Battle Of Hudson

Matt Calvert and the Blue Jackets celebrate his goal 38 seconds in.
AP Photo/Jason DeCrow

The losing continues. For a fourth straight game on home ice, the Rangers weren’t good enough to win. They fell to the Blue Jackets 4-2 at a quiet transformed MSG. Quiet is probably the best way to describe the performance of Rick Nash. Facing his former team, he did absolutely nothing. As in no shots and a minus-two rating. Unthinkable.

Former Rangers Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky were a lot more noticeable. Anisimov scored a goal in his Garden return. Dubinsky centered the Jackets’ top line finishing with two shots and taking two minor penalties. Even though he didn’t get on the score sheet, he had an early impact. It was his line that off to a quick start. Matt Calvert beat Henrik Lundqvist just 38 seconds in from Cam Atkinson and another ex-Blueshirt Fedor Tyutin. On the play, three Ranger forwards were caught up the ice allowing Calvert to blow past the defense and go top corner on Lundqvist.

Inexplicably, the Rangers were outshot 7-1 early. Columbus dominated with its aggressive forecheck. The game also marked the NHL debut of Dylan McIlrath. Recalled from Hartford to provide toughness, the rookie defenseman got taught a valuable lesson. The former 2010 first round pick went for a big hit at the Blue Jacket blueline and missed leading directly to Anisimov finishing off a three on one from Blake Comeau and Boone Jenner. It’s exactly the kind of high risk play you expect from a 21-year old in his first game. He’ll learn. In 13 shifts (8:55), McIlrath was minus-one and credited with one hit. He didn’t see the ice in the third period.

With the crowd already edgy, another defensive breakdown led to David Savard scoring his first at 11:10. Carl Hagelin was the main culprit forgetting to switch coverage leaving Savard alone at the point to fire a shot that deflected off defenseman Mike Del Zotto and in. That chased Lundqvist from net. Since getting his extension, he’s 1-3-1 allowing 15 goals on 126 shots (.881 save percentage). If anyone wants to calculate his goals against, be my guest. I’m not going to bother. He continues to see a higher quality shot. You see the end results. Was tonight his fault? Hardly. The only one I can really get on him for was Calvert because of the lousy timing. It was a quality chance. Hank didn’t play it well giving Calvert too much of an angle.

Alain Vigneault didn’t hesitate to call on rookie backup Cam Talbot. The move seemed to spark the team. They responded by getting back in the game. At the conclusion of a power play, Dominic Moore backhanded home his first from Brad Richards. On due to growing impatience from Vigneault, Moore simply got to a loose rebound by Curtis McElhinney and buried it with Chris Kreider in front. The Rangers continued to pressure evening the shots at 16 after the first. In relief of Lundqvist, Talbot was steady turning aside 13 of 14 shots. He made a couple of big ones and also got lucky with Columbus hitting two posts. However, he gave the team a chance.

The second was particularly frustrating. With journeyman Mike McKenna in relief of an injured McElhinney, the Jackets protected the lead. Playing a tight checking defensive style similar to what used to be seen in these parts, they made it tough on the Rangers in the neutral zone. They did manage 11 shots but none really tested him. That was despite Dubinsky picking up consecutive undisciplined penalties including a hi-stick that McIlrath drew by engaging him. That was a prime example of why he was brought up. To inject energy. Brian Boyle also mixed it up with Nick Foligno. It was a frustrating night for Boyle, who was snake bitten. Ex-Jacket Derek Dorsett had a livelier game taking Ryan Johansen off the ice with him. That kind of edge has been missing.

With nothing happening the first half of the third, coincidental minors to Dorsett and Dalton Prout opened the ice. After Columbus controlled the first part of the four on four, Mats Zuccarello set up Dan Girardi for his first goal in 15. The play was made possible by Del Zotto. He made a good outlet and Zuccarello threaded the needle to Girardi for his second cutting the deficit to 3-2 with 8:53 left. Speaking of Del Zotto, he’s been better since Marc Staal went down. He also came up with a great defensive play to deny Johansen on a breakaway.

