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Rangers face tough Blue Jackets team at MSG; Brassard and Nash face former team
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Blue Jackets will face off for the final time this season, with New York aiming for their third straight win against Columbus this season. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (50-21-7) will finish out their two game homestand, and start back-to-back games tonight when they take on the hottest team in the NHL, and winners of nine straight games in the Columbus Blue Jackets (39-35-4).
Although they have been long eliminated from playoff contention, the Blue Jackets carry their franchise record nine game win streak into Madison Square Garden tonight, including a franchise record eight game road win streak. There was a lot of hope heading into this season for Columbus, but a ridiculous amount of injuries derailed their hopes from the start.
Nonetheless, what matters is right now, and Columbus is currently the hottest team in the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
Alain Vigneault deserves to win the Coach of the Year award
Bobby Bevilacqua
Alain Vigneault has done a tremendous job as head coach of the Rangers this season, overcoming tons of obstacles to pilot the Rangers to a potential 50+ win season. Photo courtesy of John Minchillo/Canadian Press.
For most of the season, the Rangers have been overlooked as one of the elite teams in the NHL. Despite having one of the best records, including that impressive three month streak of success, they were overlooked, with teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, and even the Los Angeles Kings ranked amongst the strongest teams in the league.
With that in mind, Alain Vigneault has also been overlooked for the Jack Adams award, given to the best coach for that season. With everything that Vigneault has done for the Rangers, he deserves to take home the award come season’s end.
Vigneault’s biggest disadvantage is the fact that the Coach of the Year award generally goes to the team with the biggest turnaround. The Rangers came into the season expecting to return to the playoffs, and have a solid season. When you look at the current frontrunners, they are coaching teams like the Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, and the Vancouver Canucks. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers pick up win number 50 over Devils; Lundqvist triumphant in return to MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers exploded for six goals on Saturday, dominating the rival New Jersey Devils thanks to a stellar performance from Henrik Lundqvist and the rest of the team. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In Henrik Lundqvist’s first start at MSG in over two months, the Rangers (50-21-7) exploded for six goals, burying their rivals, the New Jersey Devils (32-34-13), by a final score of 6-1, playing a very solid game for their third straight win.
With the win, New York reached the 50 win mark for just the fourth time in franchise history, putting them at 107 points for the season. That ties them with the Anaheim Ducks for the best record in the league, and brings them closer to further home ice advantage in the playoffs. Three points would clinch the Eastern Conference title for the Rangers, and two wins would clinch the President’s Trophy for the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aiming for consistency against the Devils; JT Miller making a difference
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are looking to Salute the Crowd once again as they are set to take on the New Jersey Devils tonight at MSG. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After clinching the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday, the Rangers (49-21-7) will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the New Jersey Devils (32- 33-13) for the start of a two game homestand, with the season coming to an end very soon.
This is the second of four meetings between these two rivals, with New York wining in both games. They haven’t played since December, but will meet twice in the next four days. The Rangers won in overtime by a final score of 4-3 back on October 21st, and a 3-1 win on December 27th at Madison Square Garden. Derek Stepan scored all three goals in that game, with Martin St. Louis tallying two assists. Henrik Lundqvist allowed one goal on 20 shots to earn the win.
The Devils are coming off of 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens last night, bringing in a potential fatigue factor into tonight’s game against New York. Keith Kincaid started for New Jersey, stopping 31 out of 33 shots. That means that Cory Schneider will be making his 66th start of the season at the Garden. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers clinch the Metro with win in Minnesota; Henrik sharp yet again
Bobby Bevilacqua
JT Miller and Ryan McDonagh celebrate after connecting on the game winning goal early in the third period. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Just a week after clinching a playoff spot, the Rangers (49-21-7) clinched the Metropolitan Division title, and home ice through the first two rounds, with a 3-2 win over the red hot Minnesota Wild. It’s just the eighth time in franchise history that the Rangers have won the Metropolitan Division, and the second time in the last four years.
The Blueshirts continue to be road warriors this season, their 26th road win of the season, which sets a new franchise record. The previous record was set last season, with 25 wins.
The win also puts New York at 105 points on the season with five games remaining. Montreal and Tampa Bay are both three points behind, and the Rangers have games in hand on both teams. Read the rest of this entry
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