Battle Of Hudson

Chris Kreider had a memorable 2012. He won a second straight national championship with Boston College and had a sizzling Broadway debut during last year’s run to the Conference Finals. The former ’09 first round pick scored five goals in the postseason before ever playing a regular season game.

He found instant chemistry with USA linemates Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan. The trio was a big part of the team’s first trip past the second round since ’97. They were easily the best line at getting pucks in and forechecking. Kreider’s speed, size and muscle was a perfect fit. His early success made him an instant sensation with fans and media who loved the story.

Much was expected of Kreider in his rookie season. Unfortunately, an ugly lockout prevented him from starting ’12-13 with the Rangers. Instead, he spent significant time with the Connecticut Whale. It didn’t boost his confidence. He only scored five goals in 30-plus games under Ken Gernander. Many wondered if perhaps a lack of talent contributed. As it turned out, he was playing through an ankle injury, which eventually sidelined him when the NHL returned.

The Rangers’ mishandling of Kreider’s injury should’ve raised a red flag. Despite recent success, they haven’t always done the best job developing players. Evgeny Grachev is probably the easiest case of a butchering. After being dealt to St. Louis, he hasn’t recovered. There are other glaring examples (Baranka, Dawes, Jessiman, Kundratek, Lundmark, Montoya, Sanguinetti, Weise). Of course, some can be chalked up as busts while others are having success elsewhere.

It’s too early to draw any conclusions on Kreider. Obviously, he hasn’t impressed John Tortorella, who may or may not be part of the problem. The demanding style is a lot for a first-year player to handle. Kreider’s only scored one goal, beating Martin Brodeur in a loss at New Jersey. He also assisted on J.T. Miller’s first NHL goal.

While seven games is hardly ideal to judge him on, it seems they’d rather have Brian Boyle over a talented player like Kreider who can help offensively. I’ve been a staunch supporter of Boyle, who’s nowhere near as skilled but is a capable penalty killer who can take key draws. It’s absolutely ridiculous for Tortorella to put Boyle ahead of Kreider. This is a different team. They don’t rely on team defense. Rather the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist.

You don’t acquire Rick Nash to play low scoring games. If Tortorella wanted that, he should’ve told Sather not to trade Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky. Now that Nash has settled in with Stepan and Carl Hagelin, it’s the coach’s job to get more out of Brad Richards. If that means replacing Taylor Pyatt with Kreider, then do it and stop jerking him around.

A day after being sent back to AHL Siberia, Kreider finds himself back up due to an odd injury to Nash. What if it magically heals by tomorrow? Then Kreider sits? What the Rangers are doing with him is wrong.

In last week’s introduction, we discussed past Rangers first round picks. The organization has moved in the right direction after years of failure. Drafting and development are two vital areas that determine whether a team made the right selection. For kids Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller, they’re still in the developmental stage. Blueshirt fans should be paying close attention.

One area the Rangers have had success is drafting in the second round. Dating back to 2001, five former No.2 picks are still in the NHL and have had good careers. Let’s break them down:

SECOND ROUND SUCCESS
Player                        Year          Overall          Team(s)       GP      G      A     Pts    PIM  
Fedor Tyutin            2001          40th              NYR CBJ   571     43    152   195    376
Brandon Dubinsky   2004          60th              NYR CBJ   402     82    138   220    494
*Mike Sauer             2005          40th              NYR            98       4      14     18      96
Artem Anisimov       2006          54th              NYR CBJ   257     50     64   114      94
Derek Stepan            2008           51st              NYR           177     40     62   102      46

*LTI for post concussion syndrome

All five were part of the club’s turnaround. Tyutin played on the ’07 team that pushed the Sabres six games in the Eastern Conference Semis. Following a second round defeat to the Pens, Glen Sather traded him to Columbus for Nikolai Zherdev. A gamble that didn’t work out. While Zherdev stars for Atlant of the KHL, Tyutin remains the Jackets’ best defenseman at 29.

