Battle Of Hudson

Lately, goals have been at a premium. Over the weekend, the Rangers scored only once gaining a split. Until that point, the offense had picked up once Carl Hagelin returned and Ryan Callahan got healthy. However, neither can be relied on consistently to finish. Even with Brad Richards’ resurgence plus improvements from Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello, the team still only possesses one legit threat. After missing 17 games due to a concussion, Rick Nash could be returning tomorrow night against the Bruins. It would be a welcome addition.

With Nash expected to return, Brandon Mashinter was sent down to Hartford. The Monster Mash added needed toughness in six games dropping the gloves twice. However, a lack of minutes led to consecutive healthy scratches Saturday and Sunday. The writing was on the wall. Even with Benoit Pouliot in Alain Vigneault’s doghouse, it was painfully obvious that he wasn’t going to be the odd man out. With Vigneault benching Hagelin for a stretch last night, he saw power play duty on the second unit. Hardly ideal for a guy who’s inconsistent shift to shift and has a penchant for bad penalties.

The question is who comes out. Personally, I’d like to see J.T. Miller stay in as he’s much more noticeable. Only 20, the second-year pro is prone to mistakes which explains why Vigneault has closely managed his ice-time. However, he can skate and brings energy. My guess is they’ll go the opposite direction and sit the kid out against a big, physical opponent. I have never agreed with that approach. Assuming Nash is back Tuesday, someone will come out.

Dominic Moore has been a welcome addition after returning. He wins faceoffs and is a dependable penalty killer. The coaching staff liked his assertive play enough to move him up to the second line yesterday. It almost worked but Moore’s goal with 2:44 left was correctly ruled by Toronto a kick. Everyone’s favorite Taylor Pyatt is starting to recover from a concussion. Once he does, Miller is ticketed to Hartford. Like it or not, that’s what the organization will do which is probably best for his development.

One of the issues facing Vigneault is what to do with Derick Brassard. A breath of fresh air after coming over from Columbus as part of the Marian Gaborik deal, he’s struggled with inconsistency which has plagued his career. That’s why the Blue Jackets gave up on him. I would’ve thought in a contract year, he’d play more inspired. Instead, Brassard has three goals and four assists at the quarter mark. That’s not gonna cut it. Vigneault at times has deployed him in a checking role with Brian Boyle and Derek Dorsett. It’s where he’s looked most effective. The trouble is he can’t produce with either.

Last year, John Tortorella correctly spread out our top three centers allowing Brassard more freedom. He even got to work with Nash. Maybe that’s what’s needed. I don’t see any reason to break up Kreider, Zuccarello and Derek Stepan. Maybe he slides Hagelin down to the third line with Brassard and Boyle allowing Dorsett to play with Moore and either Pouliot or Miller. Richards and Callahan are a good fit. Adding Nash’s scoring capabilities could work.

As far as the Justin Falk experiment, he’s been fine. But I still say Mike Del Zotto should be back in. They don’t get enough offense from the back end. It would be a mistake to give up on him. I guess we’ll have a better answer this week what their plans are.

Henrik Lundqvist can’t bare to look after Tyler Toffoli’s shot squeezes through.
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

It’s a good thing I decided at the last minute not to go. Maybe deep down, I knew it was coming. The all to predictable 1-0 Ben Scrivens’ shutout. Losing to the Kings is acceptable because they’re better. Getting beat by a backup makes it unbearable. A night after blanking the Canadiens with their backup, the Rangers returned the favor putting the Garden to sleep.

Save me the “tired excuse.” Every team plays back to backs. The Devils play the most in the league and they’re a lot older. Simply stated, you can’t lose games on home ice and call yourselves a contender. After eight games at Dolan’s renovated arena, the Rangers are .500 (4-4-0). Lose against the Bruins Tuesday- the game I chose instead- and that’s unacceptable. With a big five-game road trip coming and then John Tortorella’s return at the end of the month. It’s a critical stretch.

