Another flat night at the Rock

Posted on December 6, 2013 by hasan4978

Drew Miller and Joakim Andersson celebrate Wings’ game-tying goal late in 2nd period

Dreary weather outside (dark, rainy and cool) proved a fitting metaphor for tonight’s no-show at the Rock by the Devils.  Granted, I can’t kill the team from the perspective that tonight was their 10th game in 17 nights with a West Coast trip part of the mix as the NHL continues to stick it to us with this schedule.  I understand every team’s going to have a 10 in 17 stretch with the compressed season thanks to the Olympics but how many other teams have a 10 in 17 stretch with a opposite coast swing among that?  Or a league-leading 22 back-to-back games?  Eventually the Devils were going to crash and tonight they crashed hard – not only losing 3-1 to a Wings team when Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg were nowhere to be found due to injury – but also registering a franchise record-low 11 shots on goal.  This isn’t exactly the Wings blueline with Nicklas Lidstrom and Vladimir Konstantinov we’re talking about here.

I don’t even want to hear about the stupid, phantom delay of game penalty on Cory Schnieder with a minute left in the third period that basically killed off any remote chance of tying the game, and led to the Wings getting a clinching third goal on their power play.  There was one lousy minute left in the game and we were behind already in a game we were ridiculously outplayed.  And again – this bears repeating – we had eleven shots on goal!  If Pete DeBoer wants to console himself that the effort was there, whatever…even I don’t think effort was the issue.  Unlike a certain professional sports team that used to play in New Jersey (cough Nets cough) at least the Devils’ effort is there most of the time.  I’m not entirely sure where their brains are sometimes though, like Adam Henrique royally screwing up the game-winning goal in the third period by letting Gustav Nyquist‘s pass go right through him and to an open Johan Franzen in front, and the big moose doesn’t miss those chances.

Where I do have to get on the head coach for is his personnel decisions and (mis)management of a number of players on his roster.  I have no issues with his system, I like the system which is a good fit in the current NHL.  I’m not entirely sure we have the players to execute it beyond our first line of Jagr-Zajac-Zubrus, which is a perfect fit for the forechecking and cycling DeBoer’s system requires.  Clearly we have serious problems offensively as a whole with a whopping eleven games scoring zero or one goals this year, and getting shut down time and again by backup goaltenders.  Other than signing Jaromir Jagr, none of GM Lou Lamoriello‘s moves to bring in scoring have really worked out to this point.  Sure Michael Ryder got off to a good start and got goals in back-to-back games against the Canadiens but aside from that he’s been a disaster for longer stretches.  Well maybe disaster is too strong a word considering how hideous Damien Brunner‘s been after his illusory goal-scoring binge early.  At least we know Ryane Clowe is alive now – since after missing two months with a concussion the Devils finally let him talk to the media today – but his return isn’t yet imminent.

However, we continually handicap ourselves time and again with our pregame and in-game lineup choices.  Starting with the continual fascination of icing Cam Janssen and Tim Sestito.  I realize Janssen DID give the team a spark when he first got here but that’s all it was, a brief spark.  Now we’re stuck with him playing sub-five minute games during the most taxing part of our schedule, and even a Janssen playing ‘well’ isn’t exactly going to help this pathetic offense.  Neither is playing Sestito, who has zero NHL goals in 74 career games.  Yes, he’s a grinder, big whoop considering he also plays sub-10 minute games.  Sorry, Pete – they’re just not NHL players.

You’re more or less icing an AHL line and there’s literally no excuse for that given all our supposed depth up front with former first-rounders like Mattias Tedenby and Jacob Josefson either sitting in the press box or also playing seven-minute nights since the coach can’t ever conceive of ever trusting them.  Josefson actually looked like one of the better players out there early in the game when he hit a post in the first period then nearly scored on a 2-on-1 shorthanded in the second period but the puck hopped over his stick at the last second after Patrik Elias found him with a nice pass.  Of course Josefson was benched soon after, playing a meager 7:41.

Continually shortening your bench also means more minutes for the 35+ forwards like Elias, Jagr and Danius Zubrus (who was one of the few guys who actually did play well tonight).  However, running them into the ground constantly because you only have confidence in half your roster is going to lead to more nights like tonight.  Especially during a 10th game in 17 nights, or 11th in 18 which is what tomorrow’s showdown at MSG will become.  Given that schedule and the advanced age of our leading forwards, there’s literally no excuse for these icetimes:

Loiktionov 12:41, Boucher 11:31 (after he nearly won the game Wednesday night), Sestito 8:17, Josefson 7:41, Janssen 4:18, Brunner healthy scratch

I threw the last one in there because while Brunner hasn’t played well this year and probably didn’t deserve to play against his former team tonight (on that one I do agree with DeBoer on principle at least), the fact is he IS a forward capable of playing 15-minute nights.  You kind of need that in the lineup right now.  Even ignoring the fact you’re benching the guy for two AHL players, it just made no sense from a timing standpoint.  There are times to get heavy-handed and make a point, tonight wasn’t really one of them.  Not with how taxed this roster is.  Plus if you ever want to get the guy going, you figure maybe a game against the Wings will spark him the way playing the Habs did Ryder.

