Blog Archives
Rangers win overtime thriller against Vancouver; Stepan and Zuccarello break goal droughts
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
What started out as a very frustrating night turned into elation for the Rangers (25-16-5) when JT Miller gave the Rangers a 3-2 overtime victory over the Vancouver Canucks (19-17-11).
It was truly amazing that the Rangers didn’t score a lot more goals. They finished with 49 shots on goal, hit the goal post or crossbar six times, and faced Ryan Miller, who brought his A-game. But despite the frustrating sequence of events for the first 50 minutes or so, the Rangers battled back and earned the two points.
This was easily the team’s best offensive performance of the season, and you could argue that it was one of their better defensive performances too. The Rangers had 49 shots on goal, even more scoring chances that were blocked or went wide, and they only allowed 20 shots on goal for Lundqvist. They truly deserved the win and got it. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers look to continue home ice success against the Canucks
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Home sweet home.
That’s what the Rangers (24-16-5) must be thinking after another unsuccessful road trip, going 1-2-0 and failing to win back-to-back games yet again. While the road trips have not been successful, they’ve been much better on home ice, which is where they will face the Vancouver Canucks (19-17-10) for the final time this season.
The Ranger’s 5-2 loss in the nation’s capital gave them a record of 2-9-2 in their last 13 road games, but they’ve been really good at home despite their mediocre play since early December. In the last seven games, at MSG, the Blueshirts are 5-1-1. Going back even further, they’re 15-4-1 in their last 20 home games. Needless to say, being back at MSG is a good thing for a struggling Rangers team. Read the rest of this entry
BREAKING: Etem traded to Vancouver Canucks for draft pick and a prospect
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Bobby Bevilacqua
TSN’s Bob McKenzie tweeted out that a deal between the Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks is getting done. The Canucks will get Etem and the Rangers will get a draft pick as well as winger Nicklas Jensen. The draft pick is a 2016 6th round pick.
Etem to VAN is being done. Nick Jensen and late pick going the other way.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 8, 2016
Etem, 23, has played in 19 games with the Rangers, recording three assists, a minus four rating and 23 shots on goal. He’s played on all four lines, but has not gained traction in Alain Vigneault’s system. He hasn’t had the offensive impact that many had expected, and other players have won roster spots over him. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers resilient but can’t overcome atrocious defensive effort against Oilers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Pathetic. Lowly. Disheartening. Horrendous. Abominable. There’s a multitude of words you can use to describe the Rangers (18-9-3) defensive effort in their 7-5 loss to the streaking Edmonton Oilers (13-15-2).
After kicking off the road trip with a disappointing loss to the Canucks, the Rangers could not contain the Edmonton Oilers, with the defense letting in a total of seven goals, blowing multiple ties and ruining leads that some of the forwards worked hard to attain.
Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi. Touted as two of the better defenders on the team, and counted on to shut down opposition. Realistically, they have been downright bad for the majority of this season. McDonagh was on the ice for the first six goals in the game, and Girardi the first five. They blew coverages, made mistakes and stunk up the ice tonight. Read the rest of this entry
Big night for Sather, AV as Rangers take on the Edmonton Oilers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
When the Rangers (18-8-3) take on the Oilers (12-15-2) at Rexall Place for the final time, it will not just be a regular season clash between the two teams. Tonight is a special night for both Glen Sather and Alain Vigneault.
Glen Sather cemented himself in Oilers history by coaching the team to four Stanley Cups during their dynasty years of the 1980s, and overseeing a fifth as the team’s GM. He played a major role in attracting players like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and others by building through the draft. Sather will be honored in a pre-game ceremony and have a banner raised to the rafters.
For Alain Vigneault, the Rangers head coach will be behind the bench for his 1000th career NHL game, coming with the Canadiens, Canucks and now the Rangers. Vigneault was very reflective leading up to the game tonight, and has spoken fondly about his time with the Rangers – where he is the franchise leader in points percentage with a record of 116-61-16 and a winning percentage of .646 since the start of the 2013-14 season. Read the rest of this entry
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