Oates and Stevens star in Devils coaching experiment

Posted on December 27, 2014 by Derek
He's Back: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is returning to the bench to help coach his struggling team with Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. www.nj.com/Getty Images

He’s Back: Devils GM Lou Lamoriello is returning to the bench to help coach his struggling team with Adam Oates and Scott Stevens.
http://www.nj.com/Getty Images

In another bizarre twist to the Pete DeBoer firing, Lou Lamoriello will return behind the bench for the Devils with Adam Oates and Scott Stevens. Referring to it as a “unique situation,” the Devils Team President and GM will help run the bench with Oates coaching the forwards while Stevens coaches the defense. Mike Foligno will also coach the forwards and Tommy Albelin will coach the defense both from the press box. Chris Terreri stays on as goalie coach.

This isn’t the first time Lamoriello has helped coach the Devils. He took over for Larry Robinson in ’05-06 and led them to a first round win over the Rangers. The following year, he fired Claude Julien with three games left and led the team to a second straight second round appearance. The 72-year old was inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame in 2009. Recognized for being the architect of three Stanley Cups, he’s considered one of the best sports executives. Since the club’s Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2012, they’ve fallen on hard times missing the playoffs two consecutive seasons. Currently 13th in the East with 31 points, they’re nine points out of eighth entering tonight’s match against the Rangers at MSG.

It isn’t exactly clear what the plan is. Essentially, Oates and Stevens will act as co-coaches. How will that work with Lou? Not to question his thinking. I’m perplexed by this move. Are Oates and Stevens trying out and for how long? The rumors of former Ottawa bench boss Paul MacLean taking over weren’t true. With Lou, you just never know.

At 12-17-7, the Devils are closer to the lottery for prized prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel, who both are starring for their respective countries at the U20 World Junior Championship in Canada. Only three teams have worse records. With mostly a veteran roster up front featuring Jaromir Jagr, Mike Cammalleri, Patrik Elias, Travis Zajac, Michael Ryder, Martin Havlat and Scott Gomez, the Devils are a team in need of change. With only 2012 playoff hero Adam Henrique the lone exception among forwards, they need to get younger. At least the blueline includes injured rookie Damon Severson, Jon Merrill, Adam Larsson and power play specialist Eric Gelinas. They also had Seth Helgeson up.

Unless there’s a dramatic turnaround, Lamoriello needs to sell before the deadline. By bringing on former assistants Oates and Stevens, they can assess what to do with the roster. That includes figuring out what former 2011 first round pick Larsson is. Still just 22, he wasn’t a favorite of DeBoer. He never got consistent ice-time and was a healthy scratch and even went down to Albany for a conditioning assignment. Not exactly the way to develop a fourth overall selection.

Larsson isn’t the only Swede who was mistreated. Former ’09 first rounder Jacob Josefson was reduced to fourth line duty and scratches while DeBoer trusted vets Stephen Gionta, Steve Bernier and Dainius Zubrus. Maybe the coaching change will mean increased roles for Larsson and Josefson.

With the team struggling both offensively and defensively, it hasn’t been easy for Cory Schneider to replace Martin Brodeur. Even though he’s clearly better than the 42-year old living legend who’s sharing duty in St. Louis, Schneider has gotten the treatment from some fans despite respectable numbers (2.51 GAA .917 save percentage). Under DeBoer, he got most of the workload. He’s already made 31 starts. Last year, Schneider set a career high with 43 starts and 45 games played. With rookie Keith Kinkaid proving capable of filling in, figure that workload to decrease.

It’ll be interesting to see how the team responds to the coaching change. Appropriately, Lamoriello made the move after Christmas which is even cruel for Scrooge. But fittingly the Devils visit The Garden tonight. The Rangers are riding a season best seven-game winning streak. Wouldn’t it be ironic if it ends against a struggling Hudson rival? I’ve seen everything. Nothing would surprise me. Either way, we’re in for a holiday treat later.

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Lou, Oates and Stevens all co-coaches in bizarre announcement

Posted on December 27, 2014 by hasan4978

The Devils’ new/old…co-coaches Scott Stevens and Adam Oates (Fire and Ice)

I didn’t think things could get as bizarre as they were during the Ilya Kovalchuk contract penalty fiasco, him walking away from $80 million to go to Russia or having the team captain bolt for home a month after playing in the Stanley Cup Finals but today the Devils managed to add another strange moment to their sordid recent history, with GM Lou Lamoriello announcing the hiring of not one but TWO head coaches, with Adam Oates being the de facto offensive/forwards coach and Scott Stevens the defensive coach.  Or is it actually three head coaches considering Lou himself has returned to the bench yet again (insisiting it’s short-term)?!  My head hurts just from typing all that.

