New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Bolts Return to Garden Tied at Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME FOUR

Rangers     1

Lightning   4

FINAL

Back to Zero

The Blueshirts just can't have nice things ... like a 2-0 series lead.  

It was nice while it lasted.  

Their inability to possess the puck and sustain offensive zone presence is mind-numbing.  They spend too much time cycling the puck and setting up for a one-and-done instead of just putting shots on the net and cleaning up the garbage.  They get the puck deep, so why not more setups from behind the net?

Once again they're caught up in being too cute.  It's been this way throughout all three series, so this is nothing new.  But will they recognize in time as they did in previous rounds?  

We'll see Friday night.

Let's see what adjustments they make.  Because the Rangers have become very predictable in all their setups and strategy.  The Rangers failed to score an even-strength goal at Tampa's arena.  Said another way, the Bolts have dominated the Rangers over the last five periods.  Tampa has them figured out.  That's a problem, and Coach Gallant needs to solve it.  When Adam Fox leads all skaters in minutes but fails to take a single shot, it's because the Rangers are at the other end of the ice.  Thus, Fox finished game four with a minus-three.

The Rangers played without Ryan Strome and Filip Chytil.  Missing two centermen matters.  Jacob Trouba stepped in with a team-high seven SOGs.  But none found their way past Andrei Vasilevskiy who stopped 34 of 35 shots.

And so here we go again ...

Defend this house!

The Rangers have the home-ice advantage; game five and a potential game seven are slated for the Garden.  Whoever wins two of the following three games advances to the Stanley Cup Finals.  The other team will go home and ponder their salary cap situation.

New York Rangers Fall in Last Minute to Tampa

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME THREE

Rangers     2

Lightning   3

FINAL

Rangers Let Tampa Back in Series

What did I say ...

A two-game lead heading into Tampa means nothing if you can't finish!

The Bolts took 52 SOGs, with 19 coming in the third period.  The Rangers had just six shots after getting off a dozen in the first and second periods.  

They played too close to the fire in the final session and got burned with a mere 0:42 seconds left in regulation.  This isn't the first time we've seen them adopt this defensive posture.  Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were on the ice and solely blamed themselves.  Noble, but a poor finish nonetheless.

Andrei Vasilevskiy played his best game of the series.  The first period was Andrei versus Igor.  Each team had numerous scoring opportunities.  The second period was all about the power play in which the Blueshirts closed out the session with a 2-1 advantage.  But it didn't last.  Steven Stamkos scored on another Tampa power play at 1:12 of the third period tying the game at two.

The Rangers were 2 for 5 on the power play.  They completely blew a golden opportunity when the Bolts got whistled for a double-minor but ruined things with a penalty of their own.

All the big men on campus skated to a stalemate until the final minute.  Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider accounted for six points for the Rangers.  Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, and Corey Perry accounted for eight points, including assists on the game-winning goal by Ondrej Palat, who made it nine points for Tampa.

Vasilevskiy and the Lightning finally showed up and played their best game this series.  Even then, victory was within the Rangers' grasp.

Hopefully, Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow are up for the challenge of game four.  

New York Rangers Seize Two Game Lead Over Tampa Bay Lightning

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME TWO

Lightning   2

Rangers     4

FINAL

Into Enemy Territory, They Go

Pack your sunscreen!  

It's on to Tampa Bay for games three and four.  Life is different down there.  Expect changes.  The Bolts are the defending two-time Stanley Cup champions.  That means something.  Exactly what remains to be seen.  But rest assured, a two-game series lead means little unless you finish.

That being said, the Rangers appear to be getting better with each passing game and have yet to reach their peak.  Their stars are shining brightly, the kids are improving with every shift, and the blueliners are performing very well.  

In case anyone forgot, Carolina was the stingiest regular-season team in hockey, not the Lightning.  The Rangers jumped that hurdle.  After the Hurricanes, you guessed it, the Rangers yielded the second-fewest goals.

Speaking of which, the opposition would have even fewer goals if not for Ryan Lindgren, who has now tipped three pucks past Igor Shesterkin.  Nikita Kucherov's shot at 2:41 of the first period was a frisbee until tipped by Lindgren.  Afterwhich the puck toppled end over end until it found the back of the net.  Corey Perry never touched it.  However, that Tampa Bay power-play opportunity should never have been.  Ryan Reaves and Pat Maroon should have been sent to the box, or none of them, not just Reaves. 

But the resilient Rangers answered right back.  K'Andre Miller tied the game at the 5:59 mark on a setup from Chris Kreider.  The shot was initially blocked by Brandon Hagel.  But Miller secured his own rebound and scored on Andrei Vasilevskiy's glove side.  