Dubinsky and Anisimov were on last year’s team that had the East’s top record. Along with Stepan, who’s currently centering the No.1 line, they helped get the Rangers to the Conference Finals. In the offseason, Slats packaged Dubinsky and Anisimov with Tim Erixon and a No.1 pick to the Blue Jackets for Rick Nash. He used assets to acquire a need. Nash is a top power forward who is an upgrade offensively. Depth has come into question. Always the risk when you make such a move.

If Mike Sauer ever returns, it would be a big boost for the Rangers blueline. Sauer was the most underrated defenseman on the team. He played with an edge that’s severely lacking since he went down. Sather has failed to address this hole. Instead, John Tortorella is forced to play Matt Gilroy, who he doesn’t trust enough to use in third periods. Stu Bickel is basically a goon and Steve Eminger is serving a two week conditioning assignment. Former No.1 pick Dylan McIlrath remains a year away.

Overall, the Blueshirts have done an admirable job drafting in Round Two. Dubinsky and Anisimov were solid core players who brought Nash. Stepan is currently centering the top line with Nash and sixth round gem Carl Hagelin. Stepan’s improvement is crucial to the club’s success. He must improve on his playoff goal total. A paltry one over 25 games. He is unselfish to a fault. Shooting more would make him a better player. The coaching staff has encouraged it. Maybe playing with Nash will bring out his best.

The Rangers are hoping Christian Thomas is part of the future. Taken 40th overall by the club in 2010, the 20-year old son of former NHLer Steve Thomas is in his second pro year with Connecticut. He’s tallied 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points in 48 games. He’s in the second year of a three-year entry level contract. It’s do or die for Thomas next year.

Cristoval “Boo” Nieves was selected 59th last June. Most observers liked the pick. In his freshman year playing for Red Berenson at Michigan, Nieves has 23 points (8-15-23) in 30 games. A nice start to his collegiate career.

By now, the point should be driven home. Nobody is playing better than John Tavares amongst the four Battle teams. You can take any player off the four rosters. The Islanders franchise center heads the list. Unfortunately, he plays for a franchise that’ll likely miss the postseason again. For one night at least, the Islanders had the best player and that was enough to post a 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers at MSG.

I didn’t see most of the second meeting between classic rivals. However, what looked promising turned into a point lost for the Blueshirts, who had their three-game win streak snapped. Tavares pumped home his team-leading eighth and won the shootout to end the Islanders’ five-game slide. What more could they ask for than a win over their nemesis in enemy territory? It also ended an eight-game losing streak at The Garden.

John Tortorella went with Marty Biron. For a period, it looked like a great move. The Blueshirts scored twice in a strong first period. Dan Girardi tallied his first and Marian Gaborik registered his club-leading seventh. Anytime they play the Islanders, a two-goal lead is never safe. Especially for our side. What do you know? Just as I checked Twitter on the ride back from Long Island, I see a concerned tweet from a Ranger fan about the team needing to wake up.

If you let Colin McDonald score 29 seconds into a period, it’s usually not the best sign. I responded to the tweet with a come on. Apparently, the Rangers had another two-man advantage. Like Bill Murray’s infamous Phil character from Groundhog Day, they saw their shadow.

An instant later, Tavares tied the game on a two-on-one. Biron later admitted that he should’ve had it. Our backup caught a lot of flak from a select few who can’t be real fans. Biron’s been a solid citizen behind Henrik Lundqvist, who can’t start every night. Those who gave Marty a Bronx cheer following the all too predictable third consecutive goal by Islander forward Brad Boyes should never be allowed back into MSG. Get off the bandwagon and bury yourselves!

Fortunately for true Blueshirts, Tortorella didn’t put in Lundqvist. Instead, Biron steadied himself and the power play actually showed a pulse. No coincidence that it was thanks to hard working Swede Carl Hagelin. After a slow start, what a turnaround. Hags converted his fifth at the doorstep, squeaking the puck past Evgeni Nabokov. His timely goal along with some strong stops from Biron especially on Tavares allowed them to gain a valuable point.

