Battle Of Hudson

NHL COVID restrictive measures leads to more cancellations, Canada closing its border, early Christmas Break, no Olympics, plus a look at hockey history nicknames

Posted on December 22, 2021 by Derek

In predictable news that was expected, the NHL’s new COVID restrictive measures lead to more cancellations. With spikes in COVID due to the new Omicron variant, Canada also decided to close its border. That means no games between American teams and Canadian teams.

For how long nobody knows. Ultimately, with a dramatic increase in players testing positive around the league, the NHL decided to pause play earlier. Only one game was played on Tuesday night with the Lightning completing a come from behind 4-3 win over the Golden Knights in a potential Stanley Cup preview at T-Mobile Arena. At least it was a proper sendoff for hockey fans who could see it (thanks ESPN). I watched on NHL 66. It was worth it.

As Hasan detailed in his previous post yesterday, the Christmas Break comes early for hockey. With as many as 50 games postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak stemming from the contagious Omicron variant, that means the NHL and NHLPA had to reexamine Olympic participation. With so many games needing to be made up, the best solution was opening up February when they were supposed to be on break for the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

Confirming the obvious, the NHL and NHLPA announced that they won’t be participating in Beijing. It’s just as well. Given all the unknowns about the pandemic along with the possibility of a player who tests positive having to quarantine for three weeks due to China policy, it never made sense to go. I’ll withhold my opinion on their country because this isn’t the right forum. I’ll only say I feel for Peng Shuai. A tennis star athlete who sure represented China well.

Obviously, the Rangers don’t have a game tonight on December 22 against the Canadiens. Instead, they have the entire week off including the traditional Christmas break through the weekend. Their next scheduled game is home for the improved Red Wings on Monday, 12/27. That is expected to be played. The NHL revealed that teams could return to practice on Boxing Day. The same day the World Junior Championships get underway in Red Deer and Edmonton. I can only wish the kids who are partaking for their respective countries the very best. It truly is a great tournament. NHL Network will have coverage.

If you love following prospects as much as I do, check it out. There won’t be any other hockey on December 26. I’ll have a preview up on Hockey Prospects. I’ll also link it up here. Let’s call it a Christmas present. If your team is not looking playoff bound such as the Devils, then there’s gotta be prospects playing in the U20 IIHF WJC. Due to the pandemic, there will only be one exhibition game for each country. Let’s hope there aren’t any issues in the bitter cold out in Northwestern Canada.

Is it disappointing that we won’t see NHL players take part in the Olympic Games? Of course. We’ve gotten used to seeing our favorite stars play for their country since ’98 in Nagano. The Dominik Hasek Tournament. That’s what I refer to it as. The ’02 Games in Salt Lake City were memorable. Who would’ve ever thought we’d see USA challenge Canada for gold? While they did fall short, it was fun to see Mike Richter go up against Martin Brodeur one final time. You had other memorable moments like Henrik Lundqvist with the save on Olli Jokinen in ’06 Torino to win gold for Sweden. Zach Parise force sudden death in 2010 before Sidney Crosby beat Ryan Miller to win gold again for Canada.

There sure have been some great headlines to come from NHL participation in the Winter Games. Now, it’s about what’s best for business. Having lost so many games already, there was no realistic way for the league to make it work. We didn’t know what could’ve lied ahead. For any athlete participating in Beijing, I can only wish them the best. The same unknowns apply to any participant who’s made every sacrifice to chase their Olympic dreams.

With hardly any hockey the past couple of days, it’s given me time to see my best friend who traveled back from North Carolina to visit his family and friends. He isn’t vaccinated. That’s his choice. The thing about it is I respect people’s choices. That’s part of who I am. He chose to do what was best for his family which includes two great boys including one who shares a birthday with me. An ironic coincidence. Even though we couldn’t do much, we met up last night near our old grammar school and caught up for a while outside. All the same, it was great to see him. Family and Inner Circle are what matters most in life. Let’s not forget that.

As for hockey, NHL Network showed the classic documentary The NHL: 100 Years. That was great to re-watch. I absolutely love how they document the history of the NHL from its inception to surviving once the Original Six became established post World War II. People forget there were other teams like the New York Americans, Montreal Maroons, Pittsburgh Pirates who played. Ultimately, they didn’t survive. What they were left with were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs.

I feel like the history of the NHL isn’t discussed enough. Unless you’re like me or buddy Sean McCaffrey, who did a book on the full history of the Rangers which is ignored by Madison Square Garden like the plague, the unique past of the sport we love is something to behold. Don’t forget there were the original Ottawa Senators who were champions too. I highly recommend The NHL: 100 Years to any devoted puck fan. Think about classic names such as Eddie Shore, Bill and Bun Cook, Frank Boucher, Howie Morentz, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Sid Abel, Red Kelly, Jacques Plante, Terry Sawchuk, etc. There’s too many to list.

It makes me fully appreciate that I interned for U.S. Hockey Hall Of Famer Stan Fischler. Being up in his old apartment in Harlem, I was always mesmerized by all the hockey books and his other passion of trains when I made the trip from my Staten Island home that’s closer to the Outer Bridge than Manhattan. I never would’ve known about Frank Mahovlich or his brother Pete. Or been to Nassau Coliseum for a morning skate and taken in hockey history even if it was at enemy territory. I think it’s poetic that I wound up working production truck for the Devils in ’00-01. I wasn’t afraid to talk to Martin Brodeur or legendary Larry Robinson or joke around with Doc Emrick and Chico Resch.

I learned a lot under Fischler, who deserves his rightful place in Toronto as well. But as I know all too well from the bias with the Hockey Hall Of Fame that inducted noted Selke winner Guy Carbonneau before much better players such as Alexander Mogilny and Jeremy Roenick as well as the much overlooked Steve Larmer, it’s expected. They don’t always do what’s right. To me, Stan The Man will always be a legend. The Maven doesn’t need a plaque in Toronto. I saw how dedicated he is and astonishingly still is while living with grandchildren in Israel. His enthusiasm and charm are characteristics you can’t teach.

We could reference The Bread Line or Sauerkraut Line. I listed The Production Line above. You know. Nicknames for great lines used to be a hockey tradition. The Perfection Line just isn’t it. How about the New England Clam Chowder Line? Or the Killer B’s Line. What about the Avalanche of Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen? What should they be called? Probably are the most dominant line in the current game. I guess I’m a sucker for cool nicknames. Maybe we need to again be more creative. Not just with The Rat, Brad Marchand.

There’s so much talent in today’s game. The unconscionable duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton. The Great Eight, Alexander Ovechkin, who continues to chase Wayne Gretzky. Sidney Crosby is no longer Sid The Kid. But still plays the game well enough to lead a surprising bunch of Pens. What about Auston Matthews? Shouldn’t someone with his remarkable release have a nickname? You got Bread Man for Artemi Panarin. Steven Stamkos is Stammer in Tampa. Following last night’s rocket from his office on the power play, I referred to him as Stammer The Hammer.

What would you call Andrei Vasilevskiy? I watch a lot of Bolts games and it’s his stellar play in net that has Tampa right at the top in the East despite no Nikita Kucherov or Brayden Point. Is he merely Vasy or Kitty as most diehard Lightning fans refer to him as? His reflexes are quick like a cat. Maybe that works. Other goalies have better numbers this season. Nobody is more valuable than Vasilevskiy is to their team. Maybe except Carey Price. I had to. Look at how miserable the Canadiens are without him.

Nicknames for the game’s best are fun. In the 90’s, you had The Russian Rocket for Pavel Bure and Golden Brett for Brett Hull. The Big E for Eric Lindros. Moose for Mark Messier. The Great One for Gretzky obviously. Super Mario for Mario Lemieux which was cool if you loved Nintendo. It worked. Finnish Flash for Teemu Selanne. Alexander The Great by legendary Sabres’ announcer Rick Jeanneret for Mogilny.

The Next Generation is here with Trevor Zegras front and center. I think I’m going to go with Mr. Unpredictable or The Highlight Machine. Lucas Raymond is silky smooth in Detroit. How was he behind Alexis Lafreniere again? Sorry Laf. He’s gonna have to prove himself. I like Tim Stutzle in Ottawa. Terrific skater with great moves and a dynamite shot. Is Moritz Seider still off the board? Looks like the Red Wings knew as did Steve Yzerman. No wonder they’re in the mix.

There are many exciting stories so far. Not just the Rangers being relevant again. But teams like the Ducks being led by Zegras, Troy Terry and Jamie Drysdale. The surprising Sharks behind James Reimer, Timo Meier, Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture and the reemergence of Erik Karlsson. The Canucks suddenly winning again due to Bruce “There It Is” Boudreau and Thatcher Demko. Who had the Flames being good? Johnny Gaudreau sure is gonna make them pay along with Matthew Tkachuk.

There also was the sudden departure of Paul Maurice in Winnipeg, who just felt it was time for a new voice. Only time will tell if he’s right. Dave Lowry takes over. Kyle Connor is a superstar and Connor Hellebuyck is still elite. But he needs help from the defense. Less surprising was Alain Vigneault going bye bye in Philadelphia. It wasn’t a good fit. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in Montreal. The Blackhawks play harder now, but still leave Marc-Andre Fleury out to dry too much.

That’s going to do it for now. To everyone out there. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! 🎅

Posted in Battle News, Column | Tagged 100 Years, Alexander Mogilny, Alexander Ovechkin, Andrei Vasilevskiy, Artemi Panarin, Battle News, Beijing, Bill Cook, Brad Marchand, Brett Hull, Bun Cook, Canada, Canadiens, cancellations, China, Column, Connor McDavid, COVID Protocol, Dominik Hasek, Eddie Shore, Eric Lindros, Frank Boucher, Gabriel Landeskog, Gordie Howe, Henrik Lundqvist, history of hockey, Jacques Plante, Kyle Connor, Leon Draisaitl, Lucas Raymond, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Martin Brodeur, Maurice Richard, Maven, Mike Richter, Mikko Rantanen, Moritz Seider, Nathan MacKinnon, NHL, NHLPA, nicknames, Olli Jokinen, Olympic memories, Olympics, Omicron variant, Original Six, Paul Maurice, Pavel Bure, Production Line, Red Kelly, Red Wings, Sid Abel, Sidney Crosby, Stan Fischler, Sweden, Ted Lindsay, Trevor Zegras, USA, Wayne Gretzky, Winnipeg, Zach Parise | Leave a comment

Devils, NHL postpone games until after Christmas break

Posted on December 21, 2021 by hasan4978

The @NHL and @NHLPA have agreed to begin the Holiday Break after Tuesday’s games. Practices will resume on Dec. 26 and the League’s regular-season schedule will resume on Dec. 27. https://t.co/0Bmu8dlZ1M pic.twitter.com/JHbxtzMX6D
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 21, 2021

In something that seemed inevitable for days, the NHL yesterday finally acknowledged the reality that a pause was needed for an NHL season already unbalanced by multiple team shutdowns and canceled blocks of games. Nobody thought we’d get to this point a couple weeks ago, but with the number of teams already shutting down due to a number of positive tests – while others like ours played with severely compromised rosters (more on that in a moment) – it’s the only sensible thing left to do, although due to travel there will still be two games played tonight before the mini-pause takes place. I’m not quite sure if it’s well-timed or ill-timed considering the holiday break provides even more vectors for multiplying infections. Although there’s been no official announcement yet, rumors are flying the NHL will decline to participate in the Olympics this year which is the only intelligent decision to make, all things considered – including the number of postponed games that will have to be made up after this stretch.