In what might have been the most spectacular understatement of the day, Lou acknowledged that it’s a ‘unique’ situation designed to get the most out of the team.  Unique, eh?  You don’t say, Lou…granted co-captains are nothing new in the NHL (the Sabres have made something of a franchise tradition in it) but co-coaches are another story.  As much as a sports historian as I am literally the only time I can remember there ever being co-coaches were the infamous college of coaches enacted by the Cubs in the 1960’s.  In trying to explain why he went down this bizarre road, Lou gave this rationale:

1h1 hour ago

Lamoriello said it was unfair in this situation to ask one person to come in and be the head coach for for rest of season.

Ironically enough one person did just that four years ago when Jacques Lemaire came back to get the most out of a hopeless cause in December 2010.  Now clearly that person wasn’t available this time around as Lemaire was firm in retiring after the season, but predictably Lou went with what he knew once again in trying to…well I don’t even know what the heck he’s trying to do.  I guess he’s admitting this season’s become an evaluation period/blow it up time.  Apparently that extends to behind the bench with Lou stating the intention is to have one head coach for 2015-16, which ‘might be Stevens, Oates or someone else’.  So clearly not only are the players auditioning but so are the coaches in what’s become a truly enigmatic situation.

Secondary to the actual coaching mess is the palace intrigue the new/old staff indicates.  Not only was coach Pete DeBoer fired, but so was assistant Dave Barr which was kind of odd given that whenever Barr took over a unit (PK or PP) it seemed to be among the top ones in the league, and he himself had head coaching experience.  But he was let go entirely while lesser-tenured assistants Mike Foglino and Tommy Albelin stayed.  And the fact that taking over for DeBoer and Barr were two former assistants who worked under/with them suggests there was something of a palace coup.  Particularly in the case of Stevens who mysteriously left the team on the eve of camp this year suggesting he wanted to spend more time with his family and didn’t want the demands the job required.  That was four months ago.  Perhaps Rich Chere had the truth more than anyone knew at the time when he suggested there were ‘differences’ between Stevens and DeBoer and even Lou admitted at the time he felt Stevens’ absence was short-term and that he’d hopefully be back in the organization soon.

Oates admitted mixed feelings upon getting the call for the job given the friendship he and Pete had in his short time on the Devils’ staff, while Stevens acknowledged publicly that while he had no issues with Pete personally, there were philosophical differences between him and the now former head coach.  What those differences are I suppose will become evident in the season’s second half now that he’s in charge…sort of.  At least Stevens – as usual – sounded like he was ready to take charge in a joint interview both he and Oates gave to the media after practice.

16m16 minutes ago

Scott Stevens says the plan is to get the “Devils identity back and be hard to play against.”

I’m sure that – and Stevens’ return behind the bench – will appease the fans for the moment, but how they can get back to a Devils identity remains to be seen.  Especially with a problematic roster in transition.  There’s still so much…weirdness about this whole thing.  Despite the fact I half-kiddingly predicted to a friend I felt Stevens was coming back yesterday.  Do both Stevens and Oates get introduced before the games?  Do they do joint pressers after the games now or does Lou do it as long as he’s on the bench?

Oh and by the way the Devils play at Madison Square Garden tonight, against the hot Rangers.  Talk about the circus coming to town.  And as almost an aside at this point, the mumps is still spreading through the Devils with Patrik Elias, Michael Ryder and Scott Clemmensen (now down in Albany) all shelved due to the illness that’s dominated the landscape the last two months in the NHL.  Though at least we’re getting Danius Zubrus and Jacob Josefson back from other injuries…whooppee.  Even with Tim Sestito riding the EZPass expressway back and forth from Albany again the Devils will still have only eleven healthy forwards tonight.

No coach, no captain, and a bad lineup in flux?  What can possibly go wrong?

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Devils fire DeBoer, replacement to be announced tomorrow

Posted on December 26, 2014 by hasan4978

Lou Lamoriello and Pete DeBoer at the coach’s introductory presser in 2011. DeBoer’s tenure lasted a little over three years before ending today (NJ.com)

If it’s possible to be startled and yet unsurprised at the same time, that was my dual reaction when I read a lone tweet by TSN’s Bob McKenzie going through Twitter just before lunch today:

4h4 hours ago

Head coach Pete DeBoer has been fired by the New Jersey Devils.

Given the team’s recent run of play – losing thirteen out of sixteen, massively getting outplayed even by other bad teams – this can’t really be a surprise to any Devil fan (or really any hockey observer), except to the extent that time’s already realistically run out if you were going to make a change to try to salvage this season.  Plus I figured if there was going to be a change made it would have been before the holiday, right after their latest ugly game against the Hurricanes.  While it’s a bit weird to make a change the day after Christmas, it’s not entirely unprecedented for Lou, who fired John MacLean two days before Christmas in 2010.  And it seemed like DeBoer had twelve or thirteen different lives over the last few years as opposed to the nine cats get, given the team’s horrendous record since the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals led to no significant changes until this afternoon.

