This could have been one of the most boring games I have ever seen. The teams combined for just 13 shots in the first, 25 total through the second, and very little offense. In the end, the Canadiens took advantage of two big Ranger miscues, while the Rangers couldn’t take advantage of the 27 icings the Canadiens took. The Habs won a boring game against a shorthanded Rangers team, ending their streak of points in five straight games. On to the goals:
Head on a swivel, the Habs did not.
Rangers 1, Montreal 0
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The Rangers took it to the Caps offensively in this game, tallying a whopping 20 shots in the first period alone. The Rangers eventually finished with 40 shots on goal. Braden Holtby was the only reason why this game wasn’t 6-1 or 7-1. He made several outstanding saves from point-blank range. The Rangers were able to erase a 1-0 deficit on goals by Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan, with Stepan’s coming on the Rangers’ fourth powerplay of the game.
On to the goals:
Weak side D is Gaborik’s man.
Caps 1, Rangers 0
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The Rangers blew a 3-0 lead, but Ryan Callahan saved a victory in the shootout
The Rangers choked away a 3-0 lead, but were still able to pick up their second win over Boston this season. New York dominated for much of the game, but foolishly sat back in the third period and the Bruins sealed a comeback with 2 goals in the final 1:31. An extremely entertaining overtime period followed before the Rangers entered their first shootout of the year. Rick Nash’s beautiful goal gave the Rangers a chance to seal the victory, but Brad Marchand rifled a gorgeous shot past Henrik Lundqvist to even the score. Lundqvist stopped David Krejci and then captain Ryan Callahan scored the game-winner by roofing a shot over Tuukka Rask.
It wasn’t a pretty win and the blown lead was miserable, but the Rangers still picked up their 4th win in the last 5 games. Unfortunately, they allowed the Bruins to earn a point in the process. It was the 19th time in 24 games between these 2 teams that the game was decided by just 1 goal.
First Period
Rangers 1, Bruins 0 Carl Hagelin (10:37)
This play was all Rick Nash. First, Nash forced a turnover in the Boston zone that led to a shot. Gregory Campbell was able to guide the puck out to center ice, but 3 Boston forwards went for a change and Dan Girardi quickly hit Nash charging down the middle. 2 defenders not named Zdeno Chara (Andrew Ference and Adam McQuaid) converged on Nash and even though Nash was tripped up by Ference, he was able to fling a backhand pass to a waiting Carl Hagelin for an easy deposit into an empty net. It was Hagelin’s 4th goal in his last 5 games after going goal-less for 36 straight. Read more »
The Rangers had plenty to celebrate tonight.
The Rangers rode an offensively strong first period and turned it into a pretty dominant 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Aside from a somewhat defensively suspect first period (which gave Lundqvist some nice practice time…) and a brain fart on the Lightning goal, this was as near to a complete game as you’ll get.
The Rangers had strong performances all over the ice. Led by Hagelin followed by Nash, Staal, Lundqvist, the fourth line and Ryan McDonagh, but in particular Girardi was up there with Hagelin displaying his exceptional decision making all game long. The Rangers controlled the boards, controlled the tempo and controlled a highly skilled team allowing them just 20 shots. This game makes you excited to be a Ranger fan as the depth really came to the fore tonight.
On to the breakdown folks.
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This was a complete game for the Rangers. Their forwards played well, their defense played well, their goaltending was great, and it was a full 60 minute effort. They weren’t perfect, but their mistakes did not cost them goals. They capitalized on the chances the Islanders gave them, and created their own chances by attacking the open ice. The best part about a clean game is that the goals are easy to break down. On to those goals:
Look at all that space. How about that kid?
Rangers 1, Islanders 0
How about this one? J.T. Miller’s first NHL goal comes off a turnover from Mark Streit. The turnover was forced by Chris Kreider, another first round pick of the Rangers. Miller simply picks up the puck and takes it down the seam. A little miscarry with the puck doesn’t stop Miller, but it draws Evgeni Nabokov out of position just enough. Miller with a perfect shot over Nabokov’s shoulder, and he’s the happiest underage kid in the world.
