Blog Archives

Rangers look to stay hot in home matchup against Winnipeg; Big test for Dylan McIlrath

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers vs jets 3-31

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

After an impressive performance against the Blue Jackets this past weekend, the Rangers (3-0-0) are back at MSG for a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets (2-1-0) as they look to continue their perfect start to the 2015-16 season.

Last season, the Rangers and Jets split the season series with one win apiece. The Jets came away with a 1-0 shootout win on November 1st, while Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec posted a shutout after 65 minutes. On March 31st, the Rangers came away with a 3-2 win at the MTS center thanks to goals from Mats Zuccarello, Derick Brassard and Chris Kreider.

The Jets have scored 11 goals this season, while the Rangers have scored 12 through three games, which sets the seen for an offensive showdown. Also, last time these two teams played, Dustin Byfuglien tried to take JT Miller’s head off with a crosscheck, so there may be some physical play or bad blood between these two teams. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers Rumors: Carl Klingberg set to sign with KHL

Bobby Bevilacqua

carl klingberg

Carl Klingberg, a prospect that the Rangers traded for at this past trade deadline, looks to be heading to the KHL. Photo courtesy of the Hartford Wolf Pack.

At the trade deadline, Glen Sather and the Rangers made three moves, one of them being a trade that sent Lee Stempniak to the Winnipeg Jets for Carl Klingberg, a prospect playing for the Jets’ AHL team, the St. John’s IceCaps.

At first, the trade seemed a bit odd. Stempniak was effective, boasting solid possession numbers and contributing on the fourth line. He had enough talent to step up the third or second line when someone was injured, and on top of all of that, he was cheap, with a salary of just $900,000.

Klingberg came to the Rangers organization in return, and went to play with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In 13 regular season games with the Pack, he totaled 11 points (2-9-11), following that up with seven points (4-3-7) in 13 playoff games during a run to the Conference Finals.

And now, it looks like the Swedish native is on his way out, prepared to sign with the Torpedo in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Read the rest of this entry

The Ranger Zone Podcast: Playoff Preview

rangers salute the crowd 4-4

The Rangers are primed to make another long playoff run, and they’re my pick to hoist the Stanley Cup in June. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

In this podcast, I discuss my 2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket and discuss the first round matchups, my thoughts, and who I think will advance.

I chose the New York Rangers to hoist the Stanley Cup come June. This is one of the deepest and most complete Rangers teams that we have seen in years, and it’s hard to find another team with the forward depth and defensive talent the Rangers have, on top of an elite goalie in Henrik Lundqvist. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers aiming for consistency against the Devils; JT Miller making a difference

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers salute the crowd 3-2

The Rangers are looking to Salute the Crowd once again as they are set to take on the New Jersey Devils tonight at MSG. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

After clinching the Metropolitan Division title on Thursday, the Rangers (49-21-7) will be looking for their third straight win when they take on the New Jersey Devils (32- 33-13) for the start of a two game homestand, with the season coming to an end very soon.

This is the second of four meetings between these two rivals, with New York wining in both games. They haven’t played since December, but will meet twice in the next four days. The Rangers won in overtime by a final score of 4-3 back on October 21st, and a 3-1 win on December 27th at Madison Square Garden. Derek Stepan scored all three goals in that game, with Martin St. Louis tallying two assists. Henrik Lundqvist allowed one goal on 20 shots to earn the win.

The Devils are coming off of 3-2 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens last night, bringing in a potential fatigue factor into tonight’s game against New York. Keith Kincaid started for New Jersey, stopping 31 out of 33 shots. That means that Cory Schneider will be making his 66th start of the season at the Garden. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers clinch the Metro with win in Minnesota; Henrik sharp yet again

Bobby Bevilacqua

JT Miller and McDonagh goal celebration 4-2

JT Miller and Ryan McDonagh celebrate after connecting on the game winning goal early in the third period. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Just a week after clinching a playoff spot, the Rangers (49-21-7) clinched the Metropolitan Division title, and home ice through the first two rounds, with a 3-2 win over the red hot Minnesota Wild. It’s just the eighth time in franchise history that the Rangers have won the Metropolitan Division, and the second time in the last four years.

The Blueshirts continue to be road warriors this season, their 26th road win of the season, which sets a new franchise record. The previous record was set last season, with 25 wins.

The win also puts New York at 105 points on the season with five games remaining. Montreal and Tampa Bay are both three points behind, and the Rangers have games in hand on both teams. Read the rest of this entry