I don’t really want to rehash the issues that led to Pete’s dismissal, that’s the epitome of beating a dead horse.  Clearly his tenure wasn’t a total disaster though much of the good happened in 2012 and most of the bad’s happened since then.  I do admit having mixed feelings over hearing about Pete’s dismissal, which fit perfectly into my love-hate relationship with the now-former coach of the Devils.  Don’t get me wrong, I still feel a change was needed, especially with the team’s level of play having gone in the toilet this month – and assuming you’re going to overhaul this roster, Pete really isn’t the guy to oversee a youth movement while he’s in desperation mode.   Still, Pete’s firing really to a degree severs the last link to the 2012 run and we’re not even three full years removed from it.  Everyone knows about Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk’s departures.  Obviously franchise icon Martin Brodeur is in St. Louis now.  And Bryce Salvador seems to have gone to neverneverland, perhaps already having played his last game as a Devil unfortunately.

It’s a bit sobering to think of how I and every other Devil fan felt about the team in June 2012 and how two and a half years has completely changed the outlook.  Of course I’m going through much the same thing with my football team, although the Jets are a couple more years removed from their 2008-09 conference championship game appearances.  My gallows humor joke today was ‘well, at least Pete beat Rex (Ryan) to the unemployment line…by a few days’, given that the Jets are also likely to make a coaching change on the NFL’s Black Monday.  Ironically the best moment of both their tenures involved beating their most bitter rivals, with Rex’s Jets knocking out the Patriots in 2009 and DeBoer’s Devils beating the Rangers in the 2012 Conference Finals.  Within that series also came my single favorite DeBoer moment when he and then-Ranger coach John Tortorella went at it during Game 4 after former teammate Mike Rupp took a gratuitous shot at Brodeur.  During that shining run, the Devils weren’t taking crap from anyone.

Now this organization’s completely broken for a myriad of reasons.  Of course much of it can be traced back to the dual departures of Parise and Kovalchuk, but that still doesn’t change the fact that DeBoer’s record now has one playoff appearance in six and a half coaching seasons, and that his best year came in his first season both places – leading an overachieving Florida team to 92 points in 2009 before things fell off there, and of course our 2012 season was his first here.  Things couldn’t have been much better at that point, but things certainly can’t be much worse now.  Sure, not all of what’s happened since 2012 can be laid at the feet of DeBoer.  As I’ve said for a while, he’s not the only problem but he’s certainly been part of the problem.  He could survive bad results for a while given that the 2013-14 teams at least gave effort on most nights.  This year’s team hasn’t, and looks even more like the collection of mercenaries, old fogies up front and kids on the back end than it should have.  While nobody expected the Devils to be a division leader or anything like that, few thought they’d be in serious contention for the McDavid/Eichel picks either…which right now they are.

Now that DeBoer’s gone, the intrigue comes in who’s next, since GM Lou Lamoriello declined to announce Pete’s replacement until speaking to the team tomorrow.  I was going to speculate on the number of names it could have possibly been but numerous Twitter rumors have Adam Oates (a former Devils/Pete assistant in fact) being the replacement.  If true, then I might be getting closer to the bandwagon of ‘Lou must go’.  It’s not so much Oates is a bad coach per se though his record in Washington wasn’t anything to write home about, but is he really any different from his former boss?  Both believe in a similar forechecking system, both are anal about having players line up on their correct ‘side’ – hence Pete shifting Ilya Kovalchuk to right wing and Oates switching Alex Ovechkin to right wing and both have been victimized by blown multi-goal leads.  At face value this is the ultimate ‘change the voice’ switch.  And this team is FAR from a mere ‘change the voice’ away from contention.  If anything this coaching hire needs to be about changing status quo rather than maintaining it.  I won’t go into full rant mode until tomorrow and I hear what Lou and the new coach – whoever it may be – has to say.

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WJC 2015 rolls in for holiday treat

Posted on December 26, 2014 by Derek

Merry Christmas to everyone who is celebrating. As a Jewish person, I’ll get into the Christmas spirit when tomorrow’s World Junior Hockey tournament rolls in. Fittingly, the U20 WJC is taking place in Montreal and Toronto. Perfect considering all the hype surrounding Connor McDavid. He’s back healthy for Canada which gives us more reason to watch.

With USA boasting Jack Eichel, American hockey fans have plenty to get excited about. McDavid and Eichel highlight a tournament featuring top prospects. Whether it be 2015 Draft eligible or recent draft picks, there’s a reason to follow #WJC2015. It’s simply awesome. Especially if your team is in the McDavid/Eichel sweepstakes.

