Blog Archives
Rangers escape with shootout win in Raleigh; Fast and Miller both score
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers celebrate JT Miller’s second period goal, one of two in the period for New York as they went on to win in the shootout. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Despite getting outplayed for the better parts of two periods, the Rangers (45-18-7) managed to come away with a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes (26-36-9) in the shootout, capturing their 45th win of the season, the eighth time in team history that they have reached that win total.
The win gives now have 97 points this season, surpassing last year’s point total by one. They remain five points ahead of the Islanders, and are tied with the Montreal Canadiens, but have two games in hand.
The Rangers also swept the season series against Carolina, coming away with five wins in the five games they played. They have won 16 of the last 17 games against the Hurricanes, the best 17 game span versus one opponent in franchise history. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for season series sweep in Carolina; Talbot in net for New York
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Hurricanes will face off for the fifth and final time this season, and the Rangers are looking to sweep the season series. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following Wednesdays 1-0 home ice loss to the Blackhawks, the Rangers (44-18-7) are in Raleigh, North Carolina to take on the Hurricanes (26-35-9) for the fifth and final matchup of the season, and the first game of a back-to-back for New York.
While the Rangers have been streaking, fighting for the top spot in the NHL, the Hurricanes have struggled for most of the season, sitting in last place in the Metropolitan Division and third to last in the Eastern Conference, and scoring the third fewest goals in the entire league.
With that in mind, Saturday is almost a must-win for the Rangers, presenting an opportunity to earn a huge two points in the standings, and keep them in a fighting chance in the President’s trophy race, and the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Kevin Hayes back to center
Bobby Bevilacqua
Kevin Hayes is back in the center position for tomorrow’s game, as Alain Vigneault believes that it gives the Rangers three lines that can facilitate offense. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following Wednesday’s loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, Alain Vigneault decided to switch up the lines, trying to find something that clicks in the absence of Martin St. Louis.
On Wednesday, James Sheppard played center on the third line alongside Carl Hagelin and JT Miller, while Kevin Hayes moved alongside Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. Rick Nash as reunited with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider, a line that worked well last season.
“It was very important for me to get a look at Shep in the middle, and we used the last game to do that,” Vigneault explained. “We know he can play all three forward positions which is a big bonus for us; but there’s no doubt that having Kevin in the middle gives us three lines that I believe can play a little more offensive hockey.” Read the rest of this entry
Rangers blanked at home by the Blackhawks; Talbot sharp in net again
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers came up on the short end of the stick in tonight’s game, falling to Chicago by a final score of 1-0. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (44-18-7) were unable to extend their win streak to six games, falling short to the Chicago Blackhawks (43-21-8) in what felt like a playoff game. The defense was top-notch, as well as the goaltending, and Chicago scored the game’s only goal, coming off the stick of former Ranger Brad Richards.
It was the second time in 10 days that these two teams faced off, and both games finished with a final score of 1-0. These are two of the elite teams in the NHL, and the Blackhawks and Rangers showed that again, battling in an extremely close game tonight.
It was pretty even in both quality scoring chances and shots on goal, although the Blackhawks had a slight edge in that category, edging the Rangers 31-25 in shots. The Rangers were unable to get any pucks past Scott Darling before the whistle blew (we’ll get to that later), and Darling picked up his first career NHL shutout. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to extend win streak against Chicago with new lines in place
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will turn to Kevin Hayes on the second line to pick up the scoring slack in the absence of Martin St. Louis as the team goes for its sixth straight win. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After two days off, the Rangers (44-17-7) are hoping to extend their win streak to six games when they take on the Chicago Blackhawks (42-21-6) for the second time in less than two weeks, with both teams playing quite well as of late.
New York and Chicago last faced off on December 8th in a game that went into overtime scoreless. Derick Brassard scored the game winner on a short-side slap shot, which also happened to be the last goal that he scored. Cam Talbot stopped 29 shots for the shutout.
Chicago did play last night, handing the Islanders their fourth straight loss and coming away with a 4-1 victory. Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa each scored twice, and Corey Crawford stopped 38 shots. Read the rest of this entry
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