Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
The Buffalo Sabres finally hired a new general manager. Earlier today, they named Tim Murray their new GM. The nephew of Senators GM Bryan Murray has worked for Detroit, Florida, Anaheim and the Rangers. That experience along with a six-year stint under his uncle in Ottawa since 2007 was plenty for Buffalo President Of Hockey Operations Pat LaFontaine.
“He’s earned it,” LaFontaine said. “He’s done every job to get to this point. He has had success everywhere he has been and he will have success in Buffalo.”
“My short-term goal in next few days is to go over [draft] lists and reports with [assistant general manager] Kevin Devine because that is how you build a team,” Murray told NHL.com. “You build a team through doing well in the draft. Free agency puts you over the top. That’s my philosophy.”
In another smart move, the Sabres brought in former Pens GM Craig Patrick as a special advisor. He previously worked in that role for the Blue Jackets and is looking forward to a new challenge.
“Great to be here today,” Patrick said. “It’s just great to being part of this family. I’ve had many rebuilds in my career, I was a GM for 23 years, and this is going to be fun.”
The search for a new GM took two months. But the Sabres finally look to have stability since firing Darcy Regier and Ron Rolston. With the team performing better under interim coach Ted Nolan, they’re no longer a pushover.
Ryan Miller has regained his Vezina form that made him one of the game’s premier goalies. Once again, he was named to the USA Olympic roster. The biggest question is whether Buffalo will re-sign him. He turns unrestricted July 1. Nolan has hinted that he’d like Miller back. A lot depends on if Murray decides to remove the interim tag from Nolan. He’ll also have to make the important decision on Miller. The trade deadline is March 5.
The Sabres take on the Panthers tonight at First Niagara Center.
Henrik Lundqvist makes a stop on Jonathan Toews. Getty Images/Nam Y. Huh
Rivalry Night featured a classic battle of Original Sixes. The Rangers and Blackhawks aren’t in the same conference. But that didn’t much matter to NBC Sports Network. An odd choice to begin with, they got what they wanted. A great game which the Rangers won in regulation 3-2 over the defending champs at United Center.
For once, the Blueshirts played up to the competition. Even after blowing a two-goal lead, they competed and did what it took to win a hard fought game in the third period. Carl Hagelin scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:57 remaining and Swedish Olympic teammate Henrik Lundqvist did the rest shutting down hockey’s best.
”We worked so hard, so this is a big one for us,” a triumphant Lundqvist expressed after making 35 saves to earn The Broadway Hat. ”Playing such a good team and the position we’re in, we’re desperate for points and wins, so just a great feeling the way we played and got rewarded in the end with that big goal.”
That included some big ones late. Nobody puts on an all out attack like the Hawks. Once they fell behind, they kept pushing and pushing for the equalizer. Only it never came. Aside from allowing a short side goal to Brandon Bollig, Lundqvist was sensational. In particular, he cut off the angles and his rebound control was strong. A groovy glove save with a couple of minutes left and a pair of difficult stops in the final frantic minute allowed the Rangers to win a big game. The win moved them into third in the Metro Division. Up to 47 points, they’re one up on Washington, two on Carolina, four on New Jersey and five on Columbus. The Islanders are eight out.
Every game is significant. But this one could be a turning point. Beating as talented a team as there is the way they did was big. It wasn’t easy by any stretch. They needed all 35 saves from their franchise goalie who looked the part. He’s admittedly struggled. For a second consecutive game, he made timely stops and was there at the end. That could be essential for his and team psyche the rest of the way.
”Lately, we have a lot of confidence and try not to get too frustrated,” Hagelin pointed out after notching his 11th to move into a four-way tie with goal scorers BradRichards, Mats Zuccarello and rookie Chris Kreider for the team lead. ”Some games the puck goes in and other days it doesn’t. But I think when you’re creating chances you stay positive.”
Considering that this team doesn’t have an offensive standout, it’s getting crowded at the top. With Rick Nash rounding into form up to nine and Benoit Pouliot continuing to play better offensively with eight, suddenly there’s better balance. If Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan can ever get untracked, that would be big. The latter set up Richards 5:06 into the first for the opening score. Taking a pass from the captain, he wisely went five-hole on Corey Crawford. Zuccarello made it 2-0 with a power play goal when he snuck around the net for a wrap around. For a third straight game since returning, Michael Del Zotto recorded a power play assist. The other helper went to Lundqvist. His second of the season.
