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McDonagh and Nash OUT as the Rangers rematch the New Jersey Devils
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (29-18-5) have an opportunity to put together a nice stretch of games, as they play host to the rival New Jersey Devils (26-20-7) for the second game between these teams in the past week.
After a rough start to the winter, the Rangers have finally started to play better and get the wins they need to stay afloat in a tight Metropolitan Division. Their come-from-behind victory on Saturday came following a dominant comeback win over the Minnesota Wild. It was just the second time since late November that the team has won two games in a row. They haven’t won three straight since their nine game win streak came to an end on November 15th.
The Rangers success couldn’t have come at a better time, since they will playing at Madison Square Garden for five of the next six games. They’ve already won 19 home games, tied for second in the NHL, and they’re 6-0-1 in their last seven games at the Garden. They’ve lost just once in regulation there since December 6th. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers drop preseason thriller in Boston, Zuccarello scores in return
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers received their second loss of the pre-season against the Bruins at TD Garden in Thursday night’s matchup. Some key players to watch this preseason are Hayes, Gibbons, and Oscar Lindberg from the Rangers’ lineup. Patrice Bergeron and Spooner from the Bruins stood out, as well.
Some familiar faces, including Glass, Nash, Boyle, McDonagh, Brassard, Yandle, and The King, Lundqvist, were back in action for the Rangers.
Joe Micheletti said before the game that Rick Nash is in “superb condition”, and he proved it with his strong checking and physical play. He mentioned that the Rangers intend to focus on each individual game, a strategy that has been in play for this team for a while now. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers trim roster as familiar faces get set to debut tonight in Boston
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello will be back in a Rangers jersey tonight. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers and GM Jeff Gorton have announced that the team has assigned 19 of their training camp invitees.
Twelve of the players will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack’s training camp: Calle Andersson, Kodie Curran, Cedrick Desjardins, Samuel Noreau, Mackenzie Skapski, Michael St. Croix, Nick Tarnasky, and Petr Zamorsky.
Six of the players will report back to their respective Junior hockey teams: Ryan Gropp, Brandon Halverson, Keegan Iverson, Tyan Mantha, Brad Morrison, and Sergey Zborovskiy.
Jacob Smith was released from his tryout agreement. Read the rest of this entry
McDonagh deserving of captaincy, both on and off the ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Ryan McDonagh had to overcome injuries and new challenges in his first season as captain, and he attacked them flawlessly. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
When the Rangers were making the decision of the 27th captain in Rangers history, I was saying Ryan McDonagh from the start. I have been a big fan of him ever since he made his debut in the 2010-2011 season, and I was at the game where he scored his first career goal against the New Jersey Devils.
Last year was a breakthrough season for McDonagh, posting a career high 43 points, scoring 14 goals with 29 assists. He was a shutdown defender, put up points consistently, and led by example after Ryan Callahan was traded. He continued to play exceptionally well in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals, scoring 17 points (4-14-17) in 25 playoff games.
The Rangers did announce that Ryan McDonagh would be the next captain of the team on October 6th, with the alternate captains being Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Derek Stepan and Martin St. Louis. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers face off against St. Louis at MSG; McIlrath and Allen make season debut
Bobby Bevilacqua
When the Rangers (5-4-1) take the ice tonight at 7 PM against the St. Louis Blues (6-3-1), four of the defenseman in the starting lineup for New York will be guys that did not play when these two teams first faced off in the season opener.
Recent callups Connor Allen and Dylan McIlrath will both be in the starting lineup tonight, following the injuries to Ryan McDonagh and Kevil Klein.
Connor Allen will be making his season debut tonight against the Blues tonight, and could either play with Mike Kostka or Dylan McIlrath. Allen is a capable two-way defender who can move the puck and play solid defense.
The two are not linemates in Hartford, but were teammates last season and roommates for training camp this year.
Allen nearly made the team out of camp last season, and played in three games for the Rangers, where he looked comfortable and moved well with the puck. In eight games in Hartford, he has scored twice and picked up three assists with a minus-one rating. Read the rest of this entry
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