Battle Of Hudson

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.

Following last night’s disappointing loss to Winnipeg, there was plenty of frustration afterwards from the Rangers. Twenty-eight games into Alain Vigneault’s first season, they’re a .500 team. Astonishingly, their record is 14-14-0. In today’s NHL, that’s literally impossible. Of the 30 teams, they’re one of two that don’t have an overtime/shootout loss. Colorado is the other. However, under Patrick Roy the Avs are off to a 19-6-0 start in a more competitive Western Conference. Overachieving instead of underachieving. Big difference.

”We’re definitely not getting the traction that I know we want,” Vigneault said after his team failed again to reach two over .500. ”The only way we’re going to get traction and get better is by playing more consistent hockey. Is this team a .500 hockey club? We’re certainly playing like one.”

Most baffling is the lack of consistency. Understandably, getting off to a bad start made it more difficult. Losing Rick Nash didn’t help. He remains the single 30-goal scorer they have. By far the most talented forward, he’s looked good since returning scoring four goals. He had a three-game goal scoring streak snapped last night. It wasn’t for lack of chances. He finished with a team high seven shots and was dangerous throughout. When he’s not scoring, others must step up. In their 5-2 win over Vancouver, it was a coming out party for rookie Chris Kreider. He recorded his first career hat trick against ex-coach John Tortorella which had him seeing red.

On a low scoring team that’s been held to two goals or fewer 17 times, Kreider has six goals tying him with the team’s best defenseman Ryan McDonagh for third. Ryan Callahan and Brad Richards each have seven pacing the club. When Glen Sather fired Tortorella, it was for two reasons. The first was because he felt they needed a different mindset that would result in increased offense. The second was due to him losing the room. Even if Slats felt he fell short of the team’s goal of winning a Stanley Cup. Ironically, a year removed from the franchise’s first Conference Final showing since last century. It was the Team President and GM who changed the roster. Even though I’m a Brandon Dubinsky supporter, bringing in Nash was a no brainer. With Tim Erixon barely playing for Columbus, the trade is basically Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov for Nash. You do that every time.

It was Sather’s other decisions which had a negative impact. By not re-signing Brandon Prust, he risked losing the team identity. Prust was a warrior who took on all comers. A look at the lack of team toughness since and it’s no wonder the Rangers have become so easy to play. Good teams either outwork them or bully them like Boston. A look at two frustrating losses to the Devils is proof that they’re not the same team. Sure. Most of the core remains with Callahan leading the way. There are 12 holdovers from the ’11-12 team that finished first in the Eastern Conference and won their first division since ’95-96. They include Brian Boyle, Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, Dan Girardi, Carl Hagelin, Kreider, Henrik Lundqvist, McDonagh, Richards, Marc Staal, Derek Stepan and Anton Stralman. However, gone is the resilient style that got them within reach of the Cup Final. Even in Games 5 and 6, the Tortorella Rangers fought valiantly rallying from three-goal and two-goal deficits before losing to the Devils.

One look at how the current team plays when trailing in the third period and it’s clear as day. They no longer claw back. When do they ever get a game tied up with a goalie on the bench? Not under Vigneault who preaches offense. A positive at least is the 14 wins are all in regulation and overtime which at last check is the number one tiebreaker. But earning extra points can be valuable. The Devils are the polar opposite with five overtime/shootout losses. That doesn’t include big overtime wins over Anaheim and Los Angeles. They squeeze every ounce out of minimal talent carried by Jaromir Jagr. It’s ironic considering what he did for the Rangers post-lockout. Even at 41, he still leads by example.

The Rangers boast plenty of team leaders featuring Callahan, Girardi and Staal, who’s having a dreadful year. There’s plenty of experience to draw on. But why are they struggling to string together wins? Defensively, they’re not as good playing a higher tempo. Defensemen have been caught up ice or out of position. Not just Del Zotto. Staal is minus-seven with three points. Whatever the reason, he has been a big disappointment. Forwards aren’t always coming back. Or they’re committing egregious turnovers like the one Derick Brassard had that led to Winnipeg’s second goal. Brassard has picked it up offensively but has had a penchant for bad giveaways. He’s not the same player who led them in scoring last postseason.

In order for this team to be successful, everybody must contribute. That includes character guys such as Boyle and Dominic Moore. They work hard and bring energy. Both win faceoffs and are strong penalty killers. However, one combined goal isn’t enough. Neither is Benoit Pouliot’s two goals and five points. Not what Sather brought him in for. He’s a talented former first round pick who can be streaky. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen it. Instead, he’s had a penchant for taking bad penalties and vanishing acts. Vigneault hinted that he might be a scratch for Thursday at Buffalo. That’s after Pouliot put together back-to-back solid efforts. Go figure.

