This loss is a bit of a difficult one to take. The Rangers played very well int his game. They generated offense, they had a solid powerplay, but they just couldn’t solve Carey Price. Price kept it at 1-0 (on that flukey goal) for a long time before one breakdown made it 2-0. Following that, the Rangers didn’t give up (still generated good chances), but you could tell something was off. That’s what good teams do: They capitalize on the chances they are given. If there’s a silver lining, look at this game as a step in the right direction. They played very well, but lost to a much better team. On to the goals:
Montreal 1, Rangers 0
Unlucky, but caught being lazy.
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The Rangers struggles against the Senators continued tonight in Ottawa. The Senators brought speed on special teams, shut down the middle of the ice, and the few chances the Rangers did have they simply couldn’t find the net.
Other notes, the Rangers defense really struggled with the Senators high zone pressure. Stralman in particular probably played his worst game of the season, with his inability to hold the blueline or stay with the rush. The Rangers did have a decent amount of chances at even strength, especially in the 3rd, but every chance seemed to sail wide of the net. Not a surprise really, as we’re one of the least efficient shooting teams in the league this year.
On special teams, the Senators speed and overload style of play was able to shutdown the Rangers by preventing them from having time and space to set up. The only trio that seemed to have any answer to the Sens tight checking coverage was the line of Hagelin-Stepan-Nash.
On to the goals…
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If it wasn’t for two fortunate goals by the Flyers this game, on paper, would look like it did on the ice; a comprehensive victory for the Rangers. Led by the dominant top line the Rangers scored a few impressive goals and got solid performances all over the line up. Brad Richards had his best game in weeks, Lundqvist was solid, Kreider was energetic and dangerous all while Rick Nash and Derek Stepan manhandled the Flyers defense. Stepan in particular seems to grow with every additional game. On to the goal breakdown
First Period
Rangers 1-0; Rick Nash (14:54)
The Rangers opened the scoring with a Derek Stepan clinic. First of all, the Rangers center created a turnover behind the Flyers net with some great stick work (doing the basics right, stick on the ice) and eventually sent the puck up to the point where Girardi sent a shot glancing off the post. The puck came back to the Rangers and eventually to Stepan who, positioned to the right of Bryzgalov, sent a crisp pass over to Rick Nash who was moving toward goal and Nash put it top right on the Flyers goalie for the lead. A solid goal, forced by the Rangers desire to retrieve pucks.
Second Period
Rangers 2-0; Brad Richards PP goal (3:14)
The Rangers got a big second goal early in the middle period as they connected on the powerplay. After initially struggling to get into and set up in the Flyers zone the Rangers finally did and moved the puck around at the blue line when it finally comes to Richards to the left of Bryzgalov, up high. Using defenseman Andrej Meszaros as a screen Richards absolutely rifled one up high past the Flyers goalie. A great shot from Richards to double the lead.
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This was a tough loss for the Rangers, since they outplayed the Capitals for most of the game. The Rangers out-shot the Caps, out hit them, won more faceoffs, had a better powerplay conversion and blocked more shots. Unfortunately, they just couldn’t get that coveted third regulation goal.
In the first period, there were some crucial shifts for the Rangers following goals and penalties where the Gaborik – Richie – Nash line was deployed and did squat. That line should not be getting pinned in their own zone by the Caps third line. I know everyone wants to have line combos etched in stone, but I thought Torts made the right move putting Kreider with Nasher and Richie in the second period. Kreider was forechecking well and that front line was just flat. It was also a good move to get Gaborik away from the Caps top defensive unit.
Interestingly enough, Torts gave Gaborik a lot of TOI during OT and was seen patting him on the back a lot on the bench. To be honest, I don’t know what else you can do to get Gaborik going.
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(Photo by Scott Levy/NHLI via Getty Images)
As I sat on my couch watching the game tonight, I found myself repeating the same phrase over and over throughout the tilt: “it’s not their night”. I mean, this was a trap game, anyway. I watched as pucks bounced around Jacob Markstrom’s crease, deflected off defenders, and bounced into the Ranger net. The Blueshirts pummeled the young Swede and aside from a nifty move from Marian Gaborik, came up completely empty. They dominated play for most of the night, but nothing went right this evening.
The top three lines showed flashes of brilliance, Hank looked very sharp, and the cycle/puck possession game looked fairly strong. They created chances, but Markstrom played a tremendous game. Hopefully they came build off some of the positives against the Caps. Onto the goals…
First period
Panthers 1, Rangers 0
After Roman Hamrlik took a high sticking penalty around the 8:00 mark, the Panther powerplay went to work. Dan Girardi misplayed a clearing attempt, allowing the cats to retain possession. The puck was worked around to Brian Campbell, who blasted an absolute beauty over the left shoulder of Lundqvist. 
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The Rangers came into this game riding the momentum of solid second and third periods on Monday night. I mentioned on Twitter that this was perfect timing for a back to back, as it gives the Rangers less time to forget what they did right. This was a complete 60 minute effort in a very entertaining contest. The biggest thing is that the Rangers came away with two points in regulation, and leapfrogged the Devils in the standings. On to the goals:
Rangers 1, Devils 0
Heckuva goal by MDZ there.
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The Rangers finally righted the ship in more ways than one. They ended their scoreless streak at a little over two hours, they ended their pointless streak at three games, and snapped their three game losing streak. The Rangers came out flat in the first –as per usual– but dominated the second, third and overtime periods. The game was eventually won in a shootout when J.T. Miller lost the puck, got it back, and shot it over Dan Ellis from a bad angle. That’s probably his new favorite move. On to the goals (not breaking down shootout goals):
That’s all the room Staal needs.
Canes 1, Rangers 0
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Well, the Rangers got dominated in Pittsburgh today. We can’t even say it was unexpected. The Rangers were absolutely dominated in the first period to the tune of a -24 Corsi (33 shot attempts for Pittsburgh, 9 for the Rangers). It was a miracle that the Rangers were only down a goal in the first, mostly due to the play of Henrik Lundqvist. That said, the entire team –including Hank– was sloppy for a third straight game. This needs to stop. On to the goals.
The blurrier the picture, the more fails on the play.
Penguins 1, Rangers 0
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The Sabres were without Tyler Ennis and Ryan Miller, are one of the worst teams in the league, and don’t play defense, so this game was supposed to be a cakewalk. It wasn’t, and while the Sabres were lucky to get out of the first ten minutes scoreless, they outplayed the Rangers in the second, forcing a lot of penalties. The Rangers played fairly well, but had some sloppy stretches (five penalties) and it cost them. Jhonas Enroth had a great game too, which didn’t help. On to the goals:
That’s Stepan out there, he’s not going for a beer.
Rangers 1, Sabres 0
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The Rangers continued their dominance over the Southeast Division today, knocking off the Caps by a score of 4-1. The Rangers started off slow –par for the course– but really turned it up in the second period, scoring twice to make it three unanswered goals (en route to four). Martin Biron was solid in net, and the powerplay continued its success. This was another solid game for the Rangers, who have now won five of six. On to the goals:
Biron wants this back.
Caps 1, Rangers 0
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