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Rangers make changes before Metropolitan clash with red-hot Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
For the first time since Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New York Rangers (7-2-2) will battle Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals (8-2-0), in search of their eighth win in the past nine games.
This is the first of five games between these two teams, bitter rivals that have seen a lot of each other over the past five years, meeting in the playoffs yet again last season. In one of the greatest goaltending battles the NHL postseason has ever seen, the Rangers came away with the series win after seven one goal games.
The Capitals will be out for revenge, looking to climb to the top of the Metropolitan Division and stake their claim as one of the best teams in the East. Looking at their roster, the Caps should be considered a top team. Read the rest of this entry
Zuccarello nets first career hat trick in win over Maple Leafs
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Might as well call it a “Mats-trick.”
Led by the 5-foot-7 Norwegian, the Rangers battled hard and came away with a 2-1 win, their second straight victory and Toronto’s fifth straight loss.
In his return, after a six day break, Henrik Lundqvist improved his record to 5-2-2 last night as the Rangers gained two more points to keep them at the top of the Metropolitan Division standings. They are now 7-2-2 (16 points) in their first eleven starts this season.
Alain Vigneault decided to reunite some trusted line combinations by switching centers Brassard and Stepan. Vigneault also mentioned that while Zuccarello has gotten off to his best start ever, he expects more from him. These small critiques were made in the hopes of better offense, although the Rangers haven’t seemed to have a problem with that as of late. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on Babcock and struggling Maple Leafs at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s about darn time the Rangers played again.
Following a long four day break, the Rangers (6-2-2) will look to shake off any rust and grab a home win when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (1-5-2) in the second game of a three game homestand.
After being the most active team in the NHL, New York had a rare four day break this week, while Vigneault kept his troops sharp with some conditioning drills and extended practices. A lot of the practices were geared towards improving certain aspects of the Rangers play.
This is the first of three games between these two Original Six teams, and the first of two contests in the next 17 days. The Rangers are 7-3-1 in their last 11 games against Toronto, but they did lost two of the three games against them last year. Expect a close game, because six of the last eight games between these teams have been decided by one goal. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: Etem remains in lineup, new line combinations
Bobby Bevilacqua
Emerson Etem stays in the lineup following a strong game against the Calgary Flames. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
During the long break, the Rangers have been practicing and staying active ahead of Friday’s clash with the struggling Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers practiced both Tuesday and today, Thursday, mixing some things up in the process.
Viktor Stalberg missed his first game of the season on Sunday against the Flames, dealing with a head injury. Stalberg was hit up high by Radko Gudas on Saturday against the Flyers, leaving the game in the second period and not returning since then.
He didn’t practice on Tuesday, but came out afterwards and skated on his own. Stalberg returned to the ice with his teammates today, but told reporters that it’s “better to be safe than sorry.” Vigneault said that he would not be available for Friday’s game, but Stalberg will be ready after that. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers douse the Flames at MSG; Girardi tallies 200th NHL point
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Just like last week, the Rangers (6-2-2) bounced back from a difficult overtime loss with a gutsy 4-1 home win over the Calgary Flames (2-6-0), who continue to struggle at the start of the season.
It’s crazy how quickly a game can change, and that was the case in this one. The Flames were up 1-0 through the first half of the game, and the Rangers were finding chances hard to come by. But two goals in less than five minutes changed the course of the game.
Antti Raanta, making his second start as a Ranger, was scored on by the first shot he faced, but he settled in nicely after that, stopping the next 22 shots that he saw. Raanta is unbeaten in regulation when playing at home, posting a 16-0-3 career record, including a 2-0-0 record at MSG.
Emerson Etem also played in his first game, slotting into the injured Viktor Stalberg’s spot on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jarret Stoll. Read the rest of this entry
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