It's good to see K'Andre's efforts rewarded for such brilliant defensive play throughout the playoffs.  Miller and the blueliners have been stellar.  Jacob Trouba laid another big hit, this time to Anthony Cirelli.  Adam Fox continues to be the master of puck possession and movement, and all you need to do with Ryan Lindgren is wind him up and see him go.

The Kid Line once again announced their presence with authority.  With time winding down in the first period, Kaapo Kakko tipped in a perfect feed from Adam Fox, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead.  Filip Chytil also assisted in the play.  The kids created numerous other scoring opportunities.

After a scoreless second period, Tampa committed one of the cardinal sins of hockey by allowing a goal inside the first two minutes of the third period.  At the 1:21 mark, Mika Zibanejad scored from the left wing, beating Vasilevskiy once again high on his blocker side.  Chris Kreider registered his second assist.  It was the game's decisive goal as Nicholas Paul scored at 17:58 to bring the Bolts within one.

Igor Shesterkin was the hero, again, stopping 29 of 31 shots.  He is by far outclassing Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net.

Hello Sunshine State ... and all the relocated New Yorkers and retirees just waiting to don their Rangers jerseys and storm Amalie Arena.

New York Rangers Advance to Eastern Conference Finals

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

CAROLINA HURRICANES

BRING ON THE BOLTS!

That's How You Close Out a Series!

The Rangers' power play continued making the Canes pay for their mistakes.  Adam Fox converted passes from Alexis LaFreniere and Andrew Copp at 3:40 of the first period.  A little over four minutes later, Chris Kreider tipped in a pass from Mika Zibanejad, and just like that, before a hushed crowd, the Rangers owned a 2-0 lead.  

More importantly, Carolina was taken out of their game post-haste.  Jacob Trouba deleted Seth Jarvis with a big clean hit.  In Jarvis' attempt to crawl off the ice, Carolina was called for too many men on the ice.  Zibanejad and Kreider made them pay.

Then, with fewer than four minutes left in the second period, Ryan Strome scored the game's decisive goal.  He came rushing down the left-wing and placed a wrister stick side.

Chris Kreider scored the exclamation point to open the third period.  It was a great play on a breakaway, a power move, a classic.  He's been an exceptional leader all season long.  In the second round, game seven, the Rangers are on the road, and Kreider killed it with his second goal of the game.

That being said, the big guns got it done.  The team's top scorers, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, accounted for eight points.

Meanwhile, Filip Chytil continued creating his own chances and capitalizing on Carolina turnovers.  At 8:15 of the third period, he did it again, a beauty.  Chytil scored his third goal in his last two games and fourth of the series.

Igor Shesterkin turned in another brilliant performance.  But for the second time in the series, he was indecisive with the puck, which left him out of position, and he wound up paying the price.

Next stop: Eastern Conference Finals.  

The Rangers regain the home-ice advantage.

Bring on the Bolts!

New York Rangers Need Top Forward Line Contributions at Pittsburgh

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

BACK TO THE IGLOO

GAME SIX

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Veterans Must Step It Up Because The Kids Are Alright

Igor Shesterkin completely misplayed the tying goal.  

Okay ...

But once again, he is not and has never been even a top-three issue why the Rangers are in this predicament.

Instead, look what happens when you make passes from behind the net and take shots from the slot and between the dots.  I've spent the majority of five games now watching the Rangers loitering around the perimeter, cycling the puck, settling for poor quality shots from outside the dots, and making Louis Domingue look like Ken Dryden.  The Penguins instinctually veer toward the net, anticipating a pass or shot, whereas the Rangers, on the rush, push the puck outwards towards the wings and take lousy angle shots.  They executed the strategy well in game one until they didn't and failed to revert to what works best until game five.

Pittsburgh continues to dominate face-offs and create shots.  Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad is yet to show up at the party.  He continually leads the Ranger forwards in minutes but is sixth on the team with only 14 shots on goal and only four points (assists) to show.  In fact, eight different Penguins have gotten off more shots than Zibanejad, and five have posted more points.

The return of Ryan Lindgren clearly impacted the Rangers.  But the million-dollar question is whether anything about the second period happens if Sidney Crosby is on the ice?  His absence clearly emboldened the Rangers.  In fact, the whole complexion of the game changed when Crosby left the ice.

K'Andre Miller, Alexis LaFreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, and Igor are being administered quite an education.  Now it's back to Pittsburgh for game five.  Staring into the face of elimination, let's see what they've learned or not.  

Otherwise, with great conviction, I will say it's time for Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and the veterans to pull the Rangers through to a game seven back at Madison Square Garden.  They're the ones with something to prove.  They're the ones who need to pick up the scoring and not rely so much on Adam Fox.

Because the kids are alright.

N.Y. Rangers: Slash From The Past

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Round One

Pittsburgh Penguins

vs.

