Islanders 4, Rangers 3, SO
The New York Rangers (7-5-1) lost to the New York Islanders (5-7-1) by the score of 4-3 in a shootout. For a box score go to Yahoo! Sports.
... first off, sorry for the late recap. Bad night for the Rangers, even worse for TheNYRBlog. My kids have had the flu all week and it hit me last night, while Adam, who was going to fill-in, lost internet access. Just a complete cluster-F.
...to the game, obviously Brian Boyle's fault the Rangers lost. lol. In all seriousness, I told Torts not to mess with success. I'm not saying the Rangers win with Kreider still in the line-up, but it's too easy to criticize Torts now.
...the change in line-up also muddied the Miller decision. Based on the last few games it looks like it might be better to send him back. But having said that, maybe he would have been better last night if he played with Kreider. Again, another reason Torts should have just left the line-up.
...can someone explain to me why Biron was so deep in the crease all night? Not aggressive at all. If he played at the top of the crease he easily saves two of the three regulation goals.
...officially the worst power play in NHL history. And they scored last night.
...Nash absolutely undresses Rask on a ridiculous deke the other night and then just shoots at Nabakov last night. C'mon Rick, you've got moves use them.
...how many more years on that Richards contract?
...Halpern finally becoming the face-off guy we thought he was with a 11-for-14 effort.
...it really is amazing how Nash has turned around Hagelin and Stepan's games. Hagelin has looked like a legit All Star the last week.
...Capitals visit MSG on Sunday.
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why not? are we afraid of an infusion of talent and toughness. it wont work as presently constructed.
not sure if it can be done but i believe nyr should look int all possibilities of obtaining ovechkin and chris neil from ottowa
Alright. Well. Biron let up some soft goals. But he made some very pretty saves. Still, once the shootout came, I knew it was over. The Torts benching of Kreider does look bad with the loss, but in no way is that Boyle's fault. He was one of the top three players out there on the ice. I was happy that Richie finally got some bench time, maybe that'll wake him up. Del Zotto needs to get his eyes checked since to miss a shot by over a foot while being so close to the net...you can't do that.
Hags-Step-Nash is easily our top line, and kudos to Step for turning it up on faceoffs. 0-8 in the first period, Went 8-13 after the first period. Plus with Halpern going 3-4, our 4th line went 14-18 which is incredible. As for the power play...I don't even know anymore. How about we just put our fourth line out there and see what happens. The fourth line seems to do a solid job in the other teams zone. I don't even know anymore. Just try anything.
How many 5-2s does it take for the Ranger to score a ppl goal? Also why wasn't Hags in the shootout, he deserved it more than Gabby! Gabby's last 2 shootouts were weak.
Hank in net = we win last night. No way he lets in 2 of 3 soft goals. I said in an earlier post he's hot so let him play. Best 2 players last night were Hags and Boyle. Yup Boyle. he was hitting winning his draws getting in front of the net and generally playing wit a purpose that was lacking from Richards and Gaborik ( even though ge gets a goal and assist not enough drive in his game lately)
Del Zotto was his sluggish self - jumping into the offense and not getting back on D. ATROCIOUS on the PP Seriously anyone but Del Zotto on the PP please. Richards will break out of his slump. I'm most pissed that torts played Biron and not Hank last night. No time to look back we need a win in the next game.
@chrisD Agree with you but understand the thinking about using Biron. He has a great record against the Isles and has played very well so far this season.
I'm not happy with Torts changing the starting lines to fit Boyle into the lineup for Kreider just when the lines where finally showing some chemistry and playing well. Since they are such different players he could not just step into Kreider's spot so they had to change up the middle two lines who had been playing pretty well. I've really liked the Cally,Kreider, Miller line for its energy and speed. It was exciting every time they were on the ice and was giving the opponents fits. Last night I just did not get the feeling that the guys were comfortable playing together - it was much more like the begining of the season. I'm not saying to sit Boyle back out - he was one of the best Ranger's last night - but I would prefer to see him step in for one of the 4th line guys and work his way back up (e.g. last night he would have worked his way into Richard's spot).
Also, it really hit me how OT is a totally different experience when you don't have Hank in goal. All of a sudden I'm desperate for a goal in OT rather than happy to coast into a shootout. Also has something to do with the crazy stats of the other goalie last night but still...