Of course, it was far from over. The Blackhawks aren’t the best team for nothing. They rallied quickly scoring twice over a 1:48 span to tie it. With Derick Brassard off for interference, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews beat Lundqvist in the slot with a one-timer from Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith. Putting in perspective how lethal they are, it was Keith’s 40th assist. Four Hawks have over 40 points including Hart candidate Patrick Kane with a team best 54 (23-31-54). Richards and Zuccarelo are tied for the Rangers’ team in scoring with 31 points.
Chicago’s fourth line evened it when Bollig took a Marcus Kruger feed and surprised Lundqvist with an unscreened wrist shot from the right circle. Just that fast, the game was tied. They could’ve caved and it would’ve been excusable. But at some point enough is enough.
The Rangers came out strong in the third getting the first seven shots. Crawford steadied keeping it tied. A pivotal point came when Pouliot went off for a soft hook. But his teammates bailed him out. Marc Staal in particular had one of his best games. He and partner Anton Stralman each went plus-two and made key defensive plays. Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh were equally as good. Girardi had six of the team’s 11 blocked shots. McDonagh made a crucial defensive play to deny Toews.
Following the kill, Staal took a Richards pass and got a shot through from the left point that forced Crawford into a difficult save. Before he could recover, a hustling Hagelin pounced for the garbage goal at 14:03. It proved to be the winner. Hagelin leads the Blueshirts with four game-winners.
”All I know is beating the Stanley Cup champions in this building is not an easy task,” a happy Alain Vigneault said.
We’ll have to wait and see. The Rangers’ next four are at MSG starting tomorrow against Dallas. The second place Flyers visit for a big match Sunday and then the Lightning and Red Wings stop by. Every game has a day in between. This is a big opportunity. It’s high time they put together a good home stretch. With seven of the next eight at 33rd and Seventh, let’s go.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Brad Richards, NYR (11th of season, assist-best game in a while)
2nd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (11th of season-GW with 5:57 left-Bork!)
1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (35 saves incl. 11/11 in 3rd-Hank was Hank)
A day before being officially named to Canada’s Olympic roster, John Tavares put an exclamation point on why he was a lock. His hat trick highlighted the Islanders’ 7-3 win over the Stars last night at Nassau Coliseum.
It was their fifth win in the last six and moved them up to 37 points. They still trail third Washington by nine with 38 games left. The Hurricanes and Rangers each have 45 while the Devils and Blue Jackets are tied with 42. Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time for the Islanders to climb back in it.
In a game they once trailed 2-0, they outscored Dallas 7-1 the rest of the way. That included rookie Ryan Strome finally scoring his first career NHL goal to get them on the board.
”It’s nice to get it out of the way,” a relieved Strome said. ”Hopefully, I can just start playing now. (It was) starting to bug me a little bit. I had a couple of great chances. It’s a tough league to score. You’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities.”
Trailing 2-1, Thomas Vanek made a behind the back pass to Tavares for a tap in. Fourth liner Peter Regin made it three straight giving the Islanders their first lead two minutes later. Stars’ rookie Valeri Nischushkin evened it on the power play at 15:28 of the second period. Rookie Brock Nelson scored a huge goal at 19:32 from Casey Cizikas and Calvin de Haan to steer the Isles back in front. De Haan picked up his first two points- also setting up defenseman Brian Strait 1:24 into the third making it 5-3.
At that point, Tavares already had a goal and two assists. He got the final two goals on the power play. The first one came when the Stars left too much space for him out of the corner. He walked out and went to the backhand going upstairs on Kari Lehtonen. Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald picked up helpers. He turned the trick when a point shot through a Matt Martin screen hit pay dirt with 3:07 remaining.
“He’s [Tavares] unbelievable. He puts the team on his back. I think the third period you really saw how good he wanted be. He wanted that hat trick and it shows how dominating he can be. If I can learn one thing out of the 100 things he does it’s going to make me successful,” Strome praised of the Islander captain.
”A lot of people dream of those nights,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. ”Anytime (Tavares) has a night like that, it’s nice to win the hockey game.”
The game wasn’t without an injury. Starting goalie Evgeni Nabokov left in the first with a groin injury. He stopped seven of eight shots before getting replaced by backup Kevin Poulin. In relief, he turned aside 13 of 15 to get the win.
