Ryan Malone In For Mats Zuccarello

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Derek

Updating tonight’s lineup, it’s official. Mats Zuccarello is a scratch. Ryan Malone will take his place. Here’s an opportunity for the recently waived veteran to seize. He gets a second chance after clearing waivers this afternoon.

The goalie match-up is Cam Talbot versus Brian Elliott. Elliott was in the first time allowing 3 goals on 25 shots including Rick Nash’s winner with 1:50 left in regulation.

I’ll be real curious to see how Alain Vigneault handles the third pair of Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath. Does he treat them with kid gloves and rely heavily on the top four or will he have the balls to play them? It should also be interesting to see if Chris Kreider snaps out of it. He’s been underwhelming and isn’t getting any criticism. Two goals in 10 games isn’t what’s expected.

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Stepan Takes Full Contact, Zuccarello Questionable For Blues

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Derek

The Rangers are back at it tonight when they host the Blues at 33rd and 7th. They look to rebound from a tough 1-0 shootout loss to Winnipeg, who ironically shutout Chicago in regulation Sunday. The Jets took 7 of 8 on their road trip. Go figure.Be that as it may, New York faces a physical St. Louis team hell bent on revenge. The Blueshirts defeated them 3-2 in the season opener. Rick Nash got the winner with 1:50 left in regulation.

Both clubs are struggling offensively. Each has played 10 games. Remarkably, the Rangers have scored 2 more goals (27-25) than their opponent. Nash easily paces them with nine goals. He’s the only player with more than two. Chris Kreider, Martin St. Louis and Mats Zuccarello are off to disappointing starts. They’ve combined for just five goals. Zuccarello didn’t take the morning skate due to an injury and is a “game-time decision.” Recently waived Ryan Malone actually practiced on the second power play unit with Conor Allen. Malone cleared waivers and might be in if Zuccarello can’t go.

Meanwhile, Derek Stepan took the morning skate full contact a day after wearing the yellow no-contact jersey. As badly as the offense has looked, they shouldn’t rush him. Maybe he returns for Detroit Wednesday. We’ll see. They can certainly use Stepan’s playmaking and strong two-way play. He’s the number one center for a reason. Don’t forget they’re 5-4-1 with basically one offensive pivot. So far, they’ve survived. Can they tread water without Ryan McDonagh for at least a month? How much will Alain Vigneault play Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath? Probably the bare minimum. I’ll put the over/under at 12 shifts and 10 minutes.

For the Blues, Vladimir Tarashenko leads them with six goals followed by Jaden Schwartz (5). Five of Tarashenko’s six have come in two games during a current St. Louis four-game win streak. That was highlighted by his first hat trick in a 4-3 overtime win over Dallas on Oct. 29. No other Blue has more than two goals including captain David Backes and Alex Steen. They’re without Paul Stastny, who was placed on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He’s only played in four games. Team USA shootout ace T.J. Oshie is out with a concussion and didn’t travel on a road trip that includes a stop at New Jersey tomorrow.

St. Louis also boasts defensemen Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo is one of the best in the league while Shattenkirk is lethal offensively. Jori Lehtera is by far their best faceoff man entering with an 84-and-56 mark. Maxim Lapierre is also strong going 42-and-27. The Blues have gotten good goaltending from duo Brian Elliott and Jake Allen. Elliott is 4-2-1 with a 1.96 goals-against-average and .919 save percentage. Allen is 2-1-0 with a 1.34 GAA and .944 save percentage.

Considering that they have a back-to-back, it wouldn’t surprise me if Allen got the call. Cam Talbot is starting for the Rangers. It’ll be his second start of the season and first since a 5-2 drubbing on Oct. 11 at Columbus. He allowed four goals on 23 shots. In what was a forgettable home opener the following night, he also replaced Henrik Lundqvist stopping all 12 shots in relief. It would be nice to see Talbot give a strong performance. He wasn’t sharp in preseason and it carried over in his one start. The schedule has allowed Vigneault to play Lundqvist the vast majority. That’ll change. They’re gonna need Talbot.

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Sharks Deal Islanders Third Straight Loss

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derek

The Islanders were defeated by the Sharks 3-1 Saturday night at HP Pavilion. Logan Couture scored the game-winner with 8:10 left in regulation. James Sheppard added an insurance marker with 4:25 remaining to put it away.