What makes Pete’s treatment of the forwards so baffling is that he actually is trusting the younger defensemen like Eric Gelinas and Jon Merrill, and the defensive icetime has been far more evenly distributed.  I can’t even get on the head coach for the usage of Mark Fayne anymore, he’s been awful with his chance to re-establish himself in the lineup and was particularly bad tonight with a -2.  While Henrique was the primary goat on the lead goal, Fayne was also nowhere to be found when he should have been the defenseman covering.  If Peter Harrold‘s in the lineup for him tomorrow, it’s deserved.  Although I do wonder what black hole Adam Larsson fell down after his ‘non-serious’ injury’s kept him out three weeks.  Or what happens when if Bryce Salvador ever comes back, for that matter.

I’m tired of complaining about the team, but there really isn’t a lot to comment about at the Rock either.  I had my very own Keystone Kops episode in the pregame when I went into the lower bowl to watch the pregame skate and then left, forgetting my umbrella.  Frantically I rushed down and snuck back into the lower bowl before faceoff, and it took me a few minutes but I finally remembered where I left my umbrella and found it.  I could have stayed down in the lower bowl with how many empty seats there were – a sad crowd of barely above 13,000 for Detroit on a Friday night I would have thought impossible before the season.  Unfortunately it’s become the norm for reasons I won’t repeat myself and get into again.

It also took over an hour for me to get to Newark because of the usual road work/traffic around Newark, plus more traffic in a rainy commute home from work for many.  Thank goodness it doesn’t take long to get home from these games.  Most seasons I’m usually going to two out of every three games but so far this year I’ve been to 11 of the 13 games.  With the road-heavy schedule of the first two months they’ve been spread out to this point but after four games in ten days (three losses and barely an OT win against the Sabres) I’m ready for a break from going or recapping these nightly fiascoes.

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Bad call hurts Devil cause in loss to Red Wings

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Derek
Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar celebrates his goal while Devil goalie Cory Schneider looks on. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Red Wings forward Tomas Tatar celebrates his goal while Devil goalie Cory Schneider looks on.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez

It’s understood that officials make mistakes. They are human. Errors are part of sports. Some worse than others. In the Devils’ case, they had a bad one go against them. Trailing by a goal with over a minute left, they were hoping to get Cory Schneider to the bench for an extra attacker. The unlucky goalie can’t seem to catch a break. Two days removed from a wild shootout defeat against the Canadiens, he played a loose puck to a teammate when the whistle blew. Right away, referee Frederick L’Ecuyer signaled a Delay Of Game minor penalty on Schneider leading to hot protests from an incensed Pete DeBoer.

Schneider was incorrectly cited for Rule 27.8. Playing the puck outside the restricted area. The silly trapezoid rule has been in existence since ’05-06. Loosely interpreted by knowledgeable hockey observers as the Brodeur Rule, it puts more emphasis on communication between goalies and defensemen. Here’s the full description below.

27.8 Restricted Area – A goalkeeper shall not play the puck outside of the designated area behind the net. This area shall be defined by lines that begin six feet (6’) from either goal post and extend diagonally to points twenty-eight feet (28’) apart at the end boards. Should the goalkeeper play the puck outside of the designated area behind the goal line, a minor penalty for delay of game shall be imposed. The determining factor shall be the position of the puck. The minor penalty will not be assessed when a goalkeeper plays the puck while maintaining skate contact with his goal crease.

Unfortunately, L’Ecuyer guessed wrong. He was behind the play when Schneider played the puck inside the line. That is what matters here. Part of Schneider’s body was over the line but not his goalie stick or the puck. It shouldn’t have been called. A post from The Hockey Writer’s Chris Wassel clearly shows that L’Ecuyer messed up. Making matters worse, Tomas Tatar scored a power play goal off the faceoff to put the game away with 1:03 left. Essentially, the Devils didn’t even have a chance to come back. Even if their performance was awful, it deserved a better ending. Detroit held New Jersey to 11 shots tying a franchise low at home.

”I don’t know,” DeBoer said regarding inserting instant replay on such controversial judgment calls. ”I’m not looking to solve it, just get it right.”

”We didn’t cash in (on) some of our chances. We have to be opportunistic. We have to find a way to score two or three and we didn’t do that,” he added after his team dropped its third in a row.

”It’s easy to look at the shot clock and say that (11 shots on goal is not enough). We’ve generated 21 shots and generated the same amount of scoring chances. (If the shot clock says) 21, you feel better about it? It doesn’t matter.”

The Devils don’t have any time to dwell on it. They visit the Hudson rival Rangers Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. New Jersey has taken the first two games winning the first meeting in Newark 4-0 on Oct. 19 and the second at MSG 3-2 on Nov. 12. The third meeting of five is the last one before the teams meet at Yankee Stadium as pat of the Stadium Series on January 26, 2014. The fifth and final match is slated for March 22.

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From Monster Mash to Beach

Posted on December 6, 2013 by Derek

The Monster Mash Era is over. Brandon Mashinter was dealt to Chicago for Kyle Beach. A former ’08 first round pick of the Blackhawks, the 23-year old Beach has never played in an NHL game. He’s spent the majority of his pro career in Rockford of the American Hockey League. The most goals he ever scored were 16 matching a previous best in ’12-13 while totaling 26 points and 204 penalty minutes. He has four goals in seven games this season with 10 PIM.

