Rangers 3, Devils 2
After an exciting hockey game wire to wire, it was the New York Rangers who come away with a 3-2 over the New Jersey Devils and grab two crucial points in the standings. For a full box score of the game, head over to Yahoo! Sports.
- After it seemed like end of the world following a poor road trip, the Rangers grab all four points of a back-to-back and thrust themselves right back into the playoff picture.
- This game was one of best Rangers/Devils games in quite some time. Very entertaining.
- Henrik Lundqvist deserves some major props for his performance, especially in that second period. The Devils were buzzing and Hank was able to shut the door on some excellent chances.
- Hurl any criticism you'd like at Michael Del Zotto: he is an important piece to this hockey club. A nifty shorthanded goal and an assist tonight. And he's still just 22 years old. Oh and he prevented a would-be tying goal late in the third with solid positioning next to the left goal post.
- Tonight was Carl Hagelin's first goal in 10 games. Secondary scoring will always, always be necessary.
- It wasn't in the third period, but Rick Nash scored the critical marker tonight. Broke a five-game goal drought, too.
- Derek Stepan is starting to become an offensive force shorthanded. It's a testament to how much his two-way game has developed. He and Ryan Callahan form a quality tandem a man down.
- For all of the positives, the negatives remain the same. Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik still aren't where they need to be. And watching Richards miss the net on nearly every scoring chance he gets is painful to watch.
- Dan Girardi should be suspended indefinitely for trying to take out his teammate.
- I want Chris Kreider to watch how JT Miller is playing at the NHL level. Sure, he's making mistakes. But the key is he's not AFRAID to make mistakes and still finds ways to make plays. He maintains his composure and exudes confidence in his abilities. Not too shabby for a 20 year old rookie.
- A suspect Panthers team will visit MSG Thursday night. Another attainable two points up for grabs.
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@TheNYRBlog Thought Gabby skated much better.Richards is horrible right now. How many misses? Miller great on that otherwise awful 3rd line.
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Reading all these comments I get the impression that most writers would begrudge the Rangers any success at all. It is annoying to see so much negativity against one's own team. It's not necessary to be Polyannas (look it up, guys), but why not enjoy a rather solid effort in these two back to back games. Heaven knows there were plenty or reasons to criticize the Rangers when they lost three games in a row; so just ENJOY the wins, for a change.
@genetics73 -- How ironic... the last time you were here you meant to be the grammar police, now you're back, misspelling "Pollyanna." Worse than the misspelling is your implication that it's an obscure reference, particularly with this audience. There are quite a few people who discuss the Rangers on this blog on a regular basis, and, yes, a number of them are regularly negative. But you come around seldom and, when you speak up, try to correct somebody's spelling or tell them how to enjoy their favorite team. How about we give you some advice .......
@AG_Blue @genetics73 Hit the bricks! But wait. Don't scare him away. This pseudo-intellectual is to easy. Proverbial fish in a barrel.
Yes they won but let's not get overly excited there are still plently of issues with this team. Still a lack of scoring and too many defensive lapses. I know the guy makes a shit load of money but you think maybe Richards needs to sit for a game or two? Maybe he needs that eagle view to see what the hell he is not doing or what has been missing from his game, like hitting the net once in awhile or connecting on pass to a team mate.
They have a very winnable game on Thursday I hope they don't get too cocky and think they don't need to show up. Is anyone tired of watching Tortorella face when a call is made against the Rangers? He looks like he is having a colonoscopy or a eniema! It'sd not the end of the world due loosen up!
@johnpal why not get excited stop focusing on the negatives we all know who is playing like crap but they fought through it and won 2 in a row be a fan not a critic
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I thought the critical markers were my reiteration of the period and score, and @AnnoyingJoe 's Bacardi count.
Good play and game plan by the Rangers.
Watched Gabby closely last night.Trading him is a stupid idea.He played pretty well.He is having problems scoring this year, but he has that alternate year thing. I was always hoping he's get the puck so we'd maintain possession in their zone for a few extra seconds and a pass would be completed properly.Actually we can't trade him for any less than a comparable goal scorer.Even tho they are rumored to be looking for "grit" ( LOL.)Anyways, if Rangers keep to their game plan, they are likely to win more games. Everyone is pretty much doing ok. Some more than others.
Del Zotto might be breaking out a little bit, which is so badly needed. I think McDonagh also has the offensive chops to jump in on the rush but hesistates to do it often. DZ has been noticeably aggressive, mostly in a good way. If he can find a way to produce consistently, I think he would make good linemates with a shutdown guy like Girardi who can bail him out on a bad pinch, blocked shot, etc.
