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Lundqvist makes history as Rangers take down Blues
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers got Captain Ryan McDonagh and defenseman Marc Staal back in the lineup as they faced off against the St. Louis Blues Thursday night. Henrik Lundqvist picked up his 30th of the season as the Rangers won 2-1.
With the win tonight in a spectacular 35 save performance, Lundqvist became the first goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 30 wins in 10 of his first 11 NHL seasons. The only season he didn’t win 30 games was the lockout shortened 2012-13 season, when 43 games were played and Hank won 24 of them.
Lundqvist is also one of just three goalies in NHL history to win 30 or more games in 10 different seasons, joining elite company with Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy. Hank’s even strength save percentage is about .940% this year. Compare that to his 2011-12 season when he won the Vezina – .933%.
Evaluating the Rangers’ potential trade pieces
Bobby Bevilacqua
Oscar Lindberg could be a trade chip at the deadline. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s no secret that the Rangers are preparing to add a player or two before Monday’s deadline approaches. Unlike the last few seasons, it’s unclear whether or not they’ll make another big splash (unlikely) or instead try and add a depth player or two to improve the bottom six.
Players like Eric Staal, Andrew Ladd, Radim Vrbata and Kris Versteeg have been thrown around. The latter two are the more likely for the Rangers to add because of their smaller cap hits and the lower price. With this year’s draft pick almost certainly going to the Coyotes, the Rangers can’t afford to keep on sending first rounders to other teams. So here’s what they can do with what they already have.
Chris Kreider – Now lots of people, including myself, have talked about the possibility of trading Chris Kreider by this season’s deadline. A supposed swap of Kreider and Loui Eriksson from Boston has been thrown out as a rumor. The thought process is that the Rangers won’t be able to afford to keep JT Miller, Kevin Hayes and Kreider, and that Miller and Hayes are both better, further developed players. Read the rest of this entry
Rick Nash now week-to-week; Does this change the Rangers deadline approach?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite initial reports of being day-to-day, Rick Nash has now missed over three weeks, eight games, with a bone bruise sustained in the game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Nash took a nasty fall and crash into the boards, only to come back out on the ice and block a hard shot on the shin.
At this point, I’m finding it harder to believe that this is just a bone bruise. It could be a hairline fracture or a full-fledged fracture in one of the bones on his leg. The Rangers claim it isn’t a fracture, and just a deep bone bruise, which is a fracture to the innermost layer of bone. Whatever it is, the injury is making it hard for Nash to walk according to the Rangers.
Also, let’s get a few things clear. I’m sick and tired of the comments with people saying that the Rangers are better without him. They aren’t. He’s their most consistent forward, their most skilled forward, and their best forward. His absence is causing an imbalance on the lines, forcing both Tanner Glass and Dan Paille to play every night, which is effectively turning the Rangers into a three line team. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers can’t afford to mortgage the future to win now
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Glen Sather and the Rangers have a history of making big moves at the trade deadline. Last year they went out and acquired Keith Yandle from Arizona. The year before that, they traded for future hall of famer Martin St. Louis, shipping out captain Ryan Callahan in the process. In 2013 they traded Marian Gaborik to Columbus for Derick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore.
This year, Jeff Gorton is in control, and he will determine what happens at the trade deadline. We’re not sure if he’ll pull the trigger on a big trade, or if he’ll remain relatively quiet, make a few adjustments and see what this team can do.
One of the rumors that have been flying around, whether it holds validity or not is up to you, is the fact that the Ranger shave been linked to Winnipeg captain Andrew Ladd. A 60 point scorer last season, Ladd is one of the better power forwards in this league. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Update: Klein suffers fractured thumb, Nash still sidelined; How this effects the Rangers defense
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers suffered another serious blow to their team, as it was announced that Kevin Klein had suffered a fractured thumb and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Now Klein has not had the same offensive success as he had last season, but he’s really helped solidify the top pairing when playing with Ryan McDonagh. For the most part, he’s played consistently solid defense with solid possession numbers, and along with Keith Yandle, Klein has been one of the best defenseman this year. And now he’s gone.
This is bad. I don’t know if you realize how much of an effect this will have, but it’s bad. On one hand, it’s wonderful that Dylan McIlrath will be an everyday player. He totally deserves it and he will do well. But it’s terrible that it comes at the expense of Klein. Read the rest of this entry
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