Blog Archives
Stop worrying about faceoffs, the Rangers should address other areas instead
Bobby Bevilacqua
Sean Bergenheim is one of the players that the Rangers should target, addressing the need of a bottom six forward who can score and provide depth. Photo courtesy of USATSI.
With the March 2nd trade deadline coming ever closer, rumors are flying, and the Rangers have been subject to mostly minor rumors for quite some time now. The most heard rumor is Antoine Vermette, the center on the Arizona Coyotes, who is a faceoff specialist and has an expiring contract.
In fact, most of the rumors surrounding are in the same category; a big bodied center who can win faceoffs. Nothing more. Just a faceoff specialist.
Personally, I believe that the expression “quality, not quantity” is true when it comes to the faceoff circle. The amount of faceoffs won is not important, it’s when you win it. Key faceoffs, such as in the offensive zone on a power play, or in the defenseive zone late in the game with a lead, are much more important than finishing a game winning over 50% of the draws. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look for a more complete effort in Colorado; Top line of utmost importance
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers hope to continue their road trip on a positive note when they take on the Avalanche tonight at 9 PM. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With some of the player’s fathers along for the ride, the Rangers (31-16-5) will continue their road trip out in Denver, Colorado where they will take on the Avalanche (22-21-11), a team that is trying to stay relevant in the Western Conference.
The Annual Father’s trip started off pretty well, albeit it a rollercoaster game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the Rangers coming away with a 4-4 victory. Mats Zuccarello was the Rangers best player, scoring two goals, including a perfect wrist shot for the game winner. Rick Nash, who is normally the one scoring goals, was the playmaker for the night, tallying three assists, the first time he has done so since 2009. Derick Brassard also added two assists, breaking the 40 point mark in arguably the best start to a season in his NHL career. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Vigneault changing the power play units
Bobby Bevilacqua
Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello have built a ton of chemistry since last season, and have played well together this season. Alongside Rick Nash, they will get an opportunity on the Rangers top power play unit. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Following the sloppy victory over the Maple Leafs last night, the Rangers practiced in Toronto ahead of their travel to Denver for their game against the Avalanche tomorrow at 9 PM.
In that game, we saw a resurgent Mats Zuccarello, who extended his point streak to a career high six games, scoring two goals, including the game winner. While he has always been a great passer, and continued to rack up assists during his goal drought, Tuesday night saw him register five shots on goal, which is something that Vigneault and Zuccarello both knew needed to change. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers avoid collapse against Toronto; Zuccarello scores game winner
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers found a way to avoid a collapse, thanks to a Mats Zuccarello game winner in the late stages of the third period. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It wasn’t pretty, but the Rangers (31-16-5) found a way to get a win on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs, avoiding a late game collapse and coming away with a 5-4 victory at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto scored two goals early in the second period to tie the game at four, but Mats Zuccarello came through in the clutch, sending the Rangers to Colorado with two points.
Offense was certainly not the problem, as the Rangers managed to find twine five times, including two goals from Zuccarello, on a total of 39 shots. 31 of those shots came in the first two periods alone.
The Rangers struggled in the faceoff circle again, winning just 40 percent (27/67) of their draws. This has been a continued problem, with Kevin Hayes and Derek Stepan the two worst faceoff guys on the team. It has gotten them into trouble, and may be something that needs to be addressed. 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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