Richards, what the fuck man. Hit the net already. So many missed chances this game. "And it goes wide!" "Over the crossbar!" His old man brain is rattled.
Despite recent griping about Miller being on a line with Boyle and Pyatt, I think that line has been really good the last couple of games, they've got a lot of energy. Miller is definitely the best on that line when it comes to offense, but they all play really well away from the puck, creating a forecheck and such. The lines have stayed the same for a couple games, so maybe they'll have more of a chance to generate some offensive chemistry and start scoring some dirty goals.
Also, I don't get why you guys say Boyle doesn't hit/play big. He has the second most hits on the team and he was scratched for a few games. I'd like to see him drive to the net more, and maybe get in a scrap once in a while, but one thing the guy is doing is hitting. And winning faceoffs.
@coontzbloontz Boyle falls to the ice at least once a shift, cannot win battles along the boards and doesn't crash the net. Soft .. get him out of the lineup
Boyle had a good game and so did Miller, but the game that Pyatt played last night was as bad as any I've seen from any player this season and that's saying a lot. EVeryone talks about Gabby not getting the puck out of the zone when he gets it on the halfboards but Pyatt is the worst offender and last night was the worst of the worst for him. If Asham's ready I sit Pyatt.
@sureshore Fair enough. Pyatt was definitely the weakest player on that line, but as a whole they played really well the past 2 games. As for Asham, I think If we added him it would be a good idea to put Powe on the third line and slide Asham in with Haley. They can both play decent enough hockey and they can scrap.
@coontzbloontz Because the NHL considers a love tap a "hit." And Brian Boyle is the king of love taps.
@TheWrage @coontzbloontz -- Boyle did make it a rough night for Volchenkov ... those weren't love taps
Barely got through that one but got a win. They looked OK to me for the most part but damn it Richey is suppose to be an assist man. Why can't he shoot low (and on net would help) when 2 guys are crashing the net???
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Big win. Can't stand the Devil fans....the "You Suck" chant....classy.
I will be amazed if the NYR go deep into the playoffs (if they even make it). Aside from their lack of scoring they give up their own blue line so easily. Opposing teams gain their zone so easily that I am actually surprised when they don't. They also can't clear their own crease of opposing players....at ALL. It is so bad that it is almost in a twisted way good as there are so many players there that it blocks a lot of shots. (kidding, but barely) They play so darn "small" despite the fact that they have some big guys on the team - perhaps b/c the big guys are either finesse players (Nash), or just not fast enough to make meaningful hits (Boyle, Pyatt). It is a problem when your most aggressive forecheckers are Hagelin and Callahan (damn do I love those guys - their teammates should be ashamed) Prust and Dubi are SORELY missed in this regard. I haven't seen a NYR team play this soft since the Mike Rogers/Mark Pavelich smurf days (yeah - those were some fun years - ugh). The Rangers are a "tweener" team this year and that is never pretty. I would call up Kreider and tell him to do nothing but forecheck - don't even worry about making plays. Just send a 6'3" missile out there to bang. It will be effective and hell, it may even make him more combative. BTW - LOVED JT Millers hit WHILE HE HAD THE PUCK! Egad, can we transplant that kid's heart into the the rest of the team (minus Hags and Cally) And for God's sake how about Hank starting to protect his own crease. I realize that his composure is what makes him so darn good, but even if you are not angry and just doing it to protect your crease it wouldn't hurt to see him pushing back and hacking at some of the guys that are literally draped on top of him. Okay...rant is done. It was a needed win, but they were badly outplayed and as always outmuscled so it is not as mollifying as it could have been. Hope those tough guys in the minors amount to something soon.
@jmacwilli That damn "You suck" chant after a goal absolutely makes me see red. Your priorities are seriously effed up if you'd rather belittle the opposing team than celebrate your own team's success. I think they spend more time talking crap about the Rangers than talking about their own players. I get that its a big rivalry and there's a lot of bad blood, but that sort of "fan" gives the rest of us a bad name.
And then they complain about Rangers fans having an attitude.... honestly.
@jmacwilli -- the blueshirts didn't give up the blueline so easily last night, they even stood up in the neutral zone sometimes, that is a large part of why they got the win. Kreider was here and on the would-be grinding third line, but he was ineffective as a forechecker - just because he has the size doesn't mean he's the type of player you'd like him to be; that should be painfully obvious looking at a few guys on this roster.
