Category Archives: In the Crease
Rangers ready for their toughest test of the season
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers begin a tough stretch tomorrow when they face off against the Anaheim Ducks, one of the strongest teams in the league. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (21-11-4) are playing their best hockey of the season, winning 10 of their last 11 games, outscoring opponents 40-17 in that span, and getting contributions from all over the ice. While they have faced some tough competition, the next seven games will really show how good this Rangers team can be.
Over the next 11 days, the Rangers will play seven games against very high quality opponents, starting with a road trip in California, where they will face the Anaheim Ducks, the Los Angeles Kings, and the San Jose Sharks. All three teams are in a playoff position, and have winning records. The Ducks have the most points in the NHL, and are one of the best teams in the league. Read the rest of this entry
The growth and emergence of Jesper Fast
Bobby Bevilacqua
Jesper Fast has been a nice surprise for the Rangers this season, playing very strong defensively and showing glimpses of his offensive abilities. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers have been one of the league’s hottest teams over the last month, winning 10 of their last 11 games, vastly outscoring their opponents in that streak (40-17), and playing fantastic defensively, with some help from Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot in net.
It’s easy to pick out players like Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis, who lead the Rangers in points, or to say that the strong defense from players like Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal have been the reason for the Rangers success. Read the rest of this entry
What should Vigneault do with the bottom two lines?
Bobby Bevilacqua
JT Miller has been a much improved player since his return, However, he was scratched in favor of Lee Stempniak. There is controversy over who Vigneault should be playing on a daily basis. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
In the Rangers win over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, VIgneault reinserted Lee Stempniak back into the lineup, as he had finally recovered from the mumps. However, he sat one of the Rangers hottest scorers; JT Miller.
Many fans, critics, and Rangers reporters were not happy with the decision to remove Miller, who has four goals and an assist since returning to the Blueshirts.
Early on in the season, Lee Stempniak was one of the Rangers better players. He was scoring, creating offense, and contributing to the forecheck and on defense. Read the rest of this entry
Derick Brassard expected to skate with team tomorrow; Should the Rangers give Oscar Lindberg a shot?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassard has missed the last two games with the mumps, but is expected to rejoin the team for practice tomorrow. Brassard is one of the 15 players around the league to contract the illness, with more being tested with symptoms. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After missing the last two games with a case of the mumps, Alain Vigneault informed media that he expects Derick Brassard to skate with the team tomorrow afternoon.
Like Tanner Glass during his stint with the illness, Brassard has been isolated from his teammates after he showed symptoms of the mumps. This will be the first time that Brassard has contact with his teammates since the victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Read the rest of this entry
Chris Kreider skating on fourth line; Kevin Hayes playing with confidence
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Kreider will return to the Rangers lineup on Saturday against the Canucks. Kreider did not play against the Penguins due to neck spasms. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Chris Kreider will return to the Rangers lineup on Saturday when the Rangers (12-10-4) take on the Vancouver Canucks (18-9-2) in Canada. But like expected, Kreider will not be skating alongside Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis on the second line.
For the second straight practice, JT Miller took line rushes with the Rangers second line. Miller had success on Monday skating with Stepan and St. Louis. He played over 14 minutes and scored the first goal of the game. Read the rest of this entry
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