Monthly Archives: February 2015
Why the Rangers need to sign Zuccarello ASAP
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello is in the midst of a career high point streak, and continues to show why the Rangers need to resign him as soon as they can. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Every year around the trade deadline, rumors begin flying around every team, and big trades can happen in the blink of an eye. Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian were traded to the Buffalo Sabres in the first blockbuster trade of the year, and now Phil Kessel’s name is being tossed around in trade rumors.
With Glen Sather as general manager, trades are always a possibility. Last season he made headlines by sending then-captain Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning for their captain at the time, Martin St. Louis. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers hold on in wild win over the Avalanche; Kevin Hayes with a big night
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers found themselves finding a way to answer back the the Avalanche’s surge and earn their second straight victory on the road trip. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Despite surrendering another two goal lead, the Rangers (32-16-5) responded quickly, holding on for a 6-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche (22-22-11) on the road, their second consecutive win of the road trip.
The Rangers largely dominated the first period and half of the second, but Colorado came back, eventually tying the game in the third while controlling play in the process. But the Rangers answered quickly, and held on for their 32nd victory of the season. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for a more complete effort in Colorado; Top line of utmost importance
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers hope to continue their road trip on a positive note when they take on the Avalanche tonight at 9 PM. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With some of the player’s fathers along for the ride, the Rangers (31-16-5) will continue their road trip out in Denver, Colorado where they will take on the Avalanche (22-21-11), a team that is trying to stay relevant in the Western Conference.
The Annual Father’s trip started off pretty well, albeit it a rollercoaster game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the Rangers coming away with a 4-4 victory. Mats Zuccarello was the Rangers best player, scoring two goals, including a perfect wrist shot for the game winner. Rick Nash, who is normally the one scoring goals, was the playmaker for the night, tallying three assists, the first time he has done so since 2009. Derick Brassard also added two assists, breaking the 40 point mark in arguably the best start to a season in his NHL career. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Vigneault changing the power play units
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello have built a ton of chemistry since last season, and have played well together this season. Alongside Rick Nash, they will get an opportunity on the Rangers top power play unit. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following the sloppy victory over the Maple Leafs last night, the Rangers practiced in Toronto ahead of their travel to Denver for their game against the Avalanche tomorrow at 9 PM.
In that game, we saw a resurgent Mats Zuccarello, who extended his point streak to a career high six games, scoring two goals, including the game winner. While he has always been a great passer, and continued to rack up assists during his goal drought, Tuesday night saw him register five shots on goal, which is something that Vigneault and Zuccarello both knew needed to change. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers avoid collapse against Toronto; Zuccarello scores game winner
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers found a way to avoid a collapse, thanks to a Mats Zuccarello game winner in the late stages of the third period. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Rangers (31-16-5) found a way to get a win on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs, avoiding a late game collapse and coming away with a 5-4 victory at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto scored two goals early in the second period to tie the game at four, but Mats Zuccarello came through in the clutch, sending the Rangers to Colorado with two points.
Offense was certainly not the problem, as the Rangers managed to find twine five times, including two goals from Zuccarello, on a total of 39 shots. 31 of those shots came in the first two periods alone.
The Rangers struggled in the faceoff circle again, winning just 40 percent (27/67) of their draws. This has been a continued problem, with Kevin Hayes and Derek Stepan the two worst faceoff guys on the team. It has gotten them into trouble, and may be something that needs to be addressed. Read the rest of this entry
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