it wasn’t.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dominic Moore, Rangers (SHG-5th, assist, +1 in 11:04-lone constant on 4th line)

2nd Star-Morgan Rielly, Leafs (2 goals-6th, 7th, 5 SOG, 3 giveaways, -2 in 22:51)

1st Star-Mats Zuccarello, Rangers (2 goals incl. GW with 5:56 left-9th, 10th, 5 SOG, 7 attempts, 3 hits, +2 in 18:03-Zucc’s back)

Stepan Faceoff Struggles Continue: Of concern is the Rangers’ continued lack of faceoff success. When Derek Stepan plays, they’re percentage drops. If Stepan doesn’t put up points, he must fare better on draws. He was minus-seven losing 14 of 21. As a team, the Rangers lost 40 of 67 (40 percent). At some point, this needs to be addressed. Stepan continues to show no improvement. He’s a very good player but the continued struggles on faceoffs is worrisome. It leads to puck possession for the opposition. That can’t happen in the playoffs. … Rangers improved to 31-16-5 and 67 points moving past the Capitals into third in the Metro. They’re a point behind the Pens and remain four behind the Islanders, who won 3-2 over the Oilers.

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Stolen Point

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Derek
Stars teammates congratulate Ales Hemsky on his overtime winner. AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

Stars teammates congratulate Ales Hemsky on his overtime winner.
AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

The final score read Stars 3 Rangers 2 on Ales Hemsky’s overtime winner at 1:02. That was generous considering the lack of effort the Rangers gave. For two periods, they stunk.

Outplayed by the Stars, who also were playing their second game in two nights, the Garden hosts looked like they couldn’t be bothered. That they were able to earn a stolen point is better than they deserved. They can thank ref tandem Paul Devorski and Frederick L’Eouyer. The phantom delay of game call on Dallas defenseman John Klingberg allowed Chris Kreider to tie the game with 1:20 remaining. He was able to capitalize on a Kari Lehtonen coming out of net by steering in a rebound of a Mats Zuccarello shot.

Dallas would go on to get just reward when Hemsky undressed the Rangers defense before skating out into the slot and firing a laser top shelf past a screened Cam Talbot. Jyrki Jokipakka and Jason Spezza earned assists on Hemsky’s ninth. Marc Staal was battling in front and Talbot never flinched. Making his third consecutive start, he was solid finishing with 22 saves. Most came in the second when the Stars sent 17 his way. The Rangers are 1-1-1 since Talbot took over. His next start comes at Toronto Tuesday with Colorado and Arizona to follow. None are back-to-back.

With the point, the Rangers climb to 65 points. They remain fourth in the Metropolitan Division a point behind the Capitals with three more games left. They’re three behind the Penguins and trail the Islanders by four. The Isles held on for a 3-2 win over the Sabres to win for only the second time in six. From a playoff standpoint, they’re okay. With 31 games remaining, they’re in wildcard position two up on eighth Boston and eight clear of Florida, who lost to Nashville in a shootout.

Of more concern is why they waited so long to play. Coach Alain Vigneault rarely benches players unless it’s J.T. Miller. He actually sat the top line of Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis the final six-plus minutes of the second period. Stepan at least had a reason for struggling rushing back from the flu. St. Louis has been bad for a while. Nash has carried them. At the end of two, they were all negative corsis. I don’t put too much emphasis on it but you are what you are regardless of puck possession.

Admittedly, I didn’t see much of the second opting to watch a ESPN 30For30 on Paul Westhead and Loyola Marymount featuring Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. It’s a time I reflect back on because of Gathers’ tragic death during a game on March 4, 1990. So, it had my undivided attention. I could tell from flipping that the Rangers weren’t playing well. The first period was enough to put fans to sleep. The teams combined for 10 shots. I guess I could tell what kind of game it was.

I managed to catch Dan Boyle taking a penalty which handed the Stars a 5-on-3. Jason Spezza scored from Tyler Seguin and Klingberg to put them ahead. Boyle got over 19 minutes of ice-time and continues to underwhelm. If I have to hear MSG’s Joe Micheletti praise him again, I’m going to toss the remote control at the TV. Boyle went minus-two. Unless he produces offensively or on the power play, he’s a waste. This was Glen Sather’s choice over Anton Stralman.

