Blog Archives
Rangers take on desperate Senators team in last regular season game at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will salute the crowd for the final time this regular season as they prepare to battle in the playoffs. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After clinching the Presidents’ Trophy on Thursday night, the Rangers (52-21-7) are back at Madison Square Garden for the last regular season home game, where they are set to take on the Ottawa Senators (41-26-13), a team still clinging onto their playoff hopes, and coming into tonight’s game with a must-win attitude.
Tonight will be a special night for both the players and the fans, as they get to cheer for their team, watch a special presentation before the game, and hopefully send them off to the playoffs on a positive note. This is just the third time in franchise history that the Rangers have won the Presidents’ Trophy, and the first time that they have done so since the 1993-94 season.
The Rangers have already tied the franchise record for wins in a season (52) set in the 199-3-94 season, and are just one point shy of tying their record for points in a season (112). Eclipsing both of those records would truly cap off an amazing regular season. Read the rest of this entry
The growth and emergence of Jesper Fast
Bobby Bevilacqua
Jesper Fast has been a nice surprise for the Rangers this season, playing very strong defensively and showing glimpses of his offensive abilities. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers have been one of the league’s hottest teams over the last month, winning 10 of their last 11 games, vastly outscoring their opponents in that streak (40-17), and playing fantastic defensively, with some help from Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot in net.
It’s easy to pick out players like Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis, who lead the Rangers in points, or to say that the strong defense from players like Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal have been the reason for the Rangers success. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Prospect Watch; Duclair scores in pre-tourney game
Bobby Bevilacqua
Anthony Duclair played well in his first game for Team Canada, playing right wing on the first line, and picking up a goal and an assist.
About two weeks ago, the Rangers announced that they would loan 19 year rookie to Anthony Duclair to Team Canada for the World Juniors Championship. The tournament doesn’t officially start until the 26th of December, but teams have already played some pre-tourney games, similar to a preseason.
Last night, Team Canada defeated Team Sweden by a final score of 5-2. Duclair scored the third goal of the game, and also picked up an assist in the game.
Duclair skated on Team Canada’s top line alongside other top prospects, like Sam Reinhart of the Buffallo Sabres, and Max Domi of the Arizona Coyotes. The trio generated a ton of scoring chances, and was one of the best lines on the team. Read the rest of this entry
Jesper Fast recalled from Hartford; Malone and Allen reassigned
Bobby Bevilacqua
Jesper Fast has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack, and will likely slot into the fourth line for New York when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night.
This evening, the Rangers made a few roster moves, recalling Jesper Fast from Hartford and reassigning Ryan Malone and Connor Allen to the Wolf Pack.
Connor Allen was sent down as a result of John Moore finishing his five game suspension. Allen didn’t look out of place at the NHL level, but it was basically a choice between him and Matt Hunwick or Michael Kostka, who have been steady replacing the injured Rangers’ defensemen.
Ryan Malone, who never really fit into Vigneault’s system according to the head coach, has struggled to find a consistent place in the Rangers’ lineup. Malone has not registered a point, and has 14 hits so far. Read the rest of this entry
Chris Mueller reassigned to Hartford Wolf Pack
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Mueller has been reassigned to Hartford, meaning that Derek Stepan’s return is imminent.
This afternoon, the New York Rangers reassigned forward Chris Mueller to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.
Mueller was originally called up to help a depleted Rangers center group, most notable with the injury to Derek Stepan.
In seven games with the Rangers, Mueller has scored once and picked up an assist, with both of those points coming against the New Jersey Devils on October 21st.
Mueller spent a lot of time at center, filling in the fourth line position when Dominic Moore was moved up to the third line. Mueller also played on the wing position when platooning with Kevin Hayes on the fourth line.
The reassignment of Chris Mueller has a few meanings outside of where he will be playing his next hockey game. Read the rest of this entry
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