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Lundqvist, Rangers spoil Blackhawks banner party; Lindberg nets first career goal
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After what seemed like a never ending banner ceremony, celebrating what the Rangers fell short of achieving last season, Vigneault and his squad spoiled the party.
The Rangers came out guns blazing, quickly jumping out to a lead and never looking back, ultimately topping the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks by a final score of 3-2.
For the most part, this was a very encouraging performance from the new-look Blueshirts, especially from the back end of the lineup. Henrik Lundqvist was excellent between the pipes, the third line was electric throughout the night, and Kevin Hayes fit right in with Stepan and Kreider.
New York have been good during the first game of the year, posting a 7-3-1 record in their last 11 season openers dating back to the 2005-06 season. They’ve also won back-to-back road season openers for the first time since 1955-58, when they won three straight. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers aim to start season strong on the road in Chicago
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back! Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The long wait is finally over, and New York Rangers hockey is back!
The New York Rangers will begin their 89th season in the NHL on the road against the defending Stanley Cup Champions, fellow Original Six franchise, the Chicago Blackhawks. This is now the eighth straight season that the Rangers begin the season away from Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers will have to watch as they raise yet another Championship banner into the rafters at the United Center, a reminder of what has eluded them over the past few seasons. Perhaps the Rangers could use this as a source of motivation and work towards having this ceremony at MSG next season.
Tonight’s matchup is a game between two of the elite teams from last season. The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy last season with a franchise record 113 points, while the Blackhawks won their third Stanley Cup since 2010. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers “minor” offseason moves proving to be not so minor
Bobby Bevilacqua
Viktor Stalberg is just one of the many successful depth moves made by Jeff Gorton to improve the roster, prepare them for any potential injuries, and give them options at other positions. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers didn’t make any big splashes in free agency like they usually do. No huge signings, no blockbuster trades. And that’s why people wrote off their offseason moves as just slight depth moves, and not major improvements.
But if you look at the situation that Vigneault faced during final cuts after last year’s preseason games and compare it to now, those so-called “minor moves” are actually pretty darn important.
Last year, the Rangers were in a lot of trouble before the season started, losing Derek Stepan to a broken leg. He was slated to be their number one center, and Vigneault didn’t have Brian Boyle or Brad Richards anymore to step up as a substitute. Read the rest of this entry
BREAKING: Rangers set lines for practice, and likely season; Diaz and Megna waived
Bobby Bevilacqua
Oscar Lindberg (L) and Viktor Stalberg look on during the preseason game against the Bruins. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Although nothing is official yet, it appears that we have the finalized Rangers roster heading into the season opener.
Here are the lines from today’s morning practice:
Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Kevin Hayes
Viktor Stalbreg-Oscar Lindberg-JT Miller
Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll-Jesper Fast
Spare: Emerson Etem Read the rest of this entry
Rangers defense struggles in loss to Toronto
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derek Stepan made his season debut against the Maple Leafs, and recorded an assist with a plus-one rating in his first game. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a string of games where the Rangers (6-5-2) had earned at least a point in seven of their last eight games, the Maple Leafs (7-5-2) managed to secure a win in regulation with two late goals, winning by a final score of 5-4.
Rick Nash had another goal, his second in as many games, and Derek Stepan played well in his return, picking up an assist on Mats Zuccarello’s goal in the first period.
Cam Talbot struggled, allowing five goals on 31 shots. So far this season, Talbot has not been the dynamic goaltender that he was last season when he played. He has given up 12 goals in his three starts,and is yet to earn a win. However, it is not fair to blame the loss on Talbot, mainly because the Rangers defense, from the defenders and the forwards, was subpar for most of the night. Read the rest of this entry
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