Blog Archives
Rangers head back home to battle the Lightning; Kreider doubtful
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a brief stop in Carolina that resulted in a 3-2 loss, the Rangers (5-3-0) look to get back to their winning ways when they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-3-0) at Madison Square Garden.
In that loss to Carolina, Mats Zuccarello scored both Rangers goals, giving him four this season. Pavel Buchnevich recorded an assist in his first game back from back spasms, and Ryan McDonagh also tallied an assist, on a marvelous stretch pass, to extend his six game point streak. Mika Zibanajad’s assist kept him at a point-per-game pace through eight games (2-6-8).
The Lightning played last night in Newark, falling to the Devils by a score of 3-1. Andrei Vasilevskiy allowed three goals on 20 shots and the team’s lone goal came from Tyler Johnson. Tampa Bay has had trouble with starting slow, and that happened again when they gave up two goals in the first period to New Jersey. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win streak comes to an end in Carolina; Zuccarello scores twice
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Greg Forwerck/NHLI.
The Rangers broke their three-game winning streak with a 3-2 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Friday night. They had a strong attempt to come back in the third, but Ward stood tall in net for his team and helped give them their first home opener win in eight years.
After two bad giveaways, the teams traded chances but failed to capitalize. Soon after, Faulk’s delay of game penalty allowed the Rangers to really get their offense going on the power play. After a few attempts, Mika Zibanejad thought he put the puck behind Ward, but it somehow came back out, and Zibanejad fed an open Zuccarello. He ripped a shot from the circle that found its way past a sprawled Ward. The Hurricanes challenged for goalie interference, but in looking at the replay, it seemed as though one of the Hurricanes’ own players fell on top of Buchnevich in front of the net, so it was ruled a good goal.
Carolina responded fast, though, and put one past Lundqvist, as there was no defender in front of him. Jeff Skinner received credit for the slap shot that tied the game at 1. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers open the season with a win over the Islanders; KZB line impresses
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (1-0-0) opened the season at Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2007, and they didn’t disappoint, winning a thriller by the score of 5-3 over the rival New York Islanders.
The goals for the Rangers were scored by Michael Grabner, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Brandon Pirri and JT Miller on the empty net. Eleven different Rangers recorded a point, while three players (Kreider, Zibanejad, Buchnevich) each scored two points.
The Rangers outshot the Islanders 39-28, won the faceoff battle 33-31, were 1-5 on the power play and they were 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Read the rest of this entry
Reasonable expectations for the Rangers 2016-17 Season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Before the offseason started, there were talks about Jeff Gorton and the Rangers doing some minor tinkering and potentially entering the first phase of a rebuild. The team looked to have some major flaws and holes, an aging blue line and issues to address before opening night.
But Gorton made a lot of small, smart depth signings during Free Agent Frenzy, a trade for Mika Zibanejad, brought aboard a highly coveted NCAA prospect in Jimmy Vesey, and even made some changes to the coaching staff and management.
The moves made in the offseason show that the Rangers aren’t looking to rebuild and exit the first round this season, they’re looking to contend. Read the rest of this entry
Brandon Pirri signs one year deal with the Rangers; A sign of a trade to come?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of the Florida Panthers.
Jeff Gorton made another clever depth signing, adding to the already impressive group of forwards he’s assembled. Former Florida Panther Brandon Pirri has inked a one year deal with the Rangers worth $1.1 million, and could factor into the middle of their lineup.
Pirri split time with the Panthers and Ducks this season, scoring 14 goals with 15 assists in a total of 61 games. Back in the 2-14-15 season, he scored an impressive 22 goals in just 49 games, playing mostly with Jimmy Hayes and Vincent Trochek.
It’s important to note that he did bounce around the lineup this past season, never really settling into a set spot on a line or with teammates. He’s not a lock to score 20 goals again, but in a more solidified role, Pirri could see his offensive production increase. Read the rest of this entry
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