Blog Archives
Rangers rally to beat the Lightning; Lundqvist makes 39 saves
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a playoff clinching 4-2 victory over the Blue Jackets Monday night, the Rangers faced off for the first time at home against Tampa since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals last season. The Lightning have been playing without former Ranger, Anton Stralman, Victor Hedman, and top forward Steven Stamkos for a while, and the Rangers played without Ryan McDonagh. He is out indefinitely and will miss the rest of the regular season. In his absence, Brady Skjei and Dylan McIlrath saw ice time. Lindberg also replaced Hayes. They helped their team to an amazing come from behind 3-2 victory.
Tampa started out fast, as only 2:42 into the game, Namestnikov fed an open Andrej Sustr. He was wide in front of the net with absolutely no one on him. This is an example of the poor coverage the Rangers had to start out the game.
Shortly after, Tampa went on the power play. They had the worst power play in the League coming into this matchup, but they were able to convert on Brian Boyle’s deflection. Ondrej Palat took a shot that was saved by McIlrath’s skate. However, Palat got his own rebound, and Boyle’s stick deflected the shot past a misplaced Lundqvist for a two goal lead very early into the period. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers must bring in reinforcements for bottom six forwards
John Dundon
Dominic Moore needs some help on the fourth line. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It is impossible to predict what rookie GM Jeff Gorton will do with the trade deadline looming exactly one month away this Friday. One thing is certain: a team dressing Danny Paille is not one that is going to contend for a Stanley Cup. Sure, Paille is only playing because Rick Nash is out with a leg injury, but injuries happen in the playoffs too. If the Rangers first answer for an injury is Danny Paille, or Jayson Megna for that matter, they are in trouble.
The thrusting of Paille into the lineup by head coach Alain Vigneault seems like a desperation move. Paille was passed up for over a full season by all other 29 NHL clubs and putting up mediocre numbers in the AHL when Gorton came calling and offering him an NHL job. He’s been really bad since he was brought in on Jan. 22nd to play in what was a 4-1 Rangers win against Carolina. It’s a small sample size, but the Rangers have been out-chanced 10-2, and outshot 47-20 while Daniel Paille has been on the ice in the last three games. Gross. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers dominated by Tampa at home; St. Louis scores against his former team
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers were very dissapointing tonight, falling to the NHL’s best offense in the Tampa Bay Lightning by a score of 5-1. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It was set up to be a great matchup against the Lightning with players from both teams facing their former club. Instead, the Rangers (7-7-4) were embarrassed at home by the Lightning (13-4-2), mustering a measly 16 shots in the process.
In his return to the Garden, Callahan was great, scoring two goals, one on the power play, including the game winner. Steven Stamkos was just as good, scoring once and tallying two assists. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers host Lightning in homecoming match; Duclair back into the starting lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
Martin St. Louis will face off against his former team for the first time tonight, after spending 14 historic seasons with Tampa Bay. Ryan Callahan, a 2004 draft pick of the Rangers and a former captain, will also be facing the Rangers for the first time. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
When the Rangers (7-6-4) take the ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning (12-4-2), it will mark the first time that ex-captain Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman face the Rangers since joining the Lightning.
Ryan Callahan was traded to the Lightning for Martin St. Louis at the trade deadline after Callahan and the Rangers could not agree on a contract extension. St. Louis became a ranger and was an integral part in propelling the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers lose again in the shootout; Stempniak scores against his former team
Bobby Bevilacqua
Tonight’s game against the Penguins was extremely physical, bringing back memories of the playoff rivalry from last season. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the second consecutive game, the Rangers (7-6-4) fell in the shootout in Pittsburgh, after it appeared that Dan Boyle won the game for the Rangers. Upon further review, Boyle’s shootout goal was overturned, and the Penguins (12-3-1) walked away with their 12th win of the season.
It is yet another disappointing loss for the Rangers, who played hard but lost their sixth game in their last eight contests (2-2-4), as well as their fourth consecutive loss when the game goes to the shootout.
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