Blog Archives
Rangers Practice Report: McDonagh ready to play, Boyle out with the flu, defense in question for tomorrow
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After missing the last four games, Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh skated today at practice in a contact jersey and announced that he feels good to go for tomorrow night’s nationally televised games against the Chicago Blackhawks.
“Everything that I’ve seen so far, he looks fine,” Vigneault told Jim Cerny of Blueshirts United after practice. “So we’ll see how he responds. Today was his first contact day. If he’s alright tomorrow come optional tomorrow morning, there’s a good chance I’ll put him in the lineup tomorrow night.”
Ryan McDonagh was playing some of his best hockey of the season prior to the concussion he received in the games against the Flyers 10 days ago. McDonagh recorded nine points (2-7-9) in 13 games prior to the injury. He was also beginning to regain his form as a shutdown an excellent two-way, shutdown defenseman. His skating ability, smart decision making with the puck and leadership will be greatly appreciated back on the ice. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers response to Simmonds’ cheap shot couldn’t have been better
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers dominated the rival Philadelphia Flyers on Valentine’s Day in all facets of the game en route to a 3-1 win. Wayne Simmonds also bled, which was cool.
While much of the pregame banter was focused on the different shades of black and blue Dylan McIlrath could color Wayne Simmonds’ face, the Rangers leaders made it known that priority number one would be getting two points. But even Alain Vigneault made it clear after the game that he wasn’t disappointed in seeing Mcilrath challenge Simmonds when the time came. Kudos to Simmer for answering the bell and not prolonging the extra-curricular stuff any longer than it should’ve been. After a lengthy bout with Mcilrath, Simmonds skated off to the penalty box yelling at the MSG crowd. Read the rest of this entry
Lundqvist, Zuccarello stellar as the Rangers defeat the Flyers at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (32-18-6) exacted the type of revenged they promised after Wayne Simmonds concussed Ryan McDonagh eight days ago, coming away with a great 3-1 win over the rival Philadelphia Flyers (24-21-10) on home ice, continuing their incredible success at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers have a 10 game point streak at home (8-0-2), with points in 11 of the last 12 games at the Garden. They have a 20-4-2 record in their last 26 games at Madison Square Garden, and they lead the NHL in wins (nine) and points (19) since January 16th.
The first period started exactly how we all expected it would; with a fight. Dylan McIlrath and Wayne Simmonds were talking during warmups, and they dropped the gloves just 39 seconds into the game. It was a good fight, both guys got in some solid punches and headed to the penalty box.
McIlrath and Simmonds drop the gloves. Not much in this fight though. #NYR #Flyers pic.twitter.com/sWYnXD8k6h
— Dave Shapiro (@BlueSeatBlogs) February 15, 2016
No love lost for Valentine’s Day rematch between the Rangers and Flyers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It may be Valentine’s Day, but there will be no love or affection shown on the ice when the Rangers (38-16-6) take on the Philadelphia Flyers (24-20-10) as they rematch back at Madison Square Garden in what is likely to be a physical, high intensity contest.
The games between these two rival clubs always have another level of intensity to them, but it will be even higher tonight following Wayne Simmonds giving Ryan McDonagh a concussion following a sucker punch to the face. Simmonds received a match penalty and Ryan McDonagh remains out of the lineup.
The Rangers lost in their last game on Friday, surrendering a late goal to the Los Angeles Kings and falling in overtime. The Blueshirts trailed 2-0 after 12 minutes, and wound up scoring three straight goals, and then making it 4-3 late. Viktor Stalberg, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes all scored. Read the rest of this entry
Rick Nash now week-to-week; Does this change the Rangers deadline approach?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite initial reports of being day-to-day, Rick Nash has now missed over three weeks, eight games, with a bone bruise sustained in the game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Nash took a nasty fall and crash into the boards, only to come back out on the ice and block a hard shot on the shin.
At this point, I’m finding it harder to believe that this is just a bone bruise. It could be a hairline fracture or a full-fledged fracture in one of the bones on his leg. The Rangers claim it isn’t a fracture, and just a deep bone bruise, which is a fracture to the innermost layer of bone. Whatever it is, the injury is making it hard for Nash to walk according to the Rangers.
Also, let’s get a few things clear. I’m sick and tired of the comments with people saying that the Rangers are better without him. They aren’t. He’s their most consistent forward, their most skilled forward, and their best forward. His absence is causing an imbalance on the lines, forcing both Tanner Glass and Dan Paille to play every night, which is effectively turning the Rangers into a three line team. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 