Breaking down the Rangers latest moves

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Today we are going to take a deeper look at the Rangers recent moves. Though the team played better in Tampa the other night, the bottom six hasn’t been very consistent and clearly Torts and Sather thought a change was needed. Below we’ve put together a qualitative analysis, or as Dave likes to call it – the eye test. If there’s an interest in the quantitative/advanced stats-type stuff. Let us know. Dave can whip that together.

Rangers trade C/LW Mike Rupp for C/LW Darroll Powe & RW Nick Palmieri

What the Rangers lose – Size, fights, veteran leadership

I was one of the few advocates of having a guy like Mike Rupp in the lineup. Most people who didn’t play organized hockey growing up have a hard time evaluating 4th line guys, so I get the disconnect some fans had with his presence in the lineup. For me, Rupp was exactly what you need from a 4th line role player.

Rupper was a leader in the locker room, as evidenced by Torts constantly seeking Rupp’s input at key times (shown in 24/7). He stood up for his teammates (remember Tomas Kopecky sucker punching MDZ last year? Rupp was the first guy in). He also played well in a limited role during the playoffs, bringing a good forecheck and puck management.

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Game 8: Rangers at Tampa Bay

2012-2013 Records: Tampa (6-1-0), Rangers (3-4-0)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (5-3-8)
TBL Leading Scorer: Steve Stamkos (5-9-14)

NYR Goaltender: Martin Biron (1 GP, 1.95 GAA, .95 SV%)
TBL Goaltender: Mathieu Garon (1 GP, 1.00 GAA, .972 SV%)

New York Rangers Tickets.

Rangers Lines:

Rick Nash-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Taylor Pyatt
Jeff Halpern-Brian Boyle-Arron Asham
Stu Bickel-Benn Ferriero-Mike Rupp

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Matt Gilroy-Anton Stralman

Martin Biron

Probable Scratches/Injuries:  Mike Sauer (concussion), Chris Kreider (ankle), Steve Eminger (healthy), Ryan Callahan (shoulder)

Preview: The Lightning are really firing on all cylinders right now. They are not just winning games. They are beating teams with conviction. In 7 games, they’ve only once failed to score 4+ goals.

And it’s not just the big three (Stamkos, Lecavalier, St. Louis) that are finding twine. Tampa is also getting scoring from their defense and their unheralded secondary forwards like the diminutive Cory Conacher (5’8 175 lb ). An undrafted player out of Canisius College (um where?), Cory is having a breakout rookie campaign with 12 points in 7 games.

As for their systems, Tampa is more than “just another trap team”. Guy Boucher has the Lightning running a 1-3-1 forecheck. Contrary to what the media will tell you, the 1-3-1 can be an aggressive forecheck or a neutral zone trap depending on the puck’s location. However, unlike other trap teams, Boucher also gives his defensemen free reign to join the rush. So they are not a traditional “defense first” team.

Overall, Tampa just feasts on transition rushes. The Rangers are really going to have to elevate their game tonight. Everyone on this roster will have a tough matchup, so it will be imperative that they stay disciplined and manage the puck well.

Fun Fact: Tampa is home to the most strip clubs per square mile.

Crazy Thought: More power play goals would be nice.

Opposition Blog: Bolts By The Bay

Goal Breakdown: Flyers at Rangers

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Tonight’s breakdown is courtesy of The Suit and Dave. All in all, the Rangers played a very strong game. They followed up their great win against Toronto with another good showing against a Philadelphia team that will likely be heading to the playoffs.  The game had its ups and downs, and the Rangers took way too many penalties, but their special teams came to play, killing off several third period penalties. It also helps that Ryan Callahan added a powerplay goal in the second.

On to the goals…

Flyers 0, Rangers 1

Great forechecks breed gret goals. The play starts with Boyle and ends with Boyle. Brian was working the puck deep in the Flyers endzone, using his big frame to protect the puck. Ferriero comes in along the half boards and provides great puck support. Benn passes the puck to MDZ at the point, who just rifles one through traffic and in. Boyle moved into the high slot and screened Bryz.

Flyers 0, Rangers 2

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Game 6: Flyers at Rangers

2012-2013 Records: Flyers (2-4), Rangers (2-3)

NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (5-3-8)
PHI Leading Scorer: Claude Giroux (2-2-2)

NYR Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (5 GP, 3.14 GAA, .893 SV%)
PHI Goaltender: Ilya Bryzgalov (5 GP, 2.22 GAA, .923 SV%)

New York Rangers Tickets.