It was the Islanders’ third straight loss. After a perfect 4-0-0 start, they’ve dropped five of seven. On a five-game road trip, they’ve been outscored 8-1. Offense has dried up. Kyle Okposo was the lone goalscorer in a game that saw the Isles outshot 31-20. Okposo’s goal was a beautiful move and sweet finish giving his team their only lead in the first period. Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk assisted.

A hi-sticking minor penalty on Ryan Strome allowed the Sharks to draw even. On somewhat of a broken play, Tomas Hertl was the beneficiary of a Tommy Wingels deflected pass that came right to him for an easy finish. Matt Nieto got the other assist.

If not for Jaroslav Halak, it could’ve been ugly. The Sharks peppered him throughout including 17 shots in a busy first. Halak had struggled coming in but was outstanding finishing with 28 saves. He stoned Joe Pavelski twice in the second to keep the game tied. The difference was the San Jose offense. Throughout, they controlled the puck and forechecked. Joe Thornton created some tough chances and forced Halak into a difficult glove stop with under 13 seconds left in the second.

With the game still tied, Couture neatly redirected a Justin Braun wide shot inside the crossbar. Marc-Edouard Vlasic moved the puck to Braun at the right point. He let go of a shot which Couture was somehow able to deflect past Halak. With over four minutes to go, San Jose took advantage of a neutral zone turnover. Andrew Desjardins and Adam Burish combined to set up a wide open Sheppard for a gimme at 15:35 to put it out of reach.

A positive for the Islanders was the play of Halak, who finally looked like the goalie Garth Snow traded for and signed. He wasn’t to blame on any goal and made the big saves to give his team a chance. Top defenseman Travis Hamonic also returned after missing four games. He hit the post on one opportunity. Paired with Lubomir Visnovsky, Hamonic took 24 shifts logging 22:00 with three blocked shots and a minus-one rating. With him back, that should aid the blueline. It allows Calvin de Haan to play third pair with Thomas Hickey.

The concern for the Isles is John Tavares’ play has slipped. After starting on fire with nine points (2-7-9) in the club’s first four- all wins- he’s 2-1-3 and minus-five over the last seven. Not coincidentally, the team’s record is 2-5-0. When the Islanders captain isn’t going, others must pick it up. Snow brought in Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolay Kulemin to provide offense. While Grabovski’s done his part with six points (3-3-6) in eight games, Kulemin has a goal and five helpers but nothing over the past three. Most notably, he got a boarding major and game misconduct that led to two Winnipeg power play goals in a frustrating 4-3 home loss.

The Islanders are missing Josh Bailey, who’s missed the last four with a broken hand. Off to a good start with two goals and two helpers, he’s looking to return in a week. Penalty killing ace and speed demon Michael Grabner is still recovering from sports hernia surgery. Unsurprisingly, Cory Conacher has one goal and one assist so far. He’s not dependable. Most of the offense has been supplied by Tavares, Okposo, Brock Nelson and Frans Nielsen. Boychuk and Leddy have also contributed from the back end.

In 11 games, Strome has seven assists but is still without a goal. They haven’t gotten much from bruisers Cal Clutterbuck or Matt Martin and Casey Cizikas is without a point so far. Coach Jack Capuano needs more from his supporting cast. Strome and Anders Lee are likely candidates.

The Islanders (6-5-0) are off until Wednesday when they visit Anaheim. That’s followed by a tough back-to-back at Stanley Cup champ Los Angeles. They’ll conclude the Western road swing at Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 8.

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Rangers To Recall Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derek

With a depleted blueline, the Rangers are set to call in reinforcements from Hartford for tomorrow’s home game against the Blues. They’re expected to recall defensemen Conor Allen and Dylan McIlrath. Both were scratches for today’s Hartford game. They were 4-3 winners over Worcester. Goal scorers included Chris Bourque, J.T. Miller, Chris Bourque and Jesper Fast. Cedrick Desjardins made 36 saves as the Wolf Pack improved to 6-2-1.