Resident Sabre blogger Brian Sanborn certainly will have interest. Though he is kind of bummed out about the Islander revival since Buffalo also has their first round pick. The Sabres will be well represented by 2014 number one pick Sam Reinhart (CAN), J.T. Compher (USA), Hudson Fasching (USA) and Victor Olafsson (SWE). Compher and Fasching return for the Americans. After registering an assist in nine games for Buffalo, Reinhart was returned to Kootenay (WHL) and has eight goals and 19 assists in 15 contests.

Unfortunately, the Devils don’t have many prospects for Hasan to track. Due to a wrist injury that’s kept him out most of his sophomore year with Boston College, 2013 second round pick Steven Santini won’t play for USA. He was cut yesterday. The 19-year old defenseman was an asset on last year’s team. Hopefully, he’ll return soon for BC in the next calendar year. The Devils are represented by 2013 fourth rounder Miles Wood (USA). The son of former NHLer Randy Wood, Miles can be followed on Twitter. He committed to Boston College in 2015-16.

For the Rangers, all eyes will be glued on 2013 third round gem Anthony Duclair (CAN). If the pre-tournament is any indication, he could be primed for a big tournament. Russia also features Pavel Buchnevich. The 75th overall selection is looking like a steal. In the KHL, he’s put up 10 goals and 11 assists in 32 games for Cherepovets Severstal. 2014 second round pick Brandon Halverson (USA) is one of three goalies on the American roster. He’ll likely back up projected starter Thatcher Demko. Interestingly, the Blueshirts have two goalies in the tourney with fourth rounder Igor Shestkerin part of Russia. Oddly, his name is spelled differently on the IIHF site. They have it as Shestyorkin. He won his only game for St. Petersburg SKA of the KHL making 19 saves in 46 minutes.

If you’re an Islander fan, there’s Russian netminder Ilya Sorokin. A player the club tabbed 78th overall in the third round this past summer. He’s 4-11-1 with a 3.25 goals-against-average, .906 save percentage and a shutout for Novokuznetsk Metallurg (KHL). 2014 fourth round pick Linus Soderstrom is one of three goalies on Sweden. In 4 games for Sodertalje SK of the Swedish-1 league, he’s 1-3-0 with a 2.48 GAA and .909 save percentage.

There’s something for everyone. USA boasts a strong roster featuring Eichel along with returnees Compher, Fasching, Demko, Ian McCoshen and Will Butcher. They are carrying four 2015 draft eligible including Eichel, defensemen Noah Hanifin, Zach Werenski and Brandon Carlo. Forward Austin Matthews is the only 2016 draft eligible. Keep an eye on Jersey native Anthony DeAngelo. An offensive defenseman selected by the Lightning 19th overall, he should put up points. Dylan Larkin, Tyler Motte and Massapequa native Sonny Milano all are players to keep track of.

Defending champ Finland boasts Kasperi Kapanen and Artturi Lehkonen. Canada is loaded with McDavid, Reinhart, Duclair, Max Domi, Sens’ rookie Curtis Lazar, Nic Petan, Darnell Nurse, Samuel Morin and Zachary Fucale. Leafs’ first round pick William Nylander headlines Sweden along with Lucas Wallmark, Robert Hagg and Olafsson. Russia is led by Buchnevich, undrafted 19-year old Sergey Tolchinsky, Vladislav Kamenev and 2015 draft eligible defenseman Nikita Cherepanov.

Coverage for #WJC2015 will be on NHL Network. The first game is 3 PM with USA taking on defending champ Finland. Canada faces off at 7 PM against Slovakia. Russia faces Denmark and Sweden takes on Czech Republic.

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A Possible Hart Candidate, Rick Nash awarded hat trick

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Derek
Nashty Boy: Rick Nash (center) is congratulated by J.T. Miller (left) and Mats Zuccarello (right) after scoring another goal. AP Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

Nashty Boy: Rick Nash (center) is congratulated by J.T. Miller (left) and Mats Zuccarello (right) after scoring another goal.
AP Photo by Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

As expected, the NHL changed the scoring on the fourth goal of last night’s Rangers 4-2 win over the Capitals. Initially, Martin St. Louis was credited with his second of the game on a crucial power play that sealed their seventh consecutive win. However, MSG’s Joe Micheletti was the first to point out on the replay that it looked like Nash’s goal due to the puck going off Braden Holtby and not St. Louis.

That it took so long makes it the longest delayed hat trick ever. I’m kidding. Fans didn’t get to toss hats on the ice. It is ironic that Nash’s first hat trick as a Ranger wasn’t celebrated. His first two seasons were bittersweet with him battling injuries and struggling to perform in the postseason. That resulted in criticism from fans and media alike. We all wanted to see him do well. It was frustrating.

