Category Archives: Game Previews
Series heads to Washington all tied up; Lundqvist set to make 100th postseason appearance
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Capitals will head to the Verizon Center for the first time in this series, a building where the Rangers won twice this season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After tying the series at one, the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals head to the Verizon Center to continue their battle for a very important Game 3, and the first road game in the series for the Blueshirts.
Throughout the season, the Rangers have been a very strong road team, finishing with 28 road wins in the regular season, the most in the NHL. Two of those wins were in Washington D.C., with New York taking down the Capitals by 3-1 and 4-2 scores. They also won both games in Pittsburgh in Round 1. Alain Vigneault’s squad is very comfortable playing away from home, and tonight should be no different.
The Rangers were given Sunday off to rest and heal for tonight’s game following a full practice on Saturday. On the other hand, the Capitals were practicing yesterday after getting Saturday off. Regardless, both teams are ready to continue their hard hitting, action packed Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers need stronger effort in Game 2; Vigneault sets the tone for the series
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Capitals will play Game 2 in a matinee matchup at the Garden, with New York looking to even the series before heading to Washington D.C. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a shocking 2-1 loss in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Washington Capitals, the Rangers have regrouped and look to put that game behind them in today’s matinee Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Friday saw the team have a full practice, as well as a meeting with reporters. Most of the players had the same message; forget about Game 1 and worry about the game at hand. Vigneault seemed irate following the loss, and it carried over into yesterday’s press conference as well. This team probably got a stern talking to, and they’ll likely come out blazing today.
Vigneault has also avoided directly talking about the hit from behind, but he did say something that conveys his feelings about the hit, as well as how the rest of the series may go. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to open series against Capitals strong: Klein and Sheppard ready to go
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will have to be responsible defensively when going up against Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, something that will be a focal point of this series. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following the conclusion of the final game in the first round, with the Tampa Bay Lightning advancing to face the Montreal Canadiens, the Semifinals matchups can commence. The New York Rangers open up their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Washington Capitals, a team they are very familiar with, at Madison Square Garden.
This is the first playoff meeting between these two rivals since 2013, but the fourth since the 2011 playoffs. Some players from both the Capitals and Rangers have remained with their respective squads, so there is definitely some familiarity and bad blood between these two teams.
Washington has had less rest than New York since their first round series concluded, with only two days off, but they did have to travel to Manhattan as well. They took out the Islanders in a grueling seven game series full of hard hitting, tough defensive play, and intensity. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to close out Round 1 at MSG; No lineup changes for the Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back at MSG for Game 5, looking to close out the series in five games for the first time since 2008. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the first time since 2008, the Rangers will attempt to end their first round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games on Madison Square Garden ice, searching for their third consecutive playoff win.
The Rangers have not won a series in less than six games since the 2007-08 season, when they defeated the New Jersey Devils in five games, a series famous for the creation of the “Sean Avery rule,” when he screened Devil’s goaltender Martin Brodeur by waving his hands and stick in his face.
After sweeping the two games in Pittsburgh before returning home, New York has their best chance in years to close out a series early. And like an article from Fulltilt NYR pointed out, we could be seeing a very different kind of game tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to put stranglehold on Penguins in Game 4
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are hoping to jump out to a 3-1 series lead, something they have not been able to do in past seasons. A win tonight would put them in a good position heading back to MSG. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
In past seasons, the Rangers have struggled to put space between themselves and their opponents in playoff series, but they are presented with the opportunity to do exactly that tonight against the Penguins in Game 4 at the CONSOL Energy Arena tonight.
After a strong showing in Game 3 that led to a 2-1 win for New York, the Rangers and Penguins are back at it tonight in another very important game for both teams. A win tonight would put Pittsburgh in a stranglehold with the series heading back to Madison Square Garden.
Game 3 saw a much better effort from the Blueshirts, a game that was centered around strong defensive play, puck management and possession, and an aggressive forecheck which led to just 11 shots on goal from Pittsburgh in the first two periods. When the Penguins made a strong push in the third period, Henrik Lundqvist stood tall in net for the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
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