Thus far, Allen has posted two goals and three assists in eight games with Hartford. The 24-year old from Chicago debuted with the Rangers last season getting into three games. A solid skating defenseman, he’ll likely be paired with McIlrath. In eight contests, the Rangers 2010 first round pick leads the Wolf Pack with 21 penalty minutes. A big imposing right-handed D listed at 6-5, 230, McIlrath made his Broadway debut last year participating in two games with seven penalty minutes. That included his first NHL scrap against Calgary enforcer Brian McGrattan seen below.

With setbacks to Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein, the stakes are higher. With the Rangers captain suffering a left shoulder separation, he’s expected to miss three to four weeks. As for Klein, he sustained a left foot contusion. X-rays were negative which is encouraging. But he won’t play tomorrow. Also on the injury front, Derek Stepan practiced in a non-contact jersey and remains out. Dan Boyle is also skating without contact.

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Rangers Waive Ryan Malone

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derek
Ryan Malone was placed on waivers by the Rangers today. nydailynews.com/Getty Images

Ryan Malone was placed on waivers by the Rangers today.
nydailynews.com/Getty Images

In unsurprising news, the Rangers placed Ryan Malone on waivers. Signed by Glen Sather in September, the veteran forward was brought in as insurance. Following an impressive camp, he got into five games finishing without a point with four penalty minutes and a minus-three rating.

The 34-year old Malone was disappointed when he learned of the news. “Everything happens for a reason,” he told the New York Post’s Larry Brooks in a tweet. “I don’t know the reason yet.”

Undoubtedly, he was deemed expendable due to the development of Anthony Duclair and Kevin Hayes. With Duclair playing his eighth game Saturday, he’s one away from the max before the Rangers make a decision. Given how he’s performed tallying a goal and four helpers while being one of the team’s most consistent players, Duclair should stay. Especially with noted scorers Marty St. Louis and Mats Zuccarello off to slow starts. Chris Kreider has struggled too.

After missing the first 10 games, Derek Stepan can be activated. It remains to be seen if he’ll dress tomorrow against St. Louis. Hartford recall Chris Mueller has been good so far. In five games, the center has scored a power play goal and added an assist while winning 30 of 46 faceoffs. His capability in the faceoff circle has improved the team in that facet. Especially with Derick Brassard showing improvement (108-and-86) and Dominic Moore a decent 84-and-71. It’ll be interesting to see if Stepan can improve on a career 44.0 percent. He was 45.2 last season.

With a surplus of forwards and a lack of depth on a depleted blueline, clearly the Rangers have to make room for a defenseman. Whether it be reinforcements from Hartford or via a trade with the club rumored to be interested in Carolina’s Andrej Sekera, a move is coming. We’ll just have to wait and see.

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McDonagh, Klein Hurt In Rangers Shootout Loss To Winnipeg

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Derek
Evander Kane celebrates his shootout winner for Winnipeg. His hit on Ryan McDonagh separated the Ranger captain's left shoulder. AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek/Getty Images

Evander Kane celebrates his shootout winner for Winnipeg. His hit on Ryan McDonagh separated the Ranger captain’s left shoulder.
AP Photo by Kathy Kmonicek/Getty Images

Injuries are part of sports. Last year, the Rangers got lucky. Being healthy allowed them to make a run to the Stanley Cup Final. Even with Ryan McDonagh recovering from a cheap hit from Alex Burrows that cost him the last five of the regular season. The Rangers’ 27th captain rounded into form and was instrumental last Spring. Now, he’ll be out at least a month after suffering a separated left shoulder during Saturday’s 1-0 shootout loss to Winnipeg at MSG.

McDonagh took a clean Evander Kane check with his shoulder exposed into the glass. As soon as it happened, I knew it was bad. Helped off the ice, he was clearly in pain. Complicating matters, Kevin Klein left the contest after blocking a Jacob Trouba shot. He sustained a contusion. That forced Alain Vigneault to play Dan Girardi nearly 35 minutes. Taking 37 shifts, he logged a jaw dropping 34:50 finishing with seven blocked shots. Marc Staal was equally impressive getting 36 shifts (29:33) playing one of his best games in a couple of years. Even Michael Kostka excelled in 21:56 while teamed with Staal. Matt Hunwick continued to provide a boost logging 27:58. Give Glen Sather credit for signing him.