Right now, the Rangers are .500. They’re 10-10-0 through 20 games. That is when you start to judge teams. Well, guess what. Alain Vigneault’s club is mediocre. They have spurts where they look great and others where they disappoint. Tonight was a step in the wrong direction.

Even without Jon Quick and Jeff Carter, the Kings had no trouble completing a sweep of the Islanders, Devils and Rangers. Despite handing them power play after power play, LA came out on top because they play the most dull style only Darryl Sutter could be proud of. Patient, diligent checking teams like the Kings and Devils give them trouble for those very reasons. They out-grind you. This was always going to be a difficult game.

The Rangers fired blanks on three power plays including a five-on-three during a pivotal second period. Despite some heroic play from Henrik Lundqvist (29 saves with many spectacular), they trailed 1-0 on rookie Tyler Toffoli’s turnaround shot that deflected off Anton Stralman’s skate. Both Lundqvist and Stralman’s reaction said plenty. They knew one goal could decide it.

Unfortunately, it did due to the coaching staff’s stubbornness. Their unwillingness to adapt on a mediocre power play that’s only converted three times in over 30 chances on home ice, killed their chances. Scott Arniel has gotten plenty of credit for a more creative look to the PP. However, you have to wonder why Chris Kreider isn’t on the top unit. What did he do wrong? For better or worse, they continue to roll out Brad Richards, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Mats Zuccarello. As a unit, they’ve had some good moments. But like any, it can get stale.

Against an aggressive physical penalty kill, you have to get net pressure. The Rangers had none. Callahan was too much on the perimeter. During the two-man advantage, the points didn’t move the puck down low quick enough allowing the Kings’ triangle to recover. Even when the refs handed them an early Christmas gift with a dubious delay of game which replays showed went off Kreider, it was the same boring set up. They didn’t make Scrivens work. He made 37 saves. Big deal. The breakdown of a tired top unit:

Richards 6:13

Callahan 5:18

Stepan 5:52

McDonagh 6:07

Zuccarello 5:38

That’s too much. Especially when it’s not working. The second unit consisted of Kreider, Derick Brassard, a split of Carl Hagelin/Benoit Pouliot, Marc Staal and John Moore. The problem is simply they come on with 50 seconds. It makes it harder to get things done. With Moore continuing to struggle and Staal hardly offensive, you’re telling me they couldn’t use Mike Del Zotto? I know he’s hardly been a consistent power play performer. But from an offensive standpoint, it couldn’t hurt. I don’t get Vigneault’s lack of faith in Stralman. He can play power play and give them a righty option. Instead, he just plays five on five.

Sometimes, you’re going to have games where you must score on the power play. The Ranger special teams failed to take advantage. Another game where they got no points. The Kings formed a maze around Scrivens and allowed him to see the shots. The only time he was beaten was when Dominic Moore tried to pull a fast one, kicking the puck in with under three minutes left. It was a nice try but video review confirmed it.

The Bruins visit in two days. That will be another tight checking affair. Bring plenty of gum.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Ben Scrivens, LAK (37-save shutout-the latest backup turned star)

2nd Star-Tyler Toffoli, LAK (4th of season at 1:23 of 2nd-game-winner)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (29 saves incl. 11/11 in 3rd-wasted effort)

Rangers assistant coach Scott Arniel just confirmed that defenseman Justin Falk will be in the lineup again. It’ll be his second consecutive game which means Mike Del Zotto remains a healthy scratch.

Those are the last two tweets from the official NY Rangers Twitter feed. I don’t know what to make of the one on Del Zotto. Is this finally it for him? What if the team plays well and wins again? I still am against giving up on him. Del Zotto is offensively capable. It was only two years ago he put up 10 goals and 41 points at 21. It’s too soon to throw in the towel. Again, what value does he have?

A day after getting an important road win at Montreal courtesy of rookie Cam Talbot’s first NHL shutout, the Ranger return to Madison Square Garden tonight to host the Kings. Following a night off, Henrik Lundqvist returns to net where he’ll oppose LA backup Ben Scrivens.

