Blog Archives
It’s better to face the Capitals in the playoffs sooner rather than later
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Robert Sabo/New York Daily News
Outside of the Washington Capitals in first place, the Metropolitan Division is up for grabs, and the seeding of the team can still fluctuate and change. A few games ago, it looked like the Rangers would have the second seed locked up. But after two straight losses and late surges from the Penguins and Islanders, that’s not a guarantee anymore.
As it stands, the Rangers have about a 40% chance of finishing second in the division, a 39% chance of finishing third, and a 21% chance of getting the first Wild Card spot. So out of all three of those possibilities, which would be the most advantageous for the Rangers? What would give them the best chance of making another run in the playoffs?
Right off the bat, we can cross off the third place finish in the division. If you’re going to stay in the Metro for the first two rounds of the playoffs, you would like home ice for at least one of those rounds. So a third place finish wouldn’t be preferable. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers fail to clinch playoff spot after loss to Carolina
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers knew how important a win could be when they took on the Hurricanes, as they would have clinched a playoff berth with a regulation or overtime win. However, they fell short of that goal and lost 4-3 in Eric Staal’s return to Carolina.
This wound up being the first win for the Hurricanes against the Rangers in 10 games, with the Rangers nine game win streak coming to an end. That streak began in April of 2014. New York closed out the season series with a 3-1-0 record against Carolina.
Surprisingly, the Rangers started out slower than expected for a team that was competing for a playoff berth. Henrik Lundqvist came up big in the first five minutes of the game for his team. He went side to side to prevent a goal on a rebound by Brad Malone. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to clinch a playoff spot as Eric Staal returns to Carolina
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
For the first time ever, Eric Staal will be playing against the team that he spent 12 years in his return to Raleigh, this time in a different sweater. The Rangers (43-24-9) can clinch their sixth consecutive playoff appearance with a regulation or overtime win against the Carolina Hurricanes (33-28-16), and Eric Staal will be a part of it.
It was a tough transition for the former Hurricanes’ captain, who had to learn a new system, move away from his family for a brief time, and fit into a new locker room with new teammates. But Staal has looked increasingly more comfortable as a Ranger, and is coming off of his best game with the team. Now he’s looking forward to taking part in the playoffs again, and will be looking to help his team clinch their berth tonight.
The Rangers have rebounded well since the 4-1 debacle of a loss at the hands of the San Jose Sharks, going 3-0-1 in their last four games and 16-7-3 since February 4. The Penguins are just one point behind the Rangers, so a regulation or overtime win is needed to officially punch their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. After the overtime loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday, New York is just 13-10-4 against Metropolitan opponents, but that includes a 3-0-0 mark against the Hurricanes. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers sign Steve Fogarty to entry level contract; Mats Zuccarello nominated for Masterson Trophy
Bobby Bevilacqua
Steve Fogarty. Photo courtesy of Michael Yu/The Observer.
After signing Michigan prospect Boo Nieves to an entry level contract, the Rangers announced that they signed 2011 third round draft pick Steve Fogarty to two year, entry level contract.
Just like Nieves, the contract will not kick in until next season, and he will join the Hartford Wolf Pack on an ATO – essentially a tryout. The signing came after his senior season at Notre Dame.
Fogarty, turning 23 in April, recorded 23 points in 37 games during his senior season, his highest point total in his four years at the collegiate level. He helped the Fighting Irish reach the NCAA tournament, where they were knocked out by Nieves and the Michigan Wolverines. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers sign Cristoval “Boo” Nieves to entry level contract
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Courtney Sacco/AnnArbor.com
The Rangers have signed their second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft, Boo Nieves, to a two-year entry level contract.
The contract will kick in next season. For the remainder of this season, Nieves is heading to Hartford on an ATO. The contract comes after Nieves’ senior season playing at the University of Michigan.
The Baldwinsville, NY native will go from the Wolverines to the Wolf Pack, joining the Rangers AHL affiliate in the middle of an epic playoff race. It’s good that Nieves, 22, will be jumping right into the fire and getting some experience in big games. He comes to the Rangers organization after spending 4 years at Ann Arbor. In 148 games as a Wolverine, Nieves registered 28-82—110.
Nieves (6’3-200 Lbs.) can be described as a solid all-around player who isn’t afraid to hold the puck and make a play. He possesses a smooth, powerful stride. In addition to his skating ability, he is an above average passer. If there is a criticism of him, it’s that he’ll often times look to pass before he looks to shoot. In any case, he probably possesses enough skill to eventually make a push for a top-nine spot.
The realistic expectation should be that Nieves will make the Rangers think hard about keeping him up out of camp in Sept. of 2016. This of course depends on what the roster looks like next fall. There may not be a forward spot open. My best guess is that he’ll start the season in Hartford and will be considered throughout next season as a call up.
In his senior season at Michigan, Nieves was an assistant captain.
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