Blog Archives
Rangers Practice Report; Vigneault changing the power play units
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello have built a ton of chemistry since last season, and have played well together this season. Alongside Rick Nash, they will get an opportunity on the Rangers top power play unit. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following the sloppy victory over the Maple Leafs last night, the Rangers practiced in Toronto ahead of their travel to Denver for their game against the Avalanche tomorrow at 9 PM.
In that game, we saw a resurgent Mats Zuccarello, who extended his point streak to a career high six games, scoring two goals, including the game winner. While he has always been a great passer, and continued to rack up assists during his goal drought, Tuesday night saw him register five shots on goal, which is something that Vigneault and Zuccarello both knew needed to change. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers avoid collapse against Toronto; Zuccarello scores game winner
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers found a way to avoid a collapse, thanks to a Mats Zuccarello game winner in the late stages of the third period. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Rangers (31-16-5) found a way to get a win on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs, avoiding a late game collapse and coming away with a 5-4 victory at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto scored two goals early in the second period to tie the game at four, but Mats Zuccarello came through in the clutch, sending the Rangers to Colorado with two points.
Offense was certainly not the problem, as the Rangers managed to find twine five times, including two goals from Zuccarello, on a total of 39 shots. 31 of those shots came in the first two periods alone.
The Rangers struggled in the faceoff circle again, winning just 40 percent (27/67) of their draws. This has been a continued problem, with Kevin Hayes and Derek Stepan the two worst faceoff guys on the team. It has gotten them into trouble, and may be something that needs to be addressed. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to start road trip strong against Toronto; Kreider and Zuccarello looking to stay hot
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard, part of arguably the Rangers best line over the past few games, will look to help the Rangers take down the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Tuesday Night. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (30-16-5) will look to end their brief two game winless skid when they travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs (23-27-4) at the Air Canada Centre in the third and final meeting between the two teams this season.
With an overtime loss on Sunday, the Rangers are 3-3-1 since the All Star Break.
The Rangers have dropped the first two games against the Maple Leafs this season, including a 6-3 shellacking in the home opener, and a 5-4 loss in Toronto on November 8th. In the first meeting, the Rangers saw Toronto score five goals in the second period, with Lee Stempniak, Rick Nash, and Derick Brassard all scoring in the losing effort. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers fall in overtime to the Stars; Kreider scores late equalizer
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot made 23 saves, but the Rangers could not come away with a win, dropping their second straight game, but this one came in overtime. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite a sloppy game, the Rangers (30-16-5) managed to pick up a crucial point against the Dallas Stars (24-21-8) at Madison Square Garden, losing early in overtime by a final score of 3-2.
It looked like the Stars were going to win in regulation, but Chris Kreider scored a clutch goal to send the Rangers to overtime.
It was a relatively sloppy game, with the Rangers struggling to carry the puck through the neutral zone and to clear their own zone. They also seemed to have trouble keeping the puck in at the blue line, often losing possession that way. Basically, the fact that they were playing the second game of a back-to-back showed, for both teams. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers finish off back-to-back against the Stars; Talbot likely to start
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Stars will face off for the final time this season, with the Rangers looking to get some revenge on home ice. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After dropping a game against a strong Nashville team, the Rangers (30-16-4) will take on the Dallas Stars (23-21-8) at Madison Square Garden, the second matchup between these two teams this season.
The Rangers eight game win streak was snapped in Dallas on December 29th, with the Stars coming away with a 3-2 victory. Kevin Hayes and JT Miller scored the Rangers goals, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced in a loss. Kari Lehtonen made 28 saves, including all 21 shots he faced in the last two periods. Read the rest of this entry
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