There’s a lot wrong. Justin Falk plays on the blueline due to a lack of toughness. He then proceeded to get pounded by Anthony Peluso. Del Zotto was minus-three following a power play goal Saturday. John Moore has been a healthy scratch the last two. He has an identical amount of points (5) to Del Zotto. Derek Dorsett’s the toughest guy on the roster and is a middleweight. The list goes on. Basically, it’s the rock solid play from Lundqvist and Cam Talbot that’s kept them afloat. It must change soon.

Olli Jokinen celebrates a goal in the third period with teammates.
AP Photo/Kathy Willens

One step forward. One step back. That’s the Ranger season so far in a nutshell. Two days removed from Chris Kreider’s hat trick performance against former coach John Tortorella’s Canucks, they were brutal during a deflating 5-2 loss to Winnipeg at lifeless MSG. How else to sum up a night’s frustration? Aggravating, disappointing and lackadaisical all come to mind.

There’s no rationale for why they had a stinker coming off such a statement game. Then again, this is what the Rangers are. Twenty-eight games into Alain Vigneault’s first year, it’s a mediocre 14-14-0 clinging onto third in a weak Metro Division backed by the Devils’ 3-2 loss at Montreal. That includes an inexplicable 5-6-0 record at a remodeled Garden lacking in atmosphere. Whatever the reason, James Dolan’s renovation has backfired. No one is intimidated by the World’s Most Famous Arena. Or to quote a buddy, the World’s Most Renovated Arena. Whenever opponents are asked about playing at the Garden, they’re filled with excitement. Perhaps that’s because the Rangers and Knicks wave the welcome mat so easily. What ever happened to defending your turf?

Gone are the days when the building had pulsating energy with our fans inspiring its own. Instead, it’s been replaced by empty seats and a more comatose environment. That’s still no excuse for the Blueshirts to play so uninspired against a beatable opponent. Of course, it was basically like facing themselves. Winnipeg entered 12-12-4 without injured power forward Evander Kane. No matter. Leave it to the Rangers to give up a first goal to John Albert (who?) and fourth liner Chris Thorburn’s first two points (2 assists) of the year. Even more appropriately, ’10-11 ghost Olli Jokinen tallied twice including the game-winner and insurance marker that spoiled rookie Cam Talbot’s second consecutive start. He also allowed over two goals for the first time in eight starts and of course got predictably blamed. As if Henrik Lundqvist would’ve done better the way the team played. Appalling.

”I thought I felt all right, still not where I wanted to be,” Talbot lamented after making 25 saves in a losing effort. ”Four goals is not going to cut it. I can’t expect the guys to go and score five goals for me every night.”

Of course, he is being a team player here. It had more to do with how poor the Rangers were defensively. They were careless with and without the puck paying dearly for sloppy turnovers and dreadful coverage. The stat sheet says they outshot the Jets 37-30. Whoopee. That gets you nowhere when you don’t pay attention to every detail. The night got off to a promising start when Mats Zuccarello deflected home a Ryan McDonagh point shot for his fourth just 2:49 into the match. It extended Zuccarello’s point streak to four and kept McDonagh’s recent offensive surge rolling. Speaking of which, he was their best player. If only others mounted the energy Mac Truck brings more consistently.

Despite grabbing a 1-0 lead, the Rangers fell into bad habits. It was the Jets who came back with consecutive strong shifts. Even with our team buzzing, Ondrej Pavelec kept them at bay. Another mediocre goalie who turned into a star on Broadway. He finished with 35 saves and was named the game’s third star. No disrespect. But haven’t we seen this script before? They had no trouble chasing Roberto Luongo and putting up five against the former coach. The one a misguided press treats like Scrooge despite the team’s only appearance in the Conference Final since ’97. Makes about as much sense as the MSG apologists who apparently blamed the lack of atmosphere due to a “non-conference opponent.” Winnipeg abused us when they played in the East too as the Atlanta Thrashers. Selective memory.

Once the Jets found their sea legs, they had no problem figuring out a soft defense that’s been exposed plenty playing a more wide open style. That’s the risk. It still doesn’t fully explain undisciplined turnovers and lazy backchecks. The first two Winnipeg goals were point blank chances. Devin Setoguchi converted his seventh on an odd-man rush. Guess who set it up. Jokinen. He fed Setoguchi, who let go of a laser that tied it. Ironically, a one-sided scrap might’ve woken them up. Since Vigneault inserted Justin Falk into the lineup, he’s been in to supply needed energy and toughness. In for John Moore again, he made the mistake of challenging Anthony Peluso, who proceeded to destroy him with several rights. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea.