First off, hope the kids are feeling better. All of your comments are spot-on, as usual. The one that has me the most concerned, because I was really giving this some thought last night, is the Richards' contract as he looked like absolute garbage out there. I reluctantly agree with you regarding Biron, though he made a number of terrific glove saves. Not to get terribly political, but the Rangers remind me of our government. Wall Street crooks basically take down the entire economy but no one is to blame; no one is punished. The Rangers PP sucks beyond sucks and no one is to blame; no one is punished. If it is Sullivan's responsibility -- and I don't know that it is -- he should be gone today. He should have been gone between the periods. This crap has got to stop now. There is NO excuse for a team with this much talent to suck so badly on the PP. I am done.
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Hagelins hands seem to be catching up with his feet. And not that we needed reminding, but a game like this clearly demonstrates how Hank is far and away the most important player on this team and that he single-handedly takes this team from a (slightly?) above average team to a cup contender.
Can someone explain to me why Stepan is still centering Nash and Hagelin? The guy produces nothing (2 points over his last 8 games!). He has a pop gun shot and doesn't set anyone up for any scoring chances. Nash and Hagelin have created all of their own scoring chances (Nash with his power moves and Hagelin with his speed) w/o a legit play-making center. And he sucks in the faceoff circle as well.
Del Zotto, ugh, can he stop with the homerun pass already? And he's another one with a pop gun shot. Gilroy played much better yet Tortorella benches him once again. I don't get it!
Boyle played an admirable game.
I personally feel that Miller should stay up and Krieder should go back down to Hartford. Miller has much better, polished skills. Krieder is still raw with his skating (not speed!) and his positioning.
The Rangers D-men need to start getting a little tougher in front of their own goalies. Meaning that they need to start clearing the crease better.
And why was Tortorella juggling his lines as much as he was in this game???? It's really frustrating.
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@Beckfan5 I think Stepan has been much better with Nash. He does the little things out there. No way I break that line up right now.
@KevinDeLury @Beckfan5 Agree. That was the only line from the winning streak that was still together and playing well!
@KevinDeLury Little things? Second line centers need to do much more than the "little things".
The second it went to a shoot out I knew it was over. Biron is horrific in those. hey would be better served having a garbage can in front of the net. The past few SOs that he's been in, I don't think the shooters have even thought about a move because the shot is so much easier. Granted, Nielsen is money in the SO and Tavares has a great shot, but come on! Then again, it should have never gone to OT. Was nice to get a glimpse of Miller, but I think he's now Whale-bound. Richards needs to find his game fast. He was atrocious last night. But, at least they got a point!
@AnnoyingJoe @gravey94 Sure they are, but the way they played in that 2nd period, they're lucky they got that point.
@TheNYRBlog we need some more toughness. Bickel for gilroy, maybe mash or newbury for 4th line.
i though Asham handled himself admirably, even if he couldn't take out the much bigger Boulton (about 20 more pounds and 2 inches taller)
@KevinDeLury -- nah, just crossed my mind ... it could be the explanation though ... i've been a Richards apologist, but not sure i can keep that up now ... dude is starting to look old, especially when you look at his contract ... he becomes a UFA in 2020 at the age of 40 (i believe)
Richards was AWFUL last night...take him off the PP, tired of him losing the puck along the wall while the rest of the PP unit just watches....
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I said the same thing about Biron... although he made some good saves .I thought he should've stopped the 2nd and especially the 3rd Islander goal...we better fix our dee and fix it fast.......we suck in front of our own net....we don't clear anyone out....not physical at all......next 2 games against teams playing good.....we got our work cut out for us
@KevinDeLury @Dudeinski Wow, didn't I make that suggestion the other day against the Bruins?
@KevinDeLury Maybe, but he gets beat allot......maybe call someone up....IDK but something has to b done......
@kicker75 @Scott_from_Jersey @Dudeinski @KevinDeLury --- studies show it is markedly more difficult to learn while sustaining repeated blows to the head
It would be great if McIlrath's progression was a little further along. The team could use his edge.
You know I'm generally a Boyler fan. But...I say leave him out! The team was so much faster without him. It's like he ways everyone down and doesn't know how to make things happen.
@TheNYRBlog I knew we were screwed as soon as it went to a shootout, and sure enough Biron didnt even make an effort on the first shot