Rangers Lines:

Rick Nash-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan
Taylor Pyatt-Brian Boyle-Benn Ferriero
Mike Rupp-Jeff Halpern-Arron Asham

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Stu Bickel-Anton Stralman

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Probable Scratches/Injuries:  Mike Sauer (concussion), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Chris Kreider (ankle), Steve Eminger (healthy)

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Thoughts on Torts’ even strength and power play line changes

According to Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants, Torts juggled the line combos today at practice with both his even strength and power play units. Gross reported the following line combos:

Nash-Richards-Gaborik

Hagelin-Stepan-Callahan

Pyatt-Boyle-Ferriero

Rupp-Halpern-Asham

Should these lines stay in tact, it appears Hagelin is moving up to the second line and Pyatt is going back to the third. These lines on paper make sense. However, Hagelin has to get going in order to keep his spot in the top 6.

I hope Ferriero is able to stick in the line up tomorrow. I don’t know how everyone else feels, but I would like to see more of him. I thought he displayed some good foot speed against Toronto and he played well along the boards. He’s generously listed at 5’11 195 lbs, so he’s on the smaller side for a bottom six player. However, if the kid can compete at both ends of the ice, then this may be a good pick up for the Blueshirts.

On to the power play…

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The Goals Breakdown: Bruins at Rangers

Gabby is not the game breaker he once was.

-Bloomer 1/22/13 

Eat it.

Just kidding Bloomer. You’re still my boy.

Bruins 0, Rangers 1:

There’s nothing better than goals scored off of set plays (thanks Torts) and that’s exactly what this was. Michael Del Zotto started the breakout on a swing play deep in the Rangers end zone, while Brad Richards was on the Bruins blueline drawing 2 defenders towards him. With the Rangers F1 and F2 swinging, the Bruins forecheckers bit towards the boards opening up center ice for Richie to step up into. MDZ fired a long pass to center ice, which Richie one touched perfectly to a streaking Rick Nash. Nash broke in on a 2-on-1 and fed Gabby with a perfect cross-ice pass. Gabby simply out-weighted Rask and roofed one.

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When the Rangers should hit the panic button, what to change if they do

Some panic options are always nice

Chris had a fantastic post yesterday urging Rangers fans to not be fearful of their 0-2 performance. He made great points and provided some interesting stats that should talk even the most critical fans off the ledge. To be honest, I’m not sure why anyone’s on the ledge to begin with.

Anyway, I have been working in sports for most of my career and I don’t know a single suit around the industry that worries about a team’s performance after 2 games, not even football. With that said, there is a time when everybody takes stock and makes actionable recommendations to those in a position of power. So when do those talks take place?

A wise man once told me the time to have those conversations is generally around the 25 game mark of an 82 season. Applying the same logic to a 48 game season means you can all hit your panic buttons around games 12-14, if the Rangers don’t turn it around. Of course by then every other blog on the planet will have covered what the Rangers should do next, so here’s several hot topics that may or may not invoke change between now and Valentine’s Day.

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Rangers could use a depth forward

A depth forward could be on the radar for the Rangers.

Looking over the Rangers training camp roster, one thing that really stands out is the lack of depth, particularly on offense. Right now, the following has been reported as Torts’ early line combos.

Line 1:
Carl Hagelin – Brad Richards – Rick Nash

Line 2:
Marian Gaborik – Derek Stepan – Ryan Callahan

Line 3:
Chris Kreider – Brian Boyle – Taylor Pyatt

Line 4:
Mike Rupp – Jeff Halpern – Arron Asham

One would think the Rangers would probably like to add another forward to the mix, specifically for that 4th line. Rupp and Asham will certainly find themselves useful matching up against other enforcement-type 4th lines. However, we may have some issues against speedier 4th lines. If I were a betting man, I’d put money on Sather bringing in another body. This is something that Dave covered briefly this weekend.

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Hockey systems: What Nash means to the Rangers power play

Hockey will be back soon and finally we can start talking about the systems and strategies of this great game we all know and love. One of the most critical – and contested – aspects of the Rangers system in 2012 was their power play.

For the sake of brevity, I will just say last year’s mediocre power play was not due to coaching decisions or their umbrella formation (seen above). The problem was a lack of execution based on limited personnel. Penalty killers could key in on one guy and knew the others either wouldn’t sense open ice (hockey IQ) or put a quality shot on net.

So how can Nash help the Rangers improve?

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Rangers 2013 training camp roster

According to Andrew Gross, the Rangers opened camp with a condensed roster. Here’s what has been reported.

Offense: 

Brad Richards, Rick Nash, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, Taylor Pyatt, Chris Kreider, Jeff Halpern, Mike Rupp, Arron Asham

Defense:

Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Anton Stralman, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger, Stu Bickel, Matt Gilroy

Goal:

Henrik Lundqvist, Marty Biron

Be sure to follow Gross on Twitter for all the inside scoop.