New York Rangers

I've been having flashbacks and recurring nightmares about the 1991-1992 playoffs for a week now.  

That team was exciting, featuring several holdovers like Mike Gartner, John Vandbiesbrouck, Darren Turcotte, James Patrick, and John Ogrodnick.  But new Rangers were being planted in the Garden, like Jeff Beukeboom, Tony Amonte, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, Mike Richter, and league MVP Mark Messier.  The Rangers posted a 50-25-5 (105 points) that season and claimed the Presidents' Trophy.

This year's team posted a 52-24-6 (110 points) record.  Like the 91-92 team who had a young goalie named Mike Ritcher, this team has Igor Shesterkin, and like Adam Graves, who in 1994 scored 52 goals, this team has Chris Kreider, who did the same.  Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin are this team's Brian Leetch and Messier.

In the first round of the 91-92 playoffs, the Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils in seven, then faced the Pittsburgh Penguins in round two, just as this team will do beginning Tuesday evening at Madison Square Garden.

During game two of that series, Adam Graves earned a four-game suspension for administering a two-handed slash to the left wrist of Mario Lemieux.  The Rangers lost that series in six games.

Sidney Crosby was mentored by Mario Lemieux.

You know where I'm going with this ...

Mario is probably on the phone at this very minute instructing his hockey padawan.

N.Y. Rangers: Chris Kreider Sticks Pitchfork Into Devils

From the desks: THE BRICK CITY STYX & RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

I - NYR 4; NJD 3*

*shootout

Off-Broadway Kids Come Through Against Devils

Low and behold, Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko each played good games on the same night.  

After Adam Fox tied the game at one, Lafreniere scored at 11:24 of the second period on feeds from Kappo Kakko and Jacob Trouba.  It's only Lafreniere's fourth goal of the season and his first of November.  However, roughly two minutes later, Dougie Hamilton scored on a power play tying at two.

The Rangers failed to score with a man advantage in the third, but immediately after Newark's successful penalty kill, Kappo Kakko scored assisted by Ryan Strome.  But you know me ... if the Rangers had a top-flight center, Kakko doesn't need to fill the lane.  Kappo's second-period assist and third-period goal are his first two points this season.  They come in his eleventh game.

Together, Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko have tallied a grand total of six points.

Meanwhile, Chris Kreider continues killing it.  His game-winning goal in the seventh round of Sunday's shootout may not count on the back of his baseball card.  But his two goals against the Blue Jackets are etched in stone.  Kreider has now scored a goal in nine of 15 games played and has 14 points.  Two consecutive games are the longest he's gone this season without a goal.

Pavel Zacha scored at 16:17 of the third period to send this game into overtime.  It was his seventh goal this season.

Mackenzie Blackwood was forced to leave the ice midway through the third period with an upper-body injury.  Jonathan Bernier closed out regulation time, held the Rangers scoreless in overtime, and denied them through six shootout rounds.

Making his fourth start, Alexandar Georgiev stopped 24 of 27 shots.

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Rebounds With Shutout Against Columbus Blue Jackets

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

FRIDAY

Blue Jackets  0

RANGERS    4

FINAL

Chris Kreider Continues Seizing a Lead Role

Igor Shesterkin has now started six of the Rangers' eight games.  On the heels of Monday's blowout at the hands of the Calgary Flames, Shesterkin answers back with his best performance to date against Columbus.

The Rangers killed off three Blue Jacket penalties.  Shesterkin was required to make four special team saves.  Otherwise, he faced 31 total shots and stopped them all for his first shutout this season and the third of his career.

Ranger centermen generated just one point and ten shots on goal.  Ryan Strome opened the scoring at 12:29 of the first period on Artemi Panarin, and Nils Lundqvist feeds.  For the young Lindqvist, his first point this season.  Three minutes later, Alexis Lafreniere gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead on a feed from Adam Fox.

After a scoreless second period, Chris Kreider laid to rest any Columbus aspirations for a comeback.  While on a power play, Kreider stuck the dagger in Columbus' side when he tipped in Adam Fox's pass from Panarin.  He then gave it a little twist at 11:23 when he again tipped in feeds from Panarin and Fox. 

Kreider is continuing a fine start.  Through eight games, his performance remains consistent and productive.  Against the Blue Jackets, he led all forwards with seven shots on goal.  Kreider is crowding the crease and cashing in with six goals in eight games, including all four Ranger power-play goals.  Friday's game marks Kreider's second multi-point effort, both against the Rangers' last three opponents.

Said another way, Chris Kreider continues playing like he wants that C stitched to his jersey.