After being acquired from the Sharks last January, Mashinter played 10 games for the Blueshirts. He finished with no points and 10 PIM. Monster Mash got into six this season before being sent down to Hartford. In 11 games for the Wolf Pack, the 25-year old Mashinter has one goal and six assists with 15 PIM.

It basically translates to a minor league deal. Maybe Ranger brass feels the 6-3, 208 pound Beach has more upside. Based on what little I’ve gathered, it doesn’t sound like Hawk fans were enamored with him. Considering the state of the Ranger roster, it can’t hurt to see what he can do. Though I’m sure he’ll spend his time in Hartford. For now, they’re stuck with Taylor Pyatt and Benoit Pouliot. Derek Dorsett missed yesterday’s game with a bad wrist.

Until the organization thinks J.T. Miller is ready, it looks like they’re stuck with another unproductive fourth line. Miller has five goals and a assist in six games with the Wolf Pack. Danny Kristo leads them with 10 goals and is tied with journeyman Aaron Johnson with 17 points. Oscar Lindberg has four goals and six assists in 21 games. Marek Hrivik is 3-6-9 in 19.

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Rangers good enough to beat Sabres

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Derek
Henrik Lundqvist stifles Cody Hodgson en route to 27 saves in the Rangers' 3-1 win over the Sabres. AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

Henrik Lundqvist stifles Cody Hodgson en route to 27 saves in the Rangers’ 3-1 win over the Sabres.
AP Photo/Gary Wiepert

The effort wasn’t the best. But it didn’t matter. Not against a Sabre team that can’t get out of its own way. In his return to goal following the contract extension, Henrik Lundqvist was sharp making 27 saves in the Rangers’ 3-1 win over the Sabres in Western New York.

With his team clinging to a one-goal lead after two periods, Lundqvist made some sparklers before Brad Richards and Mats Zuccarello iced it. Tyler Ennis broke up the shutout bid with 2:06 left. Lundqvist still trails Ed Giacomin by two for the all-time franchise record. He’ll get it eventually. There’s no doubting who will start against the Devils on Saturday. The win moved the Rangers back over the .500 (15-14-0) mark. They are two points up on the Devils and Flyers for third. A big weekend looms large with a chance for something rare. A winning streak. On my birthday Sunday, the Caps visit MSG. Starting versus New Jersey, the Blueshirts have a season high nine-game home stand. Can they finally make the Garden a hard place to play? The two weeks at home before Christmas could have a huge impact.

As for tonight, they did what they had to. Beat a bad team that’s probably the odds on favorite to get the number one overall pick next June. For most of the first 20 minutes, the Rangers were listless. Unless you’re a world beater, it’s only natural to play down to your opponent. The Rangers have been doing it for years. The first period was so bad, you could’ve taken a nap and not missed anything. Thankfully, Rick Nash woke everyone up by scoring one of those highlight reel goals that makes him a world class talent. Off a forced turnover from top defenseman Ryan McDonagh, he took a Derek Stepan head man feed and broke in going around Tyler Myers before tucking a backhand past Ryan Miller. When he skates like that, it’s like poetry in motion. If only every one of his goals wasn’t of high quality. He could get more if he wanted it.

Believe it or not, the Rangers actually played better in the second outshooting the Sabres 12-7. As usual, they couldn’t pad their lead. They generated chances but got too fancy. On one rush, Nash had a clear shooting lane and tried to get cute passing for a covered Derek Stepan. Ryan Callahan did the same thing on a power play. When even your smartest player is passing instead of firing, it’s how you get in trouble. Against a better team, they might’ve paid for it. It was Buffalo. Through two, Lundqvist had 14 saves while Miller turned aside 20 of 21.

The Rangers had to kill a needless Benoit Pouliot penalty because he was too lazy to clear the zone with less than four seconds left in the second. Like Alain Vigneault Christmas ornament Taylor Pyatt, Pouliot is a waste of space. He could be a good player if he didn’t drift off to space. There are moments he uses his body and hustles. But they’re few and far between. As for Pyatt, the effort is there. But he’s slow and plodding. How he stays on the roster remains a mystery.

Up till Richards scored a power play goal from a bad angle, it was all Sabres. They were all over Lundqvist searching for the equalizer. The Blueshirts were guilty of some sloppy turnovers leading to odd man rushes. Lundqvist bailed them out with some acrobatic stops including a tricky deflection off his own teammate. He made a reflex save with his paddle to get a piece of it. After he stoned Cody Hodgson on a break, the Rangers caught a break when Hodgson was called for a trip. Some nice passing started by Zuccarello to Brassard, who faked before dishing over for Richards caught Miller down. Richards hit the top of the net for his team-leading eighth to make it 2-0 with 11:31 remaining.