This decision should have been made days ago, the NHL was pretty much making it up as it went all year – starting with the Islanders – in terms of who was immediately sent to a medical timeout and who they told screw you, go play the games. Of course we were one of the latter teams. To be fair, it’s not like we had a ton of COVID cases (especially compared to last year) with just a handful of guys in protocol, and ironically all came back to practice yesterday just before the news of the team and league shutdown. However, when you couple COVID with the flu/cold season also beginning, and the natural injuries each roster will have by December then even a few COVID positives can make things dicey as it did for us. Add in the fact that the minor league team also had a number of positives and it limited the callups we could do, and that made things even worse.

Things reached a nadir this weekend when the Devils played with a 19-man roster as several key players were out and they were unable to call up a single player from Utica – until the next day when Chase DeLeo was recalled, only for DeLeo to not play at all when Jesper Bratt returned from his illness. Maybe playing with a 19-man roster doesn’t sound so bad, but then you factor in that several of the players who did play were either sick or just returning from sickbeds to the ice. Coach Lindy Ruff admitted after last Monday’s game against the Flyers that it was the first time he had to put together lines based on who had enough stamina to play a regular shift and keeping all the players who were either playing sick or returning from illness on different lines.

What made last week even more annoying was after the Devils got beaten up in Detroit on Saturday, the next day the Wings were given a pause due to their own outbreaks, while we had to play a travel back-to-back and the league turned down our initial request for cancellations due to a compromised roster and the few healthy skaters on it being taxed beyond normal limits. Finally after losing to the Penguins at the Rock on Sunday, the league acceded to GM Tom Fitzgerald’s repeated pleas to halt the Devils schedule, literally on the morning most of our COVID cases came back to practice. That said, the GM admitted in his post-pause presser that it would have been asking too much for these players to come back for a game last night after only one practice.

Also in that presser was predictable support for the head coach and putting the onus on the players to turn the season around after heading into the holidays on a six-game losing streak. It’s not really the time or place to argue with the GM on how good he thought the team looked early in the season, except to say even when the Devils were still puttering around .500 you knew they still had some issues. Issues that were not going to be fixed with Jack Hughes’ return alone, especially if Hughes continues to play like a swashbuckler who has no idea what to do on the ice. His raw numbers are iffy enough (three goals and five points with a -11 in eleven games since returning to the lineup), but you just can’t make mistakes like he did on Sunday, when a lazy cross-ice pass led to yet another shorthanded goal against, the sixth so far against the Devils this year compared to just eleven goals actually scored on the power play. I would say maybe he’s another one of the sick guys that have been discussed, except that he really hasn’t played much better than this on a consistent basis throughout most of his three years so far as a Devils.

At least we get a few day break from watching this Devils team, although when play resumes things are going to be different – and I don’t just mean increased player protocols but increased fan protocols as well.

MASK MANDATE RETURNS: #Newark Mayor reinstates indoor mask mandate as coronavirus cases increase. #COVID19 #njmornings https://t.co/mqato4cW6k
— News12NJ (@News12NJ) December 21, 2021

I can’t say I’m totally surprised at this point. It’s both understandable and annoying, understandable due to the sheer rise in case numbers, but annoying due to the fact that I’ve already been to twelve games this year in a largely unmasked crowd after getting over my preseason skittishness over the lack of a real negative test/vaccine mandate for the fans. As a vaccinated + boosted person, I’m not really looking forward to having to watch games with a mask on after the New Year (I’d already sold my tickets for the NYE game, so my next home game would be on the 6th), especially to watch a team where losses are mounting about as fast as COVID cases state-wide. I also don’t envy the ushers and arena workers having to try and enforce an in-season mask mandate with a ton of yahoos in the crowd that don’t take kindly to being told what to do.

Even in bad seasons I’ve never gone out of my way to count the number of home games left the way I have just now (twenty-three, including the postponed Thursday game against the Habs). Hopefully by the end of the non-Olympic break there’ll be enough reason to lift the mask mandate by then but will the team be even worth watching then or in the meantime? That’s another story. It’ll be interesting to see just how badly ticket sales tank in the last 2/3 of the season given everything – team losing yet again, mask mandates, increased prices for marquee games – hah. Too bad both our Ranger home games are in late March/early April, they’ll no doubt be MSG South games given the Rangers’ current position in the standings and ours. Those will likely be sell and cash out games and I don’t usually do that with Ranger games but really now, how much ‘fun’ will it actually be when the game means very little and you know there’s gonna be a heavy opposition fan presence in your own building?

I just looked up when my last Ranger home game was, actually it was November of 2019 since we played them twice early in the pre-pandemic part of 2019-20 at home, and that was just before the firing of John Hynes. Not exactly a lot of fun involved in that game either, seeing as it was a 4-0 Ranger shutout. There aren’t a lot of actual must-games to go to at this point, I kind of want to go to see them play other bad teams like Arizona and Montreal just to up my chances of seeing some more home wins, since I’ve only been at one home win since the first week of November. After starting the season 4-1-1, my in-person record is 1-3-2. Forget about promos, hah…the only real giveaways are on St. Patty’s Day (a Mackenzie Blackwood bobblehead) and maybe Fan Appreciation Day, if they deign to give us more than a soda or even 20% off at the Devils Den of their overpriced by 30% merchandise for having to watch this team. There’s Travis Zajac night in mid-March but there’s a chance I might not even be able to make that game regardless…tbd.

So few actual promos, a mask mandate and a ton of losses…should make everyone run out of their chairs to want to see the Devils live in 2022!

Posted in Devils, NHL | Tagged Chase DeLeo, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, John Hynes, Lindy Ruff, Mackenzie Blackwood, Tom Fitzgerald, Travis Zajac | 2 Comments

Devils and NHL limp towards holiday and possible league-wide pause

Posted on December 18, 2021 by hasan4978

Right now it’s hard not to be apathetic about the state of the Devils as a team on the ice, and sports/society as a whole off it with the Omicron COVID variant wreaking havoc on three major sports at the same time, despite the majority of all players and coaches being vaccinated. It would take a whole separate blog that delves too far into the political or moral realm to discuss the merits of the current protocols in all the major sports at the moment and debate which teams should have games canceled/postponed and which shouldn’t. To sum up my feelings on the larger issue, it’s hard not to see us coming to a day soon where we just start allowing players to play if they’re vaccinated and asymptomatic. All the information to this point (emphasis on the latter) suggests that this new variant, while it’s more contagious could actually be milder than the original strands, and at the very least poses minimal danger to those who are vaccinated and boosted.

If we didn’t have mass cancellations and postponements across the major sports would we all be feeling as helpless right now? Probably not as much, although the skyrocketing case numbers throughout the country in general are both worrying and incredibly misleading. Sure the number of infections may be skyrocketing up, but to this point the number of hospitalizations has only increased marginally, and mostly in the unvaccinated population. To a certain level I don’t envy all these sports, we’re almost learning about this new variant on the fly and continually assessing the level of risk for everyone. There almost has to be a better way than this though. Multiple games moved this NFL weekend, teams playing with short rosters all over the NBA, no fewer than five teams having pauses already through Christmas in the NHL with others like us playing with short rosters.

Five head coaches are also currently in the protocol: Keefe (TOR), Blashill (DET), Hynes (NSH), Sutter (CGY) and Tippett (EDM).
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 18, 2021

Despite the team-wide outbreak last year and now complete vaccination numbers this year, the Devils have been hit with a 1-2 punch of both COVID and non-COVID illness this week. It’s almost impossible to keep track of who’s out with what. Nico Hischier, Ryan Graves, P.K. Subban and Jesper Boqvist are all on the COVID list, Mackenzie Blackwood has a neck injury and is out for tonight’s game, backup goalie Jonathan Bernier is out long-term with a serious hip condition that may well lead to surgery (so much for having the reliable 1B vet, again) and Jesper Bratt was a late pre-game scratch with non-COVID illness. Other guys have been fighting illness all week, including Blackwood himself during the whipping by the Flyers on Tuesday.

For reasons beyond my understanding, the Devils were unable to call up anyone from Utica to fill out the roster despite the fact they were able to play their own game last night, so we’re basically playing with sixteen skaters on the front end of a back-to-back, plus enforcer Mason Geertsen. With our short lineup and crappy play in general lately (not to mention the sight of the third jerseys), I have little interest in watching tonight’s game – despite the realization that we may well be headed for another shutdown – albeit what should be a more temporary one than the complete halt the world came to in March 2020. Ironically if there’s any league best positioned for a pause, it’s the NHL given the three open weeks they have in February that almost certainly will not see NHL players go to the Olympics at this point with everything going on off the ice, health wise and politically.

UPDATE: It took now-former Devils beat writer Corey Masisak to give some more context over why the Devils were unlikely to be able to make a callup from Utica

A little added context for why the Devils are playing a man short tonight:

Utica played last night, but needed PTO reinforcements to field a full lineup. Comets put more players in COVID-19 protocol today. If Belleville hadn’t PPD the next game, Utica likely would have.
— Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) December 19, 2021

Le sigh. I can’t say I’m looking forward to going to next Thursday’s game, though the struggling Habs may be one of the few teams we can match up with at the moment – assuming the league hasn’t paused by then or they don’t become one of the individual teams that has to pause their season. I already cashed out on tomorrow’s game and the expected New Years Day beatdown against the Oilers, as much because I don’t want to be a statistic right now as because of the team’s poor play. There won’t be a huge crowd for a weeknight game against the Habs so I’m not as worried about people being on top of me that night sadly.

If on the off chance last night’s game against Vegas was my last home game of 2021 and/or for a few weeks after, at least it wasn’t the total beatdown I feared and I got to hang out and have some fun with one of my buddies and her friends who don’t go to games very often. Not that I ever really thought we had a chance to beat Vegas, although things looked interesting after Jack Hughes put home a rebound from a Dougie Hamilton shot just 1:41 into the game to give us the early lead in a five-minute period we dominated.

After that, it was all Vegas for the rest of the first and into the early part of the second when they took the lead after goals by Dylan Coghlan (on an extended power play in the first) and William Carrier in the second. I even got to witness a bizarre occurrence when after yet another failed power play in the second, the crowd let out very audible ‘Fire Recchi!’ chants. For those of you who aren’t really following the team, Mark Recchi is one of our assistants who ostensibly runs the power play, although I’ve gone from blaming him myself for the state of the power play to just feeling like he’s a scapegoat for larger organizational issues. Still, I was a bit bemused all things considered, it’s not like I have any real loyalty to Recchi or like 90% of the roster at this point.

