Blog Archives
Stop worrying about faceoffs, the Rangers should address other areas instead
Bobby Bevilacqua
Sean Bergenheim is one of the players that the Rangers should target, addressing the need of a bottom six forward who can score and provide depth. Photo courtesy of USATSI.
With the March 2nd trade deadline coming ever closer, rumors are flying, and the Rangers have been subject to mostly minor rumors for quite some time now. The most heard rumor is Antoine Vermette, the center on the Arizona Coyotes, who is a faceoff specialist and has an expiring contract.
In fact, most of the rumors surrounding are in the same category; a big bodied center who can win faceoffs. Nothing more. Just a faceoff specialist.
Personally, I believe that the expression “quality, not quantity” is true when it comes to the faceoff circle. The amount of faceoffs won is not important, it’s when you win it. Key faceoffs, such as in the offensive zone on a power play, or in the defenseive zone late in the game with a lead, are much more important than finishing a game winning over 50% of the draws. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win thrilling battle over Panthers at the Garden; Zuccarello comes up big
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Panthers faced off for an exciting and aggressive game, with the Rangers coming away with the 6-3 victory at the Garden. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In one of the most exciting games of the year, the Rangers (29-15-4) offense came alive once again, scoring three goals in the final period to come away with a 6-3 game victory over the Florida Panthers (21-17-10) at the Garden for their second consecutive win.
The Rangers survived some lulls in their play at the start of the game and towards the end of the second period, scoring an impressive six goals against a tough and desperate Panthers team. After scoring just one goal in the first two games following the All Star break, the Rangers have exploded for 10 goals in their last two games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers continue homestand against the Panthers; Lundqvist expected to play
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to salute the crowd at home and come away with another win when they take on the Florida Panthers tonight at 7 PM. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After winning on Saturday to end their brief two game skid, the Rangers (28-15-4) will take on the struggling Florida Panthers (21-16-10, who have lost six of their last seven games.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams, with the first being a 5-2 Rangers victory on December 31st. In that game, Derek Stepan recorded three assists, and Chris Kreider, Ryan McDonagh, and Martin St. Louis recorded a goal and an assist. Henrik Lundqvist earned the win with 18 saves. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers offense awakens in win over Hurricanes; Lundqvist Spectacular
Bobby Bevilacqua
Henrik Lundqvist and Rick Nash celebrate after a strong 4-1 victory over the Hurricanes, with Lundqvist stealing the show. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (28-15-4) managed to avoid their first three-game losing since November, overcoming sloppy play early to snatch a win over the Carolina Hurricanes (17-26-6) by a score of 4-1 at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers overcame an injury scare early in the second, when Henrik Lundqvist took a puck to the throat, and remained writhing in pain on the ice for minutes. After a few minutes of silence, with some “HEN-RIK” chants from the Blueshirt faithful, Lundqvist stood up, put the mask on and remained in the game, a testament to his competitiveness and toughness. Lundqvist was clearly the star in the game, stopping 31 shots, including all 15 he faced in the first period. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers set for surging Hurricanes team at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to end their two game losing streak when they take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With two straight losses since the All Star Break, the Rangers (27-15-4) will continue their homestand against the last-place Carolina Hurricanes (17-25-6), a team that has been playing much better as of late, with a 7-2-1 record in the team’s last 10 games.
It will be the fourth matchup between the teams this season, and the Rangers will look to remain perfect against Carolina this season after winning the first three games. The Rangers picked up their first home win of the season against Carolina on October 16th, edging the Canes 2-1 in a shootout. New York then swept both games of a home-and-home, winning 3-2 in a shootout in Raleigh before picking up a 1-0 shutout victory at Madison Square Garden. Read the rest of this entry
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