Blog Archives
Rangers Practice Report: Rick Nash day to day, Brady Skjei recalled from Hartford
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers practiced today ahead of their road game against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. And it seems like they’re very close to getting two of their key players back. Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist both skated with the team and it looks like they’ll be back soon.
Lundqvist has missed the last two games with neck spasms after colliding with Ryan McDonagh in the game against the Penguins. He was on the ice and participated in drills, but he will not travel with the team to Buffalo. However, he said that the plan is to “be ready for the weekend.”
Nash practiced in a non-contact jersey, marking the first time that he skated with teammates since his injury back in January. He also won’t be traveling to Buffalo, marking the 20th straight game he will be out, but the good news is that his status has been upgraded from “week to week” to “day to day.” Read the rest of this entry
Alain Vigneault criticism and properly re-assembling the Rangers lines
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After last night’s loss to the Islanders, Alain Vigneault was getting A LOT of criticism, from both fans and even some pointed questions from reporters. His team didn’t show up at the puck drop, played terrible defense and weren’t prepared for one of the biggest games of the season yet.
There was criticism about his usage of JT Miller, about why Stepan took the faceoff, and just about anything else people felt like complaining about.
JT Miller didn’t play because he wasn’t that good last night, plain and simple. Everyone is insisting he gets top line minutes because of the streak he went on, scoring practically a goal a game for a span of 12 or 13 contests. But he hasn’t scored 13 games now, and hasn’t been nearly as effective or dangerous as he was back in January.
Rangers comeback bid falls short in 6-4 loss to the Islanders
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers battled hard after showing up late to the 5:08 puck drop, but the bad start ultimately cost them two huge points.
It wasn’t just a typical bad start; this was downright awful. The worst of the season by far. You can take your pick from the excuses being thrown around, but there is no explanation for the lack of effort and headiness the Rangers started this game with. Alain Vigneault said after the game “credit them, they came out hard.” Yeah right, coach.
The Rangers start in that spot, against a division rival, with home ice advantage on the line, was inexcusable. Read the rest of this entry
Raanta remains in net as the Rangers take on the Islanders; Marc Staal OUT
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After bouncing back with a huge win over the Capitals, the Rangers (38-21-6) close out a tough three-game stretch against division rivals when they take on the New York Islanders (35-20-7), returning to MSG for one game before another short road trip.
Although the Rangers hold a five game lead over the Islanders, the Isles have three games in hand, making this a true battle for second place in the Metro. Both teams are coming into this game playing well, and both teams will be playing hard to get the two points.
This is the third out of four games between the Rangers and Islanders, and the first game at MSG this season. The last five encounters have all been played at the Islanders’ home; three at the Nassau Coliseum and two this year at the Barclays Center. The Rangers are 0-1-1 this year against the Isles, losing 2-1 in a shootout in December and 3-1 on January 14th. Read the rest of this entry
Pavel Buchnevich offered contract extension by SKA St. Petersburg
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Claus Anderson/Getty Images.
UPDATE: An article for this news story was written/broken on Full Tilt NYR by Steven Cifuentes. Please go support that article and site HERE since he wrote about the situation first.
The Pavel Buchnevich situation has gotten a bit more interesting, and the Rangers could have some trouble bringing their top prospect over to North America next season.
According to Aivis Kanins, a hockey writer covering the KHL, SKA St. Petersburg has offered Buchnevich a contract extension to stay with them beyond these playoffs. Buchnevich started out with the Severstal Cherepovets, but was traded during the season. He finished the regular season with 37 points (16-21-37) in 58 games, and has three points (1-2-3) in four playoff games with SKA.
Hearing Pavel Buchnevich has received an offer to extend his contract with SKA St.Petersburgh
— Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) March 3, 2016
The reason this contract extension is concerning is because of the situation surrounding Ilya Kovalchuk and St. Petersburg. Kovalchuk, the former Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils star, was left off of the playoff roster by SKA and is working to have his contract terminated. It’s widely believed that he is planning on returning to the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
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