A horrible giveaway from Derick Brassard led to Winnipeg’s second goal of the middle stanza. As talented as he is, sometimes Brassard still shows why Columbus gave up on him. He’s had several bad turnovers that have led to goals against. I guess old habits die hard with former coach Scott Arniel as a current Ranger assistant. A blind giveaway inside the Jets’ blueline allowed Dustin Byfuglien to push the puck ahead forward for Albert, who broke in and beat Talbot top shelf. If there’s an area he has to work on, it’s stopping breakaways. He needs to challenge more. Despite that, he came up with several key saves which allowed Ryan Callahan to finally score a goal. The captain had been struggling recently. But sheer determination resulted in his seventh on a goal mouth scramble set up by Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot.

With the game knotted after two, you would’ve thought the Rangers buoyed by Callahan’s huge goal would come out and dominate the third. Not this team. They didn’t register a shot the first six minutes. Eventually, they generated opportunities. For the most part, the lines were good offensively except when it came to finishing. Rick Nash had a few close calls. Derek Stepan failed on a breakaway. And Chris Kreider passed up a chance to shoot instead trying to feed a cutting Stepan. When they’re not going well, they tend to overpass and not shoot. Simple is more effective. I didn’t like that aspect of their game.

Jokinen’s game-winner was a bad break. An odd dump took a funny carom. The next thing you know, Setoguchi and Thorburn combined to set up Jokinen, who beat Talbot from in front with nobody on him. Of course, Talbot didn’t make any excuses.

”Their guy just kind of rimmed it back behind the net,” he said. ”I think it hit his skate right behind and ricocheted off and went out front. It actually did hit my stick, but it ended up right back at front.

”That’s my fault. I’ve got to put it right back to the corner,” he added.

Outside of McDonagh and Anton Stralman, the blueline played like crap. Mike Del Zotto was on for three goals against including Jokinen’s put away which came with 1:54 left. Regarding Del Zotto, the first two goals weren’t his fault. However, he screwed up by getting caught pinching. The Jets countered with Jacob Trouba sending Michael Frolik on a two-on-one with Jokinen. After Talbot looked to have the initial save, Jokinen slipped it thru the five-hole for the crusher. It was the only bad goal he gave up. Yet all you hear from some of our fans is how Lundqvist should’ve started. It reminds me of the same warped logic for blaming Jokinen for his failed shootout miss that eliminated us against the Flyers. What about the goalie? He lost to a journeyman in a glorified skill competition.

”Obviously, he didn’t make the same amount of saves that he had done in the past,” Vigneault duly noted, ”but we certainly made his life challenging by how we played in front of him.”

For good measure, Blake Wheeler added an empty netter. Ironically, my Dad went because he couldn’t sell the ticket. But he left after two because he saw it coming. Had I gone, we’d have stayed. My next game is my birthday on Sunday against the Capitals. Knowing our luck, Troy Brouwer will score the winner. Oh joy.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Devin Setoguchi, WPG (goal, assist, +2 in 14:02)

2nd Star-Ryan McDonagh, NYR (assist, 2 SOG, 2 takeaways, Even Rating in 24:22-also made a great keep on Callahan tally)

1st Star-Olli Jokinen, WPG (2 goals-5th, 6th incl. GW, assist, 5 SOG, +3 in 15:23)

Kreider’s Revenge: A jubilant Chris Kreider celebrates one of his three goals against former coach John Tortorella’s Canucks. The 22-year old rookie recorded his first NHL hat trick highlighting the Rangers’ 5-2 win at MSG Saturday.
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

By show of hands, how many could’ve predicted this? John Tortorella’s return to MSG was a coming out party for Chris Kreider. He entered yesterday’s game against the Canucks with only three goals. By the end of it, he celebrated his first career NHL hat trick at Tortorella’s expense. Poetic considering last year’s struggle that contributed to his dismissal.

To be fair, Kreider admittedly played hurt and wasn’t the player he is now. In fact, he didn’t even make the roster out of camp. That included a poor showing in preseason which prompted Tort’s replacement Alain Vigneault to send Kreider down to Hartford. Don’t tell the Tort bashers, who certainly came out of the woodworks with the 22-year old rookie’s breakout performance that highlighted a 5-2 home win. They would have you believe he held him back. Not every kid comes up and tears it up right away. He’s been building confidence and finally got some puck luck highlighted by two deflections including the hat trick midway through the third.

”I would have struggled trusting me, too,” Kreider was quick to point out after entering having scored five goals in his first 43 NHL games. ”I was playing through an injury. There are no hard feelings, I learned a lot from him.