One change I’ve noticed is Nash’s willingness to go to the dirty areas this season. He’ll score the dirty goal. Whether it’s due to health or fitness, he’s a much better player. Look at how dangerous he is on the penalty kill where he has three shorthanded goals. Just as many as he has on the power play.

It’s nice to see Nash get rewarded. He’s been money. Without him, there’s no telling where they’d be in the standings. Nash has scored 23 of the Rangers’ 97 accounting for 23.7 percent of the offense. Only league leader Tyler Seguin has a higher percentage with 25 of the Stars’ 95 equaling 26.3 percent. If they move up in the division which is becoming more possible now that they’ve closed to within six of the Islanders, Nash could get Hart consideration. He’ll get plenty of competition from Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Getzlaf, Tyler Johnson. Vladimir Tarasenko and Pekka Rinne. Unless their teams improve, it’s hard to see Seguin, Jakub Voracek, Claude Giroux or Mark Giordano in the conversation.

For the Garden Faithful, this is the player we thought we were getting. A lot has been made of the trade that sent Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov as the key pieces along with Tim Erixon and a 2013 first round pick (Kerby Rychel) to Columbus for Nash. The first two years, you could’ve made the argument that it was tilted towards the Jackets who made the playoffs led by Dubinsky. With him and Anisimov fighting injuries and Nash finally healthy, it looks lopsided in favor of the Rangers. As a Blueshirt, Nash is up to 70 goals, 47 assists and 117 points in 141 games. Nashty.

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A Merry Rangers Christmas: Nash scores twice in 4-2 win over Caps

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Derek
Rick Nash celebrates another goal with happy teammates who have plenty to smile about during the Christmas break. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

Rick Nash celebrates another goal with happy teammates who have plenty to smile about during the Christmas break.
AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images

It’ll be a good Christmas for Rick Nash. After going two games without a point, he added to his torrid start scoring numbers 21 and 22 in the Rangers’ latest win- 4-2 over the Caps at MSG. The victory was their season best seventh straight moving them into third in the Metro with 40 points. They now get to celebrate Christmas in a jovial mood.

For two periods, they were in control outscoring the Caps 2-0 while limiting them to 11 shots. Able to take advantage of their speed against a division rival playing their second game of a back-to-back, the Rangers jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead thanks to great transition from Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Nash. Following a John Carlson wide shot, Brassard pushed the puck up to Nash who centered for Zuccarello. The puck banked in off a Washington defenseman for his first of the night.

The Caps were physical. Alex Ovechkin finished every check including a heavy one at the outset on Ryan McDonagh. He had five of his eight hits in the first with one on Zuccarello drawing a strong response. It was that kind of game. When you have two teams battling for important points, the intensity was up. A sharp contrast from the dead quiet of the weekend sweep over the Canes. On one play, Kevin Klein stood up at the blueline catching Ovechkin for an offside. McDonagh also got some payback with a strong defensive play to stop Ovechkin.

The style was perfect for Tanner Glass. For all the gripes about his skating and lack of talent, the one thing he brings is a lunch pail work ethic. His line started the game with a strong shift. Glass delivered four hits and even had a shot. He is fitting in with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast on the fourth line. Moore was a dominant 8-and-1 in the faceoff circle.

Leading by one early in the second, the Blueshirts took advantage of an undisciplined Ovechkin boarding minor. Brassard started a perfect passing play with Dan Boyle setting up Martin St. Louis from his favorite spot on a sharp angle. This time, he didn’t get crossbar burying it for his first in eight games. It was nice to see and might set him off on another streak. Considering the other goal he was credited with in crunch time, it was a nice Christmas present.

For two periods, the Rangers did exactly what they wanted. They were ahead by two and played textbook defense to keep a dangerous opponent in check. Then came the third. From the beginning, it was an onslaught with the Caps getting seven shots in the first minute and a half on Henrik Lundqvist. He was equal to the task denying them. For the period, he was peppered with 21 and made 19 big saves with every single one significant. Especially when things got a little too close for comfort.

Before Washington made it a game, Nash was up to his old tricks taking a Zuccarello feed and beating Braden Holtby with a wrist shot that increased the lead to 3-0 with 14:48 left. To that point, the Rangers hadn’t gotten any other scoring chances. Not surprisingly, they went into a shell allowing the Caps to mount a furious attack. It was a leak by Lundqvist that allowed Evgeny Kuznetsov to tally 41 seconds later from Troy Brouwer and Carlson.

A Matt Hunwick hooking minor put the game in jeopardy when Ovechkin did what Ovechkin does going end to end and scoring a power play goal from Carlson and Marcus Johansson. Suddenly, it was a one-goal contest with still 9:02 remaining. The Caps kept pressing but Brouwer and Joel Ward were stoned by Lundqvist, who also stifled Ovechkin.

