Blog Archives
Rangers aim to end brief skid with new lineup against the Devils
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After two pretty disappointing efforts and the first two losses of the season, the Rangers (3-2-0) will look to end their goalless drought as they return home to take on the New Jersey Devils (0-3-1), who are searching for their first win.
The Rangers left Montreal empty-handed despite an excellent performance from Henrik Lundqvist, mainly due to their inability to sustain pressure as well as the play of the Montreal defenders and Carey Price.
While they’ll now be taking on a winless team in the Devils, the Rangers will still match up against a very good goaltender. Cory Schneider will be in between the pipes for the Devils, making just his third start of the season. Schneider made 34 saves in a shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks.
The Devils have had a lot of trouble scoring goals so far, finding the back of the net just six times in the first four games. Mike Cammalleri is their leading scorer with a goal and two assists, and three players are tied for second with two points, including former Ranger Lee Stempniak. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: Vigneault blows up his lines and defensive pairings
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The tinker man Alain Vigneault has made some massive changes prior to the Rangers matchup against the New Jersey Devils this Sunday.
After not scoring a goal for over five consecutive periods, AV decided that a change was needed. He’s right to move some pieces around and try to create some chemistry.
Here were the lines during today’s practice. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers blanked in Montreal as Price and Lundqvist engage in battle
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Everyone predicted it would happen, but it was nonetheless spectacular to watch.
Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price put on a show at the Bell Centre, making spectacular save after spectacular save en route to a 3-0 Montreal win. The Canadiens (5-0-0) has won five straight games to start a season for the first time in franchise history, and the Rangers (3-2-0) have now lost two straight games after winning their first three.
It was a disappointing effort from the Rangers. While Carey Price did make a few spectacular saves, the bigger problem was the fact that they couldn’t sustain any offensive pressure. They mustered just 22 shots on goal despite five power plays. Some of the Rangers biggest stars, namely Rick Nash and Chris Kreider, really didn’t have too much of an impact.
Emerson Etem made his Rangers debut tonight, and he had a few good shifts, but went largely unnoticed. The fourth line was much better without Tanner Glass and Jarret Stoll, and they spent some time on attack as well. However, Etem had only 12 shifts, seven minutes of ice time, and 70% defensive zone shifts. He didn’t have much of a chance to prove anything. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers set new lineup ahead of contest with red-hot Canadiens
Bobby Bevilacqua
Things got fiesty when the Rangers last played the Canadiens. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (3-1-0) will look to win their fourth home opener this season as they head into the Bell Centre to take on the undefeated Montreal Canadiens (4-0-0) when they play in front of their home fans for the first time this season.
Alain Vigneault and his team carry their perfect road record (2-0-0) and home opener record (3-0-0) into the loud, rowdy and hostile home of the Canadiens, one of the best teams in the NHL through the first few games.
Montreal is led by captain Max Pacioretty, who is tied for the league lead in goals (4) and second in points (6). Andrei Markov and PK Subban, both excellent defenseman, have each tallied four assists to start the season, and Tomas Plekanec has three goals in the Canadiens’ four games.
Ultimately, this game will come down to goaltending. Henrik Lundqvist versus last year’s Vezina trophy winner, Carey Price. Price is off to a magnificent start to the 2015-16 campaign, winning each of his three starts and posting a 1.67 GAA and a .945 save percentage. Read the rest of this entry
Emerson Etem and Jesper Fast’s development shouldn’t come at the cost of Tanner Glass playing time
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Alain Vigneault has shown an unwarranted allegiance to Tanner Glass since the enforcer was signed to a three year deal prior to the beginning last season. He’s scratched better players in favor of Glass and seems to refuse to acknowledge the fact that he’s a detriment to the lineup.
Glass played all 19 playoff games last season, playing over others who would have had more of an impact, like James Sheppard. He dressed in 66 regular season games, more than Jesper Fast and Lee Stempniak.
Vigneault decided to play Glass the last two games, scratching Jesper Fast in order to make room for him. While he was surprisingly solid against Columbus, recording seven hits and two shots on goal, last night’s game against Winnipeg was a more telling example of his typical performance.
Glass played on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jarret Stoll, and they were practically invisible throughout the night. When Glass was on the ice, the Rangers had a single shot attempt. One. That’s it. The Jets had 14 shots on goal when he was on the ice. Read the rest of this entry
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