By the time I reached my car in Park Slope, I caught an exciting conclusion to regulation. It was mostly Hagelin who created opportunities for Rick Nash and Derek Stepan late. His play is infectious. When you combine it with the splendid skills of Nash, it gives Stepan more room. It’s that line that’s the Rangers’ best with Brad Richards all but invisible. Despite setting up Gaborik’s seventh, he only saw one shift in the third. Tortorella sent him out for three in overtime.

The OT was crazy. Both sides had great chances to win it. However, neither could capitalize taking it to a shootout. This time, it went to the opponent. The Islanders beat Biron twice. First, super shooter Frans Nielsen went upstairs. Following Nabokov stops on Gaborik and Nash, Tavares sealed it with a laser giving his team an important win.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Lubomir Visnovsky, NYI (assist)
2nd Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (PPG-5th of season, assist)
1st Star-John Tavares, NYI (8th of season plus shootout clincher)

Notes: As expected, Brian Boyle returned replacing Chris Kreider. Tortorella was pleased with Boyle, who went 9 for 17 on faceoffs and registered eight hits. I still am not sure if this is such a good development. You don’t want to mess with Kreider’s psyche. His development is much more important. … Arron Asham stepped up the ladder and fought Eric Boulton. … Jeff Halpern (11-and-2) helped the Rangers control faceoffs. They went 44 and 32. … Islanders blocked 21 shots including four from Andrew MacDonald. … Matt Martin delivered nine hits. 20 less than the Rangers. … J.T. Miller took part in his fifth game. It would be a mistake to send him down.

Oh Captain My Captain. Anyone whose seen Dead Poet’s Society knows this quote. It’s always been one of my favorites. Robin Williams’ character Mr. Keating told his class to be daring. He may as well have been talking to Ryan Callahan. The Ranger captain delivered again. His shootout winner in Round Four allowed the Rangers to escape Boston with a 4-3 win.

“It’s a dirty road win,” Captain Cally told John Giannone after our own gritty reporter interviewed him. “We still have some things to work on. … The character this team has. I knew we’d respond.”

It’s that kind of never say die attitude from the unquestioned leader of the Blueshirts that makes him a hit with everyone. Is it any wonder that since he and blood brother Dan Girardi returned, they’ve won three in a row? As I noted during the game, this is a much different team when they play. Thankfully, neither injury kept either out long.

The Rangers blew a three-goal lead in the third period. Astonishingly, the Bruins scored twice with Tuukka Rask on the bench for an extra attacker. Despite trailing by three, they never gave up. The mark of a good team. David Krejci started the comeback by tucking a rebound under Henrik Lundqvist. Up till that point, Lundqvist had been sensational. It looked like he was zeroing in on his first shutout. Instead, Nathan Horton and Brad Marchand scored 48 seconds apart, sending TD Garden into bedlam.

It was mind boggling to find our team in a tie game after Anton Stralman had put them up 3-0 with under 18 minutes left in regulation. But that’s exactly what happened. Rick Nash, who was dominant throughout including a ridiculous goal in Round Two of the shootout- took a hooking penalty on Milan Lucic. He absorbed a cheap hit from Lucic and went back at him. Our PK had been back on track. This time, they didn’t get it done with ironically Lucic setting up Krejci’s power play goal.

For much of the third, the Rangers protected the lead. Maybe it was the ridiculous praise of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti. Before you knew it, they’d blown another lead to the Bruins, who also rallied to tie up the last meeting on 1/23 before Marian Gaborik won it in overtime to complete a hat trick. One thing about Boston. They’re never out of a game. They figured out a way to rally again. Perhaps John Tortorella might want to tell his team to not get passive.

The four-on-four overtime was spectacular. Both teams had chances to win it but were turned away. In particular, the Rangers came close at the end but Rask made a save at the buzzer.