While I was watching the ESPN documentary, Carl Hagelin managed to tie the game. Kevin Hayes picked up another assist and Kevin Klein continued his renaissance with a helper. When I did have it on, it was the trio of Hayes, Hagelin and J.T. Miller that caught my eye. They were the most consistent line. Maybe Vigneault should wise up and keep them together. With Jesper Fast out, he has no choice. He did say he will meet with Sather and Jim Schoenfeld and decide on a recall from Hartford.

The Stars went back in front on Erik Cole’s 14th from Spezza and Hemsky with 1:55 left in the period. If there is a frustrating topic that’s starting to get noticed, it’s Zuccarello’s reluctance to shoot. Playing with Derick Brassard and Kreider, he almost always defers to the other shooters. Neither of which are Nash. Zuccarello had Brassard on a two-on-one and of course his pass missed connection. He was 20 feet from Lehtonen. It really is exasperating.

https://twitter.com/NewYorkPuck/status/564563134414073856

Others agree. Zuccarello needs to be more of a threat. Offensively, he has played better recently. His assist on Kreider’s power play gift gave him points in five straight (1-5-6). He took three shots with his biggest caroming off Lehtonen for Kreider’s rebound at 18:40 of the third.

The Rangers played one period. They outshot the Stars 20-2. Vigneault went back to the top line starting them. They played better as did the other six forwards he went with. Believe it or not, he shortened his bench which meant no Tanner Glass or Lee Stempniak the final 20 minutes. Both got 13 shifts and less than eight minutes. Dominic Moore received 19 shifts including 3:50 shorthanded of his 13:03 game total. He can be trusted.

Despite peppering Lehtonen, the Rangers needed a favorable call to steal a point. One Klingberg couldn’t believe. Any person with good vision could tell live that his clear attempt deflected off the glass first before going out of play. How the refs decided it was a penalty I’ll never know. It’s still not as baffling as the Rangers playing Henrik Lundqvist risking a stroke. Thanks to that call, they got a point. Take it and move on.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Alex Goligoski, Stars (great defensively, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots, +1 in 24:22)

2nd Star-Jason Spezza, Stars (PPG-10th, 2 assists, 13-and-5 on faceoffs, +2 in 14;49)

1st Star-Ales Hemsky, Stars (beautiful OT winner-9th, assist, +2 in 12:44)

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Lundqvist Risked Stroke Due To Injury

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Derek

Henrik Lundqvist

Henrik Lundqvist spoke to reporters today about his injury. According to New York Daily News Rangers beat writer Pat Leonard, the all-time franchise leader in wins (334) and shutouts (55) has a sprained blood vessel.

The fact the Rangers even allowed Lundqvist to continue playing against the Hurricanes and then foolishly started him against the Panthers is beyond absurd. They put him at risk. He could’ve had a stroke. It’s a vascular injury. Nothing to sneeze at.

The scary aspect is it took a specialist to overrule doctors who ran cat scans who had medically cleared him. That’s insane. Imagine if he had played. I can’t even think straight knowing that the Rangers medical staff had Lundqvist stay in and then face Florida.

Lundqvist is extremely lucky. The Rangers are even luckier. He’s in the first year of a seven-year contract that pays him $59.5 million with an average cap hit of $8.5 million. The highest paid among goalies. The 32-year old former Vezina winner is earning $11 million this season and $10 million in 2015-16. After a slow start, he returned to form winning 25 games with a 2.25 goals-against-average with a .922 save percentage and five shutouts.