”It was a great opportunity for a couple of guys to get more minutes, and I thought they played outstanding,” losing netminder Henrik Lundqvist (25 saves) said after sharing a shutout with Ondrej Pavelec (38 saves). ”We had so many good opportunities to win this one. We played with poise and we were smart.”

The big concern is how will they survive without McDonagh. Already down Dan Boyle and the suspended John Moore, the Rangers are faced with a tall order. Assuming Klein can’t go tomorrow against St. Louis, that means they’ll only have two of their starting six D. A crazy thought as the schedule picks up with Detroit also in town Wednesday. The good news is they’ll mostly be home for the first part of November with only the traditional road game at Toronto next Saturday for Hall Of Fame weekend. Edmonton, Colorado and Pittsburgh also visit following that game.

”It’s hard, and we are going to have to rally around him, not only as defensemen, as a team,” Staal said regarding losing McDonagh. ”You can’t replace a guy like that.”

Indeed, the minutes he logs will go to Girardi and Staal. However, if last night is any indication they won’t be paired together. Vigneault wisely split them up and got good results as noted above. It’s smart to have a lefty and righty paired up. If Hunwick-Girardi and Staal-Kostka are their first two tandems, then what exactly is the third? We could see Conor Allen and Mat Bodie, who might be more ready than former first round pick Dylan McIlrath.

As we know, Vigneault prefers skill over toughness which explains why his team got battered by Winnipeg. Especially Kane and Dustin Byfuglien with each delivering thunderous checks. At this rate, I don’t see how they can survive the season. At some point, you need someone who won’t tolerate it. The Rangers are a small team that can be pushed around. When you have only Staal responding to Kane’s hit that injured McDonagh, that’s alarming.

Equally as troublesome is the power play. They fired blanks in five chances and are now 2-for-28. Through 10 games, they rank 28th at a measly 7.1 percent. Both power play goals came in a comeback win at New Jersey. Outside of some early opportunities, they were dismal. Granted. They’re still missing Boyle and Derek Stepan. But at some point, something has to give. When exactly does assistant coach Scott Arniel receive criticism? This has been going on for a while. The same miserable power play might’ve cost them the Cup. That and their inability to protect third period leads doomed them.

Tanner Glass battles Mark Stuart during last night's Rangers loss to Winnipeg. Getty Images/Photo by Kathy Kmonicek

Tanner Glass battles Mark Stuart during last night’s Rangers loss to Winnipeg.
Getty Images/Photo by Kathy Kmonicek

Most frustrating is they couldn’t solve Pavelec, who to his credit played a second consecutive good game. If not for a blown defensive assignment, he would’ve gone 3-0 against the Islanders, Devils and Rangers. He was at his best throughout stoning Ranger shooters at every turn. That included an all out assault in a dominant second period that saw them outshoot the Jets 16-8. They had plenty of chances but couldn’t bury any. Kevin Hayes had one of the best after intercepting a pass and breaking in on Pavelec but deked once too many. The 23-year old just can’t finish but does everything else well.

At the opposite end, Lundqvist was equally as good. He wasn’t as busy but as the D tired, he stepped it up. Jets shooters targeted high glove but were turned away. Particularly Byfuglien and Zach Bogosian. They weren’t able to beat him during the first 65 minutes but solved him twice in the shootout. Both Blake Wheeler and Kane beat him with wicked wrist shots. Following Mats Zuccarello freezing Pavelec for a fancy forehand tuck, Wheeler blew one past Lundqvist to even it after Round 1. Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and Marty St. Louis were turned away by Pavelec. Lundqvist denied Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little before allowing Kane’s decider in Round 4.

”It’s tough to lose in a shootout, but I thought we battled hard for most of the game,” Staal said. ”Hank was swallowing rebounds all night which makes our job a lot easier.”

The overtime was exciting with Pavelec stoning Chris Kreider and St. Louis on breakaways. It was a frustrating night. A game where the Blueshirts played exceptionally well given the circumstances, they couldn’t score. You can’t fault the effort. But the lack of finish is disappointing. After 10 games, St. Louis and Zuccarello each have 1 goal while Kreider has 2. Not enough production from three of their four top wings. Only Nash has performed netting 9. Without him, where would they be?

