Over at the Hockey's Future, Leslie Treff ranks the Rangers top 20 prospects with Chris Kreider placed at #1...

1. (1) Chris Kreider, LW, 8.5C
Acquired: 1st round, 19th overall, 2009

Chris Kreider recently added Most Valuable Player at the 2011 Beanpot to his many accolades over the last two years. The 19-year-old Boston College sophomore represented the United States for the second year in a row at the World Junior Championships, posting six points (four goals, two assists) in as many games in Buffalo this winter. Kreider's regular season statistics at Boston College (23 points--11 goals, 12 assists--in 31 games), were not dominating nor was he named either to the Hockey East Conference all-star teams or honorable mentions.

Last week, during the final game of the regular season, Kreider sustained a broken jaw, which required surgery and is expected to keep him out of the first round of the Hockey East playoffs. It is very possible that Kreider will sign a professional contract with the Rangers by the end of the summer. However, the fleet forward was extremely raw when he was drafted by the Rangers in the summer of 2009, and while he continues to develop, it might not yet be sufficient enough for him to see time in the NHL. If he does decide to leave college, Kreider will begin next season in the AHL.

The rest of the top 10 includes: 2. Ryan McDonagh 3. Christian Thomas 4. Evgeny Grachev 5. Mats Zuccarello 6. Dylan McIlrath 7. Carl Hagelin 8. Ryan Bourque 9. Ethan Werek 10. Chad Johnson.

...the two biggest surprises for me on this list is how high Grachev is and how low Hagelin is. Maybe it's because Grachev is already playing in the AHL, while it's hard to predict how well a player will assimilate to the NHL from the college ranks in the case of Hagelin.

...make sure you click the above link to check out the rest of the list which includes Pavel Valentenko and Tomas Kundratek among others.

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For anyone who missed my appearance on the Hockey This Week podcast live from The Beach House in Long Beach last night can check it out below (I'm on at the 7:30 mark)....



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Update, 12:36 p.m.:
Dave Lozo at NHL.com gives Lundqvist some Vezina props.

Original Post:
Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has this quote from Henrik Lundqvist on his focus coming down the stretch...

"Me personally, I just see it as the playoffs right now. It's fun. You can feel the intensity and the importance of every point. Everything I do right now is just about preparing for the next game—just save a lot of energy, rest a lot and get ready for the next one."

...this isn't a knock on the rest of the team, but no one wants to bring a Stanley Cup back to New York more than Lundqvist. There has been some criticism of him possibly being more focused on some of the off ice stuff he's involved with but this quote tells us exactly where his head is at.

...one knock I've had of Lundqvist is his inability to put the Rangers on his back and steal a series in the playoffs (see Halak last year). I know he's won two series and was unbelievable early vs. the Caps back in 2009, but he's also been outplayed by Miller in 2007, Fleury in 2008 and then Varlamov in the 2009 series (check the tape Varlamov was good after coming in for an ineffective Theodore - 6 goals allowed in 5 games with 2 shutouts).

...having said that Hank looks more focused than ever and I truly expect him to be the difference for the Rangers in the playoffs.

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TheNYRBlog reader Howard S., originally from Rego Park currently living in Dallas, sends in this pic of him and his buddy Dave during the Rangers 6-3 victory over the Islanders last week. Howard was quick to point out that the Rangers were 4-0-0 during his week in New York. If the Rangers make it to the playoffs we may need to collect some money to fly Howard back out here...


As always please continue to e-mail ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) your Rangers related pictures to me so I can post them.

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Christopher Botta at Slap Shot has a great feature on the young Rangers defense that has impressed all season long...

"Only Steve Eminger, an occasional healthy scratch but a favorite of Coach John Tortorella because of his feisty play, has a negative plus/minus ratio at minus-2. The rest are a combined plus-59. They are a big reason why the Rangers have scored 36 more goals than they have allowed this season, fourth in the league behind Vancouver, Philadelphia and Boston."

...it truly is amazing that the Rangers are a +36 on the season and are fighting to get into the playoffs.

Botta adds that the the most pleasant surprises on defense has been the play of Michael Sauer (a team leading +18) and Ryan McDonagh (+17)...

Sauer had this to say about his pairing with McDonagh...

"We're learning together," Sauer said. "We lift each other up during the long haul of the season and during games like tonight."

Here's video of Brian Boyle discussing the Rangers young defense...




...the Rangers young defensemen have been playing like five year veterans and is one of the biggest reasons for the Rangers success this season. Like I said last night, I was so pumped to see the Sauer/McD pair on the ice in the final minute to help preserve the win.

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Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has this quote from Brandon Dubinsky on linemate Ryan Callahan...

"Cally's a hell of a hockey player and, he does so many great things that he's really underestimated with how high his skill level is. You don't even notice but the guy's about a point a game right now, and especially coming back from the injury, he's been on fire. He's got great vision and great talent..."

...please remind me why this guy isn't wearing the "C"?

...or why Dubinsky doesn't have an "A".

