Predators vs Rangers: Vigneault makes changes for tonight

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Derek

Faced with the first crisis in his coaching tenure, Alain Vigneault has made changes to the Rangers lineup for tonight’s game against Nashville. Obviously disappointed with how the team is performing, he is hoping Hartford recall Arron Asham and a healthy Derek Dorsett can provide a spark. With J.T. Miller sent back down, he’s also reinserting veteran center Dominic Moore.

“I’m shifting things because we’re .500, so I think at .500 I’ve got some latitude here,” Vigneault told a group of reporters this afternoon following a team skate. “Playing two players that bring a more physical bite to our team, maybe that will make some other players compete at a higher level.”

At least he’s not standing pat. What’s really going on here is Vigneault’s realized he doesn’t have a lot to work with. Glen Sather has done a terrible job the last two off seasons. When he traded Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov as part of the Rick Nash deal, the Rangers’ depth took a hit. Combined with the departure of Brandon Prust, Ruslan Fedotenko and John Mitchell, it severely hurt the roster John Tortorella coached during last shortened season. A point I kept hammering home was that you don’t break up a team that reached the Conference Final. In doing so, Sather took a huge risk. It’s resulted in a lost identity that could become a losing culture if this keeps up.

It’s no secret that the Rangers don’t compete like they used to. Even Ryan Callahan hasn’t performed up to expectations. He doesn’t finish off guys the same. Aside from inconsistent scoring, the Rangers captain isn’t as noticeable. That can’t happen under any circumstance. Neither can Carl Hagelin continue to slump. When he returned, he was their best player. Notice that he hasn’t produced since Nash came back. Vigneault was using him as a top six forward. Forced to play third line minutes, he isn’t having any success. Hagelin was never a big scorer to begin with. Perhaps increased expectations hurt. He’s more effective when he’s surrounded with better talent. Vigneault might want to consider moving him back on a line with Brad Richards and Nash.

With Chris Kreider now a top six forward, he’s not going anywhere. After initial success with Derek Stepan and Mats Zuccarello, he’s playing with Nash and Richards. That’s left Vigneault to keep Zuccarello and Stepan together. If he could figure it out with Derick Brassard, scoring might not be as big an issue. A big difference between how Tortorella used him and how Vigneault does is the former coach played him at center more. When he came over as part of the Marian Gaborik trade, he was consistent. That hasn’t been the case this season. If Vigneault went with a 1-3 of Richards, Stepan and Brassard, it would create better balance. He seems more concerned with having Moore and Brian Boyle center different lines. Odd considering that he teaches offense. You can’t have two similar checking types on your third and fourth line.

I get the need for the Blueshirts to play a more grinding style. Without Dorsett, they’re vanilla. His energy rubs off. Hopefully, that will help. As for Asham, he makes his season debut after spending the first two months in Hartford. It had to be tough for a seasoned vet who’s played for all three locals along with the Flyers and Pens. He’ll have something to prove. As long as he doesn’t take an ill advised penalty, I can live with him. By playing Asham, Vigneault is sitting Benoit Pouliot and Taylor Pyatt. That’s the way it should be. Move guys in and out until you get results.

At 15-15-1, there’s plenty of time for the Rangers to turn it around. Three points behind second place Washington and tied for third with Carolina, they can’t continue to waste chances at home. The Devils are a point back and have won all three meetings with two left. The Flyers also are playing better hockey and are fifth with 29 points. Just two behind. Either they shape up or this season becomes a write off. That would mean much bigger changes. Not exactly what was expected. Henrik Lundqvist makes his fourth consecutive start. He’ll be opposed by Carter Hutton. There’s no reason they shouldn’t come out with two points.

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Goal Of Year Candidate: Corey Perry

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Derek

During last night’s Islanders loss to the Ducks, they were victimized by Corey Perry. The former league MVP scored a highlight reel goal with 1.7 seconds remaining in the second period.

On the play, with time winding down he deked around rookie defenseman Calvin de Haan and from his knees got off a desperation shot that deflected off Travis Hamonic into the back of the Islander net. There was nothing Anders Nilsson could do. It was just a sensational play by one of the game’s best.

