Monthly Archives: December 2015
Winless road trip as Rangers defense throws away game to the Flames
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
“I feel like sh-t.”
Those were the words from leading scorer Mats Zuccarello after the game, a game that saw the Rangers (18-9-4) salvage a point but throw away a game to the Calgary Flames (13-14-2) in a 5-4 overtime loss. The Rangers are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games and are losing ground in the Metropolitan Division.
Mats Zuccarello scored the Rangers fourth goal to tie the game with just over a minute left to play. But the defensive game from the team was in shambles for the second consecutive night. Despite resiliency from the forward group yet again, it was too big of a hole to climb out of. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers need statement win in Calgary, Brassard picking up the slack
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Western Canada roadtrip has not been kind to the Rangers (18-9-3), falling to the Oilers in heartbreaking fashion, squandering multiple ties and comebacks as the defense collapsed. Now they’ll take on the Calgary Flames (12-4-2), winners of four straight games and eight straight at home.
This is the second and final matchup between these two teams, and New York is looking for their second series sweep in as many years. The Rangers won at MSG on October 25th by a final score of 4-1. Dan Girardi scored the go-ahead goal and Antti Raanta made 22 saves in the win.
Jiri Hudler scored the lone goal for the Flames in that game, but the 31 year old veteran may not even suit up. Calgary currently has the flu-bug running through the locker room, forcing Hudler and goaltender Karri Ramo to sit out Thurdsay’s game against the Sabres. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers resilient but can’t overcome atrocious defensive effort against Oilers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Pathetic. Lowly. Disheartening. Horrendous. Abominable. There’s a multitude of words you can use to describe the Rangers (18-9-3) defensive effort in their 7-5 loss to the streaking Edmonton Oilers (13-15-2).
After kicking off the road trip with a disappointing loss to the Canucks, the Rangers could not contain the Edmonton Oilers, with the defense letting in a total of seven goals, blowing multiple ties and ruining leads that some of the forwards worked hard to attain.
Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. Touted as two of the better defenders on the team, and counted on to shut down opposition. Realistically, they have been downright bad for the majority of this season. McDonagh was on the ice for the first six goals in the game, and Girardi the first five. They blew coverages, made mistakes and stunk up the ice tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Big night for Sather, AV as Rangers take on the Edmonton Oilers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
When the Rangers (18-8-3) take on the Oilers (12-15-2) at Rexall Place for the final time, it will not just be a regular season clash between the two teams. Tonight is a special night for both Glen Sather and Alain Vigneault.
Glen Sather cemented himself in Oilers history by coaching the team to four Stanley Cups during their dynasty years of the 1980s, and overseeing a fifth as the team’s GM. He played a major role in attracting players like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and others by building through the draft. Sather will be honored in a pre-game ceremony and have a banner raised to the rafters.
For Alain Vigneault, the Rangers head coach will be behind the bench for his 1000th career NHL game, coming with the Canadiens, Canucks and now the Rangers. Vigneault was very reflective leading up to the game tonight, and has spoken fondly about his time with the Rangers – where he is the franchise leader in points percentage with a record of 116-61-16 and a winning percentage of .646 since the start of the 2013-14 season. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers begin three game road trip in Vancouver; McDonagh slowly improving
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a big rebound win over the Ottawa Senators, the Rangers (18-7-3) head out on a three game road trip to Western Canada, starting their trip against the Vancouver Canucks (10-11-8), a team that has struggled to win games lately.
New York have played a lot of their games at home to begin the season, but will play five of the next six games on the road, with five of those games coming against Canadian teams. Last season, the team’s trip through Western Canada kick started their season, sweeping Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, outscoring the teams 12-3 along the way.
Since Alain Vigneault joined the Rangers as head coach, the team has been very good away from home. The Blueshirts are 17-1-1 during road trips of three games or longer since the start of last season, and they’re 15-2-0 against Western Conference teams since last season. Read the rest of this entry
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