At that point, the Caps were outshooting us 14-2. Then they lost their discipline taking two consecutive penalties. First, leading scorer Nicklas Backstrom high-sticked Brassard drawing blood for a double minor. Then Jason Chimera committed a silly face-off violation closing his hand on the puck to hand the Rangers a two-man advantage. Even they couldn’t screw that up. After plenty of passing and possession, Derek Stepan fed Rick Nash for a wicked shot that clanged off the post and off Holtby’s glove towards St. Louis, who either touched it or Holtby accidentally put it in. Either way, it was a huge insurance marker that put the game away with 3:48 to go.

Empty net specialist Carl Hagelin hit the post and committed a tripping minor giving the Caps a late power play with 30 seconds left. It was just bookkeeping. The bottom line is they got an important win against an opponent they’ll be competing with. Oddly, they don’t see each other again until March 11 at Washington. The other two matches are 3/29 at MSG and 4/11 in DC.

Notes: By getting 4 past Holtby on 27 shots, Rangers handed him his first regulation loss in last 10. He entered 7-0-2. … With 30 saves, Lundqvist won his sixth in a row. … Power Play: Caps 1-for-5 Rangers 2-for-6 … With 2 assists, Brassard increased his team lead to 18. He’s 8-18-26 in 30 games. … With a helper, Stepan increased his point streak to 4 (1-4-5). In 19 games, he’s 3-15-18. … With 3 points, Nash has 11 (6-5-11) for December. In 32 games, he’s up to 22-14-36. The number 2 finisher is in the top 10 in scoring. … Rangers get three days off before hosting the Devils Saturday 12/27.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (2 assists, 2-6-8 during 7-game win streak, 4 takeaways in 14:46)

2nd Star-Martin St. Louis, NYR (2 PPG’s for #’s 11, 12, 6 SOG in 18:43)

1st Star-Rick Nash, NYR (2 more goals-#’s 21, 22 ranks 2nd behind Seguin, 2-1-3, +2 in 18:18)

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Caps roll into MSG showdown versus Rangers

Posted on December 23, 2014 by Derek
Caps goalie Braden Holtby stops Erik Condra. He brings a 7-0-2 mark into tonight's showdown with the Rangers. AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images

Caps goalie Braden Holtby stops Erik Condra. He brings a 7-0-2 mark into tonight’s showdown with the Rangers.
AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images

While the Rangers have been busy playing their best hockey, so too are Tuesday’s opponent at MSG. The Caps held up their end of the bargain winning their third straight with a 2-1 home win over the Sens. They enter the big match two points ahead for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

Washington has played two more games and are up to 40 points. The Rangers have 38 and are winners of six straight. Something has to give. During the winning streak, they’ve outscored opponents 20-8. The duo of Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot have been busy stopping pucks. They’re getting help from a defense that’s finally in sync. Ryan McDonagh’s return has coincided with the team’s improvement. That’s taken pressure off Dan Girardi and Marc Staal while Kevin Klein continues a special season. At this point, Matt Hunwick is ahead of John Moore. If Dan Boyle starts contributing, that would be nice.

The Caps won due largely to the play of Braden Holtby. The number one goalie has been hot of late. During the team’s 7-0-2 run, he’s been in for every start. He made 38 saves including 14 in a busy first along with 15 in a hectic third to preserve the win. Since his performance against us in 2012, he’s been up and down. But under new coach Barry Trotz, he’s flourishing. Over his last nine starts, Holtby has won seven of nine posting a 1.74 goals-against-average with a .940 save percentage and one shutout. When he sees over 30 shots during that stretch, he’s a perfect 4-0-0.

Interestingly, Alex Ovechkin doesn’t lead the Caps in scoring. That honor belongs to top center Nicklas Backstrom who got the winner on the power play. After a disappointing ’13-14, he’s responded with better play with and without the puck. Including Monday night, Backstrom has 11 goals while pacing Washington in assists (24), points (35), power play points (1-14-15) and dominating on faceoffs (361-and-296). Of course, Ovechkin still paces the club in goals (15), power play goals (6), game-winners (4) and a league-leading 157 shots-on-goal. He’s also still making highlight reels as Devil blogger Hasan can attest.

John Carlson has become their best defenseman. He already was but now he’s added offense. Entering last night, Carlson was tied for fifth among defensemen in scoring with 24 points (4-20-24) and was a solid plus-12. If he continues to perform, Carlson could get Norris consideration against heavy favorite Mark Giordano with Kevin Shattenkirk joining the conversation. His highest point total is 37 accomplished twice including last season when he notched a career best 10 goals. Somewhat astonishingly, the Caps stole him with the 27th overall pick in 2008. The Rangers took Michael Del Zotto 20th overall.