In the shootout, Lundqvist got a glove on Tyler Seguin’s wrist shot. Rask denied Gaborik, who tried to go five-hole. After Lundqvist closed up the five-hole on Patrice Bergeron, Nash faked out Rask by tucking a forehand to put the Rangers up 1-0 after two rounds. But Hank couldn’t stop that annoying pest Marchand, who again tied it as he had at 19:17 of regulation. With a chance to win it, Brad Richards was rejected by Rask. He had a miserable night. Gaborik wasn’t much better.

In Round Four, Claude Julien sent out Krejci. He tried to outthink Lundqvist but he stayed right with him to stuff a backhand attempt. Tortorella stuck with his guns, sending out Callahan. Instead of going to his bread and butter forehand deke, he went upstairs on Rask to clinch it for the Rangers. It was the first game that went to a shootout for our team. Good thing we had Captain Cally.

Carl Hagelin got the scoring started when he took advantage of a power move by Nash to steer home his fourth in five games. The play was started by Girardi, who caught the Bruins in a change. He found Nash, who flew to the net and while being taken down, somehow managed to pass the puck to Hagelin for his goal. A tremendous play by Nash, who’s starting to flex his muscles. Hagelin and Derek Stepan are the right fit.

Stepan played another strong game, winning some key draws late against one of the best faceoff teams. He was over .500 (9-and-8) again. Of course, the Bruins won 37 of 54. But Stepan kept his focus. He also scored his second of the season. Off a neutral zone turnover, he whistled a laser past Rask for a 2-0 margin. He could’ve had another if not for Rask denying him. Stepan is playing with more purpose, even forcing Zdeno Chara to jab him out of the crease.

Following another colossal five-on-three epic fail, Stralman got his first unassisted. At 3-0, the game should’ve been over. Instead, Boston had other ideas. The important thing is the Rangers won. They’ll take a three-game win streak into a Garden rematch against the slumping Islanders Thursday.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Rick Nash, NYR (set up Hagelin, wicked shootout goal)
2nd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (37 saves, including some crucial ones early)
1st Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (2nd of season, 9-for-17 on draws, more confident)

Notes: Jeff Halpern had a strong night in the faceoff circle, winning nine of 11. He’s really making a difference on the fourth line with Darroll Powe, who outside of a delay of game minor was solid. They’ve meshed well with Arron Asham, who wisely stayed away from a fight with Shawn Thornton. … Real big of Marchand to mix it up with Gaborik post scrum. What a guy. … Rangers blocked 25 shots to Boston’s 9. Girardi and Ryan McDonagh each had seven.

… Since Tortorella took him off the power play, Mike Del Zotto has bounced back with two better efforts. Less is more for MDZ. … Matt Gilroy is playing more confidently but Tortorella refuses to use him in the third. … The Rangers took another bench minor. That’s six. Outside of that, they’ve been more disciplined. … Lucic had two assists and Dennis Seidenberg did as well for the Bruins. … Bergeron (14-and-4) on faceoffs. Dominant. … Rask turned aside 26 of 29.

The NHL ruled against suspending Mikhail Grabovski. The Maple Leaf center was involved in an incident with Canadien forward Max Pacioretty during Saturday’s 6-0 Toronto win at Bell Centre.

During a post-scrum, Pacioretty alleged that Grabovski bit him. However, replays were inconclusive. The only thing you could tell is that Pacioretty had his arm around Grabovski, dangerously close to his mouth.

It would’ve been a shock if the league took action against Grabovski. Unless it can be proven, there was no way to figure out what happened. Grabovski participated in the Leafs’ 5-2 win over the Flyers last night, recording no points.

It was another tough night for the Islanders. In a game they led 3-1 and scored four power play goals, the Islanders lost to the Hurricanes 6-4 at Nassau Coliseum. It was their fifth consecutive loss.

Losing is frustrating for everyone. No better example being star center John Tavares, who did his part again scoring his team-leading seventh and assisting on another. At 22, the former ’09 number one overall pick is the face of the franchise. One of the most exciting players in the game who plays in obscurity on Long Island. In 12 games, he’s scored seven times and tallied eight assists for 15 points.

