Category Archives: In the Crease
Mailbag Monday: Potential trades, defensive miscues and is this the real Rangers?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Welcome to Mailbag Monday, a series where I take questions from you, the reader, and give my opinion. This is the first mailbag article during the regular season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Emotions are running high after the Rangers failed to win a game during their three game road trip. They’ve won just two of their last 10 games, have had countless defensive breakdowns, and are seeing their flaws exposed.
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Without further ado, let’s get started. Read the rest of this entry
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
Vigneault must adjust gameplan while team’s play is lackluster
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Alain Vigneault is a very good coach. He’s reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, once with the Canucks and once with the Rangers, he’s created a winning environment everywhere he coached, and he’s been able to get production from all aspects of his team.
But nobody is perfect, and Vigneault must challenge himself to adjust some of his practices and strategies in order to get the Rangers playing up to their full potential.
A few days ago, I wrote an article about the flaws on the Rangers team (HERE). It’s pretty obvious that they’re a product of their excellent goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta are the league’s best goalie duo, and both players have stolen games and wins. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers have some MAJOR flaws, and it starts with the defense
Bobby Bevilacqua
Data courtesy of war-on-ice.com.
Looking at this chart hurts.
It’s really odd to be extremely worried about the play of the Rangers, a team with 16 wins, 34 points and the fourth best record in the league. But the truth is that this team is playing really poorly, and they’re miraculously exceeding what the numbers suggest should happen.
But it may not be that way for long. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers are winning but not playing well, is it reasonable to be worried?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Watching the Rangers rattle off 16 wins in their first 21 games has been incredible to watch. They’re grinding out tough wins, scoring a lot of goals and not allowing many goals against. They’re the only team in the NHL that is yet to give up 40 goals, and their +28 goal differential is tied with Montreal for the best in the league.
Reading that, you’d probably imagine that this team is cruising along with no problems and nothing to worry about. But apart from the 2-6 start to begin the 2013, the play of the Rangers through the first 21 games has been the most concerning start to a season in recent memory.
Before you say “that’s stupid” or write this off as another blogger being negative about the team, hear me out. I do think the Rangers are still an elite team. I do think they’re in the mix for a Stanley Cup. And I do think this team has room to be much better. But they’ve been downright bad in some situations. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 