The Islanders visit Toronto later tonight in the second of a back-to-back.
It’d be easy to point out the negative from last night’s 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets. It was another missed opportunity by the Rangers to pick up a win at Madison Square Garden. By virtue of gaining a point, they fell to 8-10-3 on home ice. Not good enough. At least they showed some character rallying from a 3-1 deficit to grab a point.
”It would’ve been nice to get that other point,” former Jacket Rick Nash said after scoring twice on the power play including the game tying goal at 6:55 of the third period. ”We’ve got to come out a lot better, and we can’t keep making mistakes that end up in the back of our net.”
Those mistakes included defensive lapses and a controversial Chris Kreider boarding major penalty. On two of Columbus’ three goals, there weren’t enough players back leaving plenty of time and space for them to victimize Henrik Lundqvist. Though he again allowed three goals or more for the 10th time in his last 11 starts, Hank made some big stops throughout. That included six in overtime when the Jackets peppered him. He robbed Cam Atkinson twice.
”I’m happy we got a point. We played well for 60 minutes,” Lundqvist said after finishing with 36 saves. ”The difference is I didn’t stop the breakaways and (Bobrovsky) did – one in the second and in the shootout. I have some work to do.”
In his return from injury, Bobrovsky was strong finishing with 40 saves. That included a glove save on Mats Zuccarello and a sprawling save on Nash in the shootout to clinch the victory for his team. On the flip side, Lundqvist allowed goals to Mark Letestu (glove) and Ryan Johansen (fancy 5 deke backhand tuck). Even on a night he wasn’t to blame, he didn’t get the win. That’s the kind of year it’s been.
As usual, Brandon Dubinsky was inspired by his visit against the Rangers. The ex-Blueshirt tipped home a James Wisniewski shot for a power play goal and later set up Wisniewski for a bomb that made it 3-1 late in the second. He also was physically involved with Kreider following a hit that injured another former Ranger Fedor Tyutin. The play came just 21 seconds into the middle stanza. Kreider came across from the side and finished a check on a prone Tyutin, who fell awkwardly into the glass. Dubinsky stood up for his teammate earning a rough. Replays showed that Kreider let up. Despite that, head referee Francis Charron assessed a major and game misconduct.
”I looked at the replay. He tried to stop just before,” Alain Vigneault asserted. ”It seemed like he stopped, and sort of a follow-through from their player. Anytime a guy gets pushed into the boards the way he did, the referees don’t have much of a choice.”
Vigneault is correct. It was a penalty. Even if I don’t agree with ejecting Kreider, Tyutin was vulnerable and injured. That factored in. The ironic part is Columbus didn’t score on the abbreviated three-minute power play. Instead, they took full advantage of an Anton Stralman turnover. Atkinson stole the puck and broke in from his own blueline and beat Lundqvist on a breakaway for his 11th unassisted.
Able to kill the penalty, the Rangers had their chances offensively. Especially Brad Richards. But he was snake bitten. On one flurry, he shot a point blank rebound right into a sliding Bobrovsky repeatedly. Through two periods, the Blueshirts one goal on 31 shots. They still trailed 3-1.
For a second straight game, they got a spark from an unlikely source. Brian Boyle rebounded home a Dominic Moore shot for his third cutting the deficit to 3-2 at 4:53 of the third. That’s two consecutive games for Boyle with a goal. Oddly enough, Mike Del Zotto also contributed an assist setting up Nash’s first PPG with under a minute left in the first. He was steady and more active.
With the Rangers still trailing by one, David Savard took a delay of game minor handing them a power play. Thanks to some good work off a faceoff win, Nash fired a shot that deflected past Bobrovsky for his second of the game. Ryan Callahan did some good work in front retrieving the puck to Brad Richards, who passed for Nash. He did the smart thing and shot from the point with Callahan screening. On Nash’s other power play tally, he took a similar approach using a Kreider screen to beat Bobrovsky. That’s what they need from him.
With three minutes remaining in regulation, the Rangers got a golden opportunity to win it when Corey Tropp tripped up Del Zotto. Despite some close calls, they couldn’t beat Bobrovsky. Zuccarello missed wide on a set up from Richards. Benoit Pouliot also missed.
In OT, Derek Stepan was called for a dubious trip on Wisniewski, who did a great acting job. A joke of a call with 1:10 left that saw Wisniewski purposely skate into Stepan and flop to the ice like a fish. Columbus created two chances for the speedy Atkinson but he couldn’t beat Lundqvist, who forced a shootout.