Tavares has improved each year, increasing his production from 24 goals, 30 assists and 54 points in ’09-10 to 29 markers, 38 helpers and 67 points in ’10-11. His third season was even better notching 31 goals, 50 assists and 81 points in ’11-12. Including his two points tonight, the Mississauga Ontario native has totaled 91 goals and 126 assists for 217 points in 255 career games. The most from a 2009 rookie class that includes Matt Duchene (68-92-160 in 229 GP), Evander Kane (66-68-134 in 224 GP) and current Avs’ holdout Ryan O’Reilly (39-68-107 in 236 GP).

The great debate that Draft was who should go first. Tavares, Duchene or Victor Hedman (14-61-75 in 225 GP). After playing a game of poker, Isles’ GM Garth Snow finally revealed his choice leading to a celebration at the club’s Draft Party. Many including myself wondered if Duchene might’ve been a better fit. The thought was maybe they could trade down with Colorado, who stole O’Reilly in the second round. Instead, they selected Tavares while Tampa Bay took Hedman and the Avalanche picked Duchene.

All three franchises are pleased with their former No.1 picks. Tavares is the franchise leader for the Islanders, who move to Brooklyn in two years. Hopefully, he and ’11 No.1 pick Ryan Strome will form a potent duo. Hedman has become the Lightning’s top defenseman and Duchene is Colorado’s No.1 center.

The only player of the three to not make the playoffs is Tavares, whose team plays in arguably the toughest division. The Islanders next opponent is bitter rival the Rangers who beat them in the first meeting. They won their first Atlantic since ’95-96 last year and made the Conference Finals before losing to another close rival, the Devils who lost to the Kings in the Cup Final. The Penguins remain a powerhouse featuring league MVP Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, who won a Cup. The Flyers recently lost to the Blackhawks for the hardware.

“We’re the type of team that needs all 20 guys, and I don’t think we got that tonight,” coach Jack Capuano told the AP after his team allowed Carolina to score four goals in the third period. “We’ve got to find a way 5-on-5 to generate some offence. Our power play was good, but it’s not going to be there every day.”

“The harder you work, the luckier you get. “You can’t get frustrated. You can’t get down on one another. We’ve got a good bunch of guys. Adversity is something that you go through in life, and right now we’re going through it.”

The Islanders are a work in progress. It isn’t easy to rebuild in an ultra competitive division. Even in a shortened season, one slump can put you in a hole. They got off to a promising start going 4-2-1 with wins over the Devils and Pens. During the losing skid, it hasn’t gone their way. Even on home ice where traditionally they’ve been good. The Isles have lost five straight at home since a Martin Luther King Day win over Tampa Bay.

This was supposed to be a chance for them to build on their start. Instead, they’ve dropped five straight with four coming at the Coliseum. Thursday, they visit MSG looking to avenge a 4-1 defeat. Then host the red hot Devils Saturday. It doesn’t get any easier. The Islanders need to stop the bleeding.

Tavares is only one player who carries so much weight on his shoulders. He and sidekick Matt Moulson are consistent forces. They’ve gotten support from free agent pickup Brad Boyes, Michael Grabner, Frans Nielsen, Keith Aucoin and captain Mark Streit. Evgeni Nabokov has played too much already due to Rick DiPietro, who’s a shell of himself due to all the injuries. Of course, he got blame for the Canes’ onslaught. But the reality is the Isles are poor defensively. Even Lubomir Visnovsky’s goal and helper wasn’t enough.

The Islanders need more from former No.1 pick Kyle Okposo. One goal and three assists isn’t enough from a player capable of scoring 25-30 goals and 50+ points. He hasn’t been consistent. Last year, he used a strong finish to set a career high in goals (24) while netting his second highest point total (45). With the departure of P.A. Parenteau to Colorado, bigger things were expected. Instead, it’s been more of the same for Okposo, who’s now 24.

In order for them to compete, they need contributions from everyone. Until that changes, it looks like Tavares will endure more long nights.

