Blog Archives
Rangers comeback bid falls short in 6-4 loss to the Islanders
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers battled hard after showing up late to the 5:08 puck drop, but the bad start ultimately cost them two huge points.
It wasn’t just a typical bad start; this was downright awful. The worst of the season by far. You can take your pick from the excuses being thrown around, but there is no explanation for the lack of effort and headiness the Rangers started this game with. Alain Vigneault said after the game “credit them, they came out hard.” Yeah right, coach.
The Rangers start in that spot, against a division rival, with home ice advantage on the line, was inexcusable. Read the rest of this entry
Raanta in net for the injured Lundqvist as Rangers battle the Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After losing focus and falling to the Penguins last night, the Rangers (37-21-6) are back on the road to close out their brief road trip against the league-leading Washington Capitals (47-12-4), a team that’s winning at a historic pace.
The Capitals 47 wins have already passed last year’s total with 19 games left on the schedule. Their 47 wins through 63 games are the most for any team in NHL history, and their 98 points through that same span is the most since the Detroit Red Wings in the 1995-96 season, and they have an 18 point lead over the New York Rangers. Needless to say, the Rangers will have their work cut out for them.
Last night, the Rangers had a mental lapse for 1:39, allowing three goals and ultimately losing the game because of that. Against Washington, they’ll need a complete 60 minute effort because the Caps are built to win from the net out. Read the rest of this entry
Trade deadline implications: The Rangers are going all-in
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
- The Rangers made one move at the trade deadline, and it was a big one, acquiring Eric Staal from the Hurricanes for two second round picks and Aleksi Saarela. In exchange, they acquired a versatile forward who still has quality years left in him, all without giving up a roster spot.
- That was the key for the Rangers; they didn’t surrender a first round draft pick or a roster player. So they were able to add Staal, but they were able to keep guys like Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes, as well as important depth players like Jesper Fast and Oscar Lindberg. They plucked Staal from Carolina and added him to a roster that’s already pretty good.
- Some people were confused as to why Gorton didn’t acquire a bottom six PK specialist or some defensive help. When Rick Nash returns, they’ll have their best penalty killer back on the ice, so that’ll help. And if they got a defenseman, where would he go? None of the current six players would be taken out of the lineup, and the new guy would join McIlrath in the press box. It just wasn’t worth it.
Rangers begin tough stretch tonight against St. Louis; McDonagh expected back
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a 5-2 loss that featured one of their worst periods of the entire season, the Rangers (34-20-6) continue their road trip and take on the St. Louis Blues (35-18-9) at the Scottrade Center.
The Blueshirts are in a tough stretch of the season where they will play a majority of the games on the road, and come up against a lot of good, playoff teams. Following tonight’s game, they’ll play the Stars, the Penguins, the Capitals, the Islanders, and other quality teams. On top of that, they continue to struggle on the road, posting a 12-14-3 record in games away from Madison Square Garden.
This is the second and final matchup between these two teams, and the Rangers will be looking to sweep the season series. Back in November, they scored three goals in the first period en route to a 6-3 rout of the Blues. Mats Zucccarello had two goals and an assist, while Derick Brassard and Dan Girardi each had a goal and an assist. Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to maintain winning ways against the Devils, Lundqvist looking for 30th win
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Kevin Klein scored the overtime winner on Sunday off of an excellent feed from Kevin Hayes, who probably should have had a goal of his own earlier in the game. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 22 shots to pick up the win, which put the Rangers at 7-1-1 in their last nine games, as well as two in a row. Their lead over the Islanders is not up to five points, and they’re holding off some of the surging division foes.
The Devils looked like they’d be a playoff team early on, but their starting to slow down a bit, losing to the Capitals on Saturday for their third straight defeat. They sit three points behind the Penguins for the last Wild Card spot despite playing two more games than them. The Devils are also just 8-11-2 against the Metropolitan Division, with two of them coming against the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
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