Buffalo kept coming. They came even closer but Lundqvist stood tall. Thirteen of his 28 saves came in the third. The clutch goaltending allowed Zuccarello to notch his fifth at 14:47. Earlier, he hit the post on a nice give and go. This time, he buried one from Richards and McDonagh. McDonagh continues to excel offensively tallying two more assists. He’s the lone defenseman who’s contributed. Marc Staal was better than recently making several defensive gems. He and partner Anton Stralman were caught on for Ennis’ fifth. But that was on Lundqvist. He cannot come out and play pucks. Zemgus Girgensons intercepted the pass and set up Ennis in front.

With Miller pulled, the Sabres nearly crept within one. They didn’t and the Rangers skated away with a two-goal win.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (2 assists, 2 SOG, 2 blocks, +2 in 23:41-it’s getting redundant)

2nd Star-Mats Zuccarello, NYR (goal-5th, assist, 4 SOG, takeaway in 17:37-always hustles)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (27 saves incl. 13/14 in 3rd-exactly what you want)

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Battle Preview: Rangers at Sabres pits Lundqvist versus Miller

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Derek

Now with his new contract finally done, Henrik Lundqvist returns to the net for the Rangers tonight when they visit the Sabres in Western Buffalo. Too much was made out of rookie Cam Talbot getting two consecutive starts. As Lundqvist noted yesterday after agreeing to seven-year extension worth $59.5 million, Talbot earned it. During appearances on ESPN’s Kay and La Greca and Mike’D On, he said he doesn’t pay attention to how many starts he makes. He just concentrates on the next game.

For Lundqvist, that opportunity comes against the rebuilding Sabres. Interim coach Ted Nolan’s team competes hard. They might not win much as their NHL worst 6-20-2 record attests. But they can’t be taken lightly. Following a five-game losing streak, Buffalo is 1-0-1 in their last two edging the Maple Leafs in overtime and falling to the Devils 1-0 in OT on Nov. 30. Goaltending is respectable featuring Team USA Olympic candidate Ryan Miller and backup Jhonas Enroth. Miller is having a good season. Ignore the 5-15-0 record and 3.18 GAA. His save percentage (.918) is higher than Lundqvist (.917). He’s very capable of stealing a game. In an article that appeared in The Buffalo News, Nolan emphasized keeping Miller. He’s in the final year of his contract and can turn unrestricted next summer.

“You look at all the championship teams and it starts from goaltending out. … I prefer you build around him rather than use him as a pawn to try and get something to make you better,” Nolan pointed out. “You learn to deal with the now as a coach and we’ve got one of the better goaltenders in the world here and I’d like to build around him myself.”

“You look at all the top guys, our top guy Ryan Miller, he’s consistent all the time,” Nolan said. “That’s why Lundqvist gets a big contract. There are those guys and there’s the rest of us.”

It’s definitely an interesting observation from a passionate veteran coach who once had Dominik Hasek. The big question with Buffalo is does it make sense to re-sign a 33-year old goalie? Miller earns $6.25 million. If he hit the market, there’s no telling what the cost would be. He’s certainly quite accomplished winning a Vezina and Olympic silver medal (2010 Vancouver). When the Sabres were a legit contender, he backstopped them to consecutive Conference Final appearances. That included a six-game second round triumph over Lundqvist and the Blueshirts in 2007. It’s always intriguing when they meet as it pits a potential Olympic match-up. Henrik represents Sweden and Miller Team USA. With Jon Quick injured and Jimmy Howard struggling, look for Miller to make the Olympic roster. Over his last 16 games versus the Rangers, Miller is 8-3-4 with a 1.96 GAA and .938 save percentage.

Whatever Buffalo decides, it must be with their best interests. If they don’t think they’re re-signing Miller, he’ll be available before the trade deadline. Considering what former general manager Darcy Regier was able to fetch for Thomas Vanek, there should be some interest. It all depends on what teams are willing to part with for a rental. In the mean time, Miller is a Sabre.

Vigneault reinserts Moore, Pyatt: When they take the ice at First Niagara Center, the Rangers will have a different lineup than the previous two. Defenseman John Moore returns along with forward Taylor Pyatt. Moore replaces Justin Falk (healthy scratch) and Pyatt is in for Derek Dorsett, who is nursing a wrist injury. It’s interesting that they’ll have no toughness against a physical team that features pest Steve Ott and is dressing Cody McCormick. Buffalo also boasts enforcer John Scott.

The thing I don’t get about the Rangers is their unwillingness to give kids a shot on the support lines. Brian Boyle and Dominic Moore have one combined goal. I’m not advocating taking out either as they both fulfill checking roles and are solid faceoff men and penalty killers. What exactly does Pyatt bring aside from energy? Couldn’t J.T. Miller play instead? I get the idea of being patient and letting him develop. At what point do they think he can give the fourth line a boost? Maybe we’ll see him by February.

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Wild finish in Newark a fun hockey display

Posted on December 5, 2013 by Derek
A joyous P.K. Subban thanks David Desharnais and Brian Gionta for bailing him out. AP Photo/Julio Cortez

A joyous P.K. Subban thanks David Desharnais and Brian Gionta for bailing him out.
AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Occasionally, you get one of those crazy games that makes hockey so great. When the Devils hosted the Canadiens in Newark, we got just that. Through two periods, New Jersey trailed Montreal 1-0. For Cory Schneider, it was business as usual. He never gets offensive support. So, it wasn’t much of a revelation that his team hadn’t scored on Canadiens’ backup Peter Budaj. Up till that point, the only shot that beat him came off the stick of former Devil Brian Gionta. He cashed in on a three-on-two back in the first by finishing off a Daniel Briere cross ice feed.