Since Jonathan Quick went down to a groin injury, the former Leaf has filled in admirably winning his last two starts against the Islanders and Devils. He shutout New Jersey with 26 saves Friday and has allowed four goals in three starts on a four-game road trip that concludes later. Along with a strong team in front of him, they shouldn’t be taken lightly. The Kings go for the Metro hat trick.

Back home for two more including the always tough Bruins Tuesday, the Rangers try to finish strong before embarking on a crucial five-game road trip through Thanksgiving. Will fatigue be a factor 24 hours later against a more rested opponent? Hopefully that won’t be the case. They’re only 4-3-0 at home. Hardly what Dolan had in mind following the final renovation that features The Lounges with breathtaking views for those who can afford it. Because it’s not like other fans are allowed in… At the very least, you can catch all the retired jerseys and banners up close. We are going later. It’s my second game.

It’s imperative for the Rangers to get the final two home games before the big road trip that includes stops in Dallas, Nashville, Tampa, Florida and Boston. To their credit, they’ve won seven of nine to get over .500 (10-9-0) ranking third in the Metro Division. There’s still much work to do. Rick Nash isn’t expected to return until either Tuesday or Thursday. Putting themselves in a better position can set the tone when they hit the road.

Ryan Callahan was the lone goal scorer in their win yesterday, deflecting home a Brad Richards one-time blast for his team-leading fourth power play goal. No other Blueshirt has more than one PPG. Even though it’s slightly improved, it’s not like they’re lighting the world on fire. They rank 16th converting at 18.8 percent. The penalty kill has gotten a little better moving up to 11th at 83.6 percent. The special teams can improve.

Against a big, physical team such as LA, the Rangers must use their team speed and get pucks deep. Finish checks and limit the Kings’ time and space. They can’t allow Anze Kopitar much room and must prevent their big forwards from screening Lundqvist. Dwight King notched the winner against the Devils by tipping in a point shot. Los Angeles is without Jeff Carter, which helps. But still boast Mike Richards, Justin Williams and rookie Tyler Toffoli has seven points in six games since being recalled. An active D features Drew Doughty, Jake Muzzin and Slava Voynov, who are all capable of getting shots through from the point. For our team, puck management inside their zone will be essential.

A faster tempo favors the Rangers. Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin are two of the fastest skaters. Both have played well during the turnaround. Derek Stepan has been relatively quiet since his hat trick on Nov. 2. He is second with 14 points and has points in four of the last five. But is capable of better production. One goal in the last six isn’t enough for our top center. Maybe he breaks out.

With Justin Falk coming in and doing a solid job, I’d venture to guess he’ll be in the lineup again for Mike Del Zotto. If that is the case, what does it mean? I’d rather not know. Hopefully, they come out and play a smart aggressive game.

Canadien goalie Carey Price (33 saves) makes a glove save. The Rangers solved him once and finally got a win in Montreal.
The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes

No Lundqvist. No problem. At least that’s the case tonight for the Rangers, who got a big win in Montreal. For the first time in three and a half years, they won at Molson Centre. Thanks to 22 saves from rookie Cam Talbot, the Rangers shutout the Canadiens 1-0. It was an important bounce back victory following Tuesday’s disappointment. Back over .500 (10-9-0), the Blueshirts have won four of five climbing back into third in the Metro.

They got it done with relentless pursuit of the puck. This wasn’t your dull 1-0 shutout. It was a game in which the Rangers kept pushing the pace. That was the key to ending an eight-game losing streak at Bell Centre. The schedule helped with the Habs obviously tired from travel after edging the Blue Jackets in a shootout Friday night. In this league, you have to take advantage when you can. Credit Alain Vigneault’s club for doing so. They gave a strong effort outshooting the Canadiens 34-22.

Carey Price was the only reason it was close. A great candidate to start for Team Canada, he showed why making several big stops keeping his team in it. He finished with 33 saves. That included a couple of ridiculous glove stops with one coming late on Brad Richards off a perfectly executed two on one rush with underrated defenseman Anton Stralman. Stralman hasn’t put up gaudy offensive numbers so far entering with only two assists. However, his defense has been stellar since being paired with Marc Staal. When Staal gets caught taking chances, Stralman is back defensively. There’s a reason he’s on the plus side of the ledger.

