Blog Archives
Rangers defense struggles in loss to Toronto
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derek Stepan made his season debut against the Maple Leafs, and recorded an assist with a plus-one rating in his first game. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a string of games where the Rangers (6-5-2) had earned at least a point in seven of their last eight games, the Maple Leafs (7-5-2) managed to secure a win in regulation with two late goals, winning by a final score of 5-4.
Rick Nash had another goal, his second in as many games, and Derek Stepan played well in his return, picking up an assist on Mats Zuccarello’s goal in the first period.
Cam Talbot struggled, allowing five goals on 31 shots. So far this season, Talbot has not been the dynamic goaltender that he was last season when he played. He has given up 12 goals in his three starts,and is yet to earn a win. However, it is not fair to blame the loss on Talbot, mainly because the Rangers defense, from the defenders and the forwards, was subpar for most of the night. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers look for revenge against the Maple Leafs
Bobby Bevilacqua
Martin St. Louis and the Rangers will look for revenge against the Maple Leafs after Toronto took them down at The Garden, with the help of five second period goals en route to a 6-3 victory.
The Rangers (6-4-2) will play the Maple Leafs (6-5-2) in an original six matchup for the second time this season, and look to improve on the 6-3 defeat they suffered at the hands of Toronto at Madison Square Garden on October 12th.
New York is coming off of an overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings by a score of 4-3, where Rick Nash, Martin St. Louis, and Derick Brassard all scored.
Toronto last played Thursday, losing in a shootout to the Colorado Avalanche on the road, by a score of 4-3. Read the rest of this entry
Stepan to make season debut vs Toronto; Boyle could be a week from returning
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derek Stepan will make his season debut tomorrow night, his first game back since suffering a broken fibula in his leg in the preseason.
After missing the first 12 games of the season, Derek Stepan is set to make his first start of the season tomorrow against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Stepan has been practicing in full contact drills and practices for the past few days, and head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed that Stepan will be returning.
Stepan will likely not be starting out on the top line however. That role will remain with Derick Brassard, who has 11 points in 12 games, and has been playing extremely well with Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis.
During practice, Stean was seen skating with Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello, which could certainly be the second line against Toronto. Read the rest of this entry
Chris Mueller reassigned to Hartford Wolf Pack
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Mueller has been reassigned to Hartford, meaning that Derek Stepan’s return is imminent.
This afternoon, the New York Rangers reassigned forward Chris Mueller to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.
Mueller was originally called up to help a depleted Rangers center group, most notable with the injury to Derek Stepan.
In seven games with the Rangers, Mueller has scored once and picked up an assist, with both of those points coming against the New Jersey Devils on October 21st.
Mueller spent a lot of time at center, filling in the fourth line position when Dominic Moore was moved up to the third line. Mueller also played on the wing position when platooning with Kevin Hayes on the fourth line.
The reassignment of Chris Mueller has a few meanings outside of where he will be playing his next hockey game. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers knock off Red Wings in overtime; Nash scores 10th of the season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Martin St. Louis congratulates his teammates after an overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings at home by a final score of 4-3. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After allowing the Detroit Red Wings (6-3-4) to tie up the game very late in the third period, the Rangers managed to avoid a catastrophic collapse and score on the power play in overtime to give the New York Rangers (6-4-2) a win in their third straight overtime game, with a final score of 4-3.
In Alain Vigneault’s 900th carrer game as an NHL head coach, the Rangers were able to earn him a thrilling win at Madison Square Garden.
Derick Brassard, one of my players to watch, had another great game tonight, picking up an assist on Rick Nash’s goal and scoring the eventual overtime winner. Brassard’s now has 11 points in 12 games this season.
therangerzone.com 