Blog Archives
The Problem with the Process
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images.
The Blueshirts started out the year strong but wound up limping past the half way mark of the season sporting a modest 26-16-5 record. One cannot but help wonder what the main underlying cause is for the team’s decline in play could possibly be. Not because they are hard-pressed to find issues, which have been plentiful and even overwhelming thus far through the 2015-2016 campaign.
It’s surprising though given the fact that right around this time last season, the Rangers took off. They dominated the league, even in the wake of losing Henrik Lundqvist for an extended period due to a freakish neck injury. Cam Talbot had replaced and even duplicated the edge that Lundqvist gave the Rangers night in and out. The Rangers finished the season on a tear and made a trip to game 7 of the conference final, where injuries eventually caught up to them in a humbling 2-0 loss on home ice. While the decline may be a surprise to some it didn’t sneak up on people who have looked at and made a point of the organizations failures, especially dating back to the offseason after that heartbreaking 4-1 Stanley Cup Final defeat. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to start a win streak against the Hurricanes; Kreider questionable
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
What would have normally been an unimportant, throwaway game against the Rangers and a Carolina team that’s usually low in the standings actually has some meaning now. In a weak Eastern Conference, the Canes have managed to bring themselves to within three points of a wild card spot, and they’re only five points behind the Rangers, although New York has two games in hand.
Despite the heavy snow and ice storm in Raleigh, the Hurricanes have announced that the game is still going on as scheduled. Don’t expect a big crowd in the stands though, with many Carolina area fans tweeting out that they wouldn’t be able to make the trip to the game. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers down Flyers on the road; Kevin Klein potentially injured
Alexandra Russo
After a disappointing loss to the Islanders to start the road trip, the Rangers (24-15-5) won
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
against the Flyers (19-15-8) in a shootout, the final score 3-2.
The Flyers came out fast. Kreider had a chance to drive to net, but Mason robbed him and left a long rebound. Braden Schenn received a pass in front of the net that he slipped past Lundqvist for the one goal lead.
Hayes had a breakaway chance but was denied as Mason kicked out the pads. A few minutes later, Nash retrieved the puck behind the net while Mason was out of place but sent the puck onto the opposition’s stick with an empty net in front. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for rebound game against the Flyers; Girardi expected to play
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Setup:
The Rangers (23-15-5) are coming off of a tough 3-1 loss at the hands of the Islanders, playing well for almost the entire game but suffering a few miscues that led to both of the Isles’ goals. They will remain on the road to face another divisional foe, taking on the Philadelphia Flyers (19-15-7) at the Wells Fargo Center.
The loss dropped the Rangers into third place, meaning they will likely be in a fight for a playoff spot for the rest of the season. They have a three point lead over the next team in their division, which is surprisingly the Carolina Hurricanes. Pittsburgh and the Devils are just four points behind, and the Flyers are looking to move up and claim a playoff spot of their own. Philadelphia trails the Rangers by six points, but they have two games in hand. That makes this game very, very important.
Season Series:
The Rangers and Flyers will be meeting for the third game of their five game season series, and the Rangers have only managed to capture one point in the first two games. The Flyers won the first game in Philadelphia in a shootout by a final score of 3-2. Henrik Lundqvist was remarkable, making 46 saves in a losing effort. The Flyers also blanked the Rangers on home ice, 3-0, back on November 28th. Antti Raanta stopped 31 of the 33 shots that he faced. Derick Brassard and JT Miller are the only two Rangers to score against Philadelphia this season, with just one of those goals coming at even strength. The Flyers are outscoring the Rangers 5-1 at even strength.
Team Scope
Philadelphia Flyers:
The Flyers enter this game on a four game win streak, as well as a six game win streak on home ice dating back to December 15th. Jakub Voracek leads the team with nine points (2-7-9) in that span, while Sean Couturier and Wayne Simmonds each have four goals. They also have gone 8-1-3 at the Wells Fargo Center since November 17. Against the Rangers, the Flyers have won five of the last six meetings at home.
The Rangers will want look out for Wayne Simmonds today, because he typically has the Rangers’ number. In just two games this season against New York, he has four points (2-2-4), a plus-4 rating and eight shots on goal. He has 10 goals and 17 points in 25 career games against the Blueshirts, and Philadelphia is 9-0-0 when he scores a goal. He’s physical, he’s a net-front presence, and an agitator.
Sean Couturier is known primarily for his excellent defensive play as one of the league’s better defensive centers and a strong penalty killer. But he’s turned into an offensive weapon for the Flyers lately, scoring three goals and five points during their four game win streak. He’s also tallied 12 points (6-6-12) in the last 11 games. He’s third on the team with nine goals and fifth with 20 points, and he leads the team with a +8 rating.
New York Rangers:
The Rangers have been struggling for quite some time now. They’ve won just seven of the last 22 games, and they’ve failed to win consecutive games in nearly two months. They’re in the midst of a three game road trip, and they’ve really struggled on the road too, dropping 10 of their last 11 games away from MSG (1-8-2), including the game against the Islanders.
Henrik Lundqvist will start his 11th straight game for the Rangers, and he’s been playing much better lately. He made some spectacular saves against the Islanders and did everything he could to give his team a win. He was even better against Boston, allowing one goal on 33 shots for his 19th win. Lundqvist is looking for his 20th win of the season, which would give him 11 consecutive 20 win seasons to start his career, the only goaltender in NHL history to do so. Against the Flyers, he has a 28-13-4 record in 47 career appearances, but in his last 18 appearances since March 6, 2011, he has posted a 14-3-1 record with a 1.83 GAA and a .941 save percentage.
JT Miller is one of two Rangers to score against the Flyers this season, and he’s been one of the team’s best players on the road this season. Miller leads the team in points (14), is tied for the team lead in assists (eight), and tied for second on the team in goals (six) on the road this season.
Kevin Hayes had a good game against the Islanders apart from a terrible turnover that led directly to Brock Nelson’s goal. It’s been a weird season for him coming off of a fantastic rookie season. His play has been inconsistent, but the talent level is definitely there, evident by his no look, spinning pass to set up Marc Staal’s goal. Hayes has three points (1-2-3) in four games since being scratched, so his production could be on the rise. I really like the line he is on with Lindberg and Fast, because it gives him some pretty quick wingers with good hands, but they’re also very responsible defensively.
Wrap-Up
The Rangers and the Flyers will face off at the Wells Fargo Center at 1 PM. The game will be broadcasted on MSG Network.
TODAY’S LINEUP
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
JT Miller-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Oscar Lindberg-Kevin Hayes-Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Viktor Stalberg
Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
Henrik Lundqvist
Rangers Practice Report; Lineup Changes and AV’s plan for the goalies
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
When the Ranger take on the Flyers and Capitals this weekend, they will be doing so with their mom’s by their side. Earlier in the season was the Rangers Dad’s trip, and this weekend the players get to spend time with their mothers.
The Ranger moms were at practice today, where Alain Vigneault switched up the forward lines ahead of the team’s tough weekend against the Flyers and the Capitals. Here’s what they looked like: Read the rest of this entry
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