Despite the still hopeless PP, the Devils stabilized the game a little and it wasn’t completely out of reach at 2-1 after two. That is until Vegas overran us in the first ten minutes of the third, with first Wild Bill Karlsson turning on the jets past slow as molasses Ty Smith, and beating Blackwood shortside for the first of two eh goals in a less than minute span in the third period. Nicolas Roy’s shortside floater just thirty-three seconds later caved the roof in and seemingly put the game out of reach at 4-1. Just when I’d pretty much given up all hope for the night, the PP actually came to life with Tomas Tatar scoring just over halfway through the period. Even then I wasn’t all that excited and not because I missed the goal talking with my friend Sandi (ironically, she was asking about the Chico Resch Colorado Rockies jersey on the person in front of us), I was more like ‘okay, now you guys finally decide to score on the PP?’. I didn’t even stand up to cheer that goal, but I did actually stand up a couple minutes later when Jimmy Vesey lucked into a shorthanded goal off his chest that got the Devils to within one.

Still, despite the Devils’ improved play and game effort in the third they came up short yet again and suffered one final indignity when after Vegas scored an empty-netter to make it 5-3, Hughes’ apparent goal with ten seconds left was overturned because of an offside. Then a senseless endgame fight happened as we were leaving, because Lindy Ruff decided to be a sore loser and put out Geertsen on the last shift and it just prolonged an already messy ending, in part due to a clean hit on Hughes minutes earlier. Derek in his last blog detailed – with the help of a Mike Rupp tweet – how Hughes sometimes puts himself into harm’s way allowing himself to get popped unnecessarily. It’s a fair concern, if you’re around six feet tall and 180 pounds especially you gotta keep your head up and not just be a swashbuckler going anywhere and everywhere on the ice. His recklessness is both part of what endears fans to Hughes and what tests our patience, when he does things like taking unnecessary hits or making senseless passes to nowhere. He’ll have to get better at the latter to fulfill his potential as a star and the former to stay on the ice enough to be a franchise building block.

Maybe I’ll turn on the last two periods now that I’m almost done venting here. Like I said up top, we may be having another break soon although this is not March 2020 all over again, that’s just silly media-driven fatalism. We didn’t have knowledge, a vaccine or known treatments in March 2020. Still there is a certain amount of indignance I’m feeling toward the thought of another virus-induced break in both sports and society at large. Maybe I haven’t been the most careful or introverted person in the world, but I have gotten the vaccine/booster and was as careful as I needed to be until getting the vaccine, and still have been somewhat careful and lucky enough to not get it to this point (at least as far as I know). I’m not the most outgoing person in the world either, and was more fine than most with the shutdown in the months immediately following in the start of the pandemic but at this point I almost feel like we’re all gonna get it over time anyway with how quickly this one is spreading, so at least I’ve given myself the best chance to get through it if I do, and that’s about all any of us can do at this point. That and try to encourage everyone around us to trust our doctors and not what we read on social media.

Posted in Devils, NHL | Tagged Chico Resch, Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Jesper Boqvist, Jesper Bratt, Jimmy Vesey, Jonathan Bernier, Lindy Ruff, Mackenzie Blackwood, Mark Recchi, Mason Geertsen, Mike Rupp, Nico Hischier, P.K. Subban, Ryan Graves, Tomas Tatar, Ty Smith, William Karlsson | 3 Comments

Howden’s Revenge: Former Ranger keys Golden Knights comeback win, Zibanejad has best game so far, Georgiev strong in shootout loss

Posted on December 18, 2021 by Derek

Revenge is a dish best served cold. That’s exactly the lesson Brett Howden taught his former team. The much forgotten fourth liner had a big game in helping the Golden Knights come back to pull out a 3-2 win over the Rangers in a shootout at MSG Friday night.

As fate would have it, it was the fourth line center who had his best game for Vegas by scoring a goal and winning a key face-off to set up the tying goal that forced overtime. In fact, Howden was named the game’s Second Star when the night ended. Well deserved.

While it wasn’t so much that they played poorly, the Rangers didn’t put the hammer down against a team playing the second game of a back-to-back. After not having their strongest first period with Howden able to get his third by beating Kevin Rooney to a rebound following a good Alex Georgiev save, the Blueshirts responded with a more inspired second period.

Using a key penalty kill of a Mika Zibanejad penalty late in the first that was sparked by some splendid work from Rooney and Barclay Goodrow, they turned it on in the second. Playing a much quicker pace by skating and attacking a tired opponent, the Rangers turned things around.

On the opening shift of the period, Zibanejad used defenseman Zach Whitecloud as a perfect screen to fire a good wrist shot past Vegas backup goalie Laurent Brossoit to tie the score just 17 seconds in. It was his third goal in five games and made it two straight with a goal. An encouraging sign for the streaky top center.

The play was made possible thanks to a smart transition up ice. After receiving a pass from Jacob Trouba, K’Andre Miller moved the puck up for Chris Kreider, who made a nice tip pass to send Zibanejad into the Vegas zone for his seventh of the season. Exactly what the doctor ordered.

As expected, the Rangers were without Artemi Panarin, who’s listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He didn’t take the morning skate. The team’s leading scorer wasn’t the only regular out. Rookie Nils Lundkvist sat out his fourth straight game due to illness. While they continue to term it non-Covid related, I’m guessing that he has the flu. Given the crazy weather we have, what else could it be? Libor Hajek skated in his place on the third pair.

Also getting the start was Georgiev, who was outstanding after getting Wednesday’s win off at Arizona. Keith Kinkaid admirably filled in. While Igor Shesterkin did practice, it looks like the plan is to give him a few more days to recover. With the next game not until next Wednesday against Montreal at home, I wouldn’t expect to see Shesterkin until after the Christmas break. The next game following December 22 isn’t until Dec. 27 versus Detroit.

Without Panarin, Gerard Gallant reinserted Filip Chytil into the lineup. He initially started on the left wing of the third line with Goodrow in the middle and Julien Gauthier on the right side. However, with his team unable to establish much in the first period, Gallant moved Chytil to the right side of the second line with Ryan Strome and Alexis Lafreniere. Hunt dropped down to the third line. A better match.

Another interesting note is that the game had only one referee with Pierre Lambert calling the game by himself with the help of linesmen Bryan Pancich and Ryan Dansby. For whatever reason, the other assigned ref Kendrick Nicholson didn’t work. Was it Covid related? For whatever it’s worth, I thought Lambert did a good job. It isn’t easy in today’s faster game for one ref to work. While he did miss a couple of calls, he didn’t get in the way of a good game.

Early on, Georgiev had to get over to deny Howden from a tough angle. Howden centers William Carrier and Keegan Kolesar. They’re your typical grind line that the Golden Knights use. Even without Ryan Reaves, that checking line still works pretty consistently. Howden not only shined throughout, but won 7-of-10 face-offs in 12:17 of action. He was the best Golden Knight on a deep roster that features Max Pacioretty, Mark Stone, Chandler Stephenson, Jonathan Marchessault, Reilly Smith, Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo.

On a strong shift by their fourth line, Vegas took the lead when Kolesar got the puck to Carrier, who cut in and forced Georgiev into a tough save. Howden beat Rooney to put in the rebound for his third at 6:49. Sure. It figured he’d score in his Garden return. There were some boos. But nothing overwhelming.

With Vegas continuing to control the pace early, Zibanejad hooked Evgenii Dadonov to put the Golden Knights on the power play. It was at the middle point of the first that the game began to swing. Buoyed by some aggressive penalty killing from Rooney, Goodrow, Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren, the Rangers had the puck in the Vegas zone to kill off precious time. Georgiev made two stops on the power play before Zibanejad returned.

A couple of better forechecking shifts helped the Rangers turn the tide. On a gritty cycle from the combination of Goodrow, Hunt and Gauthier, a Hunt shot through traffic was deflected by Gauthier off a screened Brossoit, who still made the save. That was the best shift of the period.

After getting outshot 12-9, it was the Rangers who responded well in the second frame. With Zibanejad flying, he took a Kreider one touch pass and let go of a good shot through Whitecloud that found twine to even the score. The shot had some giddy up on it. His seventh at 17 seconds changed the momentum.

The Rangers continued to come at the Golden Knights in waves. By limiting the turnovers that plagued them in a flat first, they were able to generate sustained pressure inside the Vegas end. Able to attack more vigorously, Zibanejad drew a slashing minor on Nicolas Roy.

While on the power play, the first unit which again included Kaapo Kakko instead of Panarin was able to move the puck around the box well. After a near miss from Zibanejad for Kreider, this time he took a Strome cross-ice pass in the left circle. Without any hesitation, he swung the puck between two Vegas players’ skates for a great Kreider tip in for his 11th power play goal at 10:25. His team-leading 18th gave them the lead.

After Kreider scored, a Pietrangelo high-stick on Zibanejad during a delayed penalty handed the Rangers a second consecutive power play. Unlike the first one, they were unable to score. That would prove significant.

In a dominant second where they outshot the Golden Knights 11-4, Brossoit held his team in it. The Rangers never were able to find the knockout blow they needed. It would come back to haunt them.

In a game where Zibanejad was going with a team high seven shots and a dominant night on face-offs (15-for-19), the Blueshirts never got another goal. They defended well with a hustling Lafreniere breaking up a counterattack by making a diving play and then clear. When he got back to the bench, he was bent over. That kind of effort doesn’t go unnoticed.

On another defensive play, Hajek rushed back to stop a Vegas chance following a sloppy turnover from Patrik Nemeth. Hajek had a solid game in 13:16. He definitely didn’t hurt his cause.

When the Golden Knights got good shots on Georgiev, he was splendid. He really made some good saves throughout and deserved a victory. Unfortunately, his teammates couldn’t quite get it for him.

Hanging onto a one-goal lead in the third period, the Rangers tried to protect it. It wasn’t intentional that they played more cautiously. Something both Gallant and Zibanejad alluded to in the postgame. But it just happened. Instead of coming with the same attack they showed in the previous period, they allowed the Knights to hang around.

While neither side accomplished much of anything in the first part with shots favoring Vegas 2-1, the Golden Knights were more effective on the forecheck. Even as Georgiev made some stops, you knew this strategy was doomed.

Eventually on a key defensive draw, a rare Zibanejad loss to Howden led to the game-tying goal. After Howden won the face-off back to Nicolas Hague, Chytil gambled by going for the steal. Instead, he missed the puck which allowed Hague’s pass over to an open Dylan Coghlan to get through. Coghlan drove a shot high to the far side past Georgiev to tie the game with 5:16 remaining.

It happened that quickly. Chytil’s mistake resulted in the Coghlan tying goal with a good screen set in front. That goal definitely hurt. But in a conservative period they only got two shots on Brossoit while Vegas had 10 on Georgiev, the Rangers paid the price. You don’t let good teams hang around. They never put Vegas away.

There were a few iffy moments late. But the Rangers and Golden Knights would require overtime. The three-on-three was unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

It was electrifying. Without Panarin, Gallant went with four different sets of forward tandems. That included Kakko and Lafreniere, who both earned time. Even Chytil and Gauthier saw a late shift. Astonishingly, there were 11 combined shots in the overtime.

