Rangers win overtime thriller against Vancouver; Stepan and Zuccarello break goal droughts
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
What started out as a very frustrating night turned into elation for the Rangers (25-16-5) when JT Miller gave the Rangers a 3-2 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks (19-17-11).
It was truly amazing that the Rangers didn’t score a lot more goals. They finished with 49 shots on goal, hit the goal post or crossbar six times, and faced Ryan Miller, who brought his A-game. But despite the frustrating sequence of events for the first 50 minutes or so, the Rangers battled back and earned the two points.
This was easily the team’s best offensive performance of the season, and you could argue that it was one of their better defensive performances too. The Rangers had 49 shots on goal, even more scoring chances that were blocked or went wide, and they only allowed 20 shots on goal for Lundqvist. They truly deserved the win and got it. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to continue home ice success against the Canucks
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Home sweet home.
That’s what the Rangers (24-16-5) must be thinking after another unsuccessful road trip, going 1-2-0 and failing to win back-to-back games yet again. While the road trips have not been successful, they’ve been much better on home ice, which is where they will face the Vancouver Canucks (19-17-10) for the final time this season.
The Ranger’s 5-2 loss in the nation’s capital gave them a record of 2-9-2 in their last 13 road games, but they’ve been really good at home despite their mediocre play since early December. In the last seven games, at MSG, the Blueshirts are 5-1-1. Going back even further, they’re 15-4-1 in their last 20 home games. Needless to say, being back at MSG is a good thing for a struggling Rangers team. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers lose special teams battle to the Capitals; Kreider scores twice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss.
Sound familiar? That’s been the Rangers (24-16-5) life lately as they fail to win consecutive games, something they have failed to do for two months now. The Capitals (34-8-3) picked up two points, giving them 71 on the year and a massive lead in the Metropolitan Division.
Antti Raanta made his first start in exactly a month, and he played well early on. But with the numerous power play chances for the Capitals and some turnovers and bad coverage, things fell apart. Raanta still has not since November 19th. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for revenge against the Capitals; Raanta gets the start
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Setup:
The Rangers (24-15-5) picked up a crucial two points in a divisional battle against the Flyers, securing just their second win in their last 11 road games (2-7-2), and drawing equal with the Islanders in the standings. Now they face another tough test against a divisional foe that sits 16 points ahead of them in the Metropolitan. The Washington Capitals (33-8-3) are having an incredible season, and they’re easily the most dangerous team in the NHL.
The Capitals are coming off of a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on the road, and now they head back to the Verizon Center, where they play six of their next seven games. Washington is 17-3-1 on home ice this season, and despite the loss to the Sabres, they’re still 14-2-1 in their last 17 games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers down Flyers on the road; Kevin Klein potentially injured
Alexandra Russo
After a disappointing loss to the Islanders to start the road trip, the Rangers (24-15-5) won
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
against the Flyers (19-15-8) in a shootout, the final score 3-2.
The Flyers came out fast. Kreider had a chance to drive to net, but Mason robbed him and left a long rebound. Braden Schenn received a pass in front of the net that he slipped past Lundqvist for the one goal lead.
Hayes had a breakaway chance but was denied as Mason kicked out the pads. A few minutes later, Nash retrieved the puck behind the net while Mason was out of place but sent the puck onto the opposition’s stick with an empty net in front. Read the rest of this entry
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