The Caps boast secondary scoring with power forward Troy Brouwer, Ranger killer Joel Ward, playmaker Marcus Johansson and Russian rookie Evgeny Kuznetzov. They have good depth with talented Andre Burakovsky a healthy scratch last night. Vets Eric Fehr, Brooks Laich, Jay Beagle and Jason Chimera are solid. Youngster Tom Wilson is a bruiser who’ll take on anyone.

Defensively, Carlson anchors a blueline that now features former Pen Brooks Orpik. The vet isn’t the fastest skater which makes him a target for Rangers speedsters Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Especially if Alain Vigneault gets the match-up. They should attack his side. Mike Green remains a rover who can bomb away. Curiously, he only has four points on the power play. But he’s also missed time for his usual assortment of injuries. The Caps also brought in Matt Niskanen to solidify the top four. While he hasn’t produced like with Pittsburgh, he’s certainly capable. Karl Alzner is a decent number five. Ex-Isle Jack Hillen rotates with Nate Schmidt.

As usual, the Caps rank near the top in power play. They’re right behind St. Louis clicking at over 25 percent. The Rangers know they must stay disciplined. Their penalty kill has gotten better climbing up to 13th at 82.3 percent. The dangerous combo of Nash and Derek Stepan is fun to watch. Meanwhile, the Caps are near the bottom around 77 percent. If our power play can ever take advantage, maybe it comes tonight. But we are talking about the power play (15.3 percent).

They should have an edge with the Caps playing the second of a back-to-back. It’ll still be a step up in competition. We’ll see if they’re up to the challenge and can make it a Lucky 7.

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Rangers shutout Canes to complete sweep

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Derek
Cam Talbot acknowledges the home crowd after being selected 1st star during his shutout of the Canes. AP Photo by John Minchillo/Getty Images

Cam Talbot acknowledges the home crowd after being selected 1st star during his shutout of the Canes.
AP Photo by John Minchillo/Getty Images

Last night’s 1-0 shutout of the Canes won’t go down as a classic. But the Rangers will take it. It kept up their roll increasing a season high win streak to six entering tomorrow’s key match against the Caps. Ryan McDonagh scored the lone goal and Cam Talbot turned aside 18 shots for his third shutout this season.

”We’ll take the two wins, kind of in different fashions,” McDonagh said. ”We did a good job of containing them and eliminating their opportunities.”

After a slow start and injury, the Ranger captain has started to put up points. He has seven points (2-5-7) over his last 10. In those contests, the team is 6-1-0 with the only defeat coming to the Lightning on 12/1. McDonagh is up to two goals and eight assists with a plus-eight rating in 20 games.

Following a shootout win at Carolina, the Rangers started quickly. Relentless on the forecheck, they peppered Canes backup Anton Khudobin. Still winless, he played as well as possible stoning our shooters countless times. For whatever reason, he steps it up at MSG. In two starts this season, Khudobin stopped 63 of 65. It wasn’t enough.

All it took was a perfect set up from Derek Stepan behind the net to a pinching McDonagh for the game’s only goal at 4:10. Following his second goal, the Blueshirts never stopped outshooting the Canes 11-4 in the first period. For the game, they held a 31-18 edge. It was every bit as lopsided as the statistics. They dominated but were unable to get any more by Khudobin. It is a Ranger tradition turning mere mortals into Dominik Hasek. The power play misfired on three opportunities.

At least they defended well making Talbot’s life easy. All three of his shutouts have been pieces of cake. The first two came against the Flyers, who didn’t put up much of a fight. The third against a tired Carolina team that is ticketed for the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel sweepstakes. They are that bad. Their goalies can only do so much. Especially with Eric Staal not the same player.

”You never want to be the guy to come in and break the winning streak,” Talbot said. ”I didn’t really have to do a whole lot tonight, the guys in front of me did an unbelievable job.”

On a night Dan Girardi played his 600th NHL game, they only took one penalty and didn’t allow one quality chance. Talbot didn’t have to work but did his job a day after signing a one-year extension. The shutout was the club’s league-leading eighth. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the eight shutouts in 31 games are the first time they’ve had that many since 1928-29.

”We are no different than any team in the NHL. You can’t win if you don’t get goaltending,” coach Alain Vigneault said. ”When we use Cam, he’s given us some real good performances.”

The game was so boring, I flipped to the Sabres/Bruins and Leafs/Hawks. Those were more entertaining. It’s no fun watching your team win 1-0 against inferior competition you should blow out. Rick Nash was held without a point for the second straight game. It wasn’t for lack of chances. He attempted 12 shots with six on net. The effort is there consistently. He’s outworking defenders who are having quite the time trying to keep up. When he doesn’t score, the offense isn’t great.