The Devils hadn’t played poorly by any stretch. With rookie call up Reid Boucher inserted into the lineup, they were hoping to catch lightning in a bottle. Coach Pete DeBoer emphasized secondary scoring. Outside of ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr, they hadn’t been getting much from anyone else. Jagr has great chemistry with Travis Zajac and Dainius Zubrus. At 41, he leads them in goals (11) and points (22). The issue is DeBoer felt he was overusing him. The minutes had crept over 20 recently including a frustrating 3-2 loss at Montreal Monday.

By giving Boucher an opportunity following 10 goals and 18 points with Albany, they’re hoping the 20-year old former 2011 fourth round pick can provide a spark. Playing alongside Patrik Elias and Steve Bernier, he did. It took until the third for the Devils to solve Budaj. Andrei Loktionov came close to beating him in the second but took too much time with a gaping et. He finally caught a break when a routine turnaround shot went through Budaj’s five-hole tying it. The play was set up by Marek Zidlicky and Michael Ryder. Ryder had been a disappointment entering with only six goals. That wasn’t what Devil architect Lou Lamoriello had in mind. On another play started by Loktionov, Boucher passed for Ryder, who fired a rocket from the left circle top shelf for his seventh. It was the former Habs’ second straight game with a goal.

Suddenly leading 2-1, Schneider was in position for a rare victory. But wins have been hard to come by for the former Canuck netminder who Lamoriello traded his 2012 first round pick (Bo Horvat) for. A Damien Brunner hooking minor put the Habs on the power play. After they did a solid job killing it off, the Devils couldn’t clear the zone. On somewhat of a broken play, Lars Eller steered in his own rebound to tie it 2-2 with 3:50 left in regulation. After taking an Alex Galchenyuk funny carom off Schneider, he fanned on his first attempt and then found the second to notch his eighth. Somewhat of a fluke similar to Galchenyuk’s winner the other night after an innocent shot went off his stick and in.

As it turned out, the fun was just beginning. Already, three goals had been scored between two stingy defensive teams. You would’ve figured it would stay tied and go to overtime. Eventually, it did. Just not the way anyone envisioned. On a Devil forecheck, Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban accidentally coughed up the puck leading to an early Christmas present for Elias. Making no mistake, the all-time Devil franchise scoring leader buried a shot upstairs for a 3-2 lead with 1:06 remaining.

Game over. Right? Not so fast. With the crowd still buzzing following Elias’ unassisted tally, the Canadiens stunned everyone by tying it once more. After Subban pushed the puck back up the ice with Budaj on the bench for an extra attacker, they got set up. The puck came to Gionta, who quickly fired a shot that beat Schneider with 37 seconds remaining. Gionta’s shot was redirected by David Desharnais. Once in coach Michel Therrien’s doghouse, he’s picked it up offensively. Before it would count, video review confirmed that his stick wasn’t above crossbar height. It allowed a red hot team to get a new life.

”I was sure it was a goal,” Desharnais said. ”I tipped one earlier this year that was a little higher than that, so there was no doubt.”

So, a low scoring contest became a wide open affair thanks to a combined five goals in a wild third. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions. The overtime was also up and down with each team trading chances. It was classic fire wagon hockey. But as usual, nothing was decided. So, a very entertaining hockey game went to a shootout. Entering, the Devils were 0 for the shootout. They were 0-5 for the season and 0 for their last 20 attempts. Something had to give. Feeling good about his rookie, DeBoer went with instinct selecting Boucher to take the first shot. He paid him back by scoring on a beautiful deke short side.

”I just heard a couple minutes ago (that his shootout goal snapped a drought),” Boucher expressed while admitting to early jitters prior to a sizzling finish. ”We had the lead and it was unfortunate they scored that goal at the end. I was pretty surprised (to be picked). It’s a privilege and I wanted to capitalize on my opportunity. A quick fake shot, I kind of took a step over and shot a low blocker.”

”He’s a great shooter,” Budaj said. ”I was just trying to keep my ground and win that battle. I was able to come up with the big save.”

Unfortunately, it was the only one they got past Budaj. He stopped the other two including Elias’ backhand stuff try. While he took care of the remaining Devil shooters Zajac and Elias, Lars Eller and Desharnais beat Schneider sending the Habs to an unpredictable win. Even when his team provided rare offense, Schneider was a hard luck loser. Better luck next time.

Posted in Battle News, Devils | 2 Comments

A King’s Ransom: Rangers sign Lundqvist to seven-year extension

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Derek
A King's Ransom: By signing Henrik Lundqvist to a seven-year extension worth $59.5 million, the Rangers are banking on their best to deliver a Stanley Cup.

A King’s Ransom: By signing Henrik Lundqvist to a seven-year extension worth $59.5 million, the Rangers are banking on their best to deliver a Stanley Cup.

