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New year, same Rangers; Rangers fall to Panthers down in Florida
Bobby Bevilacqua
This is a scary loss.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (21-14-4) looked to conclude their road trip and start the new year on a high note, but instead lost to the Florida Panthers (22-12-4), shut out by a score of 3-0.
The last time the Rangers won two games in a row, it started with a win over the Panthers on November 21st. A lot has changed since then. The Rangers have slumped massively, going 5-11-2 in their last 18 games. The Panthers have leapfrogged everyone in the Atlantic Division and are outplaying almost everyone they face.
Before the loss tonight, the Rangers had won seven straight games against the Panthers. Florida also won their eighth consecutive game, a new franchise record. The win also put them back atop the Atlantic Division. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers close out road trip against surging Panthers; Girardi playing injured?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After many ups and downs to the season during the 2015 portion of this season, the Rangers (21-13-4) will look to start 2016 out on the right foot when they take on the Florida Panthers (21-12-4), a youthful team with ambitions of a playoff berth.
This is the second of three matchups against the Cats this year, and the last one down in Sunrise, Florida. The Rangers skated away with a 5-4 victory on November 21st thanks to Rick Nash’s monster night. Nash scored his second career hat trick in the game, including the game winner, as well as registering 10 shots on goal. Mats Zuccarello had a goal and two assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves for the win.
The Panthers enjoyed one of the best months in franchise history, going 11-3-0 in the month of December, including winning their last seven games. A win tonight would set a new franchise record. Because of their success, and their place in the Atlantic Division, the BB&T Center has been packed as of late. With the Rangers in town, you can expect a packed and raucous arena tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers snap road losing streak in Tampa; Boyle and Moore have big nights
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (21-13-4) looked to end their eight game road losing streak sating back to November 21st, and they succeeded. They controlled most of the play, despite a few penalties and skated off the ice victorious with a 5-2 win over the Lightning (21-13-4).
Coach Alain Vingeault sent a message before the game, benching young forward Kevin Hayes for his lack of performance. He expected more out of him to this point, and Hayes knows it, too. Maybe after being a healthy scratch last night he’ll recognize that he’s got to up his game to keep a spot on the roster.
The rest of the Rangers must have gotten a message because right off an offensive zone faceoff with just under two minutes into play, Keith Yandle made a great pass from the point to Dan Boyle, who was open at right circle. He didn’t hesitate as he slid the puck past Bishop to notch his fifth goal of the season and give his team a one goal advantage. This goal was also his third in the past five games, as he remains on a hot streak. Read the rest of this entry
Two struggling contenders face off as Rangers take on Lightning; Hayes a healthy scratch
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Last year, the Rangers and Lightning squared off for seven games, battling for the title of Eastern Conference Champion. Things could hardly be more different now.
The Rangers have dropped to third in the Metropolitan Division behind Washington and the Islanders, winning just four of their last 16 games. Last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are struggling to score goals, losing their fundamentals, and failing to play the same style that helped give them so much success over the last two seasons. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers collapse late in loss to Nashville; Defensive game still lackluster
Bobby Bevilacqua
What on earth was that?
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (20-13-4) had a long, six day break to recuperate and get ready for their game against the Nashville Predators (18-12-6). So what do they do? Come out with almost no offense at first, rebound for a good second period, and then completely fall apart in the third, ultimately losing 5-3.
There’s no other way to say it. This team is fragile. They’re broken. This isn’t a slump, and it isn’t a passing fad. This is their reality. As they are currently constructed, they are not a great hockey team. They aren’t playing like a good team either. Something needs to change. There needs to be a move made to inject life into the lineup.
Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein made their return to the lineup. Klein was okay, but it’s no coincidence that when Girardi returns, the defense goes to shambles. The McDonagh-Girardi pairing is woefully ineffective, Staal was terrible, and McIlrath was sitting in the press box. The defense is just bad, making too many errors, blowing coverages and missing assignments. Read the rest of this entry
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