N.Y. Rangers: Late Comeback At Ottawa Marks Fourth Consecutive Win

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY
Rangers    3

Senators   2

FINAL

Chris Kreider Striving To Earn The Elusive "C"

Despite allowing a quick goal, Alexandar Georgiev saved all the Rangers posteriors with a hell of a performance in the first period.  Making his first start since that troublesome season opener at Washington, Georgiev yielded a goal just 0:41 seconds into the game.  But it started with an offensive zone turnover and resulted in an odd-man rush heading his way.

After a scoreless second period, Alexandar Georgiev committed his second cardinal sin of the game, yielding a goal 1:04 into the third period on yet another offensive zone turnover, this time converted unassisted by Josh Norris.

With six minutes left in regulation, Coach Gallant had a few things to say, and the Rangers suddenly decided to play hockey.  

Parker Kelly got whistled for hooking K'Andre Miller at the 13:48 mark.  One minute later, Chris Kreider was precisely where he should have been and converted feeds from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zebanijad.  But the play was created initially by brilliant skating and possession from Adam Fox.  Senator goalie Matt Murray was also injured (head) on the play and left the game, although Kreider did make a discernable effort to avoid contact.

The Rangers took full advantage of a cold Anton Forsberg playing in relief of Murray.  Just over one minute later, Ryan Lindgren tips in a feed from Kreider and fine secondary assist by Fox, tying the game at two.  A little over two minutes later, Jacob Trouba secures the puck near the blue line, spins, and fires a shot towards the net.  Barclay Goodrow is there to tip it home for an abrupt comeback and 3-2 victory over the Sens.

Alexandar Georgiev earns his first win, stopping 26 of 28 total shots and keeping the Rangers in the game more importantly.  

In Georgiev's first start, the Caps went 3 for 6 on the power play.  Afterwhich, the Rangers held Dallas to one goal in two penalty kills.  They've since held their last four opponents scoreless in 13 power-play chances and are now 4/21 (19%) on the PK overall.

Adam Fox is so good ... but kudos to Chris Kreider for stepping up.  The now 30-year old Kreider put the Rangers on the board then helped them tie the game at two.  

Kreider is notorious for being a streaky scorer.  After netting goals in the season's first three games, he went scoreless against Toronto and Nashville, two games won by the Rangers.  Saturday, Chris returned front and center at a most opportune time.  But this is about context, and thanks to a fast start, he is indeed up to four goals, but one should consider he has two goals in his last four games.  Saturday's goal is early evidence of much-needed staying power - a punctuation mark if you will.  This is the kind of player Kreider needs to be, limiting those extended scoreless streaks to just a few games at a time.

That's what people who wanna wear the C do. 

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Offering No Quarter

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

THURSDAY

RANGERS      3

PREDATORS  1

FINAL

Igor Shesterkin and Penalty Kill Lift Rangers To Third Consecutive Win

Alexandar Georgiev has not seen ice since his opening night defeat against the Washington Capitals.  He faced 27 shots that night and let five get through - three on the penalty kill, one shorthanded, and one at even strength.  Some were arguably soft, others not so much.

Making his first start against Dallas, Igor Shesterkin committed the cardinal sin when he allowed that first-period goal with 0:35 left on the clock.  That raised an eyebrow.   He then allowed a power-play goal in the second.  But it's worth noting all the Ranger skaters allowed four goals on eight power-play opportunities afforded to the Caps and Stars.  Otherwise, the Rangers, of course, lost to Dallas just 1:38 into overtime.

The penalty kill has since tightened up.  Montreal, Toronto, and the Preds finished their games against the Rangers 0/3 on the power play.

Over his last three starts, Igor Shesterkin has allowed just one goal by each of the previously mentioned opponents.  Said another way, he has faced 101 shots on goal over the last three games and stopped all but three.  His 41-save performance against the Maple Leafs was quite commendable.  Artemi Panarin doesn't score the game-winner in overtime without him.

Against Nashville, the power play went 0 for 4, but the Rangers were able to play with a lead.  Filip Chytl scored just 2:12 into the first period on feeds by Alexis Lafreniere and Sammy Blais.

Nashville's Phillip Tomasino evened things up at 7:01 of the second period.

But the Rangers retake the lead midway through the third on Alexis Lafreniere's second goal this season with assists from Adam Fox (his third) and Sammy Blais, his second of the game.  Afterwhich, Barclay Goodrow's goal with 0:06 seconds left in regulation closes out the scoring. 

For Filip Chytil, his first goal of the season.  Before losing him last season to injury, Chytil had eight goals and 14 assists in 42 games.  I'm hoping like hell he plays himself into being this team's top-line center or having him together on a line with Kakkoo Kappo and Alexis Lafreniere.