In what’s been a bizarre season, it took another turn today. The Rangers have signed Henrik Lundqvist to a seven-year extension worth a reported $59.5 million. It comes on the heels of surprising rookie backup Cam Talbot making a second straight start in Monday’s 5-2 loss to Winnipeg.

At 31, Lundqvist is the unquestioned number one goalie of the Rangers. A former Vezina winner who won 30 or more his first seven seasons, he’s been the backbone of the franchise. That included a memorable ’11-12 in which he established career bests in wins (39), goals-against-average (1.97 GAA), save percentage (.930). He also posted eight shutouts. His best season helped the club win the Atlantic Division and clinch the East’s best record. They rode him all the way to Eastern Conference Final before falling short of their goal of winning the Stanley Cup. During that run, Lundqvist finished with a 1.82 GAA, .931 save percentage and three shutouts. That included clutch performances to stave off elimination against the Senators and Capitals.

With expectations through the roof, the Rangers struggled to duplicate that success in the shortened season of 2013. After a slow start, Lundqvist heated up down the stretch carrying the low scoring club to the sixth seed. Despite only two shutouts, he finished 24-16-3 with a 2.05 GAA and .926 save percentage once again getting nominated for the Vezina which went to Sergei Bobrovsky. Lundqvist led the Blueshirts past the Capitals in the first round. Facing elimination, he shut them out in Games 6 and 7 to set up a Conference Semifinal against the Bruins. They were no match losing in five games. Following their ouster, Lundqvist was notably outspoken contradicting former coach John Tortorella by indicating they went backwards. It led to his dismissal. Ironically, Tortorella traded places with former Canucks bench boss Alain Vigneault.

In what was expected to be a better season, the Rangers find themselves a disappointing 14-14-0 with 28 points clinging onto third place in the newly formed Metropolitan Division. Interestingly, Lundqvist has been inconsistent in the final year of a six-year $41.25 million. That included an unexplained week absence with the club terming it an ‘undisclosed injury.‘ When he returned, he performed better and the team started winning. However, they remain an enigma. Unable to reach two games over .500, they alternate between winning and losing. After picking it up, Lundqvist has cooled off. In a pressure packed year, he’s 8-11-0 with a 2.51 GAA, .917 save percentage with two shutouts. Ironically, Talbot won six of his first seven starts before finally allowing more than two goals the other night.

No stranger to goalie controversies, Vigneault was non-committal on who would start tomorrow at Buffalo. Before today’s stunning news, the topic was whether Talbot would get a third consecutive game with Lundqvist healthy. Leave it to Rangers Team President and GM Glen Sather to throw a wrench in those plans. There wasn’t a hint that he would re-sign Lundqvist to such a lucrative deal. TSN’s Darren Dreger broke the terms on Twitter.

The length isn’t surprising. The term is overpayment. Even for a star of Lundqvist’s magnitude, it’s insane to pay him a cap average of $8.5 million over seven years. By the time the contract ends, he’ll be 39. No goalie is worth that. The position is too risky. Only one goalie has proven capable of staying that durable. He plays for the enemy Hudson rival. Of course, I’m referring to Martin Brodeur. He doesn’t play the butterfly. But rather a unique stand up style that isn’t as stressful. It’s probably why he’s lasted so long. His athleticism and stickhandling are second to none which has always aided the Devils. Even with the Brodeur Rule, he doesn’t see as many shots.

It remains to be seen if Lundqvist can remain healthy throughout the new contract which doesn’t start until ’14-15. He’ll be 32. I’m skeptical because that is an awful lot of money to commit to one player. Even with cap rumored to be increasing, how much will Sather have left to re-sign Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi? Don’t forget Anton Stralman is unrestricted. He’s been a bargain earning $1.7 million. One of Slats’ best moves, he’ll likely command more than double the salary. Sather might have to decide what’s wiser. Overpaying Girardi long-term or keeping Stralman for a more affordable cost. Callahan might command upwards of $6 million. A daunting proposition.

With Brian Boyle, Dominic Moore, Benoit Pouliot and Taylor Pyatt all up after the season, the roster could look very different. If the team continues to underperform, there’s no guarantee it’ll stay intact. Sather could make some cost cutting moves to retrieve draft picks. He also must make decisions on potential RFA’s Derick Brassard, Michael Del Zotto, Justin Falk, Chris Kreider, John Moore and Mats Zuccarello. Of the players listed, only Del Zotto remains a giant question mark. With scouts at Monday’s game including rumored trade partner Ottawa, he could be moved. Sather must also decide what to do with Brad Richards, who’s had a bounce back season leading the team with 20 points (7-13-20). He can use the amnesty clause next summer or risk keeping him. Richards is signed through 2019-20 at an average cap hit of $6.67 million.

This doesn’t take into account struggling defenseman Marc Staal. The alternate captain is a popular teammate who’s been an integral part of the core. He’s 26 and is a shutdown D when right. Following a career threatening eye injury, he’s returned playing in every game. Unfortunately, his play has suffered. In 28 games, he has two goals and one assist while posting a minus-seven rating. Following a surprising preseason, he was expected to contribute more offensively. Instead, he’s frequently been caught pinching and out of position defensively. Signed through ’13-14, Staal earns $3.975 million. He’s going to be due a big raise. The question is can he turn it around or is he no longer capable of being the player he once was. It’s probably the toughest decision the organization might have to make.

