Monthly Archives: October 2015
Rangers take on Duclair and Coyotes at MSG; Stepan a game time decision
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to build off their 4-0 win this Monday as they take on the Coyotes. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (4-2-1) take on the surprisingly strong Arizona Coyotes (3-2-1) for the first time the Keith Yandle trade last year, setting the scene for a battle with some ties on either side. Yandle will face off against the only other team he’s known, a team he played with for eight years, while former Rangers draft pick and last year’s Lars Erik Sjoberg Award winner, Anthony Duclair suits up for Arizona.
The Coyotes have been competitive in all of the six games that they’ve played so far, winning their first three games before losing three straight, including Tuesday’s overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. However, they’re averaging three goals a game, and have taken down the Kings, the Penguins and the Ducks. Read the rest of this entry
Dear Kevin Hayes; Play more, think less
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
There’s no denying the talent that Kevin Hayes possesses.
After deciding not to sign with Chicago, who made him the 24th overall selection in the 2010 draft, Hayes made his way to New York City, earning an opening day roster spot and making his NHL debut in the third game of the season. From that moment on, learning a new position on the fly, Hayes cemented himself into the lineup, improving with each passing game.
Hayes wound up centering the third line with an always-rotating cast of wingers. Despite that, he would lead the Rangers in scoring over the past few months of the season, and carried that success into the playoffs. His 45 points (17-28-45) were fifth amongst all NHL rookies, and he was actually tied with Joe Thornton and Tyler Seguin for the most primary assists that year, with 21. Quite good company.
He’s got silky smooth hands, fantastic vision, great passing skills, and the ability to score some highlight reel goals when needed. An impressive rookie season and a solid playoffs showed that. Read the rest of this entry
BREAKING: Tanner Glass placed on waivers
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Bobby Bevilacqua
After shutting out the San Jose Sharks, the Rangers announced some long overdue news. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Rangers have placed Tanner Glass on waivers, meaning his time as a New York Ranger has likely come to an end.
Tanner Glass (NYR) on waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 20, 2015
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If Tanner Glass clears waivers, he will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he will likely play out the rest of the season. However, a team could still wind up claiming him. Glass has appeared in two games this season, tallying no points, two shots on goal, 11 hits and four penalty minutes.
With Glass being waiver, the biggest benefit is the money that the Rangers save. If he clears waivers and reports to Hartford, the Rangers salary cap space jumps from $166,250 to $1,117,222, a massive change that allows for some flexibility and gives the team a chance to make a deadline move if needed. If he is claimed, the Rangers would finally get his three year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million off of the books. Read the rest of this entry
Upping the Antti: Raanta blanks the Sharks on home ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Antti Raanta was thrilled to get his first win as a Ranger. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Talbot who?
The Rangers (4-2-1) got an excellent performance from their backup goaltender Antti Raanta in his debut in blue, making 22 saves in a 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks (4-2-0), snapping their three game losing streak in the process.
The Rangers really took the phrase “put up or shut up” to heart. After some criticism from media, their coach, and themselves, the players completely turned things around, playing their first complete, 60 minute game of the season.
There’s also a bit of déjà vu for Rangers fan. Last year on October 19th, the Rangers beat the Sharks 4-0 at MSG for their first this win of the season. Exactly a year to the day later, they did the exact same thing.
Antti Raanta turned aside 22 shots for his fourth career shutout, and his first win as a Ranger. Raanta became the first goalie to record a shutout in his Rangers debut since November 2, 1957 (Marcel Paille). Raanta has also been superb in home games, posting a 15-0-3 record with a 1.51 GAA, a .944 save percentage and four shutouts in 20 career home games.
Must win? Rangers take on soaring San Jose Sharks at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to get back on track against the sharks at MSG> Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After just six games into the season, it’s certainly too early to deem a game as “must win.” But with all of the concerns surrounding the team’s performances in their last three games, the Rangers would surely like a feel-good win.
The Rangers (3-2-1) will look to snap their three game losing streak against the San Jose Sharks (4-1-0), who are proving their doubters wrong after five games. Dan Girardi stated that the Rangers “need to stop the bleeding at three [losses],” and a rebound game is needed.
This game comes exactly one year since these two teams last faced off at Madison Square Garden, a game in which the Rangers came away with a 4-0 win. Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis scored four seconds apart, and Kevin Hayes scored the first goal of his NHL career. Henrik Lundqvist picked up his first shutout of the season.
The Sharks couldn’t meet expectations last season, failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and just the second time in 17 years. Since the end of last season, they hired a new coach, made some offseason moves, assigned a new captain, and are off to an excellent start to begin the season. Read the rest of this entry
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