Blog Archives

Rangers close out road trip in Buffalo with Skapski back in net

Bobby Bevilacqua

mackenzie skapski side profile 2-20

Mackenzie Skapski will make his second career NHL start tonight, giving Cam Talbot an opportunity for a night off. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

The Rangers (42-17-7) will close out a season-high five game road trip tonight when they take on the Buffalo Sabres (19-42-6) for the third and final time this year, with the Rangers looking to sweep the season series.

These two teams played back on February 20th in Buffalo, which was a makeup of a postponed game from November. Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello both scored goals, and Rick Nash had a goal and an assist. Mackenzie Skapski made his NHL debut, and made 24 saves to earn his first career win.

On this road trip, the Rangers are 3-0-1, winning their last three games. The Rangers are 8-1-1 in their last 10 road games, and lead the NHL in road wins with 21. Their last game was Wednesday night, a 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. They got some bad news after the game, learning that Kevin Klein will be out at least 3-4 weeks with a broken arm. Read the rest of this entry

Does Tanner Glass take too much criticism?

Bobby Bevilacqua

tanner glass 3-2

The fans seem to believe that Glass doesn’t belong in the Rangers lineup, but is it because they have the wrong expectations? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

After signing a three year, $4.35 million contract in the offseason, Tanner Glass hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Known as a gritty fourth line player that brings toughness, and as Alain Vigneault likes to say, acts as a deterrent on the ice, Glass has shown signs of that, but really struggled at the beginning of the season.

He was on the ice for quite few goals against, didn’t really provide any offense, and didn’t appear to be doing much of anything during each game. However, Glass has really stepped up his game lately, just in time for the start of the playoffs.

Some people may think I’m crazy, but if you watch what the fourth line has been doing lately, Glass and his linemates have been pretty impressive. It’s been a long string of games that Glass has played well in, nearly scoring on a few occasions, and adding some assists to his stat sheet. Read the rest of this entry

Kevin Klein out 3-4 weeks, maybe longer, with a broken arm

Bobby Bevilacqua

kevin klein profile

Kevin Klein will be out for 3-4 weeks after breaking his arm in Wednesday’s win over the Capitals. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Late in last night’s game, Kevin Klein was hit in the arm on a long Alex Ovechkin slap shot, causing him to drop to the ice in immediate discomfort. He left the game with less than a minute remaining, and received X-Rays before flying home.

Unfortunately, the Rangers received some bad news today, learning that Kevin Klein will be out for at least 3 to 4 weeks according to a press release from the Rangers.

Kevin Klein was in the midst of arguably his best season as a pro, already setting career highs in goals (9) and points (26), as well as a career best +24 – tied with Rick Nash for sixth best in the entire NHL. Read the rest of this entry

Beasts of the East; Rangers are number one after win over Capitals

Bobby Bevilacqua

martin st. louis goal celebration 3-11

Keith Yandle and Martin St. Louis celebrate Marty’s goal in the third period en route to the team’s third straight victory. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the first place New York Rangers.

Playing their second game in as many nights, the Rangers (42-17-7) picked up yet another crucial win, defeating Washington Capitals (36-22-10) by a score of 3-1, earning their third consecutive win in the process.

With the Islanders idle tonight, the two points that the Blueshirts earned gives them a total of 91 for the season. That means that for the first time, the Rangers have sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division, sitting one point ahead of the Islanders with three games in hand. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers take on the Capitals in D.C.; NHL’s leading goal scorers face off

Bobby Bevilacqua

rick nash celebration 12-23

Rick Nash had his first hat trick as a Rangers when these two teams last faced off, and is hoping to keep providing offensive support for the Rangers. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

After a huge win over the Islanders, the Rangers (41-17-7) will look to stay hot when they take on the Washington Capitals (36-21-10) at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C, another Metropolitan Division matchup.

The Rangers and Capitals have met just once this season, with the Rangers coming away with a 4-2 victory at Madison Square Garden. Rick Nash scored his first hat trick as a Ranger, and Derick Brassard had three assists. Henrik Lundqvist started, stopping 30 of the 32 shots that he faced.

The Rangers have been really successful against Metropolitan Division opponents, with a 17-3-1 record in their last 21 interdivisional games. The Rangers will take on the Capitals two more times this season after tonight. Read the rest of this entry