Unfortunately, both Letestu and Johansen solved Lundqvist while our shooters fired blanks. It allowed Columbus to win again at MSG.
When the Rangers battle the Blue Jackets later tonight at The Garden, Henrik Lundqvist will be back in net. He’ll oppose Sergei Bobrovsky. It’ll be a battle of the last two Vezina winners.
For Lundqvist, it’s a chance to redeem himself. Despite another strong performance from rookie Cam Talbot along with everyone else in a 7-1 laugher in Toronto, Alain Vigneault has gone back to the franchise goalie. With the Rangers stepping up in competition Wednesday at the Blackhawks, he’s giving Lundqvist an opportunity to regain his old form. In nine of his last 10 starts, he’s allowed three goals or more. Once unheard of.
It’s been a mental grind all season. Even with his new contract, Hank continues to baffle. Even more confusing is how the team plays in front of him. It’s as if they don’t trust him. For so long, he’s been the backbone of the franchise. However, everyone plays tight when he starts. Perhaps it’s the pressure. Everything is magnified in the Big Apple.
It’s no secret that the Blueshirts aren’t a good home team winning eight of their first 20 (8-10-2). A 13-10-0 road record has kept them afloat in a mediocre division. Aside from first place Pittsburgh, nobody is a playoff certainty. The Caps are currently tied with the Flyers for second with 46 points. Philadelphia holds the ROW tiebreaker with six more regulation and overtime wins (18). By winning again yesterday, Carolina sits fourth with 45. With 39 games remaining, the Rangers are fifth with 44. The Devils are sixth with 42. Columbus is currently seventh with 40. The Islanders are last with 35.
This is a key stretch before the Olympics. The Rangers have 16 games remaining prior to the Olympic break. Eight of the next 10 come at home. Following their brief stay in Chicago, they’ll host the next four against Dallas, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Detroit. Then visit Ottawa 1/18. The Caps, Islanders and Blues all visit preluding the Stadium Series against the Devils and Islanders at Yankee Stadium. The Rangers are the road team in each. On 1/31, they host the Islanders. Colorado and Edmonton visit MSG on Feb. 4 and 6. Then the Rangers finish at Pittsburgh 2/7.
It’s important for them to establish home ice. Eleven of the 16 are at the remodeled Garden. If you count the pair of Stadium Series games at a neutral site with plenty of support from our fans, that’s technically 13 that aren’t in the opponent’s building. They’ll never have a better chance to turn the season around.
In today’s NY Post, Larry Brooks speculates whether they’re better off renting out Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan. Both can become unrestricted this summer. Brooks believes Girardi can fetch two good prospects and a pick. I’m not so sure a team will pay that. Callahan would definitely be worth it. Girardi is more of a defensive defenseman who won’t put up many points. Much depends on how the Rangers perform prior to the March 5 trade deadline.
As far as the lineup, it stays the same except for Lundqvist. That means newest Blueshirt Dan Carcillo will have to wait before debuting. Might we see him when they visit the Blackhawks? A former team he won a Cup with. I don’t know. J.T. Miller continues to look good. It could depend on what happens tonight. The last time they hosted the Jackets, it was another frustrating loss. Columbus chased Lundqvist with three on 13 shots in a 4-2 win on Dec. 12. Girardi pulled them within 3-2 but Ryan Johansen put it away beating Talbot.
Aside from familiar faces Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Fedor Tyutin, the Rangers will have to deal with Nathan Horton. A pest in front, the defense must pay attention to him. With Conor Allen sent back to Hartford to clear room for Carcillo, Mike Del Zotto has gotten back in the lineup. His return went well recording a helper and going plus-two. With him wanting out, it’s a showcase for NHL scouts to increase value. He’s better off leaving. Vigneault hasn’t handled him right. If Del Zotto goes, he’s still a Group II this summer unless he isn’t tendered. Justin Falk remains the extra defenseman.
Another great conclusion to an epic World Junior Tournament took place yesterday in Malmo, Sweden. The IIHF U20 prospect showcase featured Sweden and Finland in the gold medal game. In one of the biggest rivalries, it was Finland who prevailed over Sweden 3-2 in dramatic fashion- winning gold thanks to Sabres’ defense prospect Rasmus Ristolainen, who scored 9:42 into overtime.