Each side created a number of chances to end it. The best came when Pacioretty had a breakaway on Georgiev. One-on-one with the Rangers’ backup, he tried to go five-hole. But a patient Georgiev shut it down and then denied Pacioretty on a point blank rebound to create a buzz in the crowd. He’s not usually good on breakaways. But that’s how locked in he was.

Zibanejad just missed connection with Kreider on a tip try. On another opportunity, Kakko got a step with under a minute left. But he was too predictable by going wide. That allowed him to be taken off the puck. He likes to hang onto the puck and go around the net. Similar to the style he succeeded with on the wider ice surface in Europe. I would’ve liked to seen him take the puck hard to the paint like Gauthier.

After such a breathtaking three-on-three, it went to a shootout. In it, Gallant picked his best three shooters. After Georgiev got across to deny Roy on the backhand, Brossoit got a piece of a Kakko shot with his blocker. In Round Two, Georgiev again stoned Pacioretty to more cheers. But Brossoit took away Zibanejad’s forehand by making the glove save.

It came down to the third round. In it, Marchessault made a smart move by skating in on the left. Instead of going high glove, he went stick side for the only goal. In the last attempt, Strome tried to go low on Brossoit who turned it aside to give his team the win.

Even though they lost to get only a point, both Gallant and Zibanejad had some good takeaways. They played a good game against an elite team. Of course, they should’ve won. But this is a game they can build on. I really liked how Zibanejad played. Kreider also had two points.

Now, they will get a break. With the Omicron variant being passed around like a plague, it’s probably better for the Rangers to have the time off. They played a tough stretch of games. While it wasn’t what they hoped for due to going 1-2-1, they still have a good 19-7-4 record through 30 games. That’s 42 points. Not a bad place to be.

THREE STARS 🌟 🤩 ✨

3rd 🌟 Alex Georgiev, NYR (28 saves on 30 shots including 26 of 28 at even strength)

2nd 🌟 Brett Howden, VGK (3rd of season plus 🍎, 7-for-12 on draws, +2 in 12:17)

1st 🌟 Mika Zibanejad, NYR (7th of season plus 🍎, 7 SOG, 15-for-19 on draws in 21:50)

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged Adam Fox, Alex Georgiev, Alex Pietrangelo, Alexis Lafreniere, Artemi Panarin, Barclay Goodrow, Blueshirts, Brett Howden, Chandler Stephenson, Chris Kreider, Dryden Hunt, Dylan Coghlan, Filip Chytil, Gerard Gallant, Golden Knights, Igor Shesterkin, Jacob Trouba, Jonathan Marchessault, Julien Gauthier, Kaapo Kakko, K’Andre Miller, Keegan Kolesar, Kevin Rooney, Laurent Brossoit, Mark Stone, Max Pacioretty, Mika Zibanejad, Nicolas Hague, Omicron variant, Rangers, Ryan Strome, Shea Theodore, Vegas, William Carrier | Leave a comment

A Devilish Jack Hughes Issue

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Derek

It hasn’t been a good December for the Devils. On Thursday night, they lost their fourth in a row by a score of 5-3 at The Prudential Center in Newark. Thus far, they’re 1-6-1 for the month. That won’t get it done.

With the team struggling to win games, there has to be more pressure on coach Lindy Ruff. A very experienced bench boss, he’s in his second year with the Devils. They’re the third team he’s coached. Most of his success came with the Sabres where he guided them to to the ’99 Stanley Cup Final and two appearances in the Eastern Conference Final. An impressive resume for sure.

However, time might be running out. Although it’s only Year Two for Ruff, expectations were higher due to key additions Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Graves, Jonathan Bernier and rookie Dawson Mercer. Instead, they wasted a promising 7-3-3 start. Over the last 16 games including last night, they’re 3-10-3. That poor stretch has them seventh in the Metropolitan Division with a 10-13-5 record.

A bigger issue that should concern the Devils’ Red Army is the kind of big hits Jack Hughes takes. In his third season, the 20-year old former 2019 top pick is an elite skater with great skills. The trouble is he hasn’t always been healthy.

After a good start with two goals and an assist in the first two games (both wins), Hughes absorbed a heavy hit from Jeremy Lauzon in that second game against the Kraken. He landed awkwardly into the boards and suffered a dislocated left shoulder. That cost him 17 games.

Hughes returned six weeks later on Nov. 30 versus the Sharks. In nine games since coming back, he has tallied three goals and two assists for five points. That included scoring his fifth goal of the season on Thursday night. He also had a second goal wiped out due to an offside late in regulation.

Jack Hughes (@jhugh86) capitalizes on the rebound. pic.twitter.com/7zDXr5d8m3
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2021

The problem is he took another big hit a few minutes earlier. While carrying the puck over the Vegas blue line, Hughes got caught with a clean hit from defenseman Zach Whitecloud. While it was a little high, the contact was through the upper chest knocking Hughes down. He was okay.

Once his apparent second goal was reversed with under 20 seconds left, Mason Geertsen was sent out for a face-off. You didn’t need to be an expert to know what would happen. He got into it with both Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb. Pietrangelo got a few shots in ln Geertsen before Robin Lehner erupted by taking his mask off and looking for any dance partner.

This was the kind of chaos that could’ve been avoided. However, due to Hughes taking a hard hit, the Devils wanted to defend their meal ticket. That’s part of hockey now. Even if a hit is clean, teams will come to the aid of a player and stick up for them. Especially if it’s an established star. Nathan MacKinnon took a heavy hit from Jacob Trouba last week. Gabriel Landeskog immediately challenged him.

With Hughes being so young, the Devils can’t afford to lose him for long stretches. The hit he took from Lauzon wasn’t a penalty either. But Geertsen immediately engaged Lauzon with both squaring off early in the second period. Each received 15 minutes total including fight majors and misconducts.

There’s nothing wrong with teammates having each other’s backs. It shows character. Something former Devil Ken Daneyko loves. You need to have that. Protecting Hughes is understandable. He’s not the biggest guy and already signed a long-term contract extension that’ll pay him an average of $8 million beginning in ’22-23 that won’t conclude until 2030.

Here’s the thing. Hughes must do a better job at recognizing where he is on the ice. As former Devils’ 2003 Stanley Cup hero Mike Rupp put it on NHL Network, the top center has to be more cognizant so he isn’t absorbing such heavy hits frequently. Rupp made a good point about Patrick Kane. Not the biggest in stature either, you never see Kane get caught. He’s very aware on the ice and doesn’t put himself in a vulnerable position.

I absolutely LOVE Jack Hughes as a player. The @NJDevils and him need to break down tape and he needs to learn the dangerous areas of the ice. He is taking way too many hits in his young career. (1/2)
— Mike Rupp (@Rupper17) December 17, 2021

The Blackhawks star remains one of the game’s most dangerous scorers. Also a former top pick in 2007, he’s gone onto a brilliant career helping the Hawks win three Stanley Cups. With 411 goals and 701 assists for a total of 1,112 points, the 33-year old Kane is a future Hall Of Famer. He’s been able to stay healthy and have a great career.

Hopefully, Hughes can go onto have a great career in New Jersey. However, he needs to do a better job at avoiding these big hits. It’s important for the franchise that he doesn’t put himself at risk. The potential is there. For him to become the player he’s capable of, being able to stay on the ice is crucial.

Of course, he needs more help. It can’t only be Pavel Zacha and Jesper Bratt producing along with Andreas Johnsson. Dawson Mercer is a nice story in his rookie year. But he’s in a slump like the team. The Devils are still waiting on recent first round pick Alex Holtz. He’s developing at Utica in the AHL. He could become the finisher Hughes needs to be more successful.

With eight points (5-3-8) in 11 games, Hughes seems to be on the right track. In the abbreviated ’21 season, he finished with 11 goals and 31 points over 56 games. That was an improvement from his rookie season when he had only 21 points (7-14-21) and finished a minus-26 in 61 games. In that ’19-20 COVID-19 interrupted season, he took a big hit from former Flyer Matt Niskanen.

On the play where he was shoved into the boards, Kyle Palmieri challenged Niskanen and fought him. Another clear example of Hughes taking some punishment in a vulnerable position. But that was Year One. He’s now in his third year. At some point, he must do a better job by avoiding certain areas that can put him at risk.

With still 54 games remaining, it would be nice for the Devils to have Hughes take part in the majority sans the latest COVID outbreak that’s going around due to the new Omicron variant. We’re seeing many players wind up in Protocol. Some games have been postponed including tomorrow’s Bruins/Canadiens tilt. Boston can’t travel due to Covid issues.

That will remain a concern for the NHL along with other major sports getting hit. For the Devils, they need Hughes to avoid injuries and provide fans with a glimpse of what’s to come. Hopefully, he can adjust and stay healthy. The future depends on it.

Posted in Column, Devils | Tagged Alex Holtz, Alex Pietrangelo, Andreas Johnsson, Brayden McNabb, Column, Dawson Mercer, Devils, Dougie Hamilton, Flyers, Golden Knights, Jack Hughes, Jeremy Lauzon, Jesper Bratt, Kraken, Kyle Palmieri, Lindy Ruff, Mason Geertsen, Matt Niskanen, New Jersey, Pavel Zacha, Robin Lehner, Vegas, Zach Whitecloud | Leave a comment

Coyote Ugly! Kakko’s big night along with Kinkaid’s clutch saves allow Rangers to win over Yotes, Zibanejad and Kreider pick it up without injured Panarin

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Derek

Nothing came easy for the Rangers last night in Glendale, Arizona. Facing the league’s worst team, they struggled mightily. Despite a flat performance, they finally responded in crunch time to pull out a undeserved 3-2 win over the five win Coyotes at Gila River Arena.

Let’s get this out of the way. No win is bad. Even though they played about as poor a game as possible against an opponent who had nothing to lose and everything to gain, the bottom line is the Rangers rose up when it mattered to get the two points. At the end of the day, that’s two more points than they had entering play.

The one-goal victory snapped the first two-game losing streak in regulation. Consecutive losses to the Predators and Avalanche. Two playoff teams with good records. Encouraging is they continue to beat the opponents they’re supposed to. The more concerning issue is that they haven’t fared well versus teams with good records. That must change soon. The Golden Knights are in town Friday. It’ll have to be a much better effort.

The more positive takeaway is the Rangers found a way to win without Artemi Panarin, who left the contest in the second period. They termed it a lower-body injury. In the postgame, coach Gerard Gallant said Panarin is day-to-day. Whatever context that means who knows. We’ll have a better idea tomorrow if he can play against Vegas. He only logged seven minutes before exiting.

Give credit to Keith Kinkaid. Making his first start of the season to give Alex Georgiev a night off, the likable veteran came in and made 29 saves on 31 shots to pick up the win. He definitely played well by making some key stops that helped his team out when they needed a lift. It isn’t easy for a journeyman to play as well as Kinkaid did. Like friend Robert Kraze Davis would say, “He’s Kingkaid.”

Finally, Kaapo Kakko delivered a big game. His two goals including the game decider that came on the power play with 2:18 to go were clutch. Both goals were scored from the same area in the paint. That’s where the former 2019 second pick has to be to have more success. I called him out earlier in the game for passing up a wide open shot. Maybe I should go after other players to bust them out of slumps. It worked.