Complicating matters, Carl Hagelin has 2 and Vigneault refused to give Anthony Duclair one shift during 4-on-4 in OT. Ridiculous. He preferred to play Moore and even used him in the skill competition. Basically, Vigneault played for the shootout and got what he deserved. There’s no reason Duclair shouldn’t have seen the ice. Aside from a minor penalty, he made things happen in 17 shifts (10:43). So did Hayes, who only saw 9:16. At what point does the coaching staff trust our young players enough to play them more minutes?

Unless Kreider wakes up along with St. Louis and Zuccarello, there isn’t enough scoring. Once Stepan is activated, that will help. It will allow St. Louis to shift to the right side instead of playing out of position. Derick Brassard and Zuccarello won’t be asked to see top defensemen. That’ll go to Stepan and probably St. Louis. Personally, I’d like to see Nash stay with Brassard and Zuccarello while Kreider plays with Stepan and Zuccarello. I would also be happy if Vigneault tried a third line of Hagelin, Hayes and Duclair. Lee Stempniak has cooled off and can go down to the fourth line with Moore and Tanner Glass. What happens with Chris Mueller, who’s been strong on faceoffs? He went 8-and-2 last night and looks to have secured a spot over Ryan Malone, who was put on waivers.

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Henrique, Larsson rally Devils to needed win over Blue Jackets

Posted on November 2, 2014 by hasan4978

Adam Larsson and the fans celebrate his eventual game-winning goal in the third period against Columbus

Despite the Devils’ 5-3-2 start, last night’s home game against Columbus was critically important for a number of reasons, the obvious one being it was a division game against a team weakened by massive injury concerns.  Among others, the Jackets were missing starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and forwards Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Nathan Horton and Boone Jenner and losing all of those key players showed in a 4-1 defeat at home against Toronto on Friday.  With backup goalie Curtis McIlhenney struggling the Jackets decided to give Anton Forsberg his first career NHL start last night.  If that wasn’t enough reason the Devils needed to win, consider the upcoming schedule which will have eleven out of the team’s next fourteen games on the road (including a Western Canada trip) after finishing out the homestand Tuesday against a tough Blues team, and during that stretch the Devils will have no fewer than five back-to-backs.

Things looked bad for a while with the Devils giving up the first goal barely a minute into the game in comical fashion and trailing 2-1 after two periods, but third-period goals by a pair of Adams enabled the Devils to squeeze out a vital regulation win against Columbus.

While in the end winning and getting no new injuries are what matters the most in terms of last night, the Devils know last night’s performance isn’t going to cut it most nights.  As always, Jaromir Jagr tried to be positive and yet pulled no punches in describing what needs to get better:

“How many times can you come back in the third period?” asked Jaromir Jagr, who dug the puck free to Henrique in front on the tying power-play goal 8:54 into the third. “I’m looking at it in a positive way. I think the power and the players are here that we can come back any game. The thing I’m mad about is we don’t play good enough the first two periods. We don’t make it easy for us. We don’t make the right plays.

“Everybody is getting frustrated. I’m getting frustrated. We’re just wasting energy away and we don’t make plays. The third period comes and you’re going to put it together and the power is here to win the hockey games, but we can make it so much easier for ourselves and more enjoyable the games playing the right way. I don’t know. It looks like we always find an excuse for ourselves.”

If Jagr’s assertion sounds harsh, consider the Devils have been outshot in seven of their first eleven games, and badly at times.  Not to mention at times it’s been the veteran players making the most glaring mental and physical mistakes.  Such as the Blue Jackets’ opening goal last night where Ryane Clowe passed the puck back to Bryce Salvador, who was covered – of course, the puck squirted loose causing a two-on-one which was played miserably by Marek Zidlicky allowing Brian Gibbons’ pass to Jack Skille to go through for an easy tap-in goal.  At this point I could only laugh and expect the worst.  Nothing that happened in the rest of a sloppy first period convinced me any differently.