The 2012 Buffalo first round pick selected eighth overall last June got to a loose puck around the boards from teammate Teuvo Teravainen. He made a great move around a Swedish player and then patiently tucked a backhand around Oscar Dansk for the tournament winner.
“I saw that they played man-on-man defense in their own end,” an emotional Ristolainen told the IIHF site. “It was empty in front of the net. I just skated there. I tried to put the puck somewhere hard and it went in.”
“Nobody trusted us to win, but we trusted,” Teravainen added after adding a tournament best 15 points (2-13-15) with assists on all three Finland goals. He also led everyone with 13 helpers. “We knew we were going to be a good team and we had a chance to win this tournament. It’s an awesome feeling right now.”
It was a bitter pill to swallow for host Sweden. Many observers felt they were the best team. A pre-tournament pick, they ran the table getting all the way to the championship game. Despite rallying twice from one-goal deficits, they were unable to capture a second WJC in three years.
“We were playing in their zone the whole game,” a disappointed Sweden captain Filip Forsberg said after being named tournament MVP finishing with four goals and eight assists for 12 points. “Obviously, it’s hard to lose like this.”
Also making the media All-Star Team were Teravainen and Canada’s Anthony Mantha up front. On defense, Ristolainen and Russia’s Nikita Zadorov were tabbed with Ristolainen garnering Top Defenseman honors. Rounding out the team is Finland goalie Juuse Saros, who posted a tournament best 1.57 GAA and .943 save percentage. Even though Saros made the All-Star Team, Sweden netminder Dansk was tabbed Best Goalie finishing with a 1.79 GAA and .928 save percentage.
Finland took an early 1-0 lead when Esa Lindell scored 28 seconds in. Lucas Wallmark (’14 Draft Eligible) tied it. Finnish defenseman Saku Maenalanen beat Dansk with a wrist shot through traffic to put them back ahead. Ironically, Ristolainen was in the penalty box for Christian Djoos’s tying goal. He could only watch as Djoos one-timed a Wallmark feed past Saros.
Ultimately, Ristolainen redeemed himself by playing the hero. His goal allowed Finland to win the WJC for the first time since 1998. It’s their third championship.
Russia edges Canada for bronze: In the bronze medal game, Russia prevailed over Canada 2-1. It marked the second consecutive year they defeated Canada for bronze.
Sabres’ forward prospect Mikhail Grigorenko and Eduard Gimatov each scored in the first period to give Russia a 2-0 lead. Grigorenko’s shot deflected off Canadian defenseman Matt Dumba past Zachary Fucale for the opening goal at 3:35.
“It was a little bit lucky,” Grigorenko said. “I was trying to make a pass to [Pavel] Buchnevich and there were a lot of guys in front.”
Buchnevich is Ranger property. The club selected him in the third round of last year’s draft number 75 overall. Gimatov followed later in the stanza when a simple wrist shot fooled Fucale.
“There was no deflection,” Fucale expressed afterwards. “He just scored. It’s something I have to stop. That was my bad, for sure.”
Canada’s lone goal finally came with 12:50 left in regulation. Josh Morrissey redirected a Charles Hudon feed in front by Russian netminder Andrey Vasilevskiy. But that was the closest they got. Vasilevskiy finished 4-2 with a 1.83 GAA and .933 save percentage.
Early on last night it just had the feeling of one of those games we’ve seen too often as Devil fans the last couple of years…meaning yet another desultory 1-0, 2-1 loss, and sure enough that’s what happened in Buffalo against the worst team in the league. Granted, the Sabres have been playing better under still interim <cough> coach Ted Nolan, but let’s call last night for what it is – yet more points left on a table by a Devils team that is increasingly getting caught in a vice, even in the joke that is the Metro division. Four points out with one more game played than the Flyers and Capitals (currently tied for the final two automatic spots in the Metro) is getting perilously close to being in critical condition. Especially with the Flyers white-hot since shortly after firing Peter Laviolette, the Rangers white-hot whenever Cam Talbot plays, along with a talented though streaky Capitals team and even a Blue Jackets team that’s getting healthier with the recent returns of Nathan Horton and Sergei Bobrovsky. If you want to make the playoffs, you have to win these types of games. At least be competitive and act like you aren’t just going to throw out the skates and sticks and win with a half-***ed ‘effort’. We barely got twenty-two low-quality shots on net against a team that allows 35+ on a normal basis. After a season of being under seige in Buffalo, Ryan Miller must have felt like he was already in the Olympics for Team USA playing in a prelim game against Latvia.