A little over two years ago on February 8th 2011, Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula burst onto the Western New York scene similar to how former Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills QB Jim Kelly did in 1986, he took the sports scene by storm, created a new excitement, a new beginning.

This was going to be a special time to be a Buffalo Sabres fan.

Pegula said all the right things that struck the positive sports nerves of Buffalo Sabres fans everywhere. ‘Money Is No Object’ ‘The only objective is to win Stanley Cups’ and ‘I don’t care if I lose money, if I need more money, Ill drill for more oil’ are some of the loosely used catchphrases that resonated throughout Western New York.

Even beyond that, he shed tears at his press conference. Mr. Pegula showed the emotion and passion that embodied the very fan base of the team he now owns.

Most, including myself thought that finally, the Buffalo Sabres have been saved from the doldrums. Former Sabres owners Tom Golisano and John Rigas will just be afterthoughts. Welcome to Pegulaville: the population growing by the second.

Wild thoughts abound from the Sabres fan-base: From the thought of seeing the Sabres hoist that elusive Stanley Cup., to even becoming the new Hockey Town of the USA. The sky is the limit.

It seemed that everything Pegula was doing to better the franchise was a hit. Remodeling the arena, upgrading the facilities, being aggressive in both the trade, FA and draft markets. Pegula can do no wrong.

And now here we are two years later, and the Sabres are still selling tickets like wildfire despite the lockout. Life is grand for Pegula.

But is it? Is there more to the story in Buffalo then meets the eye? Buffalo News writer Bucky Gleason sure seems to think so and brought out some very interesting comments from ‘sources regarding Pegula and his handling of General Manager Darcy Regier and Head Coach Lindy Ruff.

Gleason mentioned that another Eastern Conference GM is happy Regier and Ruff are still here because that means they can ‘scratch off a team from their list’ of contenders. Of course these sources cannot be named, and I understand Gleason’s reasoning for that. Gleason has gone now where no Buffalo sports reporter has dared to venture: Take on Saint Pegula.

And Gleason might of nailed it, and the denial from some Sabres fans is evident.

Let’s rewind back to what Pegula said in 2011 about the ‘only reason we are in existence is to win Stanley Cups’. Hundreds of Head Coaches and dozens and dozens of GM’s have come and gone, and yet Lindy Ruff and Darcy Regier have persevered.  Heck, Regier ever got a contract extension from Pegula. For what exactly- mastering the technique of finishing 9th in the conference?

Is this to say everything Regier has done has been a failure? No. The Danny Briere trade was a stroke of genius and revitalized the franchise on their way to two straight Eastern Conference Finals. The Cody Hodgson for Zach Kassian trade was one that just about any NHL person will say benefited both teams.

But is it fair to say almost any GM that has reigned over a team for this long will hit pay-dirt every so often? Has Regier lived off of 3-4 stellar seasons, causing management and ownership to overlook 6-7 years of falling short of expectations? Yes.

Can the same even be said for Lindy Ruff? Absolutely.

Ruff has had some great moments as a coach: Four Eastern Conference Finals and a Stanley Cup appearance in 1999. But his teams of late have disappointed more then overachieved and the patterns are annual now: Slow starts to the season, and trying to win like gangbusters at the end of the season, fall short, give false hopes, rinse, and repeat.

Lindy Ruff is the Andy Reid of the National Hockey League: Very good coach with some excellent moments. But like in Philadelphia with the Eagles, it was time for Reid and the Eagles to part ways. The same has to be said for Ruff and Buffalo. Lindy will surely land somewhere else and be a very good coach. I like Lindy. But it is apparent the mix just isn’t right now.

A new voice is needed, and the time is now.

So now the onus is squarely on Terry Pegula. Is he meddling too much? Is his passion a detriment to the franchise? Is his loyalty working against him?

Time will tell on that front. But one thing is for certain:  The lovely Honeymoon period for Pegulaville is over, now it is marriage time. Let the nagging commence.