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Stepan Back In Versus Stars

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Derek
Step and Nash: Derek Stepan and Rick Nash celebrate a goal. Each scored twice in a Rangers 5-2 win over the Penguins. AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images

Step and Nash: Derek Stepan and Rick Nash celebrate a goal. Each scored twice in a Rangers 5-2 win over the Penguins.
AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images

Derek Stepan will return to the Rangers lineup for the Stars tonight at MSG. The top center missed yesterday’s 3-2 loss at Nashville with the flu. That forced coach Alain Vigneault to alter his lines. J.T. Miller returned to the lineup and centered the fourth line while Kevin Hayes moved in between Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis.

Stepan’s return comes at an important time with rookie Jesper Fast sidelined with a sprained knee sustained during the second period against the Predators. That means Miller stays in along with Tanner Glass and Lee Stempniak. Down a center, Vigneault had Dominic Moore center the third line with Carl Hagelin and Fast before he went down. For the start of the game against Dallas, he’s moved Moore back to the fourth line while shifting Miller to the wing to play with Hayes and Hagelin.

The rest of the lineup stays the same including the D pairings with John Moore and Dan Boyle as the third tandem. Cam Talbot makes his third consecutive start. He made 20 saves Saturday.

Rangers Lines

Nash-Stepan-St. Louis

Kreider-Brassard-Zuccarello

Hagelin-Hayes-Miller

Glass-D. Moore-Stempniak

McDonagh-Girardi

Staal-Klein

J. Moore-Boyle

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Rangers drop tough one to Predators

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Derek

Despite having the better of play against one of the NHL’s best, the Rangers dropped a tough one to the Predators 3-2 in Music City. Mike Ribeiro’s goal with 7:14 left in regulation proved to be the difference ending the Rangers’ three-game win streak. His 700th NHL point was a bomb that got past Cam Talbot from Seth Jones and Filip Forsberg.

Talbot was making his second straight start with Henrik Lundqvist out with a vascular injury. Even though he allowed three goals on 23 shots, it was more about the team having a couple of mental lapses. Talbot made some strong saves in an uneven first that saw the defense leave Preds wide open. Along with former Predator Kevin Klein, who made a great save and then was honored by Nashville, Talbot was solid.

Despite outshooting the Preds 32-23, the Rangers made just enough mistakes to lose. They also lost rookie Jesper Fast to a lower body injury. He took 12 shifts (6:04 ice-time) before exiting early in the second period. The Predators also were down a skater with Colin Wilson unable to return after the first due to a big Dan Girardi hit. Ultimately, they scored two goals at the end of the second and found one late after Ryan McDonagh tied it to earn points 73 and 74. It was their 10th win in 11 on home ice.

A year ago, Talbot was in this exact setting and shutout Nashville in front of his Dad. For a while, it looked like it would be a repeat. Rick Nash scored his league-leading 33rd on the power play midway through contest from Derick Brassard and Kevin Hayes. With Shea Weber off for interference, Nash scored a power forward’s goal getting to a tough rebound of a low Brassard shot and backhanding it past Pekka Rinne at 11:49 of the second.

For most of the period, the Rangers controlled play. They had limited the Preds’ chances and were playing a smart road game. But that all changed with two plays Nashville made. Roman Josi tied it up with 1:21 remaining. Off a faceoff win, he got to a loose puck and banged one home from Gabriel Bourque and Calle Jarnkrok. Less than a minute later, Josi set up partner Weber’s blast at 19:20. Marc Staal got caught and was late recovering allowing Matt Cullen and Josi to combine for Weber’s 12th. A rocket that nobody was stopping.

Trailing 2-1, the Rangers tied it early in the third thanks to McDonagh, who erased a 14-game goal drought. Taking a drop pass from Mats Zuccarello, he skated in and fired a laser past Rinne at 1:37. Brassard added his second assist.

The game remained tied until Ribeiro finished off a pretty play from Jones off a rush. Through the neutral zone, Jones took a Forsberg pass and skated through the weak backcheck of Brassard. Backing up McDonagh and Girardi, he dropped for Ribeiro, who shot through Girardi’s legs for the game-winner. Oddly, Brassard was out with Carl Hagelin and Tanner Glass, who trailed the play. So, basically two forwards lolly gagged on the winner including a fourth liner who shouldn’t have been out in a tie game. That’s on Alain Vigneault, who at times had his fourth line matched against the Preds’ first unit.