As for Richards, he had a good night setting up the Rangers’ only goal. It came as a five on three power play expired. After struggling to get much done, they finally got set up. Richards worked a give and go with Derek Stepan and then one-timed one from the left circle past Price 5:25 into the second. At that point, the Montreal goalie had been impenetrable stopping everything including Chris Kreider, who was flying all night. Originally, Richards was credited with the power play goal. But it was later changed to Ryan Callahan, who stood in front and got a piece of it. Four of his six markers have come on the man-advantage. It was the only way they were beating Price, who was sensational.

After a feeling out process early, the Rangers began to carry the play in the first outshooting the Canadiens 15-7. There weren’t many penalties but they did kill off an early Stepan hook that prevented Max Pacioretty from a clean breakaway. They cashed in during the second when Pacioretty tripped up Carl Hagelin. That gave them the one opportunity they needed. With Raphael Diaz out of the box, Callahan converted Richards’ one-time blast.

It wasn’t dull with Kreider battling hard against P.K. Subban during one shift. A strong forecheck kept the play alive until Subban faked like he was hi-sticked suckering the refs into calling it with under three minutes left. Sometimes, I really can’t stand Subban. It was punkish. At least the Rangers killed it maintaining a 1-0 lead thru two.

With Dominic Moore back, Vigneault trusted the fourth line enough giving them regular shifts. That included ex-Hab Benoit Pouliot, who at least showed a pulse. J.T. Miller had a few noticeable shifts that should endear him to the coaching staff. He failed to get a puck deep once protecting the lead. Those are instances where he must be careful.

Unable to extend their lead, the Rangers continued to attack and make the Canadiens work extremely hard. The line of Stepan, Kreider and Mats Zuccarello buzzed but couldn’t get one. Vigneault went to a checking line of Brian Boyle, Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett. Dorsett, who near the end of the second made a huge block of a Subban shot- has become a tireless worker. Not much different from Brandon Prust, who was on the opposite side. If only Dorsett got rewarded more for his effort. Brassard has scary moments with the puck but other shifts where he’s active. As for Boyle, he was strong defensively and dominant in the faceoff circle going 12 for 16. The Rangers as a team were 27 up and 27 down.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Justin Falk, who played a solid unspectacular game. In 17 shifts (12:11), he didn’t make any glaring mistakes and had a nice keep that to a good chance. I wonder if Vigneault will keep him in for the Kings tomorrow. What does it mean for Mike Del Zotto?

There was only one shaky sequence that had to have every Ranger fan screaming at the TV. Brassard mishandled a puck and John Moore scrambled around creating a maze in front of Talbot. It led to some dangerous chances for the Habs. However, Talbot came up with a difficult save in traffic. Similar to a shorthanded bid earlier. He only made 22 saves but was poised throughout. That’s the best thing about him. He hasn’t looked overwhelmed. When the Rangers ran the clock out, that’s five consecutive starts in which Talbot’s allowed two or less. At least in Montreal, #InCamWeTrust.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Anton Stralman, NYR (SOG, 2 blocks, hit in 28 shifts-21:08)

2nd Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (3 SOG, 6 hits in 20 shifts-17:38)

1st Star-Carey Price, Mtl (33 saves incl. 15/15 in 3rd-deserved better)

Entering tonight’s match against the Canadiens at Bell Centre, there’s plenty of news items for the Rangers. The main two are off the ice. Mike Del Zotto is a healthy scratch. It’s the third game he’ll miss. Alain Vigneault kept him out twice last month. Extra defenseman Justin Falk goes back in.

I’m not crazy about this move. I get how frustrating Del Zotto is. Already in his fifth year, the 23-year old former ’08 first round pick has regressed. Ironically, he had his best season under John Tortorella in ’11-12 when the Rangers won the division and advanced to the Conference Finals. He established career bests in goals (10), assists (31), points (41) and plus/minus (20). He was inconsistent in the playoffs but scored a couple of big goals to finish off Ottawa and Washington.

