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Quick Hits: The Florida Panthers are legit, Winter Classic, Changing the Playoff format
Bobby Bevilacqua
Welcome back to Quick Hits, a series where I talk about anything and everything around the NHL. The NHL is approaching the halfway mark of the season, and there are some really interesting storylines. The Panthers are in first place in the Atlantic, the Ducks are one of the worst teams in the league, and the Canadiens can’t win without Carey Price.
If there’s anything you want me to talk about in the next edition of Quick Hits, leave it in the comments section below.
The Florida Panthers are legit
Photo courtesy of Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images.
Before the season started, I predicted that the Panthers would make the playoffs as a wild card team. I didn’t foresee the Canadiens falling off without Carey Price, or the Lightning struggling, or Detroit playing around .500 hockey.
So to the surprise of just about everybody, it’s the Florida Panthers that lead the Atlantic Division. Dave Tallon has constructed a team with an excellent blend of youth and veteran leadership, constructed through the draft and some smart offseason acquisitions. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers succumb to epic meltdown in 7-3 loss to the Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
This better be rock bottom, because I can’t imagine things getting much worse.
The Rangers (19-12-4) embarrassed themselves in one of the most disheartening losses of the year, surrendering six consecutive goals and blowing a lead to the Metropolitan Division leading Washington Capitals (24-6-2) in a 7-3 loss.
It’s become a tired narrative. The defense is bad from the forwards and defensemen, the team is blowing leads, the goaltending isn’t as good, and they keep finding ways to lose. It’s been happening for the last 14 games.
I don’t know how to explain it. They’ll have leads and score goals, play well for stretches, and then fall apart. The team is fragile, mentally and on the ice, and it seems like nobody has the answer as to why it’s happening. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on surging Caps in division battle; Lundqvist calls out teammates’ play
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers need this win. Badly.
After weeks of subpar play, poor decision making, defensive lapses and countless turnovers, the Rangers (19-11-4) find themselves trying to stay afloat while dealing with injuries and confidence issues. But they’ll face arguably their toughest team in a while when the Capitals (23-6-2) roll into town.
After an okay start to the season, Washington has been nearly unstoppable lately, winning 11 of their last 13 games following a 5-2 comeback win over Tampa Bay that saw the Caps erase a 3-0 deficit. They’ve jumped out to a commanding lead in the Metropolitan Division, sitting six points ahead of the Rangers with three games in hand.
On the contrary, the Rangers can’t seem to do much of anything right. A brief two game road trip amounted to no points, with back-to-back 5-2 losses to Minnesota and Winnipeg. They have just one win (1-4-1) in the last six games, and only three (3-8-2) in the last 13 games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win streak snapped by streaking Stars; JT Miller scores in return
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers were unable to extend their win streak to nine games, after running into a hot goaltender and a surging Dallas team. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (19-11-4) could not extend their win streak any further, falling to a tough Dallas Stars (16-14-5) on the road by a final score of 3-2, their first loss since December 6th against the Red Wings.
The first period had a total of four goals, with two for each team, and it appeared as if the game was headed for a high-scoring shootout. But a goal just 54 seconds into the second period sealed the win for the Stars, who have now won six of their last seven games. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to keep winning ways against the Stars; Potential lineup changes
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and the Stars will face off for the first time this season, pitting the two leading goal scorers, Tyler Seguin and RIck Nash, against each other. Photo courtesy of the New York Rangers.
The Rangers (19-10-4) are currently in the midst of their longest win streak in 40 years. One win would tie the longest win streak in franchise history, but they will have to go through the Dallas Stars (15-14-5), who have won five of their last six games.
The Stars are coming off of a 4-3 win against the St. Louis Blues, continuing their success in recent games. The Stars are still eight points back in the standings, but are hoping to climb into a wild card spot. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 