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After latest loss, Islanders recall Strome

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Derek
Ryan Strome finally will make his NHL debut for the Islanders on Thursday at Phoenix. zimbio.com

Ryan Strome finally will make his NHL debut for the Islanders on Thursday at Phoenix.
zimbio.com

The Islanders continue to lose games. They fell in Anaheim 5-2 last night sending them to their 10th consecutive loss. During the awful stretch they’re 0-8-2 and have been outscored 43-16.

”We generate a lot, but we can’t score,” Jack Capuano said after his team outshot the Ducks 37-31. ”I don’t know what to tell you. We get chances that other teams score on when they get them. Right now, the Johnny Tavares line is the only line that’s finding the back of the net, and then everything gets magnified.”

John Tavares and Thomas Vanek scored both goals and each had an assist in a losing effort. Twice, the Isles led by a goal before a Duck onslaught in which they scored four unanswered. That included two goals in the final 33 seconds which doomed the Isles. First, Cam Fowler scored shorthanded by finishing off a three-on-one. Then, Corey Perry scored a highlight reel goal from his knees banking the puck off Travis Hamonic past Anders Nilsson with 1.7 seconds left. Just like that, the Islanders trailed 4-2.

”It stings. It really stings,” defenseman Thomas Hickey said. ”Being in a tie game, or even being down one going into the third, would have been ideal.”

Instead, Perry added his 20th goal on the power play to close the scoring. The lack of offensive depth has become a problem for the Islanders. Tavares, Frans Nielsen and Kyle Okposo haven’t got any help. Since coming over from Buffalo, Vanek has five goals and six assists in 15 games. Remarkably, his 11 points tie him with Andrew MacDonald for fourth in team scoring. Josh Bailey hasn’t taken the next step with four goals and six assists in 30 games. Michael Grabner has only two goals in 28 games. Both were expected to be key contributors.

Prior to last night’s game, the Islanders waived Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Brought in to replace Brad Boyes (8 goals), he has four goals and five assists in 28 contests. The veteran forward cleared waivers and will report to Bridgeport. Is Peter Regin (1-3-4) next? By admitting a mistake, the Isles are expected to give rookie center Brock Nelson additional ice-time. In 21 games, he has three goals and five helpers.

In addition, the organization finally recalled top prospect Ryan Strome. The former 2011 first round pick is leading the Sound Tigers with 33 points (9-24-33). Selected fifth overall in the ’11 Draft, the 20-year old is considered an elite prospect. A very gifted scorer with tremendous speed and touch, Strome won’t debut until the Isles are in Phoenix Thursday. The club takes on San Jose later tonight. Another Western power capable of exploding. Newsday’s Arthur Staple clarified why he’ll have to wait two days.

At the very least, the Islanders just became a lot more interesting. It’s time to find out what Strome can do. Following Thursday’s game in the Desert which concludes a five-game road trip, they return to Nassau Coliseum to host Montreal Saturday on Hockey Night In Canada. That should be eventful. Strome represented Team Canada at the U-18 World Junior Championships in 2012 and 2013. He posted nine points (3-6-9) in ’12 and six points (4-2-6) last year. The Canadian audience will have a curious eye on Strome.

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A Birthday Dud

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Derek

 

Mikhail Grabovski rips a slap shot past Henrik Lundqvist to convert a penalty shot. AP Photo/John Minchillo

Mikhail Grabovski rips a slap shot past Henrik Lundqvist to convert a penalty shot.
AP Photo/John Minchillo

 

How many have attended games on their birthday? The first one was a nice present from the Rangers on Dec. 8, 1995 when Brian Leetch set up Pat Verbeek for an overtime winner on the power play over the Red Wings. That memory still holds a special place in my heart. Tonight, not so much. At least I got to meet Anson Carter and Al Trautwig. A day after losing to the Devils in OT, the Rangers embarrassed themselves in a listless 4-1 loss to the Capitals at MSG.

”It’s one of those things. It’s not going to come from anyone else except from the 22 guys in here,” slumping center Derek Stepan said. ”We have to find a way to grab it. Forget about what happened in the first (number) of games.

”It doesn’t matter if you were playing well, playing bad. It doesn’t matter. We have to start playing as a group.”