N.Y. Rangers: Victory In Home-Ice Opener Not In The Stars

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2021 ~ HOME ICE OPENER ~ 2022

Stars       3

Rangers  2

overtime

Special Teams Experiencing Power Outages and Short Circuits

Open with a lopsided 5-1 loss at Washington, then host a slight downtick in competition only lose in overtime.  Rest assured, the Rangers are slowly but surely inching closer to a win.  Whether it comes against the Habs or Leafs remains to be seen.

The Rangers are putting forth a representative effort with faceoffs, shots on goal, and hits, but special team play has largely compromised their first two games.  They have now allowed four goals in eight penalty kills or lack thereof.  Meanwhile, the Rangers were 1/5 against Washington and shut out in four power-play opportunities against the Stars.  Needless to say, special teams require Gerard Gallant's immediate address.

That being said, goaltending cannot go unspoken.  Alexandar Georgiev stopped 22 of 27 total shots against the Capitals, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 23 of 26 total shots.  Said another way, the Ranger goalminders, in just over six periods of hockey, have thus far allowed eight goals on 53 attempts which translates into an 85% save rate.

Meanwhile, Adam Fox kicked off the season with a game-high 23:31 minutes against Washington.  He followed with a team-high 25:00 minutes Thursday against the Stars; over seven of those minutes were spent on special teams, and he still led the team in even-strength ice time.

Ranger centermen generated eleven shots on goal and just one point on an assist from Mika Zibanejad. Ryan Strome led forwards with five shots on goal.  But wouldn't you know, Adam Fox led the Rangers with six.  I'm hoping and praying Filip Chytil seizes outright the front-line center position.  In the meantime, Dallas centermen generated eight shots on goal, and two found the back of the net - advantage Stars.

Here's the thing about Chris Kreider's second goal in as many games: they came in losses.  But the real point is that he scores in bunches.  Kreider puts together four to six-game scoring bursts, then fades away for long stretches at a time.  I still can't believe of all players, he is the one to survive Jeff Gorton's purge.  But here he is ... Chris can be a real force if he just levels out his peaks and valleys. 

N.Y. Rangers: Igor Shesterkin Blanks Devils at the Rock

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

Rangers lead Devils; 3-2

I - NJD 4; NYR 3

II - NJD 5; NYR 2

III - NYR 6; NJD 1

IV - NYR 6; NJD 3

V - NYR 3; NJD 0

Fists Fly in the Battle Between Two Rebuilding Locals

Igor Shesterkin earns his first career NHL shutout as the Rangers blanked the punchless Devils at Prudential Center.  Newark was both plus-seven in faceoffs and shots on goal and even the beneficiaries of two power-play opportunities.  But the Rangers' 25-year old goalie faced 27 shots and stopped them all, including four on special teams.

It's worth noting the Devils were playing without Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac's services - traded to the Isles - and centerman and team Captain Nico Hischier finally made his reappearance on the ice.

Mika Zibanejad opened the scoring at 7:02 of the first period on a breakaway set up by Pavel Buchnevich and Adam Fox feeds.  After a scoreless second session, Artemi Panarin scored at 7:50 of the third on Filip Chytil and Fox assists.  Pavel Buchnevich then closed out the scoring on an unassisted short-handed goal into an empty net with just 0:28 seconds left in regulation.   

Mackenzie Blackwood has enjoyed better days.  His defensemen offered zero help on Zibanejad's goal.  Otherwise, he faced just 19 shots, stopping all but two.

With two more assists, Adam Fox has 34 points in 41 games.  Mike Zibanejad now has four goals and six points in his last seven games and 30 points in his last 27 games.

Damon Severson and Chris Kreider wasted little time exchanging pleasantries and punches just 1:27 into the game.  Later in the second period, Brendan Smith and Michael McCleod also decided a tussle was in order.

Hostilities resume Thursday.  The Rangers and Devils play three more times over the next five days.

N.Y. Rangers: Coach Quinn Returns With Mixed Results

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE #4 ALREADY!!!

Adam Fox has now registered points in ten consecutive games.  The streak ties a Rangers record shared by (among others) Ron Greschner and Brian Leetch.

In fact, Fox has 18 points over his last ten games with two goals and 16 assists.

The sophomore blueliner finished his rookie season with 42 points and a plus-22 through 70 games and placed fourth in the Calder voting.  This season, Fox to date has notched four goals and 29 assists through 36 games.  His 33 points presently are the second-most points by a defenseman this season behind Victor Hedman.  Saturday's game also marked the seventh time this season he's registered multiple points in a game.

Making his NHL and Rangers debut, Vitali Kravtsov generated three shots on goal while participating in 14 shifts during 10:45 minutes on ice.  He joined fellow Rangers' first-round draft pick Filip Chytil, K'Andre Miller, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere.