The Rangers couldn’t quite get the game tied. They had some chances but only managed seven shots. Vigneault switched the lines moving Nash back with Zuccarello and Derek Stepan. Hagelin played with Richards and Kreider. He also mixed in Benoit Pouliot who was more active in his return. A bad Ryan McDonagh pinch finished off the comeback. Desperately trying to keep a puck in at the blueline, he was caught by Tyutin who pushed the puck ahead for Johansen. Dangerous all night, his wrist shot squeezed through Talbot to make it 4-2 with 1:32 left. A crusher. Definitely one Talbot would want back.

When the buzzer sounded, it was the Rangers’ fifth consecutive loss at the “Transformed MSG.” Now 5-9-1 and 0-4-1 this month, they might want to stop mentioning it along with the Chase Bridges. You’re all welcome to jump.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Dominic Moore, NYR (1st of season, 2 SOG, 7 for 7 on faceoffs, +1 in 14 shifts-8:33)

2nd Star-Artem Anisimov, CBJ (8th of season, +1 in 16:08- strong defensive work all while flying under radar)

1st Star-Fedor Tyutin, CBJ (2 assists, 2 hits, blocked shot in 23:06- steady influence)

Ever since his arrival, Henrik Lundqvist has been treated like a king. The crown jewel of the Rangers, Lundqvist signed a mega contract extension worth $59.5 million over seven years that keeps him a Blueshirt through 2020-21. A Vezina winner, the 31-year old Swedish King is closing in on Mike Richter’s franchise record in wins (301). Entering tonight against Columbus, he’s won 285 while posting 47 shutouts- trailing Hall Of Famer Ed Giacomin (49) for the franchise lead.

Lundqvist has an impressive resume that includes seven consecutive 30-win seasons. The most ever by a goalie to start a career. He also won Olympic gold backstopping Sweden to glory in Torino. That also coincided with an impressive rookie year in ’05-06 that saw him win 30 games with a 2.24 GAA, .922 save percentage and two shutouts. Chants of “Hen-rik, Hen-rik” quickly resonated throughout Madison Square Garden.

Among the highlights were a league-leading 11 shutouts in ’10-11 to get the team back to the postseason. They were eliminated by Washington in five games. Thus far, ’11-12 ranks as his best. In 62 games, he set career bests in wins (39), GAA (1.97) and save percentage (.930). Lundqvist finished 39-18-5 with eight shutouts guiding the Rangers to an Atlantic Division title and the East’s best record. With the team playing a responsible defensive system reliant on him, Lundqvist excelled. He carried them to the Conference Finals. That included a perfect 3-0 record in elimination games during series wins over Ottawa and Washington. Unfortunately, the Devils ousted them from the playoffs to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. One goal the team hasn’t achieved with Lundqvist.

Following a second round exit to Boston, the passionate Rangers franchise goalie expressed disappointment referencing the season as a step backwards. That contradiction to Tortorella and trepidation about re-signing with them led to the demanding coach’s dismissal. Clearly frustrated with a style that didn’t produce consistent offense, Lundqvist wanted a change. Though he’ll never admit it, he’s the biggest reason Glen Sather made the switch and brought in ex-Canucks bench boss Alain Vigneault. Vigneault emphasizes a more aggressive style that rewards offensive talent.

So far, it’s been a dud. With only 70 goals through 32 games with a mediocre 15-16-1 record with 31 points, the Blueshirts find themselves on the outside of the playoffs. Due to the new division format, they only trail Carolina by a point. Realignment guarantees the top three spots in each division. Even though the new Atlantic is clearly better, only three teams automatically qualify. With Pittsburgh the only lock, there’s more than enough time for the Rangers to turn it around. They enter in fourth five points behind second Washington. The issue is the more games they lose, the harder they’re making it on themselves. New Jersey has 30 points and is one back while Columbus and Philadelphia have 29. Even the Islanders are still hanging around with 23 following their shootout win at San Jose last night.

A look at Lundqvist’s season and it doesn’t take an expert to conclude that it hasn’t been his best. In 24 starts, he takes a losing 9-13-1 record with a 2.60 GAA and .913 save percentage into tonight. If the season ended, those would be career worsts. He hasn’t performed up to his high standard. With the team in front of him not as committed defensively, his play has suffered. He’s seeing more quality chances and isn’t always coming up with the big saves. That must change.