Finally the Devils were able to break through on the scoreboard within seconds of getting a power play when Damon Severson made a nice play keeping the puck in the offensive zone and getting it over to Michael Ryder, who in turn made his own nice play getting around a defender to find a wide-open Zidlicky on his left side.  Zidlicky beat Forsberg with a wrister tying the game at 4:32 with his second goal of the season.  Once again however, the penalty kill giveth what the power play taketh away when passes from Jack Johnson and Gibbons barely eluded the sticks of Patrik Elias and Salvador, with Nick Foligno beating Andy Greene to the net for another easy tap-in goal that put Columbus back in front at 12:30.  As Columbus dominated the latter part of the second period my friend and former seatmate (who I went down two rows to sit with last night after the first period) kidded me it was going to a shootout and I’d have to leave again.  After muttering something about covering my eyes or turning my back and not watching it I added clearly that would have been an improvement over our current state, since we were on track for an embarassing zero-point night.

New Jersey’s power play – and a ghost of playoffs past – saved the day once again as Adam Henrique scored on a netmouth scramble eerily reminiscent of a particular goal in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, as Stan Fischler wryly observed interviewing Henrique on the ice in the postgame in front of about fifty remaining fans.  Watching the replay I’m honestly not sure how the ref never lost sight of the puck on this goal with all the bodies in the crease although it clearly was loose next to Forsberg somehow, before Jagr eventually poked it over to Henrique a la Kovalchuk in Game 6 2012.  Unlike the now-famous goal in the 2012 ECF Henrique’s netmouth scramble and celebration on the left side of the net didn’t end the game, only tied it at 8:54.  Less than two minutes later came a surprising winner, from Larsson – he of the career three goals before last night – firing a slapshot through traffic that I’ve joked couldn’t break a pane of glass.  This puck had eyes and beat Forsberg though, for what proved to be the game-winning goal at 10:35.

Larsson’s goal didn’t end the angst by any stretch of the imagination however, as the Devils still had to kill off a late penalty against them and Cory Schnieder stood up to no fewer than fifteen Blue Jacket shots in the third period alone, having his second straight good game with 32 saves, although his wandering eye when puckhandling nearly cost the team a goal in the first period if not for another Johnny On The Spot moment from Severson, who seems to be bailing everyone else out lately.  Still, Cory was by far the team’s best PK’er last night.  While the Devils had their own power play and chance to finish the game, they remained passive which I hate with a one-goal lead.  If you’re going to try to run out the clock you simply have to do a better job of puck possession than the Devils did in the final three minutes.  Fortunately they overcame being passive and sloppy and were able to hang on for the critical two points.

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Game Update: McDonagh and Klein leave with injuries

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Derek

After one period, the Rangers and Jets are scoreless. That’s not the pressing concern for coach Alain Vigneault, who’s down to four defensemen. During the first, Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein left with injuries.

McDonagh sustained an injury on an Evander Kane hit. Kane finished his check sending McDonagh into the glass favoring his right shoulder. He skated off the ice with help from trainer Jim Ramsay. If it is indeed the shoulder he separated on an Alex Burrows hit, that could be significant.

Klein missed the rest of the period after getting hit by a puck early on. If he doesn’t return, Vigneault will lean heavily on Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. Both have been paired up since Monday. That leaves third pair Matt Hunwick and Michael Kostka together. For the Rangers, the forwards must forecheck to relieve pressure off a shorthanded D.

We’ll have more after the game.

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Game Preview: Islanders versus Sharks

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Derek

The Islanders return to action tonight at San Jose. They look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they take on one of the best teams in the Sharks at HP Pavilion. After a 4-0 start, they’ve come back to earth dropping four of their last six including consecutive defeats to Winnipeg and Colorado.

The loss to the Jets was bad enough. But a 5-0 Avalanche trouncing was not how to start a tough five-game Western road swing that includes stops at Anaheim, Los Angeles and Arizona. With new number one goalie Jaroslav Halak struggling, coach Jack Capuano went to Chad Johnson at Colorado. He allowed five goals on 23 shots with the Avs doing most of their damage with a three-goal second period.

“In this league, every night, got to score two to three to win,” Capuano told reporters. “If you don’t, you’re not going to win hockey games.”

”Got to find a way to get a little bit more gritty,” captain John Tavares said. ”Find a way to get an ugly one, get a bounce to go your way. It’s obviously a frustrating loss.”

The Islanders will face the Sharks for the second time. They prevailed in the first meeting 4-3 in a shootout on Oct. 16. They haven’t had much success against San Jose lately. The Sharks are 5-0-2 over the last seven.

