Blog Archives
Injury Updates; Henrik Lundqvist and Jesper Fast
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers have been without Henrik Lundqvist for the past 10 games, but he has been on the ice practice and working on his conditioning. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers are in the midst of an eight game point streak (6-0-2) following a win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. What’s impressive is that New York has been without franchise goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for the last 10 games, and has been without Jesper Fast for the last eight games.
Henrik Lundqvist has been sidelined with a sprained blood vessel, and Jesper Fast has been out of the lineup since the game against the Predators with a sprained knee. But Alain Vingeault gave Rangers fans some good news following practice this afternoon. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers ready for Blue Jackets rematch at MSG; Talbot back in net
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers head back to the Garden where they will take on the Blue Jackets in a division rivalry matchup. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After a rebound win in Buffalo, where rookie Mackenzie Skapski won in his NHL debut, the Rangers (35- 16-6) are back at Madison Square Garden, where they will play four of their next five games, including a division matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets (26-28-3) tonight.
The Rangers and Blue Jackets have played twice this season, both games in Columbus, and have split the first two games. The last game was on January 6th, with the Rangers coming out with a 2-1 win thanks to goals by Marc Staal and Chris Kreider. Derek Stepan had two assists, and Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves. Read the rest of this entry
Mackenzie Skapski’s incredible journey to the New York Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mackenzie Skapski was all smiles during his win against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night, reaching the NHL despite nearly having his hockey career cut short at the age of 15. Photo courtesy of Getty images.
On June 15, 1994, the day after the New York Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Mackenzie Skapski was born to parents Denis and Tracey in Abbotsford, British Columbia in Canada.
By coincidence, Skapski would later be drafted by the New York Rangers, starting this season with the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey league. Although he was hardly expected to make the AHL, let alone the NHL, Skapski made his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres on his dad’s birthday, and earning his first career win in the process. Read the rest of this entry
Mackenzie Skapski earns first NHL win as the Rangers topple the Sabres
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassardleps over a shot in the Rangers 3-1 win over the Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Making his first ever NHL start, Mackenzie Skapski backstopped the Rangers (35-16-6) to an important 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres (17-38-4), giving the Blueshirts their fifth consecutive road victory and putting them two points ahead the Washington Capitals for second in the Metropolitan Division.
The game did not start as Skapski and the Rangers would have hoped, surrendering a goal in the first 14 seconds off of a Rangers turnover. But after that, the Rangers dominated, outshooting the Sabres 31-12 in the first two periods and controlling the neutral zone. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers looking to rebound in Buffalo; No starting goalie confirmed
Bobby Bevilacqua
Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan have both been playing extremely well lately, and make up what has been a formidable second line for the Rangers. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After losing giving up three leads and falling in the shootout, the Rangers (34-16-6) will take on the Buffalo Sabres (17-37-4) at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, the rescheduled date of a game that was postponed due to snow earlier in the season.
Both teams played last night, so they will be even in that category when it comes to rest. Buffalo’s win over the Philadelphia Flyers last night ended a four game losing streak, but they are still just 3-17-1 in their last 21 games. They are also tied for the third fewest victories on home ice (11), and have the least amount of points in the league (38). They also own the worst goal differential, an unthinkable -89, and in the words of Derek Stepan, these are two points that the Rangers must earn. Read the rest of this entry
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