Blog Archives
Luck, inability, or defended well: Why aren’t the Rangers scoring goals?
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers haven’t been able to find the back of the net consistently in the playoffs. What’s the reason for their anemic offense? Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After another one goal performance last night, the Rangers anemic offense continues to put the team in tough situations, like the 3-1 series deficit they find themselves in against the Capitals in the second round.
The Rangers clearly aren’t getting outplayed. They’ve been in every game, they’ve had good looks for the most part, and they’ve outshot and outchanced the Capitals in practically every game. They’re averaging nearly 31 shots per game as well through the nine playoff games they have played.
But for some reason, the team that finished third in the NHL in goals per game in the regular season (3.02 G/GP) is now tied for last in the playoffs, averaging just 1.78 goals per game. Against Braden Holtby and the Capitals, they’ve scored just five goals, with two coming from Derick Brassard.
So how on earth is it possible that one of the best offensive teams in the regular season has seen their offense suddenly wither in the playoffs? Read the rest of this entry
Rangers move to within one game of elimination with loss in DC
Bobby Bevilacqua
Tempers were flaring at the Verizon Center in Game 4, yet another hard fought battle that fell into the Capitals favor thanks to strong defense and a struggling Rangers’ offense. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
For the second consecutive year, the Rangers find themselves facing elimination and a 3-1 series deficit in the second round of the playoffs following their latest crushing loss at the hands of the Washington Capitals.
The Rangers anemic offense continues to be the storyline here, managing just one goal on Holtby in the two games at the Verizon Center. And again, despite outchancing the Capitals, and attempting more shots, they could not score enough to support a very strong Henrik Lundqvist.
In the last 163:13, dating back to Game 2, the Rangers have scores just two goals, with both of them coming from Derick Brassard. Simply put, the Rangers’ top guys are not getting it done, and the team needs contributions from all over the ice if they want to keep their season alive. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers seek a win in a crucial Game 4; Vigneault calls out top performers
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Capitals will meet again for Game 4 tonight, essentially a must win for the Rangers. They’ll need to combat the Capitals size and smothering defense, and score some goals. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
At 7:30 PM tonight at the Verizon Center, the Rangers will be playing their most important game of the season to this point, looking to even the series at two before heading back to Madison Square Garden for a pivotal Game 5.
Trailing the series 2-1, the Rangers would be in an extremely precarious situation should they lose in Game 4. This is the situation they are in after getting shutout in Game 3, with their offense struggling mightily throughout the first eight games of the playoffs.
After averaging over three goals per game in the regular season, the Rangers have found that number dip to just 1.88 in the playoffs, scoring just four goals in the first three games against the Capitals. Players like Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan have struggled to consistently provide offense for the Rangers, which is a big part of the reason why they are struggling against Washington. Read the rest of this entry
There’s more to Rick Nash than scoring goals, but he needs to start doing that too
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash has been one of the most noticeable players on the ice for the Rangers in the playoffs, and has done a lot to help them win. But he needs to start scoring some goals as well. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Before I start, let me preface this article by saying I am not writing this to make an excuse for Nash. This isn’t to say that he doesn’t have to score goals, or that Nash can’t do more. That isn’t what I am saying at all. So please read the entirety of the article before making a quick decision.
Rick Nash’s postseason struggles are well documented. In 49 career games played, Nash has found the back of the net just six times on 170 shots, with five of those coming as a member of the Rangers.This equates to a shooting percentage of just 3.5%. His career shooting percentage in the regular season is 12.5%, so such a tremendous drop is very surprising.
These stats and struggles aren’t for a lack of effort or trying. In 45 playoff games since being traded to the Rangers, Nash has 274 shots on goal, which gives him a higher shots per 60 minutes rate (19.7) higher than everyone but Alex Ovechkin (25.8). Read the rest of this entry
Rangers blanked in D.C. despite stellar performance from Lundqvist
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Capitals met for a Game 3, continuing the trend of strong goaltending, physical play and lots of action. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
One lucky bounce was the difference maker tonight at the Verizon Center, and unfortunately that bounce went in favor of the Washington Capitals, handing the Rangers a 1-0 loss, and a 2-1 deficit in the series despite the fact that New York actually played much better throughout the game.
Tonight marked just the fourth time in Rangers’ franchise history that they lost by a 1-0 score. The last time was on May 4th, 2013 against the Capitals in overtime, and then again in 1937 and 1931, both 1-0 losses to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Henrik Lundqvist, playing in his 100th career postseason game, was nothing short of spectacular, finishing with 21 saves on the night, and only getting beat on a deflection of Keith Yandle’s skate. Henrik Lundqvist is actually the first Ranger ever to play in 100 playoff games, marking an extremely successful career. In all eight playoff games this season, Lundqvist has been stupendous, and is holding together a team with an offense that is struggling to score. Read the rest of this entry
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