He’s the Rangers’ MVP. Nobody takes losing more personally than Lundqvist. In fact, he concluded that it’s been his most challenging season to reporters following Tuesday’s loss to Nashville. With Derick Brassard, Ryan Callahan and Marc Staal all out, the Rangers could use a big game from their best. Maybe that could provide the missing spark. At some point, you expect your best to step up. It’s Lundqvist time.

Step Up: It’s time for Derek Stepan to step up in Ryan Callahan’s absence.

A closer look at the Rangers’ scoring issues is enough to make one jump off the Chase Bridges. A fundamental flaw with the roster is the lack of finish. Outside of Rick Nash, they don’t possess one other 30-goal scorer. Nash missed 17 games due to a concussion. Including last night’s dandy, he has six goals in 15 games. That total would be a lot higher if he stayed healthy. Brad Richards leads the team with nine. For a player many wanted to amnesty, that’s fine. As predicted, he’s bounced back leading the club in scoring with 24 points.

The problem is Richards can’t be the leading goal scorer 32 games in. With Ryan Callahan suffering a second-degree knee sprain, he’ll be out four to six weeks. Even though the Rangers captain was struggling offensively, his seven goals are tied with rookie Chris Kreider for second. That includes a team best four power play goals. Given how much he leads in every situation, it’s up to teammates to step up in his absence. One player who can perform better is Derek Stepan. After re-signing at the end of camp, he’s been inconsistent so far. While his 15 assists are tied with Richards for the team lead and his 20 points are tied with Mats Zuccarello for second best, he hasn’t played well. Five goals in 32 games isn’t enough production for a player who netted 18 over 48 last season.

It’s not so much that he’s expected to score goals. For better or worse, Stepan’s supposed to be their number one center. Occasionally, that means finishing around the net. He’s scored five times on 76 shots. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to translate a low shooting percentage (6.6). Compared with ’12-13, it’s not in the ballpark. Last year, he scored 18 on 108 achieving a career high 16.7 percent. Certainly, he benefitted from playing with Nash. They finished 1-2 in goal scoring. Nash had 21. Stepan beat out Nash in team scoring with 44 points. Nash had 42.

Aside from a lower shooting percentage which is on pace for the worst of his career, Stepan is struggling mightily on face-offs. Despite taking the most draws, he’s 248 and 308 (44.6 percent). Unfortunately, this has been a sore spot since he entered the league in ’10-11. Even last year, Stepan won 45.9 percent. Astonishingly, that was a career high. During his four-year career, he’s averaged 43.6. That’s not a high enough percentage. Especially playing for a coach who demands a higher offensive tempo. In order to have success, the team must have puck possession. Only one center on the roster wins consistently. Brian Boyle is at 55.1 percent (193 and 157). Most are in the defensive zone.

Not being able to win face-offs hurts your offense. Especially if you lose key draws that start in the offensive zone. How many times have we seen this team start a power play by losing the draw and having the puck cleared? It allows opponents to kill the first 25-30 seconds. No wonder the power play isn’t consistent. Sure. It’s improved under current assistant Scott Arniel ranking 13th at 19.0 percent. Outside of Richards who’s just over 50.0 percent, how much better could it be if Stepan won more consistently in the faceoff circle? Derick Brassard also loses over half. As a team, the Rangers are tied with the Ducks for 18th in face-offs (48.9 percent). Unlike Anaheim, they don’t possess enough skill to get by.

It’s understood that Stepan is only in his fourth year. The 23-year old former ’08 second round pick has been very successful. In 244 career games, he has 61 goals and 99 assists totaling 160 points. Of the entire 2008 Draft class, that ranks fifth best- trailing Steven Stamkos (409), Drew Doughty (199), Erik Karlsson (192) and Jordan Eberle (183). Unlike the top four, he wasn’t a first round pick and doesn’t possess the same talent. The former University Of Wisconsin product does it with intelligence and work ethic. Similar to Chris Drury. Sometimes, he overthinks. There have been a number of odd man situations where he’s passed up wide open shots. He’s a very unselfish player who thinks pass first. It’s not his natural instinct to shoot. But on an offensively challenged team, they need more goal production.