At least during the first period I had the distraction of the wild Colts-Chiefs comeback to prevent me from watching much of an opening twenty minutes that was like an insta-cure for insomnia. Of course turning on an even worse second period after that actually made hockey seem boring in comparison to the NFL. Even beat writer Tom Gulutti could barely contain his annoyance after spending all day finding a plane connection to this game lol
Definitely worth four hours of listening to Rhapsody in Blue to get here for this game..
If that’s how a neutral feels, imagine how poor Cory Schnieder must feel watching this crap game after game after game. We kid about ‘Goals For Cory’ becoming a non-profit charity but it’s not a laughing matter anymore. Our splits in goals scored have been alarmingly skewed all season. To put it in a nutshell:
Martin Brodeur – 24 starts, 71 goals scored by the Devils (2.96 per game)
Cory Schnieder – 19 starts, 31 goals scored by the Devils (1.63 per game)
And we wonder why Schnieder only has five wins as a Devil so far. Or why he recently admitted he had to ‘reset’ mentally and physically during Christmas break. To his credit he’s avoided publicly crying about his hard luck, only allowing that he has to be better so that the team wins games 2-1 instead of loses them 2-1. Personally, I’m going to start to look at his press conferences to notice whether his nose starts growing Pinocchio-style or not. Between getting jerked in and out of the lineup even when playing well despite a 2.13 GAA and .914 save percentage and the lack of goal support, he must be wondering what he deserved to get a one-way ticket to hockey hell for the next two years. While his level of play certainly sagged in December compared to the rest of the season he certainly deserved better last night.
Of course it’s hard to score when you have Adam Henrique chunking a two-on-zero breakaway with an easy wrister his nemesis Miller stopped. It’s also hard to defend when you continually let guys get open in front of the net, and that’s how the Sabres finally broke the scoreless deadlock in the final minute of the second period when somehow their one true threat in Matt Moulson is allowed to dissapear in the middle of three defenders and get an easy tap-in goal that put us predictably behind. It was telling last night that Ryane Clowe got in his third fight of the season, which somehow leads the team despite his long absence and concussion issues over the last few seasons. Even our supposed goon Cam Janssen is trying to be more of a hockey player and less of a fighter. If anyone else did what Clowe did – jumping on Mike Weber early in the third period after he thumped Andrei Loiktonov at center ice – they would be hailed for being a team player, but since it’s Clowe people get on him for being dumb. Ludicrious…honestly, Clowe’s kind of useless without his physical element anyway, as risky as it may be for someone like him to stick his nose in. It would be nice to see more people do that on this team.
Even without the goon-centric former coach Ron Rolston, the game definitely took a physical turn in the third period and is perhaps the only reason at all the Devils got back into the game. After a too many men on the ice penalty to the Sabres, our struggling power play finally scored when Michael Ryder beat Miller shortside…but wait, because Tyler Myers clocked Danius Zubrus with an illegal head shot along the boards the goal was disallowed because the ref had blown his whistle – we think. Referee Gord Dwyer didn’t do a very good job of explaining why the goal was disallowed because he merely said it was because ‘a penalty was called’. Well no ****, but the Sabres never touched the puck between the penalty and Ryder scoring so that couldn’t be the reason. In a sequence that make you think there really are hockey gods, the Devils got the goal they deserved on the 5-on-3 with Ryder scoring again, almost from the same spot on the ice.
Back in the game now you would have hoped Ryder’s goal could springboard the Devils to a big third period that would carry them through to a barely-deserved win. That never really materialized though, in fact Zubrus took a dumb retailiatory obstruction penalty on Myers, and the Sabres’ power play connected yet again – this time through an unlikely source. Instead of Matt Moulson, it was the immortal ex-Devil (for about five minutes last year) Matt D’Agostini scoring his first of the season. Once again, the Devils’ net presence was lacking as Steve Ott was allowed to coast in on Schnieder, and then D’Agostini cleaned up the rebound with four…count ’em FOUR Devils standing in the vicinity of the crease. Neither guy had a hand or stick laid on them during that sequence. Disgusting, inexcusable, whatever adjective you want to use.