After they fell behind, the Rangers put on immense pressure. Their best chance came on a two-on-one with over two minutes left. Zuccarello passed across for Brassard, who missed the net after Rinne challenged. Why doesn’t Zuccarello shoot there? Because he so rarely does. He’s unselfish to a fault. If Brassard hits the net, there’s no second guessing.

Zuccarello also took a tripping penalty with 1:31 left. But it didn’t stop the Rangers from coming close shorthanded with Talbot pulled. If not for Rinne, they tie it. He was the difference making 30 saves. That’s why he’s the Vezina frontrunner and a Hart candidate.

NY Puck 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (league-leading 33rd, 5 SOG in 7 attempts for MVP candidate)

2nd Star-Roman Josi, NSH (10th of season, assist (27)-37 points in Weber’s shadow)

1st Star-Pekka Rinne, NSH (30 saves incl. some big ones late)

Notes: Nash’s goal made it 27 games he’s scored. Rangers had a 10-game win streak snapped when 61 lights the lamp falling to 19-7-1. … Without Derek Stepan (flu), Rangers dominated faceoffs winning an astounding 41 of 64. Brassard went 15-and-7 while Dominic Moore went 13-and-5. Back in the lineup centering the fourth line, J.T. Miller went 7-and-3 in 17 shifts-11:29. Preds’ best on draws was Paul Gaustad managing to go 10-and-10. … Updating Fast’s injury, Vigneault told reporters in the MSG post game that he has a sprained knee. So, he could be out a while. It looks like Stepan should return for tomorrow’s 5 PM game versus Dallas at MSG.

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Lundqvist expected to miss three weeks due to ‘vascular injury’

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Derek
Heroic Henrik: Henrik Lundqvist is tended to by Rangers medical staff as concerned teammates look on. He was fine leading the team to victory over the Hurricanes. AP Photo by Mary Altaffer/Getty Images

Heroic Henrik: Henrik Lundqvist is tended to by Rangers medical staff as concerned teammates look on. He was fine leading the team to victory over the Hurricanes.
AP Photo by Mary Altaffer/Getty Images

The Rangers got bad news on Henrik Lundqvist. After missing Wednesday’s game against Boston with a neck injury, he’s expected to be out three weeks. New York Post’s Larry Brooks broke the story this morning.

The team officially labeled it a “vascular injury” and said Lundqvist “will remain sidelined at least three weeks, until he is reevaluated.”

“We have been conferring with leading medical experts to ensure the best possible care,” the statement read.

The injury occurred during the second period of last Saturday’s win over the Hurricanes. Lundqvist was struck in the throat by a Brad Malone shot. He was exposed due to Ryan McDonagh accidentally lifting his mask. The scary incident saw our goalie down for five minutes having trouble breathing. After the training staff came out, he was able to stay in the game despite admitting having headaches and dizzy spells. A concussion was ruled out. After starting against Florida, it took a turn for the worse.

It has been diagnosed by WebMD as a vascular injury which is causing an issue getting enough blood to the brain. In a word, peculiar. The Rangers face a dicey situation. They feel Lundqvist can use recovery and be back in as little as three weeks. But is that overly optimistic? They’re dealing with the unknown. A freak injury that has many perplexed. Should he have played Monday? Or is it one of those unpredictable injuries that the medical staff couldn’t identify and didn’t have a serious impact until Tuesday?

Whatever the reason, logic does not apply. For the foreseeable future, backup Cam Talbot will be the goalie. It’s now time to find out about the second-year netminder who’s been as reliable as any understudy. He’ll get the call tomorrow for a big test at Nashville and then return to net Sunday for the Stars at MSG.

It’s Cam Time. The question for the Rangers and GM Glen Sather is do they go out and get a backup. It’s probably too much to ask 20-year old MacKenzie Skapski to back up or even get the rare start. Evgeni Nabokov can be had on waivers. But he’s virtually done. Whatever Rangers brass decide, the season just became a whole lot more interesting.

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