”I had a pretty positive experience on the whole. At the end of the day, it’s two points and we’re happy to come away with the win.”

The maturity he demonstrates is admirable. Unlike part of a slanted media that conveniently forgot his surprising run under Tortorella during the 2012 playoffs out of Boston College, Kreider understands that it’s been an uphill battle to reach this point. In another cruel twist, Vigneault put him on the identical line Tortorella created last second round against Boston. Realizing that the lines had gone stale, Vigneault reunited Kreider with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash. A brilliant move. The cohesive trio combined for eight points and a plus-nine rating dominating the Canucks at even strength. Nash scored for the third straight game and added two helpers while Stepan recorded two assists.

Somewhat overlooked was the performance of rookie goalie Cam Talbot. Finally making his Garden debut, the unflappable Talbot made 35 saves in improving to 6-1-0 in seven starts. Due to a shift at work and Thanksgiving get together with my Mom, I didn’t get to see the game. However, it sounded like Talbot made some key stops including 14 in a busy first.

”A couple of our players made some great defensive efforts, and when that wasn’t there, Cam made some great saves,” Vigneault stated while expressing surprise at seeing the Sedins on the opposite side.

”I gain a lot of confidence, and confidence in the guys in front of me, too,” Talbot said. ”They’ve been playing really great in front of me. I’m just trying to stop the puck and not let them down because they’re doing a great job of getting me in games and getting me leads.”

Unlike most games where offense is at a premium, Kreider had plenty in store for his former coach. He got the goal fiesta started at 12:37 of the first period. After Stepan won a loose puck along the boards, Nash swept it to a wide open Kreider, who whipped a wrist shot by Roberto Luongo. A couple of minutes later, he took full advantage of Zach Kassian’s delay of game minor. This time, he parked in front of Luongo and deflected home a Ryan McDonagh shot for his second of the game. Former Tort whipping boy Brad Richards added an assist. In another delicious irony, the Ranger power play clicked scoring twice in three chances. That had to eat at former assistant Mike Sullivan.

”I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a little weird for me coming back here,” Tortorella expressed. ”Once the game starts, it’s about playing and trying to find a way to get a win. That’s my job, to try to get some traction with this hockey club. Once that starts, it’s just, ‘Let’s go.”’

It only got worse for Tortorella’s Canucks. Nash scored 17 seconds into the second increasing the lead to three, chasing Luongo (3 GA on 10 shots). It was his fourth goal since returning and increased his goal streak to three. Stepan and Dan Girardi picked up assists. Another Canuck penalty was punished. This time, Vigneault target Mike Del Zotto converted his second from Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard. It had to feel extra sweet for Del Zotto, who’d been a healthy scratch the last two and five of the last eight. He was reinserted for John Moore, who sat out along with Taylor Pyatt. He was replaced by a healthy Derek Dorsett, who wasted no time in the third fighting Tom Sestito.

David Booth broke up Talbot’s shutout bid with 4:10 left in the second from Mike Santorelli and ex-Blueshirt Dale Weise. The crowd saluted Talbot with chants of “Cam.” Full credit to Vigneault for giving the kid a chance. After an impressive camp, he’s run with it since Marty Biron retired. Biron now works as an MSG analyst and must be getting some satisfaction out of seeing Talbot’s development.

The only leftover drama was whether Kreider would complete the hat trick. He’d already recorded his first two-goal game. Why not make it three?!?!?!?!?! With 10:22 remaining in the third, he did just that when he got in front of an Anton Stralman point shot and neatly redirected the puck past Canuck backup Eddie Lack. The hand eye coordination it takes is off the charts. The most notable difference with Kreider since he returned is his willingness to go to the net. He’s not only willing to throw the body which Tortorella preached. But get the jersey dirty. For a young player with his combination of size, speed and strength, that’s a must. Hopefully, tonight’s success will be a harbinger of things to come for a talented young player capable of making a difference.

Former Vigneault pupil Daniel Sedin concluded the scoring fittingly with a power play goal in garbage time. Brian Boyle ended the match by trying to fight Kevin Bieksa. Why I have no clue. All in all, a memorable day for Kreider and important bounce back win for the good guys.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Anton Stralman, NYR (assist, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots in 26 shifts-20:50-vastly overlooked defenseman’s career was revived by Tortorella)

2nd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (goal-4th, 2 assists, 5 SOG, +3 in 15:54-Nashty!)

1st Star-Chris Kreider, NYR (1st career hat trick-4, 5, 6, 6 SOG, 3 hits, +3 in 14:31-a coming out party)