For the Islanders, they need Halak to play better. In six starts, he’s allowed 20 goals on 180 shots. With a 3.50 goals-against-average and a .889 save percentage, Garth Snow’s big addition hasn’t looked like a number one goalie. It’s forced Capuano to play Johnson more when he’s clearly a backup. If they are going to make the playoffs, it will fall on Halak. He’s the key to the season.

Offensively, Tavares has gotten help from second-year man Brock Nelson. His six goals and six assists tie Tavares for the team lead in scoring. Frans Nielsen has picked it up with four goals and four helpers. However, he is without a point the last two- both Isles’ losses. So far, Kyle Okposo has continued to prove last year’s breakout wasn’t a fluke with 11 points.

Defensively, Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy have been solid additions. Until Travis Hamonic returns, the Isles will struggle in their end. He’s the glue that holds it together. Sophomore Calvin de Haan is being counted on to play big minutes. Lubomir Visnovsky has a goal and helper in four games since returning.

For the Isles, they must fare well in the faceoff circle. The Sharks are a puck possession team led by Joe Thornton and Logan Couture. They also boast a dangerous offense with Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Tomas Hertl all capable of punishing the opposition. Brent Burns is back on the blueline providing offense along with a heavy shot. Keep the Sharks off the power play. They rank sixth at 23.8 percent.

It should be interesting. It doesn’t get any easier.

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Game Preview: Rangers Continue Home Stand Against Winnipeg

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Derek

Tonight, the Rangers finally return to the ice to take on Winnipeg at Madison Square Garden. After four days off, they aim for their fifth win in six. Following a poor showing last Saturday at Montreal (1-3), they posted a great come from behind 5-4 win over Minnesota.

For two periods, major penalties to Chris Kreider and John Moore marred them. Despite killing off every Wild power play, the loss of discipline resulted in three Minnesota goals during a second period that saw the Rangers outshot 11-3. Booed off the ice, they responded with a five-goal third highlighted by rookie Anthony Duclair’s first NHL goal tying the score with 3:48 left. On the following shift, Derick Brassard set up Mats Zuccarello’s first 37 seconds later, resulting in the game-winner.

Brassard was the best player tallying a goal and two assists. He and Zuccarello combined for six points. Rick Nash continued his assault scoring his ninth goal in nine games. He also helped set up Kevin Klein’s second which started the comeback. Nash leads the Blueshirts in goals (9), points (11) and plus/minus (6). His offense has allowed the Rangers to stay afloat despite missing Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle. In his absence, Matt Hunwick has provided coach Alain Vigneault with a solid extra defenseman. The veteran has even chipped in offensively picking up two assists. With Boyle only skating, Hunwick will remain in the lineup.

The most pressing issue could be the Moore suspension. Moore was suspended five games for a head shot that injured Eric Haula. A repeat offender due to a ban last postseason, Moore’s loss means a second chance for Michael Kostka. In his only game, he was brutal with a pair of blatant giveaways leading to Islander goals in a humiliating home defeat. Given Marc Staal’s struggles resulting in Vigneault re-teaming Dan Girardi and putting Ryan McDonagh with Klein, Kostka must perform adequately. Otherwise, it could force the organization to bring in reinforcements.

With stiffer competition in St. Louis and Detroit invading MSG later this week, it’s imperative for the Rangers to take care of business against Winnipeg. While the Jets boast talented performers Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Evander Kane, Toby Enstrom and Jacob Trouba, they remain suspect defensively and in net. They enter off a 2-1 shootout defeat at the Devils. A game they blew on a late Michael Ryder tally with over three minutes remaining. Jacob Josefson beat Ondrej Pavelec in the second round of the skill competition.

For the Rangers to win, they must prevent the Jets from turning it into a track meet. Even with Vigneault emphasizing offense, a wide open game against Winnipeg isn’t advisable. Especially when he’ll likely lean heavily on McDonagh, Girardi and Staal. They must control the neutral zone and forecheck. Avoid penalties as it will then allow the Jets dangerous points Enstrom and Byfuglien to fire away. Limit turnovers. Make it tough on Winnipeg. Do that and they’ll be successful.

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