This hasn’t been a good stretch. Entering tomorrow night’s game against the Blue Jackets, the Blueshirts are 3-5-1 in their last nine. That followed consecutive road wins at Dallas and Nashville. In fact, they took three of five on a road trip that concluded November. Four of their five games this month have come at home. They’ve lost all of them (0-3-1) outscored 16-7. That includes a shootout loss to the Devils. In each defeat, Stepan doesn’t have a single point and is minus-four. Since a 2-0 win at Nashville on 11/20, he is without a goal over the last nine. Prior to that, he went eight straight without one. That followed his second career hat trick on 11/2 and a goal versus Pittsburgh on 11/6.

Ironically, that coincided with his best stretch. Between 10/29 and 11/16, Stepan tallied nine points (4-5-9) in nine games. The Rangers won all six in which he tallied a point. For the season, they are 12-3-0 when Stepan registers a point. Dating back to Oct. 29 when they defeated the Islanders 3-2, they are a perfect 12-0-0 since. Strange coincidence? I don’t think so. This team plays better when Stepan is going well. It’s time for him to Step Up.

The Ship Be Sinking: Little known Predator Rich Clune had no problem beating Henrik Lundqvist in a scene that becoming a disturbing trend for the Rangers.
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Losing is one thing. As a loyal and passionate fan of this team whose family has attended games since 1996, we’ve had our share of stinkers. Between ’97-98 through ’03-04, the Rangers didn’t make the playoffs once. Since Henrik Lundqvist’s arrival in ’05-06, we’ve had it much better. The Rangers have qualified for the postseason seven of the last eight years (’06-’09, ’11-13). In that time, they’ve had some good teams do respectably. Four teams advanced past the first round with the ’11-12 Blueshirts reaching the Conference Finals. Following the team’s exciting Winter Classic win over the Flyers, Garden CEO Jim Dolan proclaimed that they were close to winning a Stanley Cup. They fell six shy of the goal.

Fast forward nearly two years later and the current ’13-14 outfit is much further from competing for a championship. To quote one of my favorite Dire Straits songs, “You’re so far away from me.” Literally, that explains a lot with this franchise. When they didn’t win it all in 2012, Team President and GM Glen Sather listened to the media outcry that they needed another finisher acquiring Rick Nash from the Blue Jackets. Former core members Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky went the other way. At the time, I was one of few critics who thought it was a mistake. Breaking up a team that won a division and posted the East’s best record and made the first Conference Finals appearance since ’97 didn’t make much sense. Neither did allowing Brandon Prust, Ruslan Fedotenko and John Mitchell to leave without replacing them. Even Stu Bickel had a role defining the team toughness under former coach John Tortorella.

That team didn’t back down from anyone. They fought you tooth and nail until the final buzzer. Ask the Devils if their six-game Conference Final win came easy. In Games 5 and 6, those Rangers rallied from three-goal and two-goal deficits before going down- forcing their bitter Hudson rival to earn it. Despite not possessing much scoring, they always pushed back. That also better explains why they were able to avoid elimination in the first two rounds- rallying from a 3-2 deficit to beat the Senators and ousting the Capitals in a hard fought seven games. Resiliency was a trademark for the Black and Blueshirts. Garden Faithful were proud to support the team and loved the character they played with.

Since, it’s been all downhill. Following an inconsistent shortened season that cost Tortorella his job despite having good success, Sather hired ‘safe choice’ Alain Vigneault. Vigneault guided the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2011. Despite a talented roster featuring The Sedins, Ryan Kesler along with goalies Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider, they never delivered the franchise’s first Cup. That team blew series leads of 2-0 and 3-2 falling in seven games to the Bruins. Most disheartening was that Boston manhandled them in the deciding game 4-0 in Vancouver. The next two seasons, Vigneault’s teams were good enough to win the Northwest but failed miserably in the postseason losing in five to the Kings and swept by the Sharks. Dating back to the conclusion of the Stanley Cup, the Canucks lost 10 of their last 11 in the playoffs. That led to Vigneault’s dismissal. Ironically, Tortorella replaced him making it a coach swap.

