Blog Archives
Rangers ready for battle with Canucks on home ice; Kreider hitting his stride
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are heading back home, where they will play four of their next five games, including tonight matchup against the Canucks. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
With four straight wins under their belts, all coming on the road, the Rangers (34-16-5) are back at Madison Square Garden to take on the Vancouver Canucks (32-21-3) for the second and final time this season.
The Rangers beat the Canucks back on December 13th in Vancouver, starting off their four game road trip with a 5-1 blowout. Mats Zuccarello led the way with two goals, and JT Miller also found the back of the net. Defenseman contributed on both sides of the puck, with Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal scoring their first goals of the season in that game. Read the rest of this entry
Stop worrying about faceoffs, the Rangers should address other areas instead
Bobby Bevilacqua
Sean Bergenheim is one of the players that the Rangers should target, addressing the need of a bottom six forward who can score and provide depth. Photo courtesy of USATSI.
With the March 2nd trade deadline coming ever closer, rumors are flying, and the Rangers have been subject to mostly minor rumors for quite some time now. The most heard rumor is Antoine Vermette, the center on the Arizona Coyotes, who is a faceoff specialist and has an expiring contract.
In fact, most of the rumors surrounding are in the same category; a big bodied center who can win faceoffs. Nothing more. Just a faceoff specialist.
Personally, I believe that the expression “quality, not quantity” is true when it comes to the faceoff circle. The amount of faceoffs won is not important, it’s when you win it. Key faceoffs, such as in the offensive zone on a power play, or in the defenseive zone late in the game with a lead, are much more important than finishing a game winning over 50% of the draws. Read the rest of this entry
Mackenzie Skapski should start in Buffalo
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mackenzie Skapski, the 20 year old who has been backing up Cam Talbot and working on his game with Benoit Allaire, should get a chance to start against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Photo courtesy of the New York Rangers.
On November 21st, the Rangers were scheduled to play a game on the road against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. However, plans were changed when over 60 inches of snow covered the city of Buffalo, forcing the NHL to postpone the game for the safety of the players and the fans.
That game has been rescheduled for this Friday, breaking up what would have been a four game homestand. It also creates a back-to-back scenario, with the Rangers playing the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night before heading upstate for the game against the Sabres on Friday. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take down the Islanders with a thrilling comeback in a Game for the Ages
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot gets a congratulatory kiss from teammate Chris Kreider, who scored a crucial goal in the game to secure a win in Talbot’s 38 save effort. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
In arguably the most exciting game of the year, one that saw a combined 85 shots on goal and 11 goals combined, the Rangers (34-16-5) took down the New York Islanders (37-19-1) by a final score of 6-5, capping off a comeback that saw three Rangers goals in the third period. The Rangers came back from deficits of 2-0, 3-1, and 5-3, snapping the Islanders win streak against Metropolitan Division foes, and bringing the Rangers past the Penguins and into second place in the division.
The Nassau Coliseum was packed, creating a playoff atmosphere for the rekindled New York hockey rivalry. Both teams delivered, showcasing an aggressive game and one that was entertaining for the fans, although Chris Kreider believed that it was “one of those games that takes a few years off a coach’s life.” Read the rest of this entry
Rangers ready for rematch against the Islanders; Nash and Hayes streaking
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Islanders will face off for the fourth time this season, with the Rangers looking to snag their first win in the season series. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After strolling through the first three game of their road trip with wins, the Rangers (32-16-5) head back to New York, where they prepared to take on the New York Islanders (37-18-1), who remain atop the Metropolitan Division, although just four points ahead of the Rangers. This makes tonight’s matchup another crucial game between the two New York powerhouses.
The Rangers are playing very well, winning the first three games of their four game road trip, and scoring 16 goals in the process. The Blueshirts have at least a point in seven of their last eight games (6-1-1), and are an impressive 22-6-1 in their last 29 games. However, they are just 9-5-1 since winning 13 out of 14 games, and keeping this streak going would be crucial to consistency towards the end of the season. Read the rest of this entry
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