Blog Archives
Special Teams the difference in 3-2 loss to the Devils
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers would’ve no doubt liked a better result in their first game after the All-Star break but wound up losing to the Devils, 3-2 in Newark.
In the end, the Rangers lack of execution on both the power play and the penalty kill were the deciding factor. The Rangers finished 0/4 on the power play and mustered no shots on their first two man advantages of the contest, and the usual suspects were to blame for all Devils goals.
Shoddy net mouth coverages during both of the Devils power play goals resulted in open men sweeping in chances right on the door step, again. Dan Girardi got embarrassed by Joe Blandisi and while Lundqvist admittedly intended to cut the shooters angle down some, no NHL defenseman should be allowing chances off the wing like that. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to start the second half strong in a division battle against the Devils
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the All Star Weekend in the rear view mirror, the Rangers (27-17-5) focus shifts to a battle for the playoffs. Thirty-three games spanning the next 68 days. Fifteen of those will come against Metropolitan Division opponents, including tonight’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils (25-20-5).
At this same point last season, there were six teams in the Eastern Conference ahead of the Rangers, but they had a comfortable eight point playoff cushion. This year, only six teams in the NHL have more points than the Rangers. But in a much more competitive Metropolitan Division, and a tight East, the playoff cushion is just four games.
The Rangers have reason to feel confident though. In the last 10 weeks of last regular season, Alain Vigneault’s squad went 25-7-3 and secured the President’s trophy with their play after March. These last 33 games are incredibly important, especially since many of the games come against Division foes looking to take over the Rangers playoff spot. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers need to avoid a bridge deal and extend JT Miller now
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
So in his third season, instead of signing him to a bridge deal, the Panthers went all in, inking him to a six year, $34.5 million extension, an average of $5.75 million per year. This isn’t the first time the team has signed a young forward to a big extension right off of their ELC. Florida did the same with Nick Bjugstad last year after he scored 24 goals, giving him a six year extension with a cap hit of $4.1 million.
The thought process here is to immediately lock up the most talented young forwards, and get them under contract before they get better and can command more money. If Bjugstad pans out and becomes a consistent 20 goal, 50+ point scoring center, $4.1 million will seem like a very reasonable price. Read the rest of this entry
Thrilling third period leads to a big Rangers win; Brassard tallies five points
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Well, that was exciting.
After a lackluster performance against the Senators on Sunday afternoon, the Rangers (27-16-5) came back with a much better effort and a fantastic offensive performance, downing the Buffalo Sabres (19-26-4) by a final score of 6-3 in the last game for the Blueshirts before the All-Star Break.
After some tight checking, competitive hockey in the first two periods, everything opened up in the third period, where a combined six goals were scored, four of them coming in a span of less than five minutes. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to make it three straight against the Senators; McDonagh steadily improving
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After winning consecutive game for the first time since November 21-23, the Rangers (26-16-5) will look to continue their win streak in the last game of their road trip against the Ottawa Senators (22-20-6).
This is the last of the three game season series and New York is looking to close out the sweep in today’s matinee. Back on November 14th, the Rangers skated away with a 2-1 shootout win as Dan Boyle scored the deciding goal in the shootout. Chris Kreider scored the only goal for New York. On December 6th, Lundqvist’s 23 saves helped guide the Rangers to a 4-1 victory at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard scored twice, and Ryan McDonagh had a goal and two assists. Read the rest of this entry
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