Category Archives: Game Recaps
Game Notes: Rangers blow away the Hurricanes on home ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
- The Rangers are red hot. They’re 11-2-2, and their 11 wins and 24 points are tied for the best start through 15 games in franchise history. They’ve won six games in a row, and have points in 10 straight games (8-0-2). Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have posted two 10 game point streaks in the past two seasons, just the fifth and sixth time that has happened in franchise history. Despite all of the record setting…
- The Rangers aren’t close to playing their best hockey. In fact, they’re not playing that well at all. That may seem stupid to say about a team with an 11-2-2 record, but it makes sense. Last night, the Rangers led 2-0 after the first period. But they had just three shots on goal, and eight shot attempts. The Hurricanes controlled the flow of the period and had more chances, evident by their eight shots on goal and 24 shot attempts. That’s been the norm in a lot of the games they play. They’re out possessed, out chanced, and even outplayed in some instances, but still coming away with wins. That really is a testament to….
- Their goaltending. The Rangers have the best goaltender duo in the NHL, hands down. Henrik Lundqvist has moved past his history of slow starts, beginning the season in playoff mode. Antti Raanta has been absurdly good in his three starts, allowing two goals in all of the games. He was four seconds away from a second shutout against the Coyotes, but he still finished with 39 saves. New York has the second best goal differential in the league (+20), behind only the Montreal Canadiens and their incredible +30 differential. The Rangers have allowed 24 goals or fewer in the first 15 games of the season for the first time since 1939-40 and for the sixth time in team history. Henrik Lundqvist’s .949 save percentage is the best mark that any NYR goalie has posted in their first 12 starts since the NHL began tracking that stat in 1975-76. Lundqvist has allowed just 20 gals this season, the fewest of any goalie that has started at least 10 games. He’s also faced the most shots against (384) than any NHL netminder this season. That speaks volumes about…
Make it 5! Rangers take down Coyotes thanks to Raanta’s goaltending
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Although the Rangers haven’t really played their best hockey yet, they’ve been very consistent in collecting points and wins. They’ve gained 16 of a possible 18 points in their last nine contests, going 7-0-2 in the span, and a season-high five game winning streak has earned them a pretty comfortable seat atop the competitive Metropolitan Division standings, where they’ve posted a 10-2-2 record (22 points).
In the last 16 back-to-backs, the Rangers have improved their record to 14-1-1 in the second game. They’re also 158-1-9 when taking a lead into the third period, a streak dating back to February 6, 2010. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers keep the streak alive with 2-1 victory over Colorado
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (9-2-2) battled the struggling Avalanche (4-9-1) in their first of a brief two game road trip and skated triumphantly off the ice with a 2-1 victory, adding two more points to their already impressive record.
New York has now gone eight games straight with at least one point (6-0-2) and are currently riding a four game winning streak.
Rick Nash did not play this game after twisting his back in practice, meaning that Emerson Etem got a chance on the top line. He did not record a point or a shot on goal.
Dylan McIlrath also got another chance in the lineup, playing for the second consecutive game for Dan Boyle, a healthy scratch. McIlrath was very solid again tonight, recording a shot on goal and four hits in 14 minutes of ice time. He was second on the team in corsi with a +7. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers cruise past Capitals to the top of the Metro; Hayes and Lindberg impress
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
This game was billed as a low scoring, physical and heated battle between two bitter rivals, but it didn’t really turn out that way.
The edginess was there, but the Rangers (8-2-2) seemed to effortlessly cruise past the Washington Capitals (8-3-0), ending the Caps’ four game road winning streak and extending the Rangers personal win streak to three games.
The Rangers came away with a 5-2 victory in an entertaining and tense contest, with five different goal scorers helping them claim sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello nets first career hat trick in win over Maple Leafs
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Might as well call it a “Mats-trick.”
Led by the 5-foot-7 Norwegian, the Rangers battled hard and came away with a 2-1 win, their second straight victory and Toronto’s fifth straight loss.
In his return, after a six day break, Henrik Lundqvist improved his record to 5-2-2 last night as the Rangers gained two more points to keep them at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. They are now 7-2-2 (16 points) in their first eleven starts this season.
Alain Vigneault decided to reunite some trusted line combinations by switching centers Brassard and Stepan. Vigneault also mentioned that while Zuccarello has gotten off to his best start ever, he expects more from him. These small critiques were made in the hopes of better offense, although the Rangers haven’t seemed to have a problem with that as of late. Read the rest of this entry
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