Blog Archives
Addressing the state of the Rangers defense and new trade rumors
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The topic of discussion for the Rangers seems to consistently be about the defense and how the current group of guys is seemingly not enough to win the Stanley Cup. Aging veterans and a lack of a true puck-moving defenseman have made things hard on the Rangers.
On Sunday, Dan Girardi made his return to the lineup against the Coyotes and wound up scoring the game winner on a bullet of a shot from the point. As a result on him returning, Adam Clendening was scratched. There’s been a lot of bad blood on Twitter between bloggers and fans about criticizing Girardi, so I’d like to clarify my stance.
I don’t think Girardi is awful and I don’t think he’s worthy of a healthy scratch. But I do think that he has to stay on the third pairing with sheltered minutes. He’s certainly capable in that role, but simply cannot fulfill the duties of a top pairing defensemen getting big minutes anymore. It comes with age and that’s expected. Also, nobody that criticizes wants him to do bad or is happy to see him struggle. It’s just more frustrating to see him struggle in a role that he shouldn’t be placed in, which isn’t his fault. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers finish back-to-back series with Coyotes at the Garden
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
The Rangers (3-2-0) don’t have much time to revel in their comeback victory over the Capitals, as they are back at Madison Square Garden tonight to battle the Arizona Coyotes (1-3-0) on Hockey Fights Cancer night.
A goal from Brandon Pirri and two from Jimmy Vesey gave the Rangers a second period lead over the Capitals, and Henrik Lundqvist did the rest with a strong 26 save effort for his second win of the season. Zibanejad picked up one assist, as did Ryan McDonagh to give him four points in five games.
The Coyotes last played against the New York Islanders, falling 3-2 in regulation. Brad Richardson scored his second goal of the season, and Radim Vrbata scored his first of the season since coming back to the Coyotes. Louie Domingue made 28 saves. Read the rest of this entry
Lundqvist, Vesey star in gutsy comeback win over the Capitals
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images.
After a poor start to the game, the Rangers’ offense sparked an incredible turnaround, and the Rangers (3-2-0) came away from the Verizon Center with a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals (3-1-1).
The Capitals scored just 1:33 and followed that up with another goal from Ovechkin in the second period, as well as excellent goaltending from Braden Holtby. But the Rangers came out firing in the second period, fighting to get a 3-2 lead and having Henrik Lundqvist do the rest.
Here’s the recap with my thoughts and observations (GIFs of key plays at the end); Read the rest of this entry
Rangers battle the Caps for the first time; Girardi and Buchnevich still not ready
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After two home games followed by two days off, the Rangers (2-2-0) will face one of their toughest tasks of this brief season, and that’s a road contest against Alex Ovechkin and the Washinton Capitals (3-0-1), who have not lost in regulation.
This is also the first game in a back-to-back series for New York, as they will face the Coyotes tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. For the Capitals, this is their last game before they get some time off, with just one game in the next six days.
This is the first of four meetings between the Rangers and the Caps this season, with the next game not coming until February. The Rangers were 2-2-1 in the series last season, winning one of the two games at the Verizon Center. New York has earned a point in seven of their last 10 games against Washington (6-3-1), and have scored at least three goals in eight of those 10 games. Read the rest of this entry
No need to worry, the Rangers are much better than their .500 record
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Through four games this season, the Rangers are doing fine with a 2-2-0 record. Although there was a lot of hype built up around the forwards and the youth movement GM Jeff Gorton seems to be going for, given the state of the defense this is a pretty good start.
While it’s only been four games and things can change in a flash, there should be a sense of confidence throughout the locker room and among the fans. I wasn’t expecting to have this much fun watching the Rangers this year, but from what I’ve seen so far, they have me really excited for not only the future, but seeing how far this forward group can carry the team this season.
So far, the Rangers have scored 15 goals in four games this season, and that was with the team scoring just one two days ago against the Red Wings. The 12 goals allowed is a little higher than many would have hoped for, but that was somewhat expected when you have Nick Holden as your top pairing defenseman playing on his offside. Read the rest of this entry
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