All these questions make one wonder what the future holds for the Rangers. They’re clearly not on the level of elite teams Boston and Pittsburgh. However, it’s not like the gap is that wide between the next level that includes Montreal, Detroit and Tampa Bay. Toronto and Washington are beatable. It more depends on how the Rangers respond the rest of the way. They can either continue to tread water and struggle to make the postseason or perform better and climb up the ladder. There aren’t many better goalies in the East than Lundqvist with maybe Tuukka Rask on that level. They still have the premier goalie. Even if he hasn’t played up to his high standard, that shouldn’t continue. Henrik has gone through slumps before. Maybe with the contract done, he’ll relax. It had to be unsettling.

It’s hard to predict how Lundqvist will look in the second half of that seven-year deal. He still has a few prime years left. What can’t be questioned is his desire to be the best. He wants to win here. It would’ve been very easy to play out the year and leave for a better team. The bidding would’ve been insane. By staying put, he’ll probably be a Ranger for his entire career. So far, Lundqvist has won 284 games ranking second highest among the franchise trailing Mike Richter (301). He needs 18 more to surpass him. His 47 shutouts trail franchise record holder Ed Giacomin by two. When it’s all over, Lundqvist will own every record. Fitting for a King who’s also won Olympic gold with Sweden. All this from a guy who was a seventh round pick in 2000 selected 205th overall. Full credit to former European scout Christian Rockstrom.

If he wants to be considered the best, winning a Stanley Cup here is required. He’s been the Rangers’ Team MVP seven consecutive years. The pressure will be even more immense. Paid a King’s ransom, he’s the highest paid goalie in the NHL. For better or worse, it’s a marriage that will determine the franchise’s fate.

Posted in Battle News, NY Rangers | Leave a comment

Devils’ Reid Boucher to make his NHL debut tonight vs. Habs

Posted on December 4, 2013 by hasan4978

Reid Boucher in the preseason (NJ.com) – he’ll be wearing #15 tonight though

With the Devils struggling to score and having few prospects available in the system up front, it seemed inevitable that 20-year old Reid Boucher would eventually be called up.  Especially once the former ’11 fourth-rounder started lighting it up in Albany with ten goals and eight assists in twenty-one games for the baby Devils, including goals in five straight.  That moment has finally arrived for Boucher, as last-season’s record-setting scorer in the OHL will make his NHL debut tonight.  A Michigan native, Boucher admitted he wasn’t expecting the call yet:

“I was a little surprised that it was now, but I’ve been playing pretty good hockey so far,” Boucher said. “I’m on a bit of a run with points, so I’m just happy to get the call…it’s going to be something I’ll remember for the rest of my life, so I want to do something special with it.”

Boucher will start out on a line with Patrik Elias and a suddenly-heating up Steve Bernier.  Unlike with other young players still on the roster, there’s no immediate danger of Boucher relegated to fourth-line duty, according to coach Pete DeBoer.

“I think we know what he is,” DeBoer said. “He’s got to play in your top six, top nine forwards. He’s not going to be a checker, he’s not a big guy, but he has a special talent that we could use in the organization. He’ll play with Elias tonight and we’ll see how that goes.”

DeBoer also mentioned the schedule, how it was the sixth game in ten nights and they wanted to get some fresh legs in the lineup which is true.  It also can’t be denied that an offense which only has 61 goals in 28 games and struggled mightily last year needed a spark.  Especially with the coach admitting he was overplaying one of the few scorers we do have in 42-year old Jaromir Jagr, whose minutes have been creeping into the upper 20’s the last few games.

Despite the Devils’ sub-.500 record to this point, so far this season’s shaping up to be an important transition year if nothing else with young defensemen Eric Gelinas and Jon Merrill already making successful debuts and Boucher getting a big opportunity. As one of our few highly-rated prospect forwards, Boucher’s development is paramount to a team with a bunch of older forwards.  At the very least I’m glad I didn’t sell off my tickets to the game tonight and am going to see his NHL debut.

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BREAKING: Rangers re-sign Lundqvist to 7-year, $59.5 million extension

Posted on December 4, 2013 by hasan4978

Henrik Lundqvist in action (TSN.ca)

After months of speculation, the Rangers finally re-upped their most important piece with the news today that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has signed an extension that will keep him in a Ranger uniform until he’s 39 years old.  Lundqvist hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts this year, with an 8-11 record and a 2.51 GAA with a .917 save percentage, but he has been the backbone of the Rangers for years and is certainly getting paid like it, leapfrogging Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask to become the highest-paid goaltender in the league and fifth overall in salary behind Crosby/Ovechkin/Malkin and Corey Perry of the Ducks.  Ironically Lundqvist has sat the last two games in favor of rookie sensation Cam Talbot…perhaps the distraction of putting the finishing touches on the extension was one reason why?

I’m sure Derek’ll have much more on this later.  I’m off to write my own piece on a key Devils prospect making his NHL debut tonight.