When Sather decided to make the change, he cited that he wanted the Rangers to play a more aggressive style. Unlike Tortorella, Vigneault encourages a more up tempo system that should improve the offense. However, that hasn’t been the case. Following tonight’s 4-1 humiliation at the hands of the Predators, the Rangers are 15-16-1 with 32 points through their first 32 games. Counting Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Capitals, the Rangers have been held to two goals or fewer in 19 of 32. Their record is a disappointing 4-15-0. That’s despite boasting one of the league’s best goalies Henrik Lundqvist, who just signed a seven-year $59.5 million extension. In case you’re wondering, Lundqvist’s record this season when the team scores two or less is 2-13-0 with a 2.99 GAA and .885 save percentage. His only wins (2) were shutouts. If that doesn’t scream something’s wrong, nothing will.

”The only thing I know right now is it can only go up,” Lundqvist said after the team dropped its fourth straight (0-3-1) at MSG. ”It’s extremely tough mentally, and you try to be positive. You have to.”

”There were certain areas we talked about before the game,” Vigneault detailed. ”I thought we started off all right, but it makes it real challenging when you are down 2-0 early.”

Even when he makes changes by inserting Arron Asham, Derek Dorsett and Dominic Moore, it doesn’t light a fire. Instead, the ’13-14 Rangers don’t respond. They lost convincingly to a mediocre low scoring opponent who started their third string goalie. Predictably, Carter Hutton had no trouble winning for the first time since Nov. 6 finishing with 28 saves. Lundqvist faced less and stopped 22. This isn’t about the goalie as much as it is about the team in front of him. However, the former Vezina winner isn’t having a good season. He’s been allowing bad goals at inopportune moments. In the past under Tortorella playing a defensive style, Lundqvist rose to the occasion. Facing a higher quality of shots, he hasn’t been as sharp. Maybe that coach knew what was best with the current personnel.

Making matters worse, Ryan Callahan sprained his left knee following a hit delivered in the first period. He will be out four to six weeks. Already without Marc Staal, who missed his second consecutive game with a concussion that Vigneault oddly termed “minor,” the Rangers have their work cut out.  Already 0-2-1 on a team record nine-game home stand, they must right the ship. They’re 5-8-1 at MSG. Feeling the heat from displeased fans, they haven’t responded yet to adversity.

”This crowd is a demanding crowd. You can hear the crowd getting on them, letting them know what they thought,” Nashville goal scorer Rich Clune accurately depicted.

”Everyone has to step up a little more,” Dan Girardi said. ”He brings a lot to the team, a lot of different characteristics.”

Entering play, Clune hadn’t scored a point with 69 penalty minutes in 17 games this season. By the end of the night, he had his first goal and first assist later setting up ex-Cap Matt Hendricks. That was his second goal. For those keeping score, Paul Gaustad tallied his first two assists and scored the empty netter to cap another lifeless effort. These aren’t household names. Yet with every loss, the Rangers are making it a habit to get scored on by fourth liners. How many firsts can they allow to opponents? It harkens back to when the franchise couldn’t get out of its own way missing the postseason seven consecutive seasons (’98-’04).

Much of it has to do with the mismatched roster Sather put together. He never replaced the role players who did whatever it took to help the team win. While I’m not advocating overpaying Prust as the Canadiens did two summers ago, the combination of lost grit and toughness has made the Rangers an easy team to play against. Nobody sticks up for fallen teammates. Even the Mike Rupp trade for Darroll Powe looks bad. Though he’s been hurt, Rupp is part of the Wild roster. More than you can say for Powe, who’s appeared in one game while spending the year in Hartford. Penalty killing isn’t the issue. Team toughness is. If you look at the current roster, the only tough guy is Dorsett and he’s a middleweight. It’s no way to operate.

Opponents are no longer afraid. They don’t fear the Rangers and disrespect them at every turn. What you get is mixed results like we’re seeing this year. When the new coach in the first year of a five-year deal worth $10 million is already firing controversial remarks about the roster, that’s an eye opener. It’s also a direct shot at Sather. Who said the soft spoken Vigneault wasn’t like Tortorella? Maybe not in stature. But he’s already ripped this team plenty. Will he even survive the season? Why should Sather get to fire a hand picked coach? Isn’t it about time he starts looking in the mirror. It’s an organization in disarray. To quote Micheal Ray Richardson, “The ship be sinking.”