There was no point watching. I caught the end with Mats Zuccarello making one final clear to preserve the shutout. On to the next one.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Cam Talbot, NYR (18 save shutout-3rd of season)

2nd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (goal-2nd of season, +1 in 23:36)

1st Star-Anton Khudobin, Car (30 saves incl. 23/24 in first 2)

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Video Of Day: JT Miller scores on a breakaway

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Derek

Our Video Of Day is an easy one. It comes courtesy of blossoming second-year forward J.T. Miller, who scored this beauty on Cam Ward above. Imagine that. A well executed passing play resulting in a … POWER PLAY GOAL. 😉

Ryan McDonagh outlets to Mats Zuccarello, who makes a perfect head man pass leading Miller in on a clean breakaway and he makes no mistake. What a great deke and forehand finish. Pretty sweet for a guy that looked to be in AV’s doghouse earlier. Miller has responded since his recall with four goals and an assist. Three markers have come during the five-game win streak. Keep it up.

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Klein’s late heroics help Rangers to fifth straight win

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Derek

Kevin Klein’s magical season continued. The steady defenseman’s late goal helped the Rangers post a come from behind 3-2 win in a shootout over the Hurricanes. It was their season high fifth straight win allowing them to stay within two of the Capitals (4-0 winners over Devils).

Mats Zuccarello scored the only goal in the shootout and Henrik Lundqvist made a glove save on Chris Terry to clinch the victory. It was Zuccarello’s playmaking earlier in the third period that sent J.T. Miller in for a breakaway goal on the power play that finally ended Cam Ward’s shutout bid. Miller continues to play well since coming up from Hartford. He has four goals and an assist in eight games.

That’s not the only positive during the win streak. Zuccarello has played his best hockey tallying two goals and three helpers plus the shootout decider. Chris Kreider has picked it up too notching the primary assist on Klein’s tying goal with 2:23 left. A nifty set up for Klein’s seventh. He’s been more noticeable the past four games shooting the puck and finishing checks. Ward denied him twice late in the second.

For a while, it looked like the Rangers might come away empty handed. The Canes were able to take advantage of a couple of mistakes for both their goals. They drew first blood following a turnover when Terry buried a Nathan Gerbe feed past Lundqvist on a two-on-one. Ryan McDonagh was too late. He and partner Dan Girardi struggled. A couple of minutes later, Girardi was bailed out by Lundqvist, who denied Jeff Skinner following a great move.

Despite holding a 24-13 shots edge through two, they trailed 1-0. They took some ill advised penalties. Martin St. Louis, McDonagh and Tanner Glass were guilty of silly minors that could’ve proved costly. However, the penalty kill did the job. That included a great solo effort from Rick Nash with Glass in the box for interference. He nearly scored shorthanded. He and Derek Stepan have great chemistry. It reminds me of how Stepan and Ryan Callahan were together. They are terrific and always get chances.

It took until 4:01 into the third for them to break through. Following a McDonagh outlet, Zuccarello threaded the needle to a streaking Miller who broke in and deked Ward with a sweet forehand finish to tie it. But just 26 seconds later, Skinner made another great effort sneaking a backhand past Lundqvist, who misplayed it.

It looked like they would fall short. But Klein came to the rescue again. This time, Stepan and Kreider combined to set him up for a quick one-timer that beat Ward at 17:37. It was a perfect shot. Lundqvist was kidding when he said Klein has the best shot of all our defensemen. It certainly is accurate. Most notably, he gets it through. He really reads plays well and has been a perfect fit for Alain Vigneault’s system. Michael Del Zotto may one day become the answer to Rangers Trivia.

What was admirable is they were able to overcome having a tying goal wiped out. Matt Hunwick thought he tied the game but Derick Brassard accidentally made contact with Ward knocking off his helmet. I was over at a buddy’s in South River reunited with Brian, who’s home for the holidays. We didn’t see much of the game because we watched football. But I saw plenty of reaction on Twitter with most of our contingent saying we were robbed. All I had to do was tweet Rick Carpinello, who said it was the right call. I didn’t see it until now and I agree wholeheartedly. It’s a rule and the right decision was made.

”Maybe earlier in the year, you get a bounce like that and you get down on yourself,” Klein said of the tough break. ”I thought the resilience our team showed, not to let up, we just turned to each other and said, ‘Just keep going.”’

It’s that approach that this team has gotten back to. That’s why they’re up to 16-10-4 with 36 points in 30 games. They’ve played two fewer games than Washington. They’ll make one up later tonight in the MSG rematch. Then host the Caps Tuesday.

”I made a mistake there and it could have cost us,” Lundqvist said. ”I felt like we deserved the two points, but things happened. The most important thing is, we never gave up here. We kept working hard and I think we deserved this one.”

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