Blog Archives
Two struggling contenders face off as Rangers take on Lightning; Hayes a healthy scratch
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Last year, the Rangers and Lightning squared off for seven games, battling for the title of Eastern Conference Champion. Things could hardly be more different now.
The Rangers have dropped to third in the Metropolitan Division behind Washington and the Islanders, winning just four of their last 16 games. Last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are struggling to score goals, losing their fundamentals, and failing to play the same style that helped give them so much success over the last two seasons. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers collapse late in loss to Nashville; Defensive game still lackluster
Bobby Bevilacqua
What on earth was that?
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (20-13-4) had a long, six day break to recuperate and get ready for their game against the Nashville Predators (18-12-6). So what do they do? Come out with almost no offense at first, rebound for a good second period, and then completely fall apart in the third, ultimately losing 5-3.
There’s no other way to say it. This team is fragile. They’re broken. This isn’t a slump, and it isn’t a passing fad. This is their reality. As they are currently constructed, they are not a great hockey team. They aren’t playing like a good team either. Something needs to change. There needs to be a move made to inject life into the lineup.
Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein made their return to the lineup. Klein was okay, but it’s no coincidence that when Girardi returns, the defense goes to shambles. The McDonagh-Girardi pairing is woefully ineffective, Staal was terrible, and McIlrath was sitting in the press box. The defense is just bad, making too many errors, blowing coverages and missing assignments. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers return from break to take on the Predators; Klein and Girardi expected to play
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a long holiday break, given a chance to recuperate and take a mental break, the Rangers (20-12-4) head down to Music City to take on the Nashville Predators (17-12-6), the first game in a three game road trip.
This is the second and final matchup between these two teams this season, with the Rangers coming away with a 3-0 win back on November 23rd at MSG. The Rangers played badly, outshot 31-19, but goals from Rick Nash, Derek Stepan and Kevin Hayes secured a win for the home team.
December has been the month that Alain Vigneault and the Rangers seem to figure things out. Two years ago they were playing .500 hockey until a little before Christmas time. Last season, the Rangers started an eight game win streak with an overtime win over the Penguins on December 8th. But this season? They have just a 3-6-2 record this month as of today. Read the rest of this entry
Dan Boyle needs more ice time, not less
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With all of the injuries on defense recently, the Rangers had to give some of their depth guys more minutes and more prominent roles. Dan Girardi missed time with a minor knee injury, and Kevin Klein was out for a while with a strained oblique.
One of those players that saw his ice time rise was veteran Dan Boyle, the 39 year old defenseman in his second year with the Rangers. Typically placed on the second or third pairing, Boyle saw his minutes and roles rise to that of a first pairing defender, playing upwards of 20 minutes a night and playing a prominent role on the rower play and penalty kill.
At today’s practice, Dan Girardi and Kevin Klein were both back and practicing with the team, meaning that they’ll likely play tomorrow night. While it’s good that the Rangers are getting healthy again, the return of Girardi and Klein poses a problem. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Rumor Mill: Gorton is “looking to shake things up”
Photo courtesy of the New York Rangers.
Bobby Bevilacqua
Craig Custance, an NHL reporter for ESPN, spoke to some of the general managers around the league, and it appears that Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has been making some calls. Because the general consensus around the league is that Gorton “is looking to do something to shake things up” after a lackluster start to the season.
The Rangers have won just four of their last 15 games, seeing their big lead in the Metropolitan Division fall apart. The defensive structure has collapsed and become disorganized, there has been inconsistent production from the top six.
As a result, it seems like Gorton wants to make a few tweaks, and he’s looking at the trade market to help make some adjustments. Read the rest of this entry
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