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In the first meeting between these two playoff bound teams, Martin Brodeur was the difference. He wasn’t called upon often, but he made some great saves when he needed to. The Rangers defense also fell asleep a few too many times this game, as their defensive miscues on goals one and three by the Devils turned out to be the difference in this game.
On a positive note, both Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller looked solid in this game. Kreider looked like the Kreider of old, and Miller looked like he fits in with the Rangers just fine. If you’re going to take a positive from this game, take that.
On to the goals:
Coverage fail. Again.
Devils 1, Rangers 0
This goal is just a whole big mess all around. First, the Rangers lose the puck along the half boards, and the Devils cycle the puck behind the net. Michael Del Zotto chases David Clarkson behind the net, where Marc Staal is tied up already with Patrick Elias. So with both defensemen behind the net, Adam Henrique just sits wide open in the slot. Marian Gaborik, is the weak side winger and the weak side winger has to cover the high slot. This is a mental gaffe on Gabby’s part and probably why he was sent down to play with Halpern. It also helps that Staal didn’t realize Henrique was there, even though he was nowhere near Elias at the time of the pass.
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This was a fun game to watch. The Rangers and Lightning both came out firing, and there was a lot of back and forth action in the first period. Credit for this win goes to Marty Biron, who stood on his head and made some phenomenal saves to keep the Rangers in the game. This was the best overall game for the Rangers this year. It’s also worth noting that the Rangers finally got scoring from Derek Stepan and Carl Hagelin. Their absence from the score sheet was the crux of the forward depth issue.
On to the goals:
McDonagh too high, Girardi alone in front.
Lightning 1, Rangers 0
Stu Bickel took a bad hooking penalty, which gave one of the league’s most skilled teams a powerplay chance. After some corner work, the puck finds its way to Rick Nash, who doesn’t clear the zone. Ryan Malone took the puck away, giving the dangerous first PP unit more time with tired penalty killers on the ice. The puck works itself out to the point, and for some reason Ryan McDonagh follows the puck all the way to the point. The Lightning are skilled enough to pass the puck around and exploit this blown coverage. Dan Girardi can’t cover both guys in front, and this is an easy goal for Steven Stamkos.
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The up and down season continues for the Rangers as they dropped another game to the Penguins, 3-0 at the Garden tonight. This was a frustrating loss, not only because the group’s low scoring ways continued, but because the Rangers did a lot of good things tonight and came up empty handed. Let’s get to the goals…
Pittsburgh 1, Rangers 0
The Pens struck early in this one, just 1:24 into the opening frame. The Rangers got caught running around in their own zone due to some quality puck movement from the Pens. Kris Letang was able to sneak a nice lateral pass down to the back door for Malkin, who ripped a one-timer, short side for the early tally. Read more »
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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Tonight’s breakdown is courtesy of myself and The Suit. All in all, the Rangers outplayed the Maple Leafs for most of the contest, but a few defensive miscues and a sub par power play prevented the Rangers from running away with the win early in the contest. Instead they had to battle it out for the W in the third period.
On to the goals…
Leafs 1, Rangers 0
This goal was just a mess all around for the Rangers. First, Ryan McDonagh coughs up the puck to Mikhail Grabovski. John Michael-Liles picked up the loose puck, and both McDonagh and Dan Girardi move up to block a shot attempt by Liles. Grabovski was left wide open on the other side of the net, right in front of Henrik Lundqvist. Grabovski just had to out wait an isolated Lundqvist, which isn’t hard in that position. Just bad communication between McD and G.
Leafs 2, Rangers 0
The Rangers took a bad too many men penalty. This time around the Leafs worked the puck to the point to Liles, and Staal drifted all the way to the face off dot. This left Michael Del Zotto alone in front to cover two Leafs. When the shot got through, MDZ couldn’t cover both and James van Riemsdyk put the puck into the net. Some will put this on MDZ, but Staal drifted way too high on his coverage and Derek Stepan didn’t finish a check along the boards.
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