Monthly Archives: December 2015
Increasing scoring in the NHL: Angled goalposts, bigger nets, smaller pads, or nothing at all?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Ever since Mike Babcock, the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, mentioned that the size of the nets should be increased, the NHL world has been discussing ways to increase the amount of goals scored in the league to cater to the more casual fans.
In this day and age, where people seem to have the attention span of a goldfish, everyone wants high scoring games. In the eyes of the casual fan, a 5-4 score line every night is ideal, offering lots of action and fun. The wider the appeal of the sport, the more fans and revenue the league pulls in.
Unfortunately, some people don’t seem to appreciate the great defensive battles and goaltending duels that the modern era of the NHL offers. Remember the Rangers series against the Capitals last season? Every game was decided by one goal, the games finished 2-1 or 3-2 and both teams still had like 30 shots on goal. Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby battled it out, and it was awesome and intense. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win convincingly over Ottawa Senators; Brassard nets two
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
A win like this was desperately needed, and the Rangers did not disappoint.
Right before heading out on a three game road trip, the Rangers (18-7-3) got a bit of a confidence boost when they defeated the Ottawa Senators (14-8-5) by a final score of 4-1, playing one of their strongest games of the season.
The Rangers defensive effort was very strong, limiting Ottawa to just 24 shots on goal, and just three in the third period. They managed to throw 31 shots on goal themselves, and controlled the flow of the game from the get-go. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers must get back to winning against Senators at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers are slumping, badly, and a breakout performance is desperately needed before they head out on a three game road trip.
The Rangers (17-7-3) will take on the Ottawa Senators (14-7-5) for the second of three games this season. New York took the first game in a shootout, 2-1, back on November 14th, with Chris Kreider scoring the lone Rangers goal. The Blueshirts enter having won five of their last seven games against Ottawa.
After a nine game win streak early in the season, the Rangers have not been nearly as effective, posting a 3-5-1 record in their last nine games, as well as a 1-4-1 mark in their last six. The defense hasn’t been strong, the goal scoring department is starting to dry up, and their analytic numbers are beginning to regress towards normal. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; New lines, new strategy, big opportunity for Lindberg
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a disappointing performance against the Avalanche, mustering just 25 shots on goal, Alain Vigneault switched up the lines to try and make a spark for a team that has won just one of their last six games.
Here were the lines from practice; Read the rest of this entry
Rangers flat and lifeless in home loss to Avalanche
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After an emotionally charged matchup against the Islanders last night, the Rangers (17-7-3) dropped their fifth game in their last six contests, falling 2-1 to the Colorado Avalanche (11-14-1) at Madison Square Garden.
Credit where credit is due, and Colorado came into the Garden and played a very organized, structured game that made it difficult for the Rangers to get anything going. But they only managed 18 shots on goal and still came away with the win.
Before the game started, the Rangers put on a fantastic display for their Garden of Dreams kids.Jordan Matalon, a cancer survivor, dropped the ceremonial first puck and Timolyn Benton sang the national anthem, a performance dedicated to three family members that passed away this year in service to the country. Read the rest of this entry
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