It was every bit as bad as the score indicated. Uncompetitive against a team they previously owned, the Rangers played passionless hockey on the Garden ice. This was a disgrace. If you thought losing last night was bad, you were sadly mistaking. I don’t have the words other than to express how disappointing the 2013-14 Blueshirts are shaping up to be. How else can you explain 15-15-1? Even with Henrik Lundqvist standing on his head in a lifeless first period where his team allowed repeated odd-man rushes, they didn’t respond. Despite being even in shots (7-7), Lundqvist made four big stops keeping it scoreless.

What transpired in the second was humbling. The Caps scored twice in a 25-second span breaking open a scoreless game. First, it was the shift from Hell for John Moore. In light of Mike Del Zotto’s struggles and Marc Staal probably missing the game due to a suspected concussion, Moore has gotten a free pass. He has been brutal. Already having trouble staying on his feet (he fell during the first), Moore suffered more hiccups leading directly to Ranger killer Jason Chimera depositing a Martin Erat rebound with Lundqvist helpless. It was like watching a Chinese fire drill. Almost reminding me of something out of the pre-lockout teams that couldn’t get out of their own way. If that wasn’t bad enough, Cap immortal Steve Olesky scored what else but his first from Jay Beagle past an unscreened Lundqvist. I have no clue what he was doing. He never moved. That was a crusher.

”We felt them deflate a little bit,” Oleksy disturbingly said.

You don’t expect our goalie to continue allowing such weak goals. He’s always been so reliable. The backbone of the team. If he gives in due to the team’s soft defense and vanilla custard checking, they’re in for a long year. It doesn’t look like Staal will be back anytime soon. That means Alain Vigneault must play Del Zotto more along with Justin Falk and Moore. Unless the organization feels Dylan McIlrath is ready for a recall, there’s zero toughness. Not even Ryan McDonagh plays with enough edge. The impact of Mike Sauer is still being felt. Like it or not, he was much more important to the team’s chances.

The Rangers were outscored 3-0 and outshot 17-10 in a dismal second. The whole period was a blur. While I was celebrating my birthday and reuniting with some of our close friends, the Blueshirts did zilch. Oh. They may have been credited with 10 shots on Philipp Grubauer. But I can’t remember the rookie having to make a single big save. Meanwhile, the Caps continued an all out assault on Lundqvist. That included a bogus Mikhail Grabovski successful penalty shot that made it 3-0 at 18:26. I still have no idea how they awarded him one. On the heels of some missed calls Saturday, it made no sense. I didn’t even realize it was a penalty shot until I was in the restroom and heard the crowd chanting, “Hen-rik, Hen-rik!” At that point, I knew he would score and that was confirmed by the collective groans. Apparently, he froze him with a rare slap shot top shelf. In no shape or form am I pinning this on Lundqvist. But you expect him to stop that.

When they weren’t skating circles around our team, the Caps bullied a punchless Rangers, who didn’t defend Rick Nash when Alex Ovechkin mixed it up with him during a scrum. Now Nash is a big boy and can fight his own battles. But you can’t risk him getting punched in the head. Without Brandon Prust and to a lesser extent Brandon Dubinsky, this team has lost its identity. Nobody comes to the aid of a teammate. It’s about as vanilla a roster as you can get. Congrats Glen Sather. You’ve outdone yourself.

I spent the third talking to an incensed MSG security guard and someone else about how bad things have gotten. While that took place, Nate Schmidt made it 4-0. As I was filing out with someone else celebrating a recent birthday, Benoit Pouliot scored his third from Del Zotto to break Grubauer’s shutout. Of course, he earned his first win with 31 saves. There are still seven games left on a nine-game homestand. But the clock is ticking. Frustration is boiling over. After the game, the Rangers held a players-only meeting.

“You can talk all you want behind closed doors,” Vigneault fumed. “It’s the 200 by 85 that games are decided.” He might be tame by comparison to John Tortorella but his postgame was terse and about as angry as I’ve heard him. He still believes the roster is much better than this. It just hasn’t performed adequately.

“The crowd had nothing to stand for tonight,” McDonagh said. “And that’s something we’re ashamed of.”

“It’s getting old,” a frustrated Brad Richards added after being one of the few skaters who gave a max effort. J.T. Miller being one of the few exceptions.

