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Zuccarello leads the charge as Rangers top the Blues in nine goal thriller
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In a game that was supposed to be a low scoring, defensive affair, the Rangers (12-2-2) and the Blues (11-4-1) combined for nine goals, as New York skated away with their seventh consecutive victory and remaining the hottest team in the NHL.
On top of the win streak, the Rangers also extended their point streak to 11 games (9-0-2), and they have not lost in regulation since October 15th in Montreal. The 12 wins are a franchise best through the first 16 games of a season, while their 26 points to start the season tied a franchise record from 1970-71.
Affectionately dubbed “The Stat,” with the Rangers win, they’ve improved their record to 160-1-9 in the last 170 games when leading after two periods. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim for seventh straight win against Blues; Dom Moore OUT
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The start to the Rangers (11-2-2) has been historic, tying a franchise record for wins and points through the first 15 games of the season and carrying a 10 game point streak (8-0-2) and a six game win streak into tonight’s game against the St. Louis Blues (11-3-1) at Madison Square Garden.
New York and St. Louis have established themselves as consistent contenders over the past few years, finishing near the top of their respective divisions. That sets the scene for some very competitive games in recent seasons.
This is the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Blues this season, with the second game coming on February 25th in St. Louis. The teams split the two games last year, with the road team winning in both games. Both contests were also decided by one goal. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Rumor Mill: Is Patrick Marleau headed to Broadway?
Bobby Bevilacqua
The crazy trade rumors are starting really early this year.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports.
An annual occurrence, Patrick Marleau’s name has been coming up in some trade rumors early. First reported by Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area, Marleau had supposedly stated that he would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Kings, the Anaheim Ducks or the New York Rangers.
Marleau is currently in the second year of a three year, $20 million contract. He has a full no trade clause and would need to approve any trade the Sharks would try. TSN’s Bob McKenzie later reported that it is more likely that Marleau asked the Sharks to look at trade possibilities, and it probably wasn’t the Sharks asking for a list of teams.
It is less likely SJ asked Marleau to waive NTC and more likely that Marleau asked SJ to explore trade possibilities to select teams.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 11, 2015
Game Notes: Rangers blow away the Hurricanes on home ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
- The Rangers are red hot. They’re 11-2-2, and their 11 wins and 24 points are tied for the best start through 15 games in franchise history. They’ve won six games in a row, and have points in 10 straight games (8-0-2). Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have posted two 10 game point streaks in the past two seasons, just the fifth and sixth time that has happened in franchise history. Despite all of the record setting…
- The Rangers aren’t close to playing their best hockey. In fact, they’re not playing that well at all. That may seem stupid to say about a team with an 11-2-2 record, but it makes sense. Last night, the Rangers led 2-0 after the first period. But they had just three shots on goal, and eight shot attempts. The Hurricanes controlled the flow of the period and had more chances, evident by their eight shots on goal and 24 shot attempts. That’s been the norm in a lot of the games they play. They’re out possessed, out chanced, and even outplayed in some instances, but still coming away with wins. That really is a testament to….
- Their goaltending. The Rangers have the best goaltender duo in the NHL, hands down. Henrik Lundqvist has moved past his history of slow starts, beginning the season in playoff mode. Antti Raanta has been absurdly good in his three starts, allowing two goals in all of the games. He was four seconds away from a second shutout against the Coyotes, but he still finished with 39 saves. New York has the second best goal differential in the league (+20), behind only the Montreal Canadiens and their incredible +30 differential. The Rangers have allowed 24 goals or fewer in the first 15 games of the season for the first time since 1939-40 and for the sixth time in team history. Henrik Lundqvist’s .949 save percentage is the best mark that any NYR goalie has posted in their first 12 starts since the NHL began tracking that stat in 1975-76. Lundqvist has allowed just 20 gals this season, the fewest of any goalie that has started at least 10 games. He’s also faced the most shots against (384) than any NHL netminder this season. That speaks volumes about…
Hurricane Warning; Rangers back at MSG to take on Carolina, Nash “good to go”
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (10-2-2) are back on home ice after sweeping their brief two game road trip, facing off against the Carolina Hurricanes (6-8-0), the first of four games between these Metropolitan Division foes.
New York has had tremendous success against Carolina in the past few years, winning all five games against them last season, outscoring the Hurricanes 13-5. Four of the five wins were one goal games, with three of the games ending in a shootout.
The Rangers are off to their best start through 14 games in franchise history, posting an impressive 10-2-2 record with 22 points, sitting atop the Metropolitan Division and winning five straight games. They’ve picked up a point in nine consecutive games, going 7-0-2 following their loss to the Montreal Canadiens on October 15th. Read the rest of this entry
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