How do you skate that well and get into open space and opt not to even look at the net? Kakko was a high draft pick!
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 16, 2021

Kakko did all that work and didn't notice he had room to shoot and possibly score. He's the anti Jagr.
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 16, 2021

Kakko ×2! That's more like it. Does anyone need anymore players to snap out of slumps?
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 16, 2021

As you can see, I delighted in eating crow. Make mine a double. Kakko ×2! His fourth and fifth goals ended an 10-game drought. The two points were also his first since Dec. 1. He needed to score. It definitely gave him a confidence boost. Without Panarin after the Coyotes took an ill advised bench minor with under three minutes left, Gallant used Kakko in his spot. It paid off when he was the recipient of a great feed from noted playmaker Chris Kreider for the winner.

In a true rarity, Kreider was the setup man Wednesday night by assisting on three goals. There goes his Cy Young status. He’s now 17-7. All kidding aside, it’s nice to see him pad his assist total from four to seven. He did some grunt work on the tying power play goal from Mika Zibanejad with 5:46 remaining. Zibanejad’s sixth was enormous. He also picked up a helper on Kakko’s first of the game halfway through. Goals have been hard to come by for Zibanejad. Maybe he can finally get going.

For a while, it really looked like they’d become the sixth Coyotes’ victim. After Kakko put in a rebound of a Zibanejad shot set up by Kreider at 10:40 of the second period, the Rangers were unable to take the lead. Despite finally awakening from a malaise, they couldn’t quite go ahead. Scott Wedgewood made 14 saves with some gems coming following the Kakko tally. He denied Alexis Lafreniere in close to keep it even headed to the third.

With 0.2 seconds left in the second, Jacob Trouba hi-sticked Clayton Keller after a lost defensive face-off. A frustrating way to end the period after it was Trouba who provided a spark when he got into it with Antoine Roussel near the benches. That seemed to ignite the flame. The Rangers played better following that exchange. Trouba seems to be the pulse of this team. Whether it’s a big hit or strong reaction during a scrum, he’s providing needed leadership.

Although he didn’t get a point on the night and was victimized by Keller on an Arizona go-ahead goal at 8:47 of the third, Trouba again played a good game. He was very active during his shifts and registered two shots while attempting seven altogether. He also recorded two hits and two blocks in 22:47 of ice time. His overall game has been much better this season.

On the Keller goal, it was the fourth line that turned over the puck in the neutral zone. That led to former Blueshirt Anton Stralman (yes, he still plays) starting a nice passing play with Nick Schmaltz drawing a sliding Trouba over before finding a cutting Keller backdoor for a backhand tuck past Kinkaid for a 2-1 Coyotes lead with 11:13 remaining.

The way the Yotes responded up to that point in the third, it felt like the backbreaker. This had the feel of one of those ugly losses that you can’t get the bitter taste out of your mouth from. Had this been the previous year, they lose this game. Especially without Panarin.

Instead, they dug deep to pull it out. Of course, a losing team like Arizona helped out by taking two undisciplined penalties. With less than seven minutes left, Phil Kessel interfered with Kevin Rooney to go to the box. It took the Rangers’ reformed top unit a minute to tie the score.

With Kakko on in place of Panarin along with Fox, Zibanejad, Kreider and Ryan Strome, they got it set up. Going back to an old formula that once was successful, Kreider got the puck up to Fox, who then moved it over for a simple Zibanejad wrist shot from the left circle that went right through Wedgewood for the all important game-tying goal at 14:14. Kreider was in front. However, a better goalie stops it. Zibanejad will take it.

With the game tied, Kinkaid made a couple of key stops before the Coyotes saw their collective shadow (Groundhog Day reference) like Bill Murray’s memorable Phil character keeps repeating the same annoying day over and over. Arizona got caught with six skaters out for an easy too many men on the ice minor.

Unlike the mugging they got away with previously on Dryden Hunt before Keller came down and scored, the refs and linesmen had to make the obvious call. Let’s just say I wasn’t a big fan of the officials. They missed a couple of obvious infractions on the Yotes.

On another man-advantage with 2:59 left, this time they worked the puck around perfectly for Kakko’s game-winner. On another good passing play, the puck came to Strome, who moved it to Kreider down low. He came out in front and drew a defender down before sliding the puck across for a Kakko tap in at 17:42. A perfectly executed power play goal that had Kakko and pleased teammates all smiles coming back to the bench.

Finally ahead for the first time due to Loui Eriksson opening the scoring late in the first with a shorthanded goal, they no longer were chasing the game. Instead, they were able to protect the one-goal lead to close out an ugly victory. Coyote Ugly.

The only thing I didn’t get was why Patrik Nemeth was out for the final shift with Trouba. They really don’t trust K’Andre Miller at this point? Oy. I’d much prefer Miller used in that spot with Trouba, who even took a defensive shift at the end of the second with Ryan Lindgren. I don’t want to see Nemeth anywhere near such a close game.

I couldn’t understand why he and Libor Hajek took a regular shift with over seven minutes remaining trailing by one. It was strange. Hajek actually saved a goal earlier in the game with his stick. He played over 14 minutes. He doesn’t scare me as much as Nemeth, who nearly received 18 minutes. I guess they had to play them due to it being their third game in four nights. I don’t see the point in using the third pair minus Nils Lundkvist down a goal.

I’m relieved that they won. The last thing they needed was to enter Friday’s tough match-up at MSG with a three-game losing streak. The Golden Knights are hot right now. Max Pacioretty is playing lights out while Chandler Stephenson is piling up points. Historically, the Rangers have done okay against Vegas. The last meeting was a 5-0 shutout on Dec. 8, 2019. You know facing the former team he coached to a Stanley Cup Final appearance in the inaugural year will carry extra meaning for Gallant. I’m sure he wants to stick it to them.

In any event, before I close the book on the win last night, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the fireworks that happened at the buzzer. Maybe it was just frustration on their part. But the Coyotes acted like some losers by starting a fight. Trouba and Roussel were separated while Kessel of all people got the better of Lindgren. Eventually, the teams separated. The next time the Rangers are supposed to see Arizona is on January 22 at The Garden. Keep it circled.

One other note. Gallant healthy scratched Filip Chytil. He hasn’t been getting it done. Maybe this was the coach just sending a message. Instead of Chytil, Greg McKegg took his place in the lineup. The Keg Man was okay. He gives an honest effort. However, after Panarin went down, I half wondered if Turk might regret sitting Chytil. But they came back and won. I’m curious to see if he’ll be back in Friday. How will he respond? That’ll be interesting.

THREE STARS 🌟 OF GAME

3rd 🌟 Chris Kreider, #NYR 3 assists including primary 🍎 on Kakko GWG
2nd 🌟 Keith Kinkaid, #NYR 29 saves on 31 shots for 1st win of season
1st 🌟 Kaapo Kakko, #NYR 2 goals including PPG for GWG, 3 SOG, +3 in 19:38
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 16, 2021

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, Antoine Roussel, Anton Stralman, Arizona, Artemi Panarin, Blueshirts, Chris Kreider, Clayton Keller, Coyote Ugly, Coyotes, Dryden Hunt, Filip Chytil, Gerard Gallant, Greg McKegg, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, K’Andre Miller, Keith Kinkaid, Kingkaid, Libor Hajek, Loui Eriksson, Mika Zibanejad, Nick Schmaltz, Patrik Nemeth, Phil Kessel, Rangers, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Strome, Scott Wedgewood, Yotes | Leave a comment

Rangers’ late push not enough in tough loss to Avalanche, Zibanejad and Panarin struggle in second consecutive defeat, Kakko slumping

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Derek

They certainly tried to make the most of an overturned J.T. Compher power play goal that looked like a very iffy call. Instead of being down and out, the Rangers had a new lease on life. They were able to pull within one goal with Alex Georgiev on the bench.

However, the late comeback push fell short in a tough 4-2 loss at Colorado. After Julien Gauthier was able to put in a rebound of a Dryden Hunt shot Darcy Kuemper misplayed to cut the deficit to one with 3:02 left, Chris Kreider came so close to tying it. But Kuemper made a sprawling save to deny him in front.

On a neutral zone face-off with Georgiev back in net, Mika Zibanejad lost the crucial draw to Nazem Kadri. Off the face-off, the scrappy Valeri Nichushkin wisely pushed the loose puck by Adam Fox and then turned it into a breakaway goal at 19:23 to ice the game for Colorado. A play where both Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin looked bad on.

And that's game. pic.twitter.com/Vqgo1WhDKF
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 15, 2021

Neither star played particularly well in the rematch against the elite Avs, who were without captain Gabriel Landeskog. Zibanejad went without a point in 17:26 with just two shots while Panarin picked up a secondary assist in an otherwise ineffective game for the Rangers’ leading scorer.

The Avalanche deserve credit for taking away Zibanejad, Panarin and for most of the night Kreider, who is in a mini-slump with only one goal in his last seven games. Undoubtedly, he’s been the most consistent forward this team has had. No other Ranger is in double digits. Kreider leads them with 17 goals. After that, Panarin has nine.

The problem is it’s now a four-way tie between Jacob Trouba, Ryan Strome, Alexis Lafreniere and Kevin Rooney with six. Zibanejad remains stuck on five with Fox, who’s point production has been consistent. You can’t have your top center with only five goals in 28 games over a week before Christmas. It doesn’t translate. They didn’t extend Mika at an average of $8.5 million so he could be a streaky scorer. He works hard at other areas. But he must start burying some shots. If not, this team is going to be in trouble.

Kaapo Kakko had another disappointing game. Since the stretch where he put up all eight of his points over seven games, he’s without a point in seven straight. Tonight, he lost a puck battle along the wall and took a penalty due to being too soft. It is a process for young players, but at what point does the former ’19 second pick start making more of an impact? He is a bad fit with Zibanejad and Kreider. It’s time to move him back with Strome and Panarin.

When Kreider isn’t finishing and Panarin isn’t going, the offense will struggle. Especially with Zibanejad firing blanks. Second center Strome has been getting it done. His redirection of a great Fox pass gave the Rangers some life in a more inspired second period. That goal cut a 2-0 deficit in half.

It was all Avs in the first period. If not for Georgiev coming up with some timely saves (10) in a lopsided period that saw the Rangers establish zero sustained attack, it could’ve been worse than a two-goal deficit. He made three good stops on the first of six Avalanche power plays. That bailed out Patrik Nemeth, who has become an eyesore.

Georgiev is keeping this score from getting lopsided so far. Another nice save there on Nichushkin.
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 15, 2021

With the game still scoreless, Nathan MacKinnon made a great play to set up line mate Mikko Rantanen for the first goal at 12:18. Carrying the puck, he went around Nemeth behind the net and came out and made a perfect backhand feed for a Rantanen finish behind Libor Hajek to open the scoring. On the play, Nemeth got beat and Hajek tried to help in front, but didn’t recover in time to pick up Rantanen. MacKinnon was able to also beat Alexis Lafreniere to make the gorgeous pass.

