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Following win over Ducks, Rangers continue Cali road trip against Kings
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite getting dominated in possession and getting worked over by the Ducks, the Rangers (40-23-7) picked up their 40th win of the season with a tightly contested 2-1 win, with Kevin Klein recording his first career two goal game. Now they continue their road trip on the west coast against the Pacific Division leading Kings.
Against Anaheim, the Rangers did not play their best game. They played a resolute style of defensive play, but the same problems that have plagued them recently continued to affect the game. Turnovers and careless play, poor transition, and more. You know the script. In fact, it took 19:30 for the Rangers to have a successful carry into the Ducks zone. That’s not good. The team as a whole was a -18 in corsi for, with Dan Girardi (-14) and Tanner Glass (-13) finishing worse in individual possession. Only three players finished positive in corsi for.
But they found a way to win. That seems to be the script for the season. The Rangers play alright, go dormant for a few stretches, and get bailed out at times by goaltending or lucky bounces, or simply outscoring the opponent. Needless to say, it’s an unsustainable type of hockey that probably won’t be a winning style of hockey in the playoffs.
Things don’t get easier as they take on the Los Angeles Kings for the second time this season. The Rangers lost in frustrating fashion to the Kings at Madison Square Garden on February 12th, falling in overtime after Anze Kopitar scored with 29.7 seconds remaining in regulation. Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan each picked up a goal and an assist, and Viktor Stalberg also found the back of the net. The Rangers have earned a point in their last three trips to the Staples Center (2-0-1).
Jonathan Quick is the expected starter for the Kings, looking to build on an already strong season. Quick posted a shutout in his last start, stopping all 32 shots he faced. He’s 35-17-4 with a 2.14 GAA and a .921 save percentage.
Tyler Toffoli is en route to the best season of his career, posting a career high in goals (26) and leading the team in that category. He’s a point shy of equaling his career high total of 48 points. Nine of his goals are on the power play, four have been game winners, and he’s scored in two straight games.
Milan Lucic has been playing excellent hockey as of late, enjoying a strong first season out in California. Known for his aggressive game and physical brand of hockey, Lucic is feared for his scoring ability just as much as his ability to lay a huge hit. Lucic is riding a seven game point streak (3-6-9) and has 45 points (17-28-45) in 68 games. He’s also a tremendous possession forward, owning a 59.15 Corsi for percentage. Watch out for him.
After getting the night off, Henrik Lundqvist will be back in net for the Rangers. Hank has lost his last three starts, allowing three or more goals in all of the games. However, he’s been excellent against the Kings recently, with a 1.01 GAA and .966 SV% in his last two appearances.
Like the Ducks, the Kings play a physical brand of hockey due their large group of forwards. So like last night, Alain Vigneault will use his fourth line extensively. Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg all played over 11 minutes, with Glass getting the primary assist on the game tying goal. Glass actually has three points in the last nine games (2-1-3), which is half of his point total from last season. Hopefully this line combination does well and works tonight.
Keith Yandle is the only Rangers defenseman with 40 points this season, scoring five goals and tallying 35 assists this season. He has a point in eight of the last 12 games against the Kings, with 13 points (3-10-13) in that span. In 40 career games against the Kings, he has 25 points (5-20-25).
The Rangers and the Kings will faceoff at the Staples Center at 10:30 PM. The game will be broadcasted on MSG.
EXPECTED LINES
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Jesper Fast
JT Miller-Eric Staal-Kevin Hayes
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Viktor Stalberg
Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
Henrik Lundqvist
Rangers fall short in Cup Final rematch; Zuccarello snaps goal drought
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers bench looks dejected after a disappointing home-ice loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Concluding a brief two game homestand, the Rangers (48-19-7) getting beat in most facets of the game, and taking 4-2 loss against the Los Angeles Kings (36-23-14) by a final score of 4-2.
The Rangers were simply outmuscled, outworked, and outplayed in this one. They weren’t sharp, often losing puck battles and giving up silly turnovers. Vigneault said it best in the postgame interview, saying, “We were second on the puck, and second on one-on-ones. Our execution wasn’t what it needed to be against a strong opponents. We paid the price.”
It wasn’t a lack of effort, it was simply the fact that the Kings played like a team desperate to get into the playoffs. It was a great performance on their part, and they didn’t let the fatigue factor from their game last night get to them. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on desperate Los Angeles Kings team; Fast looking to stay hot
Bobby Bevilacqua
JT Miller and the Rangers will look to continue their winning ways against the Kings at MSG tonight. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a 7-2 clobbering of the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers (46-18-7) conclude their brief two-game homestand in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Finals, taking on the Los Angeles Kings (35-23-14) for the second and final time this season.
Surprisingly, the Kings find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff race, sitting two points behind the Calgary Flames for third in the Pacific Division, and four points behind the Jets for the final wild card spot. Despite going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, the Kings can’t afford lose many games. Including tonight, there are just 10 regular season games left for Los Angeles.
The Rangers got a bit of revenge when these two teams last met, coming away with a 4-3 victory at the Staples Center. Cam Talbot was in net, stopping 28 of the 31 shots that he faced. Dan Boyle had a power play goal and an assist, and Derick Brassard picked up two helpers. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers sweep California road trip with win over Sharks; Lundqvist earns 20th win
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers swept their California road trip, winning 13 of their last 14 games before heading home to that the handlers.
The Rangers (24-11-4) continue to stay red hot, winning their fifth in a row against the San Jose Sharks (22-16-5) by a final score of 3-1, completing a remarkable sweep of three games in four nights against some of the best teams in the Western Conference. The Rangers have won 13 of their last 14 games dating back to December 8th.
This is the first time in franchise history that the Rangers have beaten the Ducks, the Kings and the Sharks on the road in the same season, as well as the first time that they have beaten those teams along with the Canucks, Oilers, and Flames on the road in the same season. That really goes to show how impressive the Rangers recent play has been. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to finish west coast trip strong; Dan Boyle returns to San Jose
Bobby Bevilacqua
Henrik Lundqvist will be back in net for the Rangers ronight, as New York looks to extend their win streak to five against the Sharks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a thrilling victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, the Rangers (23-11-4) will finish off their California road trip tonight against the San Jose Sharks (22-15-5).
The Rangers have won four consecutive games and 12 of their last 13 games, but finishing off a sweep against Anaheim, Los Angeles, and San Jose would be a truly impressive feat.
Following Thursday’s victory, the Rangers also have a strong 10-6-1 record away from Madison Square Garden, winning their last three games on the road, and seven of their last eight. Read the rest of this entry
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