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Rangers look to maintain winning ways against the Devils, Lundqvist looking for 30th win
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Kevin Klein scored the overtime winner on Sunday off of an excellent feed from Kevin Hayes, who probably should have had a goal of his own earlier in the game. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 22 shots to pick up the win, which put the Rangers at 7-1-1 in their last nine games, as well as two in a row. Their lead over the Islanders is not up to five points, and they’re holding off some of the surging division foes.
The Devils looked like they’d be a playoff team early on, but their starting to slow down a bit, losing to the Capitals on Saturday for their third straight defeat. They sit three points behind the Penguins for the last Wild Card spot despite playing two more games than them. The Devils are also just 8-11-2 against the Metropolitan Division, with two of them coming against the Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
Klein scores in overtime to steal a win away for the Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Jimmy Howard did all he could, but the Rangers (34-19-6) wound up coming away with the overtime win on home ice against the Detroit Red Wings (29-20-11), with Henrik Lundqvist making 22 saves and picking up his 29th save and fourth shutout of the season.
This game was very much a goalie duel, with each team’s netminder making some stellar saves and playing very well in order to get the game into overtime. Hat’s off to Jimmy Howard, who made 29 saves and kept the Red Wings in the game, but is still searching for his first win since December 3rd.
The Rangers have earned a point in 10 of their last 11 games at MSG, and continue to dominate on home ice, now moving into a tie with the Blackhawks for most home wins in the league (22). Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for bounce-back game in Toronto; Raanta expected to start
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After watching two points go out the window last night, the Rangers (32-19-6) will look to rebound on the road tonight as they battle the Toronto Maple Leafs (20-26-9) at the Air Canada Centre.
The Rangers scored three straight goals, including two on the power play, to take a lead early in the third period. But their weak penalty kill let them down, surrendering two goals and giving up the lead with three minutes remaining in the third, ultimately losing the game 5-3. It snapped a 10 game point streak (8-0-2) on home ice and it was their first regulation loss at MSG since December 20th.
Tonight is the third and final game between the Rangers and Maple Leafs this season, and New York will be looking for a sweep of the season series. On October 30th, Mats Zuccarello recorded his first NHL hat trick in a 3-1 win at the Garden, and Zuccs led the Rangers to another home win on November 30th with a goal and a pair of assists. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers collapse late and lose to Chicago; Brassard sets career high in goals
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Facing their toughest test in a while, the Rangers (32-19-6) looked up to the task. But a late collapse on their penalty kill handed the win to the Blackhawks (38-18-5), who continue to climb up the standings in the Central Division.
The Blackhawks snapped the Rangers 10 game point streak at home, handing New York their first regulation loss at MSG since December 20th. Artemi Panarin scored his first career hat trick, and Corey Crawford made 31 saves to help guide Chicago to a win.
The first period was pretty quick and free flowing, with not a lot of stoppages. The Rangers had more chances, outshooting Chicago 10-6, but the Blackhawks did a great job keeping their shots to the outside. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers must bring in reinforcements for bottom six forwards
John Dundon
Dominic Moore needs some help on the fourth line. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It is impossible to predict what rookie GM Jeff Gorton will do with the trade deadline looming exactly one month away this Friday. One thing is certain: a team dressing Danny Paille is not one that is going to contend for a Stanley Cup. Sure, Paille is only playing because Rick Nash is out with a leg injury, but injuries happen in the playoffs too. If the Rangers first answer for an injury is Danny Paille, or Jayson Megna for that matter, they are in trouble.
The thrusting of Paille into the lineup by head coach Alain Vigneault seems like a desperation move. Paille was passed up for over a full season by all other 29 NHL clubs and putting up mediocre numbers in the AHL when Gorton came calling and offering him an NHL job. He’s been really bad since he was brought in on Jan. 22nd to play in what was a 4-1 Rangers win against Carolina. It’s a small sample size, but the Rangers have been out-chanced 10-2, and outshot 47-20 while Daniel Paille has been on the ice in the last three games. Gross. Read the rest of this entry
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