The Rangers are finally over .500. They did it by lighting up the Bolts 5-1 in the night cap of a double dip at MSG. Their second consecutive win was impressive. Similar to the win over the Islanders, they scored at least four goals. True to form, Henrik Lundqvist (19 saves) was outstanding. And Dan Girardi looked sharp in his return.

Another positive was our team coming out fast. They scored on the opening shift just 31 seconds in when Carl Hagelin tallied the first of two. It was Hags’ third career two-goal game. He also set up another to record his second three-point game. After a cold January, the sixth round gem has five points (3-2-5) in four games this month. Playing with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash has been a good fit. Nash recovered a Girardi dump in and made a power move to the slot. His shot was deflected in by Hagelin.

Tampa Bay had plenty of chances to tie it. Sloppy play allowed the Lightning to have six odd-man rushes in the first period. It had to drive John Tortorella nuts. That included a couple of close calls from Steven Stamkos, Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis. Our team played more aggressively and took chances. On numerous occasions, the dangerous Bolts caught three guys deep counter attacking. Thankfully, Lundqvist was at his absolute best. He got across to make a sliding save on one and Ryan McDonagh got his stick on a Stamkos bid. Lecavalier had the puck slip off his stick on a breakaway and St. Louis hit the post.

Lundqvist’s big saves allowed the Blueshirts to continue to pepper Mathieu Garon. Garon played well before being chased after permitting three goals on 19 shots. Ryan Callahan converted a breakaway for a 2-0 lead. Captain Cally stole the puck and patiently outwaited Garon, deking before tucking a forehand into the net for his third. What a difference he makes. Two games back and his presence has allowed Tortorella to play rookies J.T. Miller and Chris Kreider with him. The unquestioned leader does whatever it takes to win.

In Tortorella’s show #BehindtheBench with host Bill Pidto, he illustrated how important the neutral zone wall play is to our team’s success. Callahan executed it on the second goal and Marc Staal was instrumental in the third. He played another strong game. Staal forced a turnover in the neutral zone and passed to a streaking Hagelin, whose shot snuck through Garon for a 3-0 lead. At that point, Guy Boucher pulled Garon for Anders Lindback.

The Lightning responded by scoring the next goal to get back in it. They took advantage of another poor change. It’s becoming an alarming trend. Three Rangers jumped back on the bench to avoid another too many men minor. Our D never recovered. Lundqvist stood on his head before Lecavalier got to a Victor Hedman rebound and squeaked in his fifth. Alexander Killorn picked up an assist for his first NHL point. They came close to making it 3-2 but Lundqvist was there along with the D, which picked it up. Particularly Staal, who broke up a lot of plays.

Arron Asham salted the game away by scoring his first as a Blueshirt. He took a Ryan McDonagh feed and beat Lindback far side. Speaking of which, the fourth line had their best effort. They fore-checked effectively and Tortorella rewarded them with regular shifts. Jeff Halpern had a nice takeout and Darroll Powe was solid.

In the closing moments, Nash put the cherry on top by scoring his third from Hagelin and Girardi at 19:51. Hopefully, that’ll be the start of something for our new power forward who played arguably his best game.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (19 saves-money early)
2nd Star-Dan Girardi, NYR (2 assists, +4-Danny G was ready to play)
1st Star-Carl Hagelin, NYR (2-1-3, 6 SOG, +2-all over the ice)

Notes: He didn’t register a point again. Stepan had another strong game. He was plus-three not by accident, centering our best line and also won 14 of 25 draws. The only thing I want to see different from him is shoot the puck. He passes up on too many opportunities. Be a little selfish. You’re our No.2 center. D-Step has to pop in a few for this team to have success.

… Anton Stralman (20:36/5 hits) saw more shifts than Michael Del Zotto (17:41/+1). Stralman has been a steady influence. … St. Louis and Stamkos went a combined minus-five with only two shots. … Lindback turned aside 11 of 13 in relief. … Rangers (6-5-0) visit Bruins (8-1-1) Tuesday at 7:30 PM. It’s the final meeting. Another bizarre twist in a crazy schedule.