Irony of ironies the Devils had made a notable personnel move before the game, demoting Eric Gelinas (whose play had fallen off in recent games) to get Anton Volchenkov back in the lineup, reuniting our supposed great PK tandem of Volchenkov and Bryce Salvador. Yet our PK gave up both goals against a Sabres offense that may actually be one of the few in the NHL worse than ours, though you wouldn’t know it from our two games against them this year where we’ve scored a grand total of two goals in 125 minutes. Bear in mind despite good goaltending from Miller and Jhonas Enroth this season, the Sabres don’t have a single shutout because their defense is so bad and yet we came within 40 seconds (in game #1) and a 5-on-3 goal (last night) of being shut out TWICE by this team! Also being removed from the roster was former first-round pick Mattias Tedenby, who cleared waivers and was sent down to Albany, at least free of the Pete DeBoer doghouse that swallows up every under-25 player not named Adam Henrique or Jon Merrill. But hey, gotta get even more of our slow vets in the lineup! And keep leaving Adam Larsson on the bench despite the young defenseman claiming he’s ready to play now after a leg injury that hampered him for weeks. It’s a wonder every team with speed doesn’t beat us by even higher margins, clearly we struggle against such teams as evidenced by our lousy performances against the Isles, Oilers and Blue Jackets, all young teams with speed and little else.
With just thirty-nine games remaining it’s getting late early. If the Devils don’t pick up their play on a consistent basis, they could easily fall out of it by the Olympic break (there are another sixteen games left till that point including the outdoor game against the Rangers) and be sellers by the deadline, not an ideal position to be in considering we have no first-round pick. Home games against the Flyers, Stars and Panthers are critically important before the Devils go on the road the week after for four games in a week at Toronto, Montreal, Colorado and Phoenix. It would be nice if Patrik Elias got back by next week but who ever knows with the Devils. All of our supposed day-to-day injuries turn into week-to-week mysteries.
This team still has to do better and it starts with picking up their defensive play. You would think with nine hundred NHL-caliber defensemen on the roster they’d be able to avoid the kind of meltdowns they’ve had the last few weeks. Then guys up front like Henrique and Travis Zajac need to start producing more. Our offense up front without Jaromir Jagr‘s been a joke lately. Only three goals scored by defensemen against the Blackhawks made our goal total respectable that night. If the solutions are not currently on the roster, then GM Lou Lamoriello needs to take a long, hard look at his entire organization and re-assess things soon before the trade deadline.
Brian Boyle deflects home a Mike Del Zotto pass for a power play goal. The Canadian Press/Mark Blinch
The Rangers came away with easily their most complete effort of the season. It only took 43 games. Following a dismal effort in a 5-2 loss at Pittsburgh, they clicked on all cylinders by hammering Toronto 7-1. The seven goal explosion was the most they’ve scored since putting home eight in an 8-4 home win over Buffalo on Apr. 19, 2013.
”I know the guys were ready last night and turned the page on it, analyzed it, we got ready, the guys came out, moved the puck well, got some good opportunities and we were able to finish a couple,” a more pleased coach Alain Vigneault said.
Among the highlights, fifteen different Rangers hit the score sheet. Of the 18 skaters dressed, only three didn’t register a point. They included Rick Nash, Anton Stralman and Mats Zuccarello. The offense was so spread out that only two of the 15 recorded two points with Carl Hagelin notching a goal and assist while Dominic Moore scored twice. A lucky 13 Blueshirts had at least a point including five out of six defensemen. So thorough was the performance that 16 of 18 skaters finished with pluses. Only goal scorer Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan (assist) went even.
”I’ve always just kind of started as a backup and then started playing more games, so I’ve been in these situations before and you learn from every situation you’re in,” rookie Cam Talbot pointed out after making 25 saves only allowing a goal to Joffrey Lupul.
The Rangers outshot the Leafs by a healthy margin (50-26). They chased starter Jonathan Bernier with five on 32 shots. Moore’s second of the night at 16:35 of the second forced Leafs coach Randy Carlyle to replace Bernier with James Reimer. In relief, he allowed two on 18 shots including Brad Richards’ 10th and Brian Boyle’s second on a late power play. It nearly became three when Benoit Pouliot appeared to have his second but the refs ruled that Reimer didn’t have enough time to recover after incidental contact.
Prior to the game, the Rangers made a minor deal sending a seventh round pick to the Kings for antagonist Daniel Carcillo. He’ll join the team tomorrow.
