Blog Archives
Lundqvist magnificent as Rangers blank Predators in the Big Apple
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
There is nothing more confusing and puzzling in the NHL right now than the Rangers winning formula.
Despite getting outshot 25-7 after 40 minutes, and outshot 31-19 for the whole game, the New York Rangers (16-3-2) managed to survive a barrage of Nashville Predators (11-6-3) shots on net, starting a new win streak of two games.
Chants of “Hen-rik!” “Hen-rik!” were heard throughout the Garden, as the NHL leader in win improved his record to 12-3-2 with his second shutout of the season, a fantastic 31 save performance on home ice. He was the only reason his team was ahead after the second period despite taking five penalties. New York was vastly outplayed for large portions of this game, but Lundqvist gave them the win. Read the rest of this entry
Lundqvist challenges Rangers to be better against Nashville at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite the Rangers (15-3-2) overtime victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, and a 39 save performance, Henrik Lundqvist was not a happy camper.
In a game that the Rangers led 4-2 with under three minutes remaining, Alain Vigneault’s team squandered the two goal lead, allowing a power play goal, a tying goal from Jaromir Jagr, and then forcing Lundqvist to make a save on Reilly Smith’s penalty shot. It was a disastrous late meltdown that nearly saw the team throw away a second consecutive game.
“I’m still annoyed,” Lundqvist told the team’s official website. “We have to learn our lesson here, especially after last game. We’ve been talking about all the ways we find to win a game, then we found a way to lose a game (Thursday) and almost did it again (Saturday). We need to learn from this and smarten up.” Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win statement game over Predators; Zuccarello strong after extension
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers took down the top team in the NHL, dominating most facets of the game in a 4-1 victory. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In the Rangers (39-17-6) first game since acquiring Keith Yandle and re-signing Mats Zuccarello to a four year deal, the re-energized Rangers shut down the best team in the NHL, handing the Nashville Predators (41-16-7) their third straight loss by a final score of 4-1.
With the win, the Rangers leap-frogged the Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division, tied with 82 points, but the Rangers have two games in hand. New York is 9-1-1 in their last 11 games, 21-5-5 at home since October 16th, and 28-7-2 since December 8th.
This was one of the most impressive showings of the season, with New York really muffling the Predators scoring ability, keeping the puck to the outside, and really controlling play for almost the entire game. It especially showed when the Predators pulled Rinne at the 16:00 mark of the final period, and barely got any shots on goal. The defensive effort was outstanding. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers fall in overtime to the Stars; Kreider scores late equalizer
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot made 23 saves, but the Rangers could not come away with a win, dropping their second straight game, but this one came in overtime. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite a sloppy game, the Rangers (30-16-5) managed to pick up a crucial point against the Dallas Stars (24-21-8) at Madison Square Garden, losing early in overtime by a final score of 3-2.
It looked like the Stars were going to win in regulation, but Chris Kreider scored a clutch goal to send the Rangers to overtime.
It was a relatively sloppy game, with the Rangers struggling to carry the puck through the neutral zone and to clear their own zone. They also seemed to have trouble keeping the puck in at the blue line, often losing possession that way. Basically, the fact that they were playing the second game of a back-to-back showed, for both teams. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers finish off back-to-back against the Stars; Talbot likely to start
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers and Stars will face off for the final time this season, with the Rangers looking to get some revenge on home ice. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After dropping a game against a strong Nashville team, the Rangers (30-16-4) will take on the Dallas Stars (23-21-8) at Madison Square Garden, the second matchup between these two teams this season.
The Rangers eight game win streak was snapped in Dallas on December 29th, with the Stars coming away with a 3-2 victory. Kevin Hayes and JT Miller scored the Rangers goals, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 23 of the 26 shots he faced in a loss. Kari Lehtonen made 28 saves, including all 21 shots he faced in the last two periods. Read the rest of this entry
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