While the Rangers barely tested Kuemper, who could’ve been in a lounge chair, the Avalanche controlled play with their imposing combination of size, speed and strength. After he whined about an inadvertent Strome trip earlier in the first, Rantanen got a legit call when Kevin Rooney foolishly tripped him up in the Ranger zone.

That penalty hurt. Instead of escaping the period down a goal, the Rangers trailed by two thanks to Cale Makar ripping a laser by a screened Georgiev at 18:11. The sad part is it was his own player who made it impossible for him to track the puck. Nemeth screened out Georgiev on a perfect Makar shot that went blocker side to make it 2-0. The offensive dynamo leads all defensemen with 13 goals. He legit has a shot at 30. What a dangerous player.

We just love CALE MAKARRRR. @BallCorpHQ Goal of the Game goes to none other!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/M58bBPpWp4
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 15, 2021

Cale Makar's 13 goals are more than 17 teams have from their entire bluelines this season#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/IBiMFIDSNO
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 15, 2021

After getting outplayed and outshot 12-7 in a flat first, the Rangers played a much better second period. They went to the power play early when Andre Burakovsky cross-checked Ryan Lindgren. On the man-advantage, they didn’t quite get the set ups they wanted. Colorado did a good job blanketing Panarin and Fox. Kreider wasn’t a factor either.

When Gerard Gallant went to his second unit, Hunt got nabbed for a pick play at the Avalanche blue line. Compher sold it to make it four-on-four for 43 seconds. After the Rangers were able to kill the Colorado five-on-four, Hunt drew an interference minor on one-time Blueshirt Jack Johnson by driving the Colorado net. A good play by a gritty player.

Although the second power play had better looks, they couldn’t cash in against Kuemper. He made the saves he needed to and the Avs killed the rest. If there was a notable difference, special teams went to Colorado. In most of their wins this season, the Rangers have won the battle of special teams. Tonight, they had four less power plays and allowed one power play goal.

In what can best be summed up as an intense heavyweight battle, Kurtis MacDermid got the decision over Ryan Reaves in an entertaining scrap. After Reaves landed some early shots, MacDermid came back with some of his own before two rights finally got the takedown. A rare loss for Reaves.

https://twitter.com/RTaub_/status/1470956850678059008?t=xUhTQbbjqBSleQB6NAU-UQ&s=19

Sometimes, teams get lifts from fights. Even though Reaves lost, it was advantage Rangers. Less than a minute following the fisticuffs, Fox made a terrific play by moving the puck down low for Strome. He was able to get the tip in for his sixth to cut it to 2-1 with 9:24 remaining. A superb effort even if it wasn’t conventional. It still counted just the same.

Get to the net ☑️
Good things happen ☑️ pic.twitter.com/O00P3PWrYY
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 15, 2021

On the next shift, a flying Zibanejad broke in on Kuemper. But his backhand attempt was denied by the Colorado starter. A huge momentum turning save. Afterwards, a frustrated Zibanejad took a silly penalty by grabbing Johnson for holding. One of those regrettable offensive zone minors you can’t take against such a lethal opponent.

Even though they killed the penalty, the Avalanche are the last team you want to put on the power play. If there was one gripe about the game, the Rangers took too many penalties. Georgiev sure gave them a chance. He made nine saves on 10 power play shots and was good throughout despite allowing four goals on 31 shots. The loss wasn’t on him.

For most of the second, they did so many things right. But then they began turning over pucks to fuel the Colorado transition. Zibanejad had a bad one. It was finally a turnover by the fourth line that really came back to haunt them. Eventually, the Avs turned it into a goal when Kadri took a low shot on Georgiev for a rebound with two bodies in front. With only Lindgren back and Fox behind, Nichushkin steered in his eighth for a 3-1 lead with 1:15 to go.

That was a backbreaker. The Rangers had all the momentum. But the sloppy play crept in and really cost them. Of course, the guys on ESPN Plus were heaping praise on our players for playing a very clean period. It was like they jinxed them. All that talk about no turnovers and more shot attempts went up in smoke like the fancy chart garbage analytical nerds use.

The third period was interesting. The Rangers never gave up. But at times, it felt like the Avalanche were ready to put them away. A huge Georgiev save to stop Nichushkin point blank kept them alive. I know the statistics will say 27 saves and four goals allowed. But if you watched the game, you know better. He played well.

The Avalanche are such a deep team that it doesn’t matter who’s missing. They come at you in waves. They’re very big and fast. It can be a handful. There’s a reason they’ve been so hot and scoring tons of goals. This wasn’t a blowout like last week’s 7-3 dusting on my birthday.

The Rangers competed. They didn’t look outgunned. But they also aren’t yet in the Avalanche’s league. That’s fine. You aren’t going to be complete less than 30 games in when you haven’t sniffed the playoffs in five years. I don’t count the Play In Qualifier. That was expanded due to COVID. This team is still learning.

If there was a player who frustrated me, it was Kakko. He isn’t doing enough to play on the top line. He had two shots and a slashing minor because he wasn’t strong enough along the boards and chopped MacDermid’s stick in half. He isn’t there yet. I’m not sure about him. He needs to prove he can score consistently.

Filip Chytil is another young player that isn’t getting it done. He isn’t finishing on plays like the one he had in front. The overall play has improved. But he’s been around long enough where offense should be expected. He doesn’t draw the tough assignments. They must get more out of the third line to be successful. If not, a trade is needed.

Games like Tuesday night emphasize the importance of Sammy Blais. His size, strength and grit is sorely missed. Gallant wouldn’t be playing Kakko on the first line. Blais fit better because he’s more mature and can handle the physical toll. I’m not going to use the Pavel Buchnevich excuse. Blais was doing well until P.K. ~~Slewban~~ Subban ended his season. His career will be over soon. I bet Devils fans can’t wait for him to be gone.

Without Blais, Gallant continues to employ Hunt in a top six role. As much as I admire his work ethic, he isn’t that player. Stick him on the third line where he can create more space for Chytil and Lafreniere, who isn’t ready for a top six role. If he was a right wing, I’d feel differently.

At this point, I think Turk should bump up Gauthier to the first line. He puts in a lot of effort and is around the net a lot due to his skating and North/South style. I know he only just got his second goal. But what other choice do they have? This is where not having Blais hurts. Vitali Kravtsov sure would be intriguing if he were available. That’s not happening.

Let’s get to the Compher no goal. With Hajek off for delay of game, the Avalanche got the puck up top to Makar for another hard shot. Compher somehow managed to redirect it off the goalpost and then beat Trouba to put in a rebound for what looked like an insurmountable 4-1 lead.

But after some discussion with the refs at the bench, Gallant decided to take his shot at challenge for goaltender interference. From the replays ESPN Plus showed, I didn’t think much of it. While there was initial contact between Compher and Georgiev, it came before the puck arrived. It had nothing to do with the play. I felt it should’ve counted. To my astonishment, they overturned the call and ruled it no goal.

Cale Makar on J.T. Compher's overturned goal: "If I'm a goalie now, I'm probably sliding into guys and making contact. It's an interesting call."
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) December 15, 2021

Overkill. They’ll do anything to protect goalies. It was soft. I would’ve preferred it to count and not lose the way the Rangers did. But that’s what the league has become. A predictable soft as Carvel league except when a certain player slew foots and injures opponents. Mind boggling. About as much as ESPN not showing most of their games on cable TV. Not everyone wants to pay a premium for a streaming service. Luckily, I can stream the games for nothing. I don’t get it. They’ll show collegiate sports over NHL hockey. How does that promote the sport?

In regards to the final few minutes, it was interesting to see Gallant shift Hunt back to the fourth line. With Reaves on the bench and Rooney also taking a seat after a second consecutive ineffective game, it was a new look checking line that produced a goal on the six-on-five.

With Georgiev on the bench, Goodrow won an offensive draw back for Hunt, whose shot rebounded off Kuemper right to Gauthier, who flipped in a backhand for his second to make it 3-2 with 2:02 remaining. All it wad a simple face-off play where Gauthier went to the net and got the loose change. There wasn’t enough of that from the top six.

Julien Gauthier pulls the #NYR within one pic.twitter.com/ZQbGX0bmtA
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 15, 2021

With Georgiev again lifted, it looked like Colorado would seal it with an empty net goal. But a great hustle play from Lafreniere denied a bid when he batted the attempt out of the air with his stick. He got shifts at the end because he was effective. Gallant felt he was too cute when he sat him out the last 10 minutes against Nashville. I like Laf’s grit. He definitely works hard and has more sandpaper to his game than some of our other young players.

That one defensive play from Lafreniere almost led to Kreider tying it. He got to his spot. Off a face-off win, Fox moved the puck over to Strome, whose shot pass was redirected by Kreider into Kuemper. He got one crack at a rebound, but was shutdown before Makar checked him. That was the chance to force overtime.

Darcy saves the day and Nuke ends it all! #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/oaxot3PmLO
— Adrian Hernandez (@AdoHernandez27) December 15, 2021

Finally, Kadri won a draw at center ice from Zibanejad. Nichushkin made a smart play by pushing the puck ahead and slipped through both Fox and Zibanejad to earn a one-on-one with Georgiev. He made a good move and went forehand deke upstairs to salt the game away with over 36 seconds left.

It was a frustrating way to end the game. Especially given how they never quit. They were that close to forcing overtime thanks to an overturned goal that to me should’ve counted. The NHL remains very confusing.

Now, there’s another COVID outbreak. There are players all over the place testing positive. The Carolina/Minnesota game was canceled. Calgary and Chicago didn’t play on Monday. Supposedly, both the NHL and NHLPA are going to have a discussion over all the players in COVID Protocol tomorrow. I’m curious to see what happens. It isn’t only affecting the NHL. But the NBA and NFL. It’s worrisome.

The Rangers are back at it when they visit Arizona. It’s probably good to get another game. But what about the travel factor? What about the issue with Nashville, who just visited? Yeah. There’s concern. Players have expressed similar issues with participating in Beijing. I don’t feel it’s worth the risk. That isn’t a good idea.

That’ll do it. The Rangers want to bounce back. They’re now third in the division with the red hot Penguins gaining ground. That’s a surprising team to keep an eye on. I’m curious to see how the Rangers will do against the more defensive minded Pens. Don’t forget the sizzling Golden Knights visit MSG Friday. There then is a break in the schedule.

See you later.