No Kidding Around: Rookie Chris Kreider had enough of Dion Phaneuf getting a takedown during a fight. He also scored his team best 11th in the Rangers’ 7-1 rout of the Maple Leafs. The Canadian Press/Mark Blinch
Call it a bounce back. Whatever you will, the Rangers brought it tonight burying the Maple Leafs 7-1 at the ACC. In front of a Saturday Hockey Night In Canada national audience, they rang up a touchdown and kicked the PAT to post a convincing win. They concluded the five-game road trip 3-2-0. A much better outcome following Friday’s humiliation in Pittsburgh.
The Leafs are hardly synonymous with team defense. Despite locking up captain Dion Phaneuf, defense is optional. No wonder the Rangers responded in such strong fashion. Maybe last night woke them up. After all, they held a team meeting.
Whatever the reason, they were ready to play and the Leafs- who were coming off an emotional Winter Classic victory over the Red Wings at the Big House- weren’t. It resulted in the highest output of the season. Chris Kreider continued his Calder push with his 11th goal and even got a takedown of Phaneuf during a fight. Dominic Moore scored twice to triple his goal total (3). Benoit Pouliot also continued his surge netting his eighth. Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin each scored. Even Brian Boyle got a late one on the power play from Michael Del Zotto, who after being reinserted recorded an assist and finished plus-two.
It made for a much happier night. Coinciding with our fun holiday get together with Brian being back one more day, it was all the more fitting. Even his Sabres got a win over the Devils. Playing as they usually do in front of unflappable rookie Cam Talbot (25 saves, 9th win), they stepped up with a complete performance which was easily one of their best. It all added up to a nice win.
Most importantly, it allowed them to get back on the winning track. With the Devils and Islanders losing, the Rangers gained ground inside a tight Metro. Every point is valuable. Interestingly, they’re now 13-10-0 on the road. Eight of the next 10 are at home including a pivotal one against Columbus Monday. After suffering a bitter loss last month, the Rangers should have plenty of incentive. The Blue Jackets are one of the teams they’re competing against.
The games are always fun. Hopefully, it won’t be a field day for Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Fedor Tyutin.
BONY 3 Stars:
3rd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (10th of season, assist)
2nd Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (2 goals- 2nd, 3rd, nice night for a solid team guy)
1st Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (11th of season, fought Phaneuf)
When the Rangers visit Air Canada Centre tonight for a classic Original Six match-up against the Maple Leafs, rookie Cam Talbot will be back in net. It’ll be his first start of 2014. Henrik Lundqvist got the last three starts winning two of three. Unfortunately, a bid to earn his first three-game win streak was halted again by the Penguins, who humiliated the Blueshirts 5-2 last night. In the first two periods, he gave up four goals on 17 shots. In the third, Chris Kunitz ended a comeback for the final margin. Lundqvist finished with 23 saves.
There wasn’t much positive. Outside of Mats Zuccarello, who continues to impress with a goal and assist, the Rangers didn’t compete. They were passengers defensively allowing a more gifted opponent to plant their feet in front and beat Lundqvist. The most glaring example was Benoit Pouliot, who stood and watched after Marc Staal chased the man behind the net instead of the puck. This wasn’t on Staal but rather Pouliot for failing to rotate down low. It allowed Jussi Jokinen time and space to beat Lundqvist top shelf. Jokinen had entered without a goal in 14. Of course, he snapped out of it by scoring a pair and also drawing a lazy penalty on Rick Nash that led to the Pens’ first from Kunitz on the power play.
Speaking of Nash, he led the Rangers with six shots but wasn’t effective. He was far from alone. Not many Blueshirts competed. Outside of Zuccarello, rookie Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh, there wasn’t much else. Derek Dorsett laid out to block a shot and paid dearly. He’s out four to six weeks with a broken fibula. J.T. Miller takes his place in the lineup. There will be no other changes. Despite horrific D, Mike Del Zotto remains out along with Justin Falk. Fed up with getting the run around, Del Zotto had his agent request a trade. Wherever he winds up, it won’t be for fair value. The Rangers destroyed it. I make no secret of the fact Alain Vigneault has treated Del Zotto differently. The sooner he leaves, the better for his career.
A win tonight would result in a winning five-game road trip. It’s just hard to be encouraged after what we saw last night. Two steps forward and then two gigantic steps back. And we’re not talking no Paula Abdul jive. Just the facts.
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Derek
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