Blog Archives
Rangers take on Duclair and Coyotes at MSG; Stepan a game time decision
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to build off their 4-0 win this Monday as they take on the Coyotes. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (4-2-1) take on the surprisingly strong Arizona Coyotes (3-2-1) for the first time the Keith Yandle trade last year, setting the scene for a battle with some ties on either side. Yandle will face off against the only other team he’s known, a team he played with for eight years, while former Rangers draft pick and last year’s Lars Erik Sjoberg Award winner, Anthony Duclair suits up for Arizona.
The Coyotes have been competitive in all of the six games that they’ve played so far, winning their first three games before losing three straight, including Tuesday’s overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. However, they’re averaging three goals a game, and have taken down the Kings, the Penguins and the Ducks. Read the rest of this entry
Dear Kevin Hayes; Play more, think less
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
There’s no denying the talent that Kevin Hayes possesses.
After deciding not to sign with Chicago, who made him the 24th overall selection in the 2010 draft, Hayes made his way to New York City, earning an opening day roster spot and making his NHL debut in the third game of the season. From that moment on, learning a new position on the fly, Hayes cemented himself into the lineup, improving with each passing game.
Hayes wound up centering the third line with an always-rotating cast of wingers. Despite that, he would lead the Rangers in scoring over the past few months of the season, and carried that success into the playoffs. His 45 points (17-28-45) were fifth amongst all NHL rookies, and he was actually tied with Joe Thornton and Tyler Seguin for the most primary assists that year, with 21. Quite good company.
He’s got silky smooth hands, fantastic vision, great passing skills, and the ability to score some highlight reel goals when needed. An impressive rookie season and a solid playoffs showed that. Read the rest of this entry
Upping the Antti: Raanta blanks the Sharks on home ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Antti Raanta was thrilled to get his first win as a Ranger. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Talbot who?
The Rangers (4-2-1) got an excellent performance from their backup goaltender Antti Raanta in his debut in blue, making 22 saves in a 4-0 win over the San Jose Sharks (4-2-0), snapping their three game losing streak in the process.
The Rangers really took the phrase “put up or shut up” to heart. After some criticism from media, their coach, and themselves, the players completely turned things around, playing their first complete, 60 minute game of the season.
There’s also a bit of déjà vu for Rangers fan. Last year on October 19th, the Rangers beat the Sharks 4-0 at MSG for their first this win of the season. Exactly a year to the day later, they did the exact same thing.
Antti Raanta turned aside 22 shots for his fourth career shutout, and his first win as a Ranger. Raanta became the first goalie to record a shutout in his Rangers debut since November 2, 1957 (Marcel Paille). Raanta has also been superb in home games, posting a 15-0-3 record with a 1.51 GAA, a .944 save percentage and four shutouts in 20 career home games.
Must win? Rangers take on soaring San Jose Sharks at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers will look to get back on track against the sharks at MSG> Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After just six games into the season, it’s certainly too early to deem a game as “must win.” But with all of the concerns surrounding the team’s performances in their last three games, the Rangers would surely like a feel-good win.
The Rangers (3-2-1) will look to snap their three game losing streak against the San Jose Sharks (4-1-0), who are proving their doubters wrong after five games. Dan Girardi stated that the Rangers “need to stop the bleeding at three [losses],” and a rebound game is needed.
This game comes exactly one year since these two teams last faced off at Madison Square Garden, a game in which the Rangers came away with a 4-0 win. Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis scored four seconds apart, and Kevin Hayes scored the first goal of his NHL career. Henrik Lundqvist picked up his first shutout of the season.
The Sharks couldn’t meet expectations last season, failing to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and just the second time in 17 years. Since the end of last season, they hired a new coach, made some offseason moves, assigned a new captain, and are off to an excellent start to begin the season. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers drop third straight game in overtime to the lowly Devils
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The tough times keep coming for Alain Vigneault and the Blueshirts.
Despite having more possession, more scoring chances, and playing a stronger game overall, the Rangers (3-2-1) lost their third consecutive game, handing the New Jersey Devils their first lead of the season and their first win.
The Rangers dominated the first period, with more shots on goal (9-6), more shot attempts (19-8), and taking the lead just over three minutes into the game. Oscar Lindberg stole the puck in the Rangers defensive zone and carried it up the ice before saucering a pass across the ice to Derek Stepan. Stepan made an excellent deke to open up Schneider before slotting it between his legs for his third goal of the season.
The Rangers wound up controlling the rest of this period. Oscar Lindberg created some excellent chances, connecting on a few more impressive passes, but nobody was finishing their chances. Viktor Stalberg also had a superb period, winning a lot of puck battles and leading the team in possession and hits after 40 minutes. Read the rest of this entry
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