Last year, he took a step back tallying 21 points (3-18-21) in 46 games. He was a non-factor scoring a goal and assist during the playoffs. When Glen Sather replaced Tortorella with Vigneault, the hope was that it would spark Del Zotto. He’s a very gifted player with excellent skating ability and offensive potential. So far, the results have been disappointing. With just four points (1-3-4) in 16 contests thus far, he’ll sit out. The reason I disagree with Vigneault’s decision is because it looked like Del Zotto was coming around. A recent four-game stretch saw him put up a goal and two helpers by being more aggressive. He has lost power play duty to Ryan McDonagh, who leads our defensemen with 11 points.

If you look closely at the blueline, nobody else is producing. Aside from his second goal in the Devil loss, Marc Staal had been silent. Many expected him to step it up following a strong preseason. Three points and minus-five is hardly what anyone foresaw. Dan Girardi has struggled mightily. It was nice to see him score against New Jersey. But his defensive gaffe led to Dainius Zubrus’ winner. With two points and a minus-six, he’s having trouble adjusting to Vigneault’s system. Danny G still has a tendency to go down to block shots. Unfortunately, it cost the Rangers at least a point. Anton Stralman has only two assists. Offensively capable, he’s being used more in a shutdown role with Staal. The plus-two tops our D. I’d like to see him look for his shot. John Moore hasn’t lived up to expectations. With just a goal and assist despite blazing speed and a rocket, it’s taking him longer to develop. He’s thrown the puck away several times yet hasn’t missed a game.

You tell me if it’s fair on Del Zotto. He’s always the whipping boy. At least with Tort, it worked to a point. I’m not sure how he’ll respond amidst trade rumors. Another thing lost in translation is that the Rangers lack any depth. Unless they’re going to panic and recall Dylan McIlrath from Hartford, what exactly are they doing? Del Zotto has little value and is in the final year of his contract. If the Rangers want him back, he’s restricted. It seems a little early to give up on him. By that I mean the season when Vigneault’s preaching more offense from the back end. He’s still their most talented offensively. Trade him and maybe they get a mid-round pick. Hardly ideal if you lose a player off the roster. We’ve already seen Falk. He’s not a regular. Who knows? Maybe it’ll actually result in a win in the house of horrors.

At least Vigneault’s starting Cam Talbot. Everyone knows how awful Henrik Lundqvist is in Montreal. Though it was interesting to hear our coach criticize his star pupil over the softy he let in against nemesis Ryan Carter. Lundqvist took responsibility but also tried to shift blame to the entire team. He had a point. I don’t think he likes being called out. Expect a bounce back performance tomorrow night when the Kings visit. This is a big weekend. At 9-9-0, the Rangers are fourth in the Metro. They face two challenges. The Canadiens’ speed usually gives them fits. And the Kings will be looking for a measure of revenge.

The biggest news is that Rick Nash has been cleared for contact and has already practiced. He hasn’t reported any setbacks. Puck Daddy writer Greg Wyshynski had a post up an hour ago on Nash’s progress.

“Hopefully, one of the games, for sure,” Nash told Newsday’s Steve Zipay at Bell Centre Saturday morning, “as long as there are no setbacks. Everything’s been positive and I’ve been pushing it every day.”

At this point in his recovery, Nash said, it is a matter of conditioning and building his leg strength, because he is free of the headaches that plagued him since the high hit from San Jose defenseman Brad Stuart. “I’m feeling better than I thought I would,” said Nash, who skated for the eight straight day. “I’ve only had two (full) practices with the team, plus the morning skates, I think I need a little more down-low work, 3 on 3 . . .”

Nash still hasn’t spoken to Stuart but holds no grudge indicating that the hit was “a hockey play.” If he does return either Tuesday against Boston or Thursday in Dallas, it’s definitely a surprise. I thought he’d be out longer. Concussions are the unknown. I hope Nash and the Rangers are being cautious. I worry about him returning too soon. The team can definitely use his offense. But health comes first.