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Skapski blanks Sabres in second NHL start; Yandle scores first goal as a Ranger
Bobby Bevilacqua
RIck Nash sets a screen on Anders Lindback during the Rangers 2-0 win over the Sabres. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
In just his second career NHL start, Mackenzie Skapski led the first place New York Rangers (43-17-7) to a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres (19-43-4) for New York’s fourth straight win, all coming on the recent five game road trip. The Rangers finished that trip with a 4-0-1 record.
The Rangers have won nine of their last 11 road games, and are 13-1-2 in their last 16 contests. Since Henrik Lundqvist went down with the vascular injury, the Rangers are 14-2-3.
With an Islanders losing 3-1 to the Canadiens tonight, the Rangers now have a three point lead in the standings with four games in hand. The Blueshirts have a chance to further that lead when they take on the Florida Panthers tomorrow. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers close out road trip in Buffalo with Skapski back in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mackenzie Skapski will make his second career NHL start tonight, giving Cam Talbot an opportunity for a night off. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (42-17-7) will close out a season-high five game road trip tonight when they take on the Buffalo Sabres (19-42-6) for the third and final time this year, with the Rangers looking to sweep the season series.
These two teams played back on February 20th in Buffalo, which was a makeup of a postponed game from November. Carl Hagelin and Mats Zuccarello both scored goals, and Rick Nash had a goal and an assist. Mackenzie Skapski made his NHL debut, and made 24 saves to earn his first career win.
On this road trip, the Rangers are 3-0-1, winning their last three games. The Rangers are 8-1-1 in their last 10 road games, and lead the NHL in road wins with 21. Their last game was Wednesday night, a 3-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. They got some bad news after the game, learning that Kevin Klein will be out at least 3-4 weeks with a broken arm. Read the rest of this entry
Does Tanner Glass take too much criticism?
Bobby Bevilacqua
The fans seem to believe that Glass doesn’t belong in the Rangers lineup, but is it because they have the wrong expectations? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After signing a three year, $4.35 million contract in the offseason, Tanner Glass hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Known as a gritty fourth line player that brings toughness, and as Alain Vigneault likes to say, acts as a deterrent on the ice, Glass has shown signs of that, but really struggled at the beginning of the season.
He was on the ice for quite few goals against, didn’t really provide any offense, and didn’t appear to be doing much of anything during each game. However, Glass has really stepped up his game lately, just in time for the start of the playoffs.
Some people may think I’m crazy, but if you watch what the fourth line has been doing lately, Glass and his linemates have been pretty impressive. It’s been a long string of games that Glass has played well in, nearly scoring on a few occasions, and adding some assists to his stat sheet. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take down the Isles in final Coliseum matchup; Nash nets game winner
Bobby Bevilacqua
Marc Staal and Kevin Klein congratulate Cam Talbot on his 29 save performance in the Rangers 2-1 win over the Islanders. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After an abysmal first period, the Rangers (41-17-7) scored two straight goals to take down the New York Islanders (43-22-4) for the second straight game, and bringing the Blueshirts to within one point of the first place spot in the Metropolitan Division, with four games in hand.
It was a playoff atmosphere at the Nassau Coliseum, and the game itself was played out like a playoff game; very close, very physical, good defense, and an extremely competitive game.
The Rangers were back on their heels for the first 20 minutes, but picked up their play in the second period. A gorgeous Kevin Hayes goal got the Rangers going, and Rick Nash’s 39th goal of the season sealed the 2-1 win for the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers prepared for one last battle at Nassau Coliseum against the Islanders
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Islanders will play for the final time in the regular season, and potentially the last time at Nassau Coliseum. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The stage is set for a crucial game tonight between the Rangers (40-17-7) and the Islanders (43-21-4), the last regular season matchup at Nassau Coliseum ever. The Rangers have four games in hand, and a win would bring them to within one point of the Islanders.
This is the fifth and final game between these two teams, with the Islanders winning three of the first four games. In the last game, the Rangers battled back for a thrilling 6-5 victory, with Kevin Klein scoring the game winner. Chris Kreider, Martin St. Louis and Kevin Klein both had a goal and an assist, Ryan McDonagh had two goals, and Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists.
Jaroslav Halak and Cam Talbot were the goalies, with both netminders facing over 40 shots. They will be the goalies again this time around, although I expect a much closer, tight checking game. Read the rest of this entry
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