THREE STARS 🌟 OF GAME

3rd 🌟 Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche (2 assists, 5 SOG, 7-for-13 on draws in 22:32)

2nd 🌟 Nazem Kadri, Avalanche (3 assists in 20:01)

1st 🌟 Valeri Nichushkin, Avalanche (2 goals, 3 SOG, +2 in 16:21)

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, Andre Burakovsky, Artemi Panarin, Avalanche, Avs, Barclay Goodrow, Blueshirts, Cale Makar, Chris Kreider, coach's challenge, Colorado, Darcy Kuemper, Dryden Hunt, ESPN Plus, Filip Chytil, Gerard Gallant, goalie interference, J.T. Compher, Julien Gauthier, Kaapo Kakko, Kurtis MacDermid, Libor Hajek, Mika Zibanejad, Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, Patrik Nemeth, Rangers, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Reaves, Ryan Strome, Sammy Blais, Valeri Nichushkin | Leave a comment

It’s Groundhog Day in Newark…again

Posted on December 15, 2021 by hasan4978

Even more so than my Wargames clip, the more fitting symbol of what the Devils franchise has become is the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day, where his character re-lives the same day over and over and over again. Only instead of living the same day as Devils fans, we’re living the same year over and over and over again. Yet I’m not sure I can remember a time where I’ve been this annoyed with the direction (or lack thereof) of the franchise as I am right now. It was one thing to be struggling when we were supposed to be rebuilding in the first few years of the Ray Shero regime, or when he tried to move towards a win-now approach and it blew up and then Tom Fitzgerald had to start rebuild 2.0. I’m not even asking for much as a fan at this point, despite all their additions this offseason pretty much my goal was just to have ‘meaningful games in March’ for only the second time in the post-Lou Lamoriello era.

This year should have been the time to see improvement from the younger players, especially with Fitz augmenting the core with a few vets this offseason. Instead, we have younger players stagnating or going backwards and an entire team that seemingly doesn’t know what to do on the ice, especially when special teams gets into the mix. Excuses have been the order of the day around here – Lou left the organization in bad shape, COVID screwed up seasons, the coaching sucks, yadda yadda yadda. When do we get to the day where we start to hold the players themselves accountable? Or better yet when does ownership start re-evaluating its whole process which clearly isn’t changing jack for the better?

If you go by the saying a fish rots from the head out, you gotta start with ownership and the general laissez-faire way they approach winning and losing both here and with the Sixers. I can’t even necessarily complain about who they’ve been hiring here as much as I do just the whole idea that every little thing has to be run as a democracy rather than just hiring people, letting them do their jobs and evaluate them on their own merit. Instead, we know that one of the reasons Shero was fired was that he wanted more autonomy and ownership wanted more of a collaboration. We have reports of upper management having input into the power play (like it’s helped) and other facets of daily coaching. And I loathe the fact this organization is making me call for Lindy Ruff’s head after like eighty-five games, but in the coach’s defense it’s not like he was really given any autonomy here, starting with his own staff. Was PP guru Mark Recchi really Ruff’s hire or Fitz’s? Given the Pittsburgh connection with Fitz and no other prior connection with Ruff, it seems obvious what the answer is. We know doggone well Alain Nasreddine was foisted on Ruff, which was even more ridiculous given that Nas had run his course both as an assistant under John Hynes and as the interim after Hynes’ firing.

I guess in a sense it’s fitting that Nas was kept from a prior administration, since after all Fitz himself was kept from a prior administration. Albeit a guy who was highly thought of and probably would have gotten his own GM job outside of New Jersey eventually, but still when you replace one coach and then foist his assistant on the next coach, while ownership promotes the assistant of the last GM it’s getting a bit…incestuous for lack of a better word? I’m just waiting for some organizational accountability to be shown and I don’t just mean firing a figurehead coach who has no real authority anyway. I’ve been a bit skittish about bringing in John Tortorella cause of the rationalization that his style with our finesse team would be an oil and vinegar match but at this point bleep the players. I’d bring him in just to light a fire at this point cause it doesn’t seem like we have anyone else in the organization willing to do it.

Ruff talks a good game but in the end just defaults to the same shuttle in and out fourth liners and run a few bag skates that most coaches do (with some of those moves making little sense, like scratching physical Nathan Bastian who can play for Mason Geertsen who can’t play the other night…like really now), without doing anything to even address the failing strategies on the ice. Ironically the one time he really put the hammer down on a key player, it worked – Jesper Bratt is one of the few players thriving in this mess of a season. But where’s a similar level of accountability for Ty Smith continuing to stink up the ice? He was named by the GM as someone just outside of core player status last year, but has shown to be anything but this season. And as much as I like the guy and think he does care, the fact this organization rushed to give Nico Hischier the C as quickly as they did before he fully established himself may well prove to be a mistake. It’s one thing to be a good person and try but that doesn’t give you stature or make you a good leader. Not that anyone else outside of maybe Dougie Hamilton is capable of wearing the C on this roster, but I can’t even make that claim with this season going up in smoke. Pretty much everyone needs to be called on the carpet for two dead-fish efforts in a row against the Islanders and Flyers.

Where is the realization by Ruff, ‘his’ staff or the higher-ups above that this so-called power play system just isn’t working? When even a gold standard player like Hamilton can’t run this system, the problem is usually with the system itself. It doesn’t seem like even now the coaching staff gets it, after nearly a monthlong stretch where the team’s literally given up more shorthanded goals than scored on its own power play (to be exact three PP goals scored in our last 36 attempts, with four shorthanded goals given up during that time).

I asked #NJDevils Lindy Ruff where do you go from here with the power play, other than more practice "what are you supposed to do?"

His response:

"I think the units are going to totally get shaken… have a shake-up."
— Amanda Stein (@amandacstein) December 15, 2021

Although finally admitting personnel changes could be made is a start, how about admitting that maybe this system itself needs to be re-evaluated? Or the process of it being more streamlined rather than Ruff, Recchi, Fitz and the analytics people all sitting in an office gaming out what, exactly? A different way of standing around and trying to thread the needle for a perfect pass in front? How about on a bigger level figuring out why quite a few guys when they first get here perform great, then stagnate after 15-20 games in this so-called system (yes I mean you Dougie, and your d-partner Ryan Graves)? Even a kid like Dawson Mercer has been pulled into the vortex of suck, with just one goal and a -8 in his last eight games.

This isn’t to absolve the players by any stretch, especially when you have a culture that for years has excused losing and blindly peddled a ‘better days are ahead’ mantra, the younger the roster gets without any real plan for developing all your younger players other than…they’re young, they’ll develop all on their own! At a certain point, our ‘captain’ or someone in the room needs to stand up and say this bleep is no longer acceptable around here, it shouldn’t be entirely up to the coaches and upper management to enforce accountability in the room. A good franchise breeds accountability both from management and peers. When the Devils were winning it wasn’t always Pat Burns and Jacques Lemaire giving speeches or pulling guys aside in the locker room. Sometimes it was Scott Stevens and Claude Lemieux letting players know their bleep isn’t gonna fly here. Right now as a franchise we’re missing a collective accountability both from above and from within. There’s too many milquetoast personalities who go with the flow and not enough guys who are willing to spice things up to get everyone going.

Part of my longing for some accountability comes from seeing other teams make coaching changes and immediately benefit from them, including the team that smoked us tonight – the Flyers, who’ve now won three straight not long after losing ten in a row. Vancouver was mocked for acting like a win-now team, hiring Bruce Boudreau but they’re winning now too. Both teams saw their season going up in smoke and did something about it, while we’re likely going to wait too long again just like we dragged our feet weeks after we should have fired Hynes in 2019. Not that I trust Fitz or ownership to do the right thing and bring in a name coach with some autonomy or even promote Kevin Dineen, who would seem to be the obvious in-season replacement with what he’s been doing at Utica this season – and get this, they actually have an elite power play down there! Think we could use some of whatever he’s brewing down there?

Apparently ownership (and/or Fitz) didn’t want guys like Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette during the 2020 offseason because they wanted more of a say in things than we were willing to give them. Gee, I wonder how their teams are doing now? Oh right, they’re so far in front of us we need a damn telescope to find them! Maybe it’s time to rethink the importance of coaching and not just trying to treat an NHL coach like a baseball manager, a guy who runs everything by the numbers and blindly does what management wants. No moneyball system on its own has been shown to win without any regard to talent or coaching yet. Maybe instead of just having a group of finesse youngsters you occasionally try to add in a couple of physical vets who aren’t outright useless goons?

Before we even talk about a philosophy change though, this organization needs to take a good hard look in the mirror and use one of its own corporate terms…self-evaluate. After eight years of two rebuilds I see zero evidence that our process is, or will work anytime soon. I’ve already gotten to the avoid watching games and dread going to games part of my yearly cycle of life. I didn’t watch a minute of the last two games and was better off for it, when the inevitable result happened Saturday with the fossilized remains of Lou’s ex-Devils (Andy Greene and Zach Parise) both scoring on us as if it was 2012 again. I don’t even want to hear about people being sick tonight at this point – when you do nothing but peddle excuses for years I’m sorry, I have no patience left for you even if this excuse has some truth to it in all likelihood.

It’s time to act like you’re in St. Louis and SHOW ME improvement, show me accountability. Give me a reason to watch your product again other than the games I’m self-obligated to go to, and a reason to keep my tickets after this season rather than just taking a bath on the ‘value’ of tickets for the sake of seat location and having playoff rights – god knows when we’ll ever get back to them.

Posted in Devils | Tagged Alain Nasreddine, Andy Greene, Bruce Boudreau, Claude Lemieux, Dawson Mercer, Jacques Lemaire, Jesper Bratt, John Hynes, John Tortorella, Kevin Dineen, Lou Lamoriello, Mark Recchi, Mason Geertsen, Nathan Bastian, Pat Burns, Ray Shero, Ryan Graves, Scott Stevens, Tom Fitzgerald, Ty Smith, Zach Parise | 1 Comment

Predators out-grind Rangers in playoff style shutout, Kreider speaks up

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Derek

This one was all about style. It wasn’t fancy. But rather a grinding, physical game that was hard fought. Despite playing without stars Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen, the Predators out-hit and out-grinded the Rangers to win a playoff style game 1-0 at MSG.

Juuse Saros finished with 32 saves including 16 coming in the third period to record his second shutout of the season. Of all the top goalies that are frequently discussed, he’s the least talked about. All the 26-year old has done is replace Predators legend Pekka Rinne without any problem.

Aside from having difficulty getting pucks past Saros, who made himself look bigger than his 5-11, 180 pound frame, the Blueshirts also found it tough to get through the Predators in the neutral zone. They really packed it in defensively. That was by design under coach John Hynes, who knew his team would have to win a low scoring game minus Duchene and Johansen.

https://twitter.com/AdamVingan/status/1470223495867023360?t=kGRCrERsCvHUncqC1PppLA&s=19

It isn’t often an opponent out-hits the Rangers. However, they were the hunted on Sunday night. Nashville possesses some gritty players. Consisting of Yakov Trenin (6 hits, 5 SOG), Luke Kunin (5 hits, 3 SOG), Eeli Tolvanen (4 hits, 2 SOG), Tanner Jeannot (4 hits) and wrecking machine Mark Borowiecki (5 hits), those five players out-hit the Rangers 24-22. Overall, hits favored the Preds, 39-22.

That didn’t sit well with Chris Kreider. One of the team leaders, he called out attention to how he felt they played during a revealing postgame interview. It hit the nail on the head.

Kreider says they played more wide open, less physical. They convinced themselves they can play like that. They didn't play well in the win over Buffalo. 100 percent accurate in his assessment.
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 13, 2021

Both Steve Valiquette and Henrik Lundqvist agreed with his assessment. The proof is in how they’ve had most of their early success. This isn’t a team that relies entirely on skill. But on will. They like to outwork opponents by finishing checks and winning puck battles on the forecheck. They go to the dirty areas to score. There wasn’t enough of that last night.

