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Home Cooking: Rangers secure a huge two points over the Panthers at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
In an important home ice matchup looking for a huge response to the sub-par California road trip, the Rangers (41-24-8) came back to form with a 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers (40-24-9), despite some late scares.
Alain Vigneault and his squad corrected many of the problems they had on the road trip. The shots and possession were drastically improved and very even. The Rangers actually were the ones dominating play for the first 30-40 minutes. And while there were still some defensive miscues, it was nothing close to what we had seen for most of March.
Despite the fact that Oscar Lindberg doesn’t deserve to be sitting in the press box, the fourth line had another really solid game. They were the only line that played well in San Jose and most of the road trip, the scoring has improved lately, and the chipped in two goals again tonight, one being an empty netter. Viktor Stalberg played like a man possessed, scoring the opening goals and generating a lot of pressure. And on top of that, Stalberg, Moore and Glass all finished positive in Corsi For, the only line to do so. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to get back on track with important game against the Panthers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a disappointing California road trip that exposed many of the team’s flaws, the Rangers (40-24-8) enter the home stretch with just 10 games remaining, playing three of the next four games at MSG. They start tonight against the Florida Panthers (40-23-9), who sit in first place in the Atlantic Division.
In their last game out, Henrik Lundqvist kept his team in the game for a long time despite being completely outplayed. The Sharks totaled 52 shots on goal, two times as many shots as the Rangers had, and scored four times. That put the Rangers at 3-4-2 in the last nine games.
And while the Rangers are significantly cooling down, other teams are starting to heat up. The playoff picture in the Metropolitan is very tight. The Rangers currently sit in third place, tied with the Penguins in games played, wins and points. But Pittsburgh have won six straight games and eight of the last 10. The Blueshirts are three points ahead of the Islanders for the first wild card spot, but the Isles have two games in hand. And the Red Wings trail the Rangers by five points with no games in hand for the last Wild Card spot. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win again over tough Panthers team; Sheppard and Hunwick score
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot and the Rangers fourth line stole the show, providing the spark the Rangers needed to get past the Panthers. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (44-17-7) managed two survive 40 minutes of swarming Florida Panthers (31-24-14), earning their fifth straight win thanks to strong play from the fourth line and superb goaltending from Cam Talbot. New York skated away with a 2-1 home ice victory.
With the win, the Rangers improved their record to 44-17-7, with a 14-1-3 record in the last 18 games. Since December 8th, the Rangers are 33-7-3, propelling them to five points ahead of the Islanders in the division, and first place in the entire league.
Tonight marked the first time in franchise history that the Rangers have allowed one goal or fewer in regulation in seven straight games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers back home for game against Jagr and the Panthers; Talbot back in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are heading back to MSG to take on the Florida Panthers, with New York in search of their fifth straight win. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a successful road trip, the Rangers (43-17-7) are back on home ice where they will take on the Florida Panthers for the third and final time this season. New York is hoping to extend their win streak to five games, as well as extend their lead over the Islanders to five points.
The last time that these two teams faced off was on February 2nd in New York, with the Rangers skating away with a 6-3 victory. Rick Nash scored twice, Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist, and Kevin Hayes, Marc Staal, and Dan Boyle also found the back of the net.
Both teams also played last night, and won. Mackenzie Skapski earned his first career shutout in a 2-0 win over the Sabres, and Dan Ellis of the Panthers shut out the Carolina Hurricanes during a 2-0 Panthers victory. Read the rest of this entry
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