🏒

Buffalo is the lone NHL team still with single-digit victories and own a league-worst minus-46 point differential.  Saturday's win over the Rangers was only their eighth this season for their still league-worst 22nd points of the season - six points behind the Ducks and seven behind the Red Wings.

But the Rangers apparently never received the memo.  In two straight games against the worst team in the league, the Rangers fail to win either during regulation time.

Artemi Panarin opened the scoring at 10:02 of the first period with a power-play goal on feeds from Fox and Chris Kreider.  Panarin's second goal of the night came at 17:52 of the second period, assisted by Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox.

Buffalo's Casey Mittelstadt tied the game the first time at 13:01 of the first.  In the third period, Artemi Panarin got beat in the defensive end, which led to Victor Oloffson's game-tying goal at the 16:19 mark.

Joining Panarin with a minus-one for the game were Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Strome, K'Andre Miller, and Jacob Trouba. 

After a scoreless overtime, Buffalo's Linus Ullmark outlasted Igor Shesterkin in the shootout.

The Rangers were 4-2 in Coach Quinn's absence.  Mika Zibanejad scored 16 points while Coach was away; twelve of those points came in two games against the Flyers.  They are now 2-1-1 since Coach Quinn's return, and Zibanejad has notched just one point.

Otherwise, the Rangers' centermen came up empty once again with just five shots on goal and no points.  Pavel Buchnevich had more shots on goal than the Rangers' centers combined.

Chris Kreider is no different.  The erratically effective forward is averaging just two shots per game.  But I put that more on David Quinn and his inability to establish a team identity.  With just under a half-season left, Kreider might very well reset his career-high in goals.  Just imagine Kreider spending more time shoving bodies in front and cleaning up rebounds.  Apparently, Quinn can't.

At one point, Quinn paired Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko with Pavel Buchnevich.  I don't mind the line, per se, but I'm getting tired of his inconsistencies and constant reactive line changes.   

Yeah, I'm looking at the guy calling the shots.

N.Y. Rangers: Best Hot Wing is Right Here in the City

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Upstate vs. Downstate

EMPIRE STATE PUCKS

Sabres  3

Rangers 5

FINAL

Artemi Panarin Governs Over Downstate Victory Over Western Neighbor

When you're in the midst of a season with no expectations, playing the Buffalo Sabres still comes with expectations.  It's called the food chain, and for the present time, the Rangers are two species up on the pecking order from Buffalo; 

... not to mention the Sabres are playing minus their injured center Jack Eichel.

When there are expectations, sometimes you're bound to be disappointed.  Yes, this implies the Rangers did something wrong.  A scoreless first period in any game is reasonable to expect.  But yielding the opening goal at 3:52 of the second period was somewhat deflating.  As per the cardinal sins of hockey, allowing a goal just over one minute into the third period was annoying.  Then ... then, allowing that game-tying goal just 3:13 minutes later was quite a disappointment.

What really has me incensed is Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere, and Kaapoo Kakko, all playing under 15 minutes.  The trio of Julien Gauthier, Kevin Rooney, and Brendan Lemieux also wasn't up to snuff.

Keith Kincaid faced only 16 shots, made three saves on special teams, but only 13 saves at even strength.  He nonetheless earns his second straight victory and still sports a representative 2.22 GAA through seven appearances.

Meanwhile, Artemi Panaris continues proving beyond a shadow of a doubt just how indispensable he is to the Blueshirts.  He elevates the team and those playing alongside him.  The Bread Man fueled Monday's second-period counterattack, then helped punctuate an unnecessarily hard-fought victory in the game's closing moments.  Panarin assisted on Kaapo Kakko's game-tying goal in the first.  Shortly thereafter, he assisted on Chris Kreider's power-play goal putting the Rangers ahead by one.

At 18:18 of the second period, Adam Fox gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead on feeds from Pavel Buchnevich and the surging Mika Zibanejad.

Chris Kreider also said to hell with all the complaining about his streakiness.  After Buffalo tied the game at three, Kreider restored the Rangers lead on feeds from Ryan Strome and Adam Fox.  

With under a minute left in the game, Artemi Panarin again factors in assisting Kaapo Kakko's second goal of the game and a 5-3 final margin of victory.

Panarin and Adam Fox finish the game with three points each.  Kreider now has seven goals and eleven points through twelve games in March.  Pavel Buchnevich has scored in nine of eleven games played this month for 16 points.

Elusive New Jersey Devils Defense Disappears Back Into The Pine Barrens

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS  &  THE BRICK CITY STYX

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

Series Tied; 2-2

I - NJD 4; NYR 3

II - NJD 5; NYR 2

III - NYR 6; NJD 1

IV - NYR 6; NJD 3

Bad Just Got Worse For The Devils; Ice Cracking Beneath Their Skates

Straight out of the Pine Barrens ... Newark's defense has been as elusive as the mythical New Jersey Devil itself.  Having lengthened their losing streak to five, they are now losers of eight of eleven games since returning from COVID quarantine, over which time they've been outscored by a 40-27 margin.

