Blog Archives
Lundqvist to start in Detroit tomorrow; Good chance Nash and Staal play vs Red Wings
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers can expect Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist back in the lineup tomorrow. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After today’s practice, Alain Vigneault said the one thing that all Rangers fans were waiting to hear for an entire week.
“Hank is good to go,” Vigneault told reporters.
Henrik Lundqvist had suffered neck spasms after colliding with Ryan McDonagh in the loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, which was when he knocked over the net to get a needed stoppage. He’s missed the last three games, and Antti Raanta is 2-1-0 filling in for those starts. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: Rick Nash day to day, Brady Skjei recalled from Hartford
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers practiced today ahead of their road game against the Buffalo Sabres tomorrow night. And it seems like they’re very close to getting two of their key players back. Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist both skated with the team and it looks like they’ll be back soon.
Lundqvist has missed the last two games with neck spasms after colliding with Ryan McDonagh in the game against the Penguins. He was on the ice and participated in drills, but he will not travel with the team to Buffalo. However, he said that the plan is to “be ready for the weekend.”
Nash practiced in a non-contact jersey, marking the first time that he skated with teammates since his injury back in January. He also won’t be traveling to Buffalo, marking the 20th straight game he will be out, but the good news is that his status has been upgraded from “week to week” to “day to day.” Read the rest of this entry
Alain Vigneault criticism and properly re-assembling the Rangers lines
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After last night’s loss to the Islanders, Alain Vigneault was getting A LOT of criticism, from both fans and even some pointed questions from reporters. His team didn’t show up at the puck drop, played terrible defense and weren’t prepared for one of the biggest games of the season yet.
There was criticism about his usage of JT Miller, about why Stepan took the faceoff, and just about anything else people felt like complaining about.
JT Miller didn’t play because he wasn’t that good last night, plain and simple. Everyone is insisting he gets top line minutes because of the streak he went on, scoring practically a goal a game for a span of 12 or 13 contests. But he hasn’t scored 13 games now, and hasn’t been nearly as effective or dangerous as he was back in January.
Raanta remains in net as the Rangers take on the Islanders; Marc Staal OUT
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After bouncing back with a huge win over the Capitals, the Rangers (38-21-6) close out a tough three-game stretch against division rivals when they take on the New York Islanders (35-20-7), returning to MSG for one game before another short road trip.
Although the Rangers hold a five game lead over the Islanders, the Isles have three games in hand, making this a true battle for second place in the Metro. Both teams are coming into this game playing well, and both teams will be playing hard to get the two points.
This is the third out of four games between the Rangers and Islanders, and the first game at MSG this season. The last five encounters have all been played at the Islanders’ home; three at the Nassau Coliseum and two this year at the Barclays Center. The Rangers are 0-1-1 this year against the Isles, losing 2-1 in a shootout in December and 3-1 on January 14th. Read the rest of this entry
Trade deadline implications: The Rangers are going all-in
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
- The Rangers made one move at the trade deadline, and it was a big one, acquiring Eric Staal from the Hurricanes for two second round picks and Aleksi Saarela. In exchange, they acquired a versatile forward who still has quality years left in him, all without giving up a roster spot.
- That was the key for the Rangers; they didn’t surrender a first round draft pick or a roster player. So they were able to add Staal, but they were able to keep guys like Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes, as well as important depth players like Jesper Fast and Oscar Lindberg. They plucked Staal from Carolina and added him to a roster that’s already pretty good.
- Some people were confused as to why Gorton didn’t acquire a bottom six PK specialist or some defensive help. When Rick Nash returns, they’ll have their best penalty killer back on the ice, so that’ll help. And if they got a defenseman, where would he go? None of the current six players would be taken out of the lineup, and the new guy would join McIlrath in the press box. It just wasn’t worth it.
therangerzone.com 