Instead, it was the Preds who controlled the game. They hit hard and went after it. After beating both the Devils and Islanders, they weren’t satisfied with getting only two wins in the metro area. They put their hard hats on and dictated the terms to win a playoff caliber game behind Saros.

For a 1-0 game, it wasn’t dull. You had plenty of physicality and battles that intensified after a scoreless first period. Nashville was way better early by outplaying and outshooting the Rangers 13-6. They were tied due to Alex Georgiev, who continued his strong play by stopping all 13 first period shots en route to 23 saves.

Since Georgiev relieved Igor Shesterkin at the 44:52 mark of the third period in a shared shutout against the Sharks, he’s 3-1-0 with a 1.42 GAA and .951 save percentage. That steady play has allowed Shesterkin to take his time. He is getting closer to returning. But, it’s good to see Georgiev find his form. That’ll make the Rangers more formidable in net.

From my 3 🌟. Alex Georgiev is 3-1-0 with 1.42 GAA and .951 save percentage since Igor injury. Includes 14:52 of 3rd period in shared shutout vs Sharks. #NYR
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 13, 2021

In a game where the refs kept the penalties to a minimum, it was the Predators who were able to earn the all important first goal less than two minutes into the second period. On an Alexandre Carrier forecheck, Filip Forsberg made a great pass up to Philip Tomasino for a good snapshot that went top shelf for the rookie’s fifth at 1:44.

That's one impressive rip from Philip Tomasino. 👀 pic.twitter.com/nCsomRP46m
— NHL (@NHL) December 13, 2021

Despite the Blueshirts picking up their play, that goal proved to be the difference. With the top two lines largely ineffective due to a stingy Nashville defense led by captain Roman Josi (4 SOG, 2 blocks) and Mattias Ekholm (3 blocks), the Rangers’ third line had the best scoring opportunities.

On the same shift, Filip Chytil had two wide open chances. Both came in transition where he’s most effective due to his skating. However, neither shot reached the net. While Joe Micheletti said both were deflected by Nashville sticks, I find that hard to believe. On one great chance, it looked like Chytil just missed high and wide. That’s how it’s gone for him.

Filip Chytil feels snake-bitten this period. He's had three great looks in the last few minutes and, for various reasons, hasn't put any on net. #NYR
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) December 13, 2021

While the 22-year old Czech was coming off consecutive games in which he tallied points, the bottom line is he needs to produce more than the three goals and four assists he has so far. It’s not enough from the third center. This isn’t to say there hasn’t been improvement in other areas. But his line isn’t facing the toughest competition. He’s the most experienced on that line. It’s up to him to lead the way.

I thought both Alexis Lafreniere and Julien Gauthier were more noticeable throughout. Chytil got one good shot on Saros that he saved due to a nice set up from Jacob Trouba. That was it. He also lost all five draws. Lafreniere was effective in a few shifts during the second. He nearly tied it when he stripped Josi and in one motion got a point blank shot on Saros that he saved. Despite being active, he hardly saw the ice late in the third.

Gauthier played well enough for Gerard Gallant to bump him up to the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Kreider. With Kaapo Kakko again beginning to disappear following his one good stretch, Turk made a change in the third by moving up the more visible Gauthier and sliding Kakko back to the second line with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin. Kakko had a very ineffective game in 12:08.

As for Gauthier, he did some positive things due to his strong skating. But he didn’t register a shot. It’s awfully hard to justify bunping him up when he has only one goal. I thought Gallant made a mistake by sitting Lafreniere. He seemed to have energy and is looking more confident. Instead, he wound up with 9:18 of ice time.

Consecutive strong shifts by the top two lines late in the second period seemed to be a good sign. Buoyed by a great open ice hit from Trouba that had fans chanting his name (what a difference), finally Zibanejad got a good shot on net. The Strome line then spent some time around the Nashville net. Both Strome and Panarin had chances as did Adam Fox, who sent a shot just wide. Ryan Lindgren missed the net too.

TROU TROU 🚂 pic.twitter.com/6YvzUanyBt
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 13, 2021

That was the kind of effort they needed. While Trouba drew attention from Trenin and Kunin for another strong hit, the Rangers outshot the Predators 10-6 in the second. Saros wasn’t cooperating. He made the key saves to keep his team ahead.

In the final period, the Preds decided to protect the one-goal lead. They hardly forechecked. Opting to continue playing a tight checking style that made life tough on the Rangers at five-on-five, Nashville clamped up the neutral zone and stood up at the blue line.

It took a superlative effort from a changing Fox to draw a rare penalty. After receiving a pass at center ice, he flew past Michael McCarron and forced him to take him down. He was sent off for tripping. It was the brilliance you come to expect from Fox in a game where he was marked well.

The second power play was exclusively the top unit. They certainly had their chances. Strome got the best two on good passes across that allowed him to fire through. On one chance, it felt like he would score. But Saros quickly recovered to make the save. He also got the better of Strome on another bid. He doesn’t shoot a lot in most games. But in this one, Strome finished with a game high eight shots.

A frustrating night. He had nothing to show for it. Some games, it’s like that. Zibanejad continued to fire blanks. A game removed from getting a break to end a scoring drought, it was back to shooting pucks into the crest. His best shot actually came early in the third from a tough angle when he fired a puck short side that Saros got over for along the post.

There wasn’t much happening for Ryan Reaves. He hardly hit and didn’t see as much time. Barclay Goodrow got off a tough shot on Saros in the slot that he denied. Kevin Rooney didn’t register a shot.

There was one lineup change. Libor Hajek got into his first game due to Nils Lundkvist being out with a non-related COVID illness. He was okay. In 12:53 while paired with Patrik Nemeth, Hajek had two shots on goal and didn’t make any glaring mistakes. He plays a no frills game. I don’t get why they even signed Nemeth for.

If Lundkvist can’t go on Tuesday in the rematch at the red hot Colorado, expect Hajek to get another game. Considering the Rangers now must travel with a stop at Arizona Wednesday before returning home for Vegas Friday, maybe Lundkvist misses the trip. It’ll depend on how he feels.

The Rangers did get 16 shots in the third. But I never got the feeling they would tie it. It was just the way Nashville defended. They protected the house. If Saros saw the shots, he stopped them. Kreider alluded to it afterwards. They didn’t get enough traffic.

Can't knock the effort, Saros wins the goaltenders duel. #NYR
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) December 13, 2021

Sometimes you have to tip your cap to the opposing goalie and opponent. Rangers generated lots of shots on the third including a handful of quality ones, especially on Ryan Strome, and Juuse Saros was up to the task.
— Jan Levine (@airjan23) December 13, 2021

Gallant pulled Georgiev with 1:34 left in regulation. They never seriously threatened. Credit the Preds for playing a hard-working and tenacious game. Although they lost, it’s exactly the kind of style game the Rangers can learn from. They must adapt.

THREE STARS 🌟 OF GAME

3rd 🌟 Jacob Trouba, #NYR 2 SOG in 5 attempts, 4 hits, 3 blocks in 20:56

2nd 🌟 Alex Georgiev, #NYR 23 saves on 24 shots, 1.42 GAA and .951 save percentage since replacing Shesterkin

1st 🌟 Juuse Saros, #Preds 32 saves, career shutout 16
— Derek (@NewYorkPuck) December 13, 2021

Posted in NYRangers | Tagged Adam Fox, Alex Georgiev, Alexandre Carrier, Alexis Lafreniere, Artemi Panarin, Barclay Goodrow, Blueshirts, Chris Kreider, Eeli Tolvanen, Filip Chytil, Filip Forsberg, Gerard Gallant, Jacob Trouba, John Hynes, Julien Gauthier, Juuse Saros, Kaapo Kakko, Libor Hajek, Luke Kunin, Mark Borowiecki, Matt Duchene, Mattias Ekholm, Mika Zibanejad, Nashville, Nils Lundkvist, Patrik Nemeth, Philip Tomasino, Predators, Preds, Rangers, Roman Josi, Ryan Johansen, Ryan Lindgren, Ryan Strome, Yakov Trenin | Leave a comment

Jack Hughes turns on the jets to score a beautiful goal

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Derek

What makes Jack Hughes fun to watch? The excitement he can create on a single rush that winds up being a highlight reel goal.

Late in the first period of a tie game after Noah Dobson scored for the Islanders, the 20-year old center took matters into his own hands to answer back for the Devils. Using his great speed and skating, the ’19 top pick took off and fired a slap shot past Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin to give the Devils a 2-1 lead.

Here’s how it looked on TV. And yes. That’s me at the beginning of the instant replay remarking about what I saw.

Jack Hughes turns on the jets to score a beautiful goal for the Devils in the first period. Video by Derek Felix courtesy MSG Network.

Having recently signed a big contract extension that’ll pay him an average of $8 million through 2030, Hughes is an exciting player who is capable of scoring and setting up goals. The future of the Devils hinges on the skilled American.

Without Nico Hischier and Ryan Graves due to COVID-19, the Devils will continue to need Hughes to lead the way. Maybe that goal was an answer to close friend Trevor Zegras. He’s been making a lot of news after his Michigan lacrosse pass resulted in a Sonny Milano goal for Anaheim. They are the first and ninth picks from that ’19 Draft.

Without a doubt, there should be more in store from Hughes. Something the Devils Red Army needs.

Posted in Video Of Day | Tagged Devils, highlight reel goal, Ilya Sorokin, Islanders, Jack Hughes, Trevor Zegras | Leave a comment

	buyouttheglider on Why the Rangers Should Shut Do…
	Hughes Is the Ranger… on Devils’ season ending wi…
	How Panarin Became A… on Laba Makes Roster, Rangers Ent…
	How Panarin Became A… on Rangers Trade Panarin to Kings…
	Rangers Trade Panari… on The Latest On Panarin: Five Po…

Battle Of Hudson

NHL COVID restrictive measures leads to more cancellations, Canada closing its border, early Christmas Break, no Olympics, plus a look at hockey history nicknames

Devils, NHL postpone games until after Christmas break

Devils and NHL limp towards holiday and possible league-wide pause

Howden’s Revenge: Former Ranger keys Golden Knights comeback win, Zibanejad has best game so far, Georgiev strong in shootout loss

A Devilish Jack Hughes Issue

Coyote Ugly! Kakko’s big night along with Kinkaid’s clutch saves allow Rangers to win over Yotes, Zibanejad and Kreider pick it up without injured Panarin

Rangers’ late push not enough in tough loss to Avalanche, Zibanejad and Panarin struggle in second consecutive defeat, Kakko slumping

It’s Groundhog Day in Newark…again

Predators out-grind Rangers in playoff style shutout, Kreider speaks up

Jack Hughes turns on the jets to score a beautiful goal

Like Us

Follow me on Twitter

NY Puck Administration

New York Puckers

Categories

Recent Posts

BONY/NY Puck Past

Recent Comments

Blogroll

Pages

Follow Blog via Email

Battle’s Best

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Follow me on Twitter

NY Puck Administration

New York Puckers

Categories

Recent Posts

BONY/NY Puck Past

Recent Comments

Blogroll

Pages

Follow Blog via Email