The visiting Rangers over the last two games account for twelve of those goals; six on Thursday and six more Saturday afternoon.  Six goals are the most rendered this season by the Devils to any opponent through 20 games, much less in consecutive games.  

Talk about problems of the macro/micro variety ... New Jersey couldn't keep Chris Kreider (hat trick) from loitering around the net two days ago and appeared stuck in the Pineland muck as Adam Fox went endzone to endzone and scored just 2:06 six into Saturday's game.

Trailing 2-0 in the first, P.K Subban scored at the 14:54 mark.  Just 0:17 seconds later, Mikhail Maltsev tied the game at two.  But outside of Nathan Bastian's inconsequential goal at 17:48 of the third, Newark went missing for the final forty minutes of play.

Mackenzie Blackwood was faced with killing five Rangers' power plays.  He allowed one goal and made five saves.  Blackwood otherwise allowed four even-strength goals while making 17 saves, and 22 saves in 27 shots overall.  The Rangers' sixth goal was into an empty net.  This comes on the heels of getting yanked early in the third period of Thursday's game, in which he yielded four goals on just 15 shots.

🏒

Victories Over Buffalo And Newark Are Little To Write Lester Patrick About, But The Kids And Grown-Ups Are Finally Learning How To Play Together

The 21-year old Filip Chytil, since returning from injury three games ago, is a plus-four with a goal and two assists.  It's worth noting he went scoreless in his first game back, which really gives him three points in his last two games.  Chytil was the primary assist on Kevin Rooney's goal late in the first period helping the Rangers regain a 3-2 lead.  Filip then scored at 8:38 of the third, giving the Rangers a more comfortable 5-2 lead.  It's his third goal in only eight games played this season and his first since Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh.  

Meanwhile, Mike Zibanejad was a minus-one with just one shot on goal in back-to-normal shifts and time on ice.  However, he appeared to be in some discomfort during the closing minutes of the game.  Bruised or not, I would again urge Coach to start Filip Chytil on the first line.  There's no sense in disrupting Ryan Strome's role on the second line, not coming off two goals on Saturday and four points in these last two games against the Devils.  He's planted his flag with eight goals and 17 points through 22 games.  Therefore, I say put Mika Zibanejad on the third line for a spell.  Everything Coach Quinn does is already transient in nature.  This would be no different.  Sometimes the best decisions start out being the most unpopular ones.  Otherwise, the Rangers received four goals from their centermen against the Devils on Saturday.

Just 1:33 into the game, Sami Vatanen was whistled for a mindless high-sticking penalty against Brendan Lemieux - not the other way around!  Enter Adam Fox, who at 0:36 into the power play, goes end-to-end, splitting the Devils PK unit straight down the middle, and scored unassisted sans his goalie Alexandar Georgiev.  Cycling back to Lemieux, I'm copacetic with his 12:49 minutes at even strength and a fleeting moment on the power play.

Playing in his first game since Feb. 18, Kaapo Kakko assisted on Ryan Strome's first-period goal.  Also, with an assist, Chris Kreider now has twelve points in his last nine games.  Likewise, with an assist, Pavel Buchnevich now has five points in his last three games.

Similar to the way New jersey started the first period, just 1:05 into the second session, they again commit one of the cardinal sins in hockey when Rangers' blueliners K'Andre Miller and Libor Hajek catch Newark napping.  Hajek converts a Miller feed for only his second goal in 45 career games as a Ranger.  In fact, Blueshirt defensemen contributed two goals and four points.  Even Jack Johnson administered five hits and committed no penalties, and Brendan Smith led the team with four shots on goal.

Still, minus Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba, the Rangers are now winners of three straight.  These last two victories against the Devils just happen to be the Rangers' ninth and tenth wins of the season. 

Getting the start in place of the injured Igor Shesterkin, Alexandar Georgiev stopped all but three of 27 shots; two saves on special teams.  Georgiev will have a quick turnaround as the Rangers take on the Penguins at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirt Forwards March on Capitals

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY

RANGERS   4

CAPITALS   1

FINAL

Adam Fox didn't have to everything himself.  He was limited to one shot on goal, while the blueliners accounted for seven of the Rangers' 24 total shots on net against Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek.