@jmacwilli seriously? thats how u celebrate a goal? ur teams success? Hey, u suck? lame.
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@AnnoyingJoe @jmacwilli Let's also remember that the song is sung by a convicted pedophile...so there's that.
@TheWrage @TheNYRBlog disagree on Gabby. Made some good plays that others didn't finish, played very well on defense.
@TheWrage agreed, but defense is always rotating to him, was turning it over, now making plays. @TheNYRBlog
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Love to beat the Devs. Seriously glad we got the win, but these last 2 games have not been encouraging. We got 2 wins on backup goalies and did not look good doing it. Tonight - as entertaining as the 2nd period was, the 3rd period was a nightmare. Rangers were in full on protect/scramble mode the entire period and yet we looked sloppy. We managed almost no attack. It felt at any minute we were going to give up 2 or more goals. Back to back games are rough obviously but we were out played and out skated the entire 3rd period. Ugly.
The King's play in net the last two nights is a great sign. Especially since there are ALWAYS people parked in front of him and NO ONE on the Rangers can clear the crease! We need Henrik playing like this every night to go anywhere in the standings. Really starting to hate the Richards Gabby Nash line. They look confused. Over passing, poor shots from terrible angles or a mile wide. Richards looks to pass out of the shooting lane every time! I know Nash is great but don't defer to him when you are in the better shoot position. Sorry but not giving MDZ any credit. Nice hand eye on that goal, but I saw him commit multiple giveaways tonight including kicking the puck right to Zajac for the Devs first goal. F'ing weak. If he put up more points consistently then I could live with his sub par D. But he doesn't. Still not joining his fan club - I'll just be rooting for the front of his jersey.
Then again I should shut up because we won 2 in a row. Let's Go Rangers!
Completely agree about the GNR line. It's like none of them are true playmakers, they are snipers. They have no idea how to set each other up. They dump the puck in and one of the three inevitably turns it over(usually Richards).
@ChristopherHart @AveryYesBettmanNo Richards was supposed to be a playmaker... this season he's been a playdestroyer.
How about Nash pushing Clarkson out of the crease as if he were the net in the Zamboni's way.
MDZ has been looking good — he has been suspect for a while now, but he seems to be getting his shit together.
I thought Gaborik looked better than Richards.
Thought we played well, I always have trouble buying into the "we have the lead in the 3rd lets sit back and not try to score a insurance goal". Gabby woulda scored last season on that 2 on 1 but this season he missed the net. Richie misses the net on every odd man rush there is. DZ is playing amazing, glad to see him get one. Step is an amazing player and hes just gonna get better. Hags has been consistently good, nice to see him get one. slick rick does it again!
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Miller is not afraid to make mistake because he has, for some reason, been given leeway by the coach that Kreider, for some reason, has not. Don't judge Kreider based on Torts fickleness. With that said, Miller is very impressive and poised.
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@AnnoyingJoe i don't blame torts for being impressed with Miller and not so much with Kreider. like Torts says, Miller is always skating hard and is hard on the puck. he's not tentative at all. I dont think you can say the same for Krieder, and it has nothing to do with the way that Torts has coached him.
CB1 - gotta agree with the others. Torts allows Miller to make errors and sends him right back out there. When Kreider made a mistake, even less of a mistake than Miller makes he got nailed to the bench. Which in turn made him tentative. Face it - Torts had a hard-on for Kreider that can't be explained.
@cb1 @AnnoyingJoe I agree 100%. Torts is the kind of coach that is forgiving if you make a mistake while going all out, grinding, hitting, etc. He is NOT forgiving at all if a mistake is made while being tentative, scared and shy on the puck.
@cb1 yeah, i don't know... I dont think torts gave Kreider enough margin for error...but its also a function of Millers personality, for sure. I mean, that dude is slick, so confident with the puck, especially in his own zone.
@cb1 Miller has played every shift with as much balls-to-the-wall tempo as he could muster.
Kreider has only shows that sometimes. I'm a big Kreider fan and want him on the Rangers.
@AnnoyingJoe Really think if they give Kreider a real chance, him and Miller could be line-mates for awhile with Miller creating and Kreider burying them, but we will see
@slapshot13j @AnnoyingJoe I'll prob get criticized for this but my 3rd line would be Pyatt - Miller - Kreider and my 4th line would be Powe - Halpern - Haley/Asham