”We need to grasp it here, need to play with some desperation,” Stepan pointed out. ”That’s the biggest key right now. Points are points right now. You have to win your hockey games.”

 

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Nate Schmidt, Caps (goal-2nd of season, 4 SOG +3 in 15:13)

2nd Star-Mikhail Grabovski, Caps (penalty shot goal, 4 SOG, 8 for 13 on faceoffs, +2 in 18:07)

1st Star-Steve Olesky, Caps (goal, assist, 3 blocked shots, +2 in 16:57)

Posted in NY Rangers | 2 Comments

Groundhog Day At MSG: One point gained, one point lost as Devils prevail 4-3 over Rangers

Posted on December 8, 2013 by Derek
A dejected Henrik Lundqvist can't look as the Devils congratulate Michael Ryder on his eighth goal. The Rangers rallied to tie but lost in overtime to their Hudson rival. AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

A dejected Henrik Lundqvist can’t look as the Devils congratulate Michael Ryder on his eighth goal. The Rangers rallied to tie but lost in overtime to their Hudson rival.
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

At the very least, the Rangers found a way to gain a point. It took long enough. Thirty games into a baffling season under first-year coach Alain Vigneault, they lost in overtime to the Devils 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. Devil rookie defenseman Eric Gelinas’ power play goal at 1:15 of OT gave New Jersey its third consecutive win this season in the Battle Of Hudson. His point blast went past an unscreened Henrik Lundqvist with Ryan Callahan in the box for an undisciplined hi-sticking double minor.

It typified what kind of season it’s been for the Blueshirts. Every time they have a chance to get two over .500, they blow it. Against their nemesis, even a two-goal lead wasn’t enough to prevent the inevitable. How come whenever they face Martin Brodeur, Lundqvist turns into a sieve? I don’t want to hear about his head to head regular season record against Brodeur anymore. That’s just more meaningless MSG propaganda about a goalie who just signed a new extension to make saves like the one he didn’t make on Gelinas. If he wants to be considered the best in the world, he can start by outperforming Brodeur. Since the 2012 Eastern Conference Final, it’s the same old script.

”These are fun games to play,” the 41-year old Brodeur emphatically said. ”To come in here, get the puck to the net, score some goals, it feels good.”

Exactly the problem. How many times do you hear victorious opponents gloat after winning at The Garden? It’s almost like that scene from Groundhog Day that Hasan linked up recently. The one where Bill Murray’s Phil character keeps having the same recurring day over and over again. Even when he smashes the alarm clock, “I Got You Babe,” still plays. That’s the Rangers on home ice. Instead of starting a nine-game homestand on the right foot, they were fortunate to get a point against a low scoring opponent with similar issues. How did they get four past Lundqvist on 24 shots?

”It’s a big point,” a philosophical Lundqvist explained. ”We never gave up, so that’s a good sign. We just didn’t get the bounces.”

Is he kidding? It sounds like sour grapes. How about doing your job against a team you used to dominate? Before he was outplayed by Brodeur two postseasons ago, Lundqvist always shut the Devils down. If he had a two-goal lead, the game was over. They weren’t coming back. That’s no longer the case. For whatever reason, he doesn’t get it done. I swear they’d be better off letting Cam Talbot start in next month’s Stadium Series. They play better in front of him. Whether it’s mental like the whole win one lose one shenanigans, I don’t know. Right now, they’re one of the NHL’s biggest disappointments. And this is on a night Chris Kreider bailed them out by scoring with 21.4 seconds left on the power play to force extras.

Buoyed by Kreider’s seventh, the Rangers were looking to ride the momentum. Instead, Callahan caught Andy Greene cutting his lip for a four-minute penalty. Greene is making a strong case to be on the USA Olympic roster. After Ryan McDonagh, he’s been the second best defenseman among the Devils, Islanders and Rangers. Here he bled and it led directly to Gelinas beating Lundqvist 13 seconds into the man-advantage for a big extra point.

”I’m fortunate to be out there in that type of situation, and I gave it a shot,” the improving rookie defenseman said. ”It definitely feels good to be rewarded and to get that winner, but it was a team effort.”

