Category Archives: In the Crease
Quick hits: New All-Star format, Dan Boyle retirement and bye weeks?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Welcome back to quick hits, where I chose a couple of the biggest topics from around the league and share my thoughts on it. I haven’t done this in a while, so be sure to let me know what you think, and leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
NHL Adopts New All Star Game Format (LINK)
Photo courtesy of the Bridgestone Arena.
After last year’s absolutely ridiculous All Star game in Columbus, finishing with a score line of 17-12, the NHL has decided to make a change in the format in an attempt to make it relevant and watchable.
Last year, two captains were chosen, Nick Foligno and Jonathan Toews, and teams were selected through a draft process. Divisions and conferences were split up, so it wasn’t the East versus the West. The actual game itself was dreadfully boring, with the players participating at half speed, not playing defense and seemingly taking the game as a joke. Read the rest of this entry
Fight Hunger and bid to win Rangers tickets and an autographed stick!
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Bobby Bevilacqua
WhyHunger, a nonprofit organization fighting to end hunger and poverty, is auctioning off two tickets to a Rangers game to help raise money as part of their annual Hungerthon.
WhyHunger is an organization that connects people to nutritious, affordable food and invests in grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment. This year is their 30th annual Hungerthon, which includes an extensive celebrity auction of exclusive memorabilia and experiences, all of which are donated.
This year, they’re auctioning off a deluxe Rangers package that with some great prizes and a fantastic experience for your child (age 6-12). Read the rest of this entry
Are the Rangers looking to trade Dominic Moore?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Two games ago, Alain Vigneault made the surprising move to scratch the ever-reliable Dominic Moore, a mainstay in the Rangers lineup for the past two seasons. He stated that he wanted to see Jarret Stoll as a true center, with two wingers by his side.
A bit odd, but experimental, which is fine. Stoll is a centerman by trade, and it allowed Emerson Etem to get some more games in. Nothing to see here.
Until it happened again. Read the rest of this entry
Alain Vigneault is not using Keith Yandle effectively
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Keith Yandle isn’t doing enough this season.
Normally, this is where an article would begin to criticize the player for his play, what he isn’t doing enough of and what, in this case, Yandle would need to do better.
It’s true. Yandle hasn’t been doing enough. But it’s not his fault.
It’s Alain Vigneault’s fault. Read the rest of this entry
An analytic look at the New York Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash has been criticized this year, but he’s doing everything right. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
“The eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s advice to the young Luke Skywalker holds value in many walks of life, but it fits perfectly when it comes to the sport of hockey. Every year, more sports and more people are starting to turn to sabermetrics and analytics to get a deeper understanding of their team or sport.
Analytics is slowly starting to catch on in hockey. It can be confusing at first, but it really helps get a look at possession, creating offensive possession, and even things like “puck luck.” You can also predict regression from players and team, and more effectively evaluate a player’s performance. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 