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Bergen Record - Rangers maintain their focus in 1-0 win over Panthers

Bergen Record - Rangers' Bryan McCabe puts hurt on former team

New York Post - Dubinsky late strike snaps tie

New York Post - Rangers' Lundqvist notches NHL-leading 10th shutout of season

New York Post - Rangers are 'homing' in on playoff berth

Daily News - Callahan, Dubinsky give Blueshirts 5th straight win in 1-0 shutout of Panthers

Journal News - Rangers just worried about winning

New York Times - One Play Is Enough for the Rangers

Newsday - Dubinsky goal gives Rangers win

Newsday - Staple: Rangers able to avoid a letdown

Newsday - Shorthanded no disadvantage for Rangers

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters on March 22 after the Blueshirts defeated Florida 1-0 at MSG for their fifth straight victory.


Rangers vs. Panthers highlights.

Meanwhile, Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report has numerous post game player quotes...

Brian Boyle on the game...

“I thought we played pretty good, though. We created some chances. I thought we defended well. We didn’t have a letdown. This was a big game for us. You look at a time like that sometimes, it’s not a playoff team, they’ve had some turnover on their roster. But we knew they would come in and play hard, and we can’t afford, especially in our situation now, coming off some wins, to take any kind of letdown. We can’t take a breath. We’ve got to keep going. And I thought we did a pretty good job.”

Brandon Dubinsky on his game winner...

“It’s big. I guess somebody had to do it. So it’s a pretty good feeling to bury there. But just a great play by Artie and Cally there. We were buzzing around most of the night, and for us to continue to stick with it, we knew we were going to get one, and we were able to capitalize there.”

Henrik Lundqvist on the temperature of the team...

“We’re just playing hard, we’re sticking with what we’re talking about, and pucks seem to bounce our way. We just have to be honest to yourself when you play. Even though you’re winning you know you can always improve, and I think last  game we did a few mistakes, but we corrected tonight and played pretty solid.”

Ryan Callahan on his line taking offensive responsibility, to make the difference:

“I think all year we’ve felt that way. We feel like we’re a line that needs to produce and put up points for us to be successful. And we put that pressure on ourselves as a line to go out there and make a difference, and not only create energy and play well defensively, but at the same time we’ve got to put points on the board for us to win games. We’ve had our ups and downs a little bit this year but I thought we’ve been pretty consistent with that.”

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The New York Rangers (40-30-4) defeated the Florida Panthers (29-33-10) by the score of 1-0, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...really impressed with the way the Rangers came out tonight in what many were calling a potential trap game. Sure they only won by a 1-0 score, but at this time of year two points is two points especially playing against a team with nothing to lose.

...i always talk about being excited for the future of the Rangers with players like Kreider, Hagelin, McIlrath and others in the pipeline, but the two guys that are going to lead that charge are Callahan and Dubinsky. As Rangers fans we're all very lucky to be witnessing two young leaders who are ready and willing to take this organization to the next level. And tonight you saw another example of that.

...congrats to Hank on his league leading 10th shutout.

...Vokoun looked real awesome making saves with absolutely no traffic in front and having to make no second chance stops. C'mon boys, you need traffic in front of the net.

...i think these last two games have solidified Eminger's spot in the Rangers lineup moving forward.

...i think these last two games have solidified Avery's spot in the press box moving forward.

...not sure if anyone noticed the defensive pairing that was on the ice during the frantic final minute. It was none other than the Rangers' rookie pairing of Sauer and McD. Great stuff.

...you just have to laugh when the forward with the best wrist shot on the team has zero shots on goal. Yes, I'm talking to you EC.

...Carolina wins, Buffalo beats the Canadiens and the Devils are pretty much done after a loss to Boston. Meaning Rangers are just three points out of sixth, but still only six points ahead of ninth place Carolina who also have a game in hand.

...next biggest game of the season on Thursday at MSG vs. the Senators.

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The New York Rangers (39-30-4, 80 pts., 7th in East) host the Florida Panthers (29-33-10, 68 pts., 13th in East) at MSG tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM 207

Probable Lines:
Gaborik-Christensen-Prospal
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust

Eminger-Girardi
McDonagh-Sauer
McCabe-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 31-24-4, 2.35 gaa, .921 sv%, 9 so.

Tomas Vokoun - 21-25-5, 2.60 gaa, .921 sv%, 5 so.

Opponent Notes:
- The Panthers are 3-2-1 in their last six games.

- Florida has lost four of its last five road games.

- RW Evgeny Dadonov had two goals Saturday vs. the Islanders in his return after missing 20 games with a broken finger.

- Niclas Bergfors has a goal with five assists in 10 games since being acquired from Atlanta at the trade deadline. While Sergie Samsonov has two goals and seven assists since joining the Panthers also at the deadline from Carolina.

- The Panthers leading scorer Stephen Weiss is out tonight with a leg injury.

- Former Ranger Tim Kennedy is scoreless in three games since being acquired from the Blueshirts for Bryan McCabe.

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 26 Rangers 3, Panthers 0 at Florida
Jan. 2 Rangers 0, Panthers 3 at Florida
Jan. 25 Rangers 3, Panthers 4 at MSG
March 22 Rangers vs. Panthers at MSG

Opponent Blog:
On Frozen Pond

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