Before they reached that point, the Blueshirts scored the first two on Brodeur. Brad Richards beat him for the only goal in the first. It was his team-leading ninth. Mats Zuccarello continued his impressive play by getting to a Callahan rebound for his sixth which put them up 2-0. Zuccarello also assisted on Richards’ goal. Since Vigneault sat him out at Detroit, he’s been one of their most consistent players. Where would they be without him? Scary stuff.

The game swung when Cam Janssen was credited with his third after the puck went off his skate. Tim Sestito’s centering feed was directed in by Janssen. Depending on which side you’re on, it was either a good goal as Toronto confirmed upholding the decision or a deliberate kick which upset Lundqvist.

”I thought it was a kick, but it doesn’t matter,” he said. ”They got it, and in the end they just managed to get the bounces. It’s a frustrating loss.”

”We knew we were going to need some depth contributions,” Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. ”We got them from Janssen, the fourth line, Peter Harrold, who I thought was excellent.

”We needed a lot of energy, and those guys gave it to us.”

The Rangers still led by one. Ultimately, they couldn’t finish off a pesky opponent that never quits. It was the Devils who were playing the second of a back-to-back. Yet they had enough determination to rally back in the third. Travis Zajac and Michael Ryder each scored to put them up 3-2. It was looking like another lost night until Zajac accidentally cleared the puck over the glass with 1:11 left.  That allowed the Rangers to pull Lundqvist for a six-on-four. It wasn’t looking promising until McDonagh got a shot through which deflected off Callahan rebounding out to Kreider, who was able to chip a backhand over Brodeur. A strong play by a hard working player. Despite only taking two penalties, the second was enough to lose.

”My intent was to swing around and get his stick, but it comes up too high and catches him,” Callahan lamented. ”It’s a bad penalty. It cost us a point.”

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Mats Zuccarello, Rangers (goal-6th of season, assist, +2 in 18:58-can they clone him?)

2nd Star-Tim Sestito, Devils (2 assists, +2 in 10:45-you deserve to lose if he gets 2 points)

1st Star-Cam Janssen, Devils (3rd of season, entered season with three career-of course he scored)

Posted in Battle Of Hudson, Devils, NY Rangers | Leave a comment

Rangers recall Miller, Pouliot to sit?

Posted on December 7, 2013 by Derek

Rangers recall JT Miller

J.T. Miller is back. The 20-year old forward was recalled by the Rangers yesterday. After tallying a goal and assist in 15 games with the big club, the former 2011 first round pick went back down to Hartford. In three games, he tallied a goal and helper. His energy can definitely aid a club lacking in that department. The fourth line hasn’t exactly been effective when Derek Dorsett doesn’t play. I’m guessing he’s still not ready to return.

I’m all for giving Miller another chance. While he hasn’t received a ton of ice-time under Alain Vigneault, it’s an opportunity to make an impression. Even if it’s short term, I’d rather see him play over Benoit Pouliot or Taylor Pyatt. Neither have done much to stay in the lineup. Pyatt has one assist in 19 games and Pouliot has scored only twice with three assists while playing in every game. At some point, the light has to go off for the former Wild ’05 first round pick. He’s 27 and on a one-year deal. If he continues to struggle, this could be it for him.

It’s not like Pouliot doesn’t have talent. He’s scored double digits in goals three of the last four seasons. In ’09-10, he totaled 17 between the Wild and Canadiens, who acquired him for Guillaume Latendresse. That included 15 following the trade. After posting 13 goals and 17 assists in ’10-11, he signed with Boston. On a good roster, he tallied 16 goals and 16 helpers for a career best 32 points and plus-18 rating. He even took part in Boston’s first round defeat to Washington netting a goal and assist in seven games. After spending last year with Tampa Bay where he had eight goals and 12 assists in 34 contests, the Rangers signed him for ’13-14. He’s earning $1.3 million.

When you haven’t scored since Oct. 29 versus the Islanders, that’s telling. He’s been mostly in Vigneault’s doghouse due to inconsistency. His penchant for undisciplined penalties hasn’t helped. He’s been given every opportunity by the coaching staff. Maybe Miller replaces him tonight when the Rangers take on the Devils. It wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world to let Pouliot watch from the press box. Hopefully, that’s the plan this weekend.

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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.

Posted in Devils | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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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