Posted in NHL, NY Rangers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Crosby buries Islanders in overtime, seventh straight defeat

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Derek
Sidney Crosby beats Anders Nilsson for the overtime winner. AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek

Sidney Crosby beats Anders Nilsson for the overtime winner.
AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek

Nothing is going right for the Islanders. For a second consecutive game, victory was within reach. Similar to a brutal loss to the Caps on home ice, it was snatched away. This time, it was the division-leading Pens who stole two points. Sidney Crosby scored the overtime winner at 3:44 sending the Isles to a frustrating 3-2 OT loss at Nassau Coliseum. It was their seventh straight defeat.

Currently last in the Metro, it dropped them to a disappointing 8-15-5 record through their first 28 games. A far cry from what was envisioned by everyone. Even the biggest Islander detractor wouldn’t believe how far they’ve sunk. Injuries to defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky and Evgeni Nabokov haven’t helped. However, goaltending isn’t what cost them. For a second game in a row Swedish netminder Anders Nilsson was fine stopping 31 of 34 Pens’ shots. He did his part even making a great glove save late.

Defensive breakdowns have been the biggest Islander deficiency. They continue to get great mileage out of top pair Andrew MacDonald and Travis Hamonic. Both played over 29 minutes. Too much even for your best two defensemen. Without the veteran presence of Visnovsky, they just don’t have enough on the blueline. You can’t expect Calvin de Haan to be ready. However, the defensive state of the club is one of desperation. Thomas Hickey logged the third most minutes getting a surplus of 21. The bottom half can’t be de Haan, Aaron Ness and Matt Carkner. Rookie Matt Donovan didn’t play. Visnovsky remains out with a concussion and Brian Strait is down with an upper body injury since Oct. 24. That’s two guys they were relying on.

It can’t all be blamed on Jack Capuano. This is the same coach who guided them to a competitive first round before losing to the Pens in a hard fought six games. When the team loses, it’s always the head honcho who gets the blame. What about Islander GM Garth Snow? Where’s the depth? Why haven’t they been better since he traded popular forward Matt Moulson to Buffalo for Thomas Vanek? He gave up two draft picks in that deal. One prevailing thought is they don’t score many goals. Outside of Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo, the secondary scoring hasn’t been there. Josh Bailey has underachieved and Michael Grabner has disappeared following a strong start.

Both Islander goals were scored by Okposo, who continues to be on pace for a breakout year. He scored his seventh and eight goals less than three minutes apart during the first period from captain John Tavares. Vanek picked up an assist on the first while MacDonald added one on the second. The problem was they didn’t score the final 50:49. Marc-Andre Fleury only had to stop 14 shots after the first finishing with an unspectacular 21 saves. Not enough offense against a dangerous and talented bitter rival.

It took a while for the Pens to awaken. But when they did, there was no mistaking who the better team was. Pittsburgh doesn’t need much help. A lazy Tavares cross-checking minor with 45 seconds left in the second swung the game. Evgeni Malkin set up James Neal for a power play goal at 19:44 cutting the lead to 2-1. Less than seven minutes into the third, Ness went to the sin bin for hi-sticking. Before the sadly predictable occurred, Nielsen got a shorthanded breakaway. He was taken down from behind leading to a penalty shot. Exactly who the Islanders wanted taking the shot. Given his shootout success and career entering 2 for 2 on penalty shots, you had to feel good. They didn’t count on Nielsen hesitating before being stopped by Fleury.

Predictably, Malkin set up Crosby for the tying marker with 12:00 remaining in regulation. It got testy afterwards. Malkin mixed it up with Ness shoving him down. He then kept at it by cross-checking Tavares away from the play with 1:47 left. A dumb penalty to take for a borderline superstar who always plays on the edge. Personally, I dislike him. He always gets away with cheap shots. The Islanders still had a great opportunity to win the game. They didn’t take advantage. During the power play, Kris Letang took down Vanek twice. No call was made by ref tandem Dave Jackson and Francis Charron. At the end of his shift, Vanek lost his composure taking an ill advised slashing retaliation to negate the man-advantage.

The teams played three on three some in OT. It was all Pens. Nilsson made a tough stop on Letang and Neal missed the far side twice on Crosby set ups. Finally, with Tavares and Vanek coming out of their end, a relentless Crosby came in and stripped the puck away. He then went around de Haan and split Ness before one-handing one by Nilsson’s poke check for the winner. A tough one for the Islanders to swallow. They’ve been in every game against Pittsburgh. Similar to last Spring, each has been decided by a goal. They won the first one and dropped the last two. Both losses have been gut wrenching.

It gets even tougher with a five-game Western swing beginning Thursday in St. Louis. They also tour the Pacific with the Kings, Ducks, Sharks and Coyotes in succession before returning home for Montreal on Dec. 14. Might there be a new voice in the locker room? Or is that just a typical move for a franchise that never looks in the mirror. One can only guess.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Anders Nilsson, NYI (31 saves)

2nd Star-Evgeni Malkin, Pit (2 assists, 7 SOG, 4 PIM in 25:22)

1st Star-Sidney Crosby, Pit (2 goals incl. tying and OT winner-14, 15, 5 SOG, -1 in 26:48)

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