Category Archives: Rangers Updates
Chris Kreider preparing himself to take the next step
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Kreider is an extremely talented, and young winger who is ready to take strides to step up his game for next season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It feels as if Chris Kreider has been a Ranger for a very long time. After making his debut in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators in the 2012 playoffs, he has since been grouped in with the rest of the “core” group of the New York Rangers organization.
But it’s hard to realize that this was only Kreider’s second full year in the NHL. Despite playing in the 2012 playoffs and through the lockout-shortened 2013-14 season, he was still considered a rookie, and was getting some attention for the Calder trophy award, presented to the league’s best rookie.
A lot was expected of Kreider this year. After playing in parts of three seasons, fans and hockey analysts expected to him to continue his development into one of the premier power forwards in the league. And for the most part, he delivered, growing as a player and teammate throughout this season. Read the rest of this entry
Mackenzie Skapski sidelined 4-5 months following hip surgery
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mackenzie Skapski, one of the top goaltending prospects in the Rangers organization, had hip surgery on tuesday to repair a muscle tear. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
New York Rangers goalie and prospect Mackenzie Skapski had arthroscopic surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip, with the procedure taking place on Tuesday. He is expected to be sidelined for 4-5 months, which will put him out of action until sometime in October or November.
Skapski was called up on Febrary 4th following the vascular injury to Henrik Lundqvist, and backed up Cam Talbot for seven weeks. Dubbed the “Buffalo Killer” by head coach Alain Vigneault, Skapski made his first two career starts at the First Niagara Center against the Sabres, winning both games.
On March 14th, in his second career start, the 20 year old shut out the Buffalo Sabres, become the first Rangers goalie since 1957-58 to post a shutout in one of his first two starts. Skapski was 2-0-0 with a .50 GAA and a .978 save percentage in two games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers breakup day: Injuries galore, Zuccarello recovering, St. Louis’ future uncertain
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassard, along with other Rangers, spoke to media members today during the exit interviews, with the season officially over. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
At the end of each team’s season, a breakup day is conducted, with players and coaches giving exit interviews, equipment being removed, and new information being released, regarding things like injuries.
To some extent, it was known that some Rangers were dealing with injures. But today’s interviews revealed a lot more than just bumps and bruises.
After Game 7, Alain Vigneault announced that Ryan McDonagh had been playing with a broken foot for a few games. It was obviously quite serious, because he came into his interview on crutches and wearing a walking boot. He fractured the foot while blocking a shot at the end of the second period of Game 4 against the Lightning. He’ll wear the walking boot for four weeks, and will then be reevaluated.
The Rangers were dealing with a lot of other injuries on the blue line as well. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello resumes skating, shooting drills; Have faith in Henrik
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello was back on the ice for an optional skate Thursday afternoon, which is a very good sign for Rangers fans. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Thursday wound up being an off day for the Rangers’ skaters, but the team’s extra players all skated, which means Ryan Bourque, Chris Summers, Matt Hunwick and Cam Talbot. But this afternoon, there was another face on the ice, injured winger Mats Zuccarello.
Zuccarello has been out of the lineup since the conclusion of the series against the Penguins, when he was struck in the head with a puck in Game 5. It’s likely that he is sidelined with a concussion, although the team has not said anything about his injury.
Zucarello was in full gear for the optional skate, shooting on Cam Talbot and skating with Hunwick, Bourque and Summers. There wasn’t any contact, but seeing him skate, shoot and participate in basic drills is very encouraging. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: “Huge opportunity” awaits the Rangers in Game 2
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash said that Game 2 presents a ‘huge opportunity” for the Rangers to capitalize on their home ice advantage. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers started out the Eastern Conference Finals exactly as they had hoped, coming away with a victory at Madison Square Garden to put them three wins away from returning to the Stanley Cup Finals. Alain Vigneault and his team fought for home ice advantage during the regular season, and now they need to take capitalize on that.
“It’s a huge opportunity for us,” said Rick Nash following the Rangers’ practice on Sunday afternoon. “We have home ice and want to take full advantage of that. We’re going to see their best tomorrow, but we prefer to look at ourselves, and see a huge opportunity to go ahead 2-0.”
Last year, the Rangers did exactly that, winning the first two games of the series against the Montreal Canadiens in the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. That allowed them to come to the Garden for Game 3 and 4, giving the Rangers a huge leg up in the series. They won Game 4 at MSG, giving them a 3-1 series lead, and a stranglehold on the Canadiens. Read the rest of this entry
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