The Rangers' top forwards not named Panarin actually showed up to play some hockey Saturday in the nation's capital.  They accounted for the balance of 17 shots on goal.  At 14:57 of the first, Chris Kreider netted his fifth goal of the season on Artemi Panarin's and Ryan Strome's assists.  With time winding down in the second, Artemi Panarin fed Alexis Lafreniere, who deeked Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek with a sweet backhand for a 2-0 Rangers lead.  The Caps then committed one of the cardinal sins in hockey, yielding a goal from Ryan Strome with 1:17 left in the period.  But the Rangers were equally careless.  Dmitry Orlav scored with just 0:39 left in the period making it a 3-1 game.  Mika Zibanejad capped off the scoring with an empty-netter with just over two minutes left in the third for a 4-1 final margin of victory.

Kreider's goal ties him for the team lead with five, with Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin.  For a time, Coach Quinn joined Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Artemi Panarin on the first line together, and it paid off for the teenager who registered only his second goal of the season and his first in February.  Artemi Panarin, with two assists in the game, now has 13 for the season and 18 points through his first 14 games.  The beleaguered Mika Zibanejad scored a goal for the first time since Jan. 19 against the Devils, giving him just four points through 16 games.  Pavel Buchnevich assisted on two goals giving him twelve points, second-most on the team, through 16 games.  Ryan Strome was the third Rangers forward to register two points in the game.  In a slight improvement over recent games, the Rangers centermen accounted for seven shots, a goal, and three points.

Brendan Lemieux saw some time on special teams bringing him up to 11:47 minutes of ice time, two more minutes than last game.  More ice time, please.

In light of Jacob Trouba's injury, there were no Jack Johnson sightings to the fan's delight.  Thankfully K'Andre Miller returned to action.  Adam Fox was called upon for 24:20 minutes.  Brendan Smith held his ground in 18:47 minutes and 26 shifts, and there were no issues with the third pairing of Anthony Bitetto and Libor Hajek.  I know Nils Lundqvist is lurking in the background, and there are even more blueliners on the way after him.

But that's for next year ... 

N.Y. Rangers: A Blueline Special

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STILL THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

Not their drubbing of the Islanders roughly two weeks ago; not their recent defeat of the Sabres; Monday night's game against the Penguins was the Rangers' best game of the season.

It took some overtime along the blue line.  Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba played over twenty-six minutes each.  Jack Johnson was thankfully off the ice, Tony DeAngelo cleared waivers, and Brendan Smith sustained an injury after six shifts.  Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller both skated over 21 minutes.  Meanwhile, making his Rangers debut, New York State native Anthony Bitetto saw almost 15 minutes.  K'Andre Miller was the brightest star of the night, laying a big hit and making the biggest save of the game when it mattered most.  Adam Fox's shot from the point deflected in by Chris Kreider midway through the second period gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish, 

... unlike losing face-offs in your own end and giving up yet another third period lead.

A look at the other side sees sophomore defenseman John Marino skate for over 30:30 minutes.  Next in was Pierre-Olivier Joseph with 26:14 minutes.  No other Pittsburgh defenseman skated beyond 16 minutes.  Now consider the Rangers only mustered 23 shots on goal.

There's just no getting around it.  The Rangers are weak up the middle, not just now, but for a long-ass time.  I don't need to tell fans; we all know it.  The Devils beat us to Jack Hughes, but it appears the Rangers would have drafted Kaapo Kakko nonetheless.  Hughes so far has eight points through nine games with a plus-two.  But I digress.  Filip Chytil's injury compounds the Rangers dilemma.  The Rangers are dependent on Ryan Strome more now than ever.  That's not somewhere I want to be.

Rangers Centers:

• Mika Zibanejad - nine games, two points, minus-four.
• Ryan Strome - nine games, four points, plus-three.
• Brett Howden - nine games, one point, minus-one. 

Coach Quinn rejoined Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich, who created multiple chances in the third period.

By the way, did you see my guy Brendan Lemieux the other night ... a big hit in the neutral zone, recovers the turnover, then scores!  

Igor Shesterkin gets the start.  He faces 26 shots and stops all but one.  After Jason Zucker's goal at 9:05 if the first period, Igor shut them out.  He stood up to intense pressure throughout the third period and particularly in the final minutes.  K'Andre Miller may have made the biggest save of the night, but Shesterkin made many excellent ones too.

This is what I mean by learning how to lose before you can win.  These youngsters are good learners.  Although their teacher has been pissing me off somewhat lately, it's cool.

Tony D'Angelo cleared waivers.  The Rangers are free to buy him out, or whatever it is they chose to do, but he will never again don a Blue Shirt.  That is certain.  He was problematic before arriving off-Broadway, he proved problematic here, and I'm not so sure other teams may want him as well.  The last straw was DeAngelo allegedly going after goalie Alexandar Georgiev for allowing the losing goal against Pittsburgh.  Rumor has it DeAngelo instigated a confrontation with his goalie in the tunnel on the way back to the locker room.  Sure, DeAngