Blog Archives
Changing the system: Alain Vigneault should roll with four skill lines
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Traditionally, a hockey team is structured with 12 forwards composing four different lines; the top two lines are the scoring lines and full of a team’s stars. The third line is more of a two-way line that can chip in scoring and play some defense. And the fourth line is the checking line, your penalty killers and usually not great at scoring.
Most coaches tend to try and structure their lines in this fashion and it’s how hockey has been played for a very long time. But this year, the Rangers need to try something different.
The group of forwards that the Rangers have brought into camp is the most talented group of players that I have seen since I started following the team closely. Buchnevich, Vesey and Zibanejad are some of the talented, young newcomers brought to New York in the offseason, and all of the offseason additions have injected a plethora of speed, skill and scoring prowess into the lineup. Read the rest of this entry
Marek Hrivik and Nicklas Jensen placed on waivers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
UPDATE: John Gilmour, Ryan Graves, Robin Kovacs, Malte Stromwall and Mackenzie Skapski were sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).
With Alain Vigneault continuing to trim the roster down as the regular season draws closer, the team made two more cuts prior to the preseason closer against the Flyers tomorrow. Forwards Marek Hrivik and Nicklas Jensen were the casualties today and were placed on waivers.
Hrivik had no points in four games, while Jensen had a goal and an assist in four appearances. His goal came in last night’s game against the Islanders and sent it to overtime.
The Jensen cut made sense, as his performance was relatively underwhelming and players like Brandon Pirri had been outperforming him. Hrivik was a little surprising because he has shown the ability to handle a fourth line role and deserved a longer look than he got. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers take on Isles as final roster decisions are made
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers lost in Philadelphia last night in overtime after coming back from three goals down in the third period. It was a chippy affair with physical play, good defense and also some great periods of offense and scoring.
They play again tonight against the Islanders in Brooklyn. Here are the lineups;
JT Miller-Kevin Hayes-Nicklas Jensen
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Brandon Pirri Read the rest of this entry
Postgame thoughts; Enforcers are pointless and the NHL needs to crack down on goons
Bobby Bevilacqua
This article was initially written for The Setonian, Seton Hall’s student newspaper. Please check out their website HERE and their sports section HERE.
Photo courtesy of Amy Irvin/The Hockey Writers.
Last night in the New York Rangers’ preseason game against the Flyers, perpetual goon Radko Gudas was at it again, this time targeting 23 year old rookie Jimmy Vesey with a blatant and deliberate hit from behind, resulting in a brawl and a game misconduct for Gudas.
The hit was extremely dangerous, driving Vesey’s head into the boards while he was in a vulnerable position. And the six-foot, 204 pound Gudas never stopped skating, hitting Vesey right in the numbers and sending him temporarily to the locker room. While Vesey turned to the boards, he was trying to play the puck and Gudas had plenty of time to avoid making contact. But he didn’t. He even adjusted his own angle to make the hit. Here’s the hit;
Gudas hit on Vesey pic.twitter.com/vWzHesVSKa
— Stephanie (@myregularface) October 3, 2016
Rangers fall in overtime to the Flyers
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Despite their most recent hard fought comeback that left them one goal out of a tie game against the Devils Saturday night, the young Rangers have been doing well for themselves. With Lundqvist back in net and McDonagh back on defense, and Stepan and Nash up front, their preseason record fell to 2-1-1.
Lundqvist flashed the pads at the Flyers early into the game, as he showed his excitement to get back to the game and with team he loves. A few minutes later, Buchnevich received a pass from Hayes but was stopped by Mason on the two on one attempt.
Shortly after, the Flyers took a penalty. The Rangers power play, which they desperately want to improve upon, didn’t come up with a goal but had some good looks. Their best chance was a slap shot from the circle that got blocked in front. Read the rest of this entry
therangerzone.com 