Blog Archives

Rangers embarrassed by San Jose in final game of road trip; Time for a reality check

Bobby Bevilacqua

Rangers vs Sharks 3-19

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

After faltering late against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, the Rangers (40-23-8) played one of their worst games of the season, getting completely and utterly dominated by the hottest team in the NHL, the San Jose Sharks (39-25-6). New York closed out the road trip with a 4-1 loss at the SAP Center.

Almost everything about this game was terrible. The puck movement from the defense was awful, with the tangent of Girardi and Staal playing decidedly bad tonight. They allowed 52 shots on net. FIFTY TWO! They only had 26 shots on net. There were potentially two extended offensive zone shifts for the Rangers in the entire game. Only the fourth line finished positive in possession, and the team was collectively a -21 Corsi For. Nothing positive came from this game, and the Rangers limped through this road trip with a 1-1-1 record. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers close out Cali road trip against the San Jose Sharks

Bobby Bevilacqua

Rangers vs Sharks

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Following a disappointing loss at the hands of the LA Kings, blowing another third period lead, the Rangers (40-23-8) will finish off their three game road trip against the San Jose Sharks (39-25-6) at the SAP Center.

On Thursday, the Rangers took a 3-1 lead into the third period against the Los Angeles Kings. One of the goals looked as if there could have been goaltender interference (but the NHL still doesn’t have a standard for it), and the other goal came from Anze Kopitar with less than five minutes to play. In overtime, Kopitar scored the game winner, and the Rangers threw away a win.

If you told me before the road trip started that the Rangers would get three out of four points against the Ducks and Kings, I would have been thrilled. But it’s the way in which they lost the point that frustrates me. This team is fragile and there’s no other way of saying it. They’re mentally fragile and often fall apart in adversity. They have given up 15 goals that have tied the game or given the other team the lead with five minutes or less to play in the game. And they’ve been playing horribly lately, generating no possession, unable to transition or carry the puck through the neutral zone, and they’ve been getting heavily outshot. Anyone who isn’t worried about this team, should be. Read the rest of this entry

Henrik Lundqvist named a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award

Bobby Bevilacqua

Henrik Lundqvist press conference

Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist was named a finalist for the NHL Foundation Player Award for his outstanding work towards charity and helping the community around him. Photo courtesy of Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News.

On Friday afternoon, the National Hockey League announced that San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano and New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist were announced as the three finalists for the NHL Foundation Player Award, presented to “an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey – commitment, perseverance and teamwork – to enrich the lives of people in his community.”

Each NHL team submitted finalists for the NHL Fourdation Player award, and the three finalists were chosen by a panel of judges. The recipient of the award will receive a $25,000 check from the NHL Foundation to their chosen charity. The winner will be chosen during the 2015 NHL Awards, which will take place on June 24th in Las Vegas.

Not only has Henrik Lundqvist been a dominant performer on the ice, but he has been a dominant force when it comes to philanthropy and helping others in need. Not only is the spokesperson for the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a position he has held since 2009, but he also supports 28 nonprofit charities through the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers sweep California road trip with win over Sharks; Lundqvist earns 20th win

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers players 1-11

The Rangers swept their California road trip, winning 13 of their last 14 games before heading home to that the handlers.

The Rangers (24-11-4) continue to stay red hot, winning their fifth in a row against the San Jose Sharks (22-16-5) by a final score of 3-1, completing a remarkable sweep of three games in four nights against some of the best teams in the Western Conference. The Rangers have won 13 of their last 14 games dating back to December 8th.

This is the first time in franchise history that the Rangers have beaten the Ducks, the Kings and the Sharks on the road in the same season, as well as the first time that they have beaten those teams along with the Canucks, Oilers, and Flames on the road in the same season. That really goes to show how impressive the Rangers recent play has been. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers look to finish west coast trip strong; Dan Boyle returns to San Jose

Bobby Bevilacqua

Lundqvist save 10-21

Henrik Lundqvist will be back in net for the Rangers ronight, as New York looks to extend their win streak to five against the Sharks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

After a thrilling victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, the Rangers (23-11-4) will finish off their California road trip tonight against the San Jose Sharks (22-15-5).

The Rangers have won four consecutive games and 12 of their last 13 games, but finishing off a sweep against Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Jose would be a truly impressive feat.

Following Thursday’s victory, the Rangers also have a strong 10-6-1 record away from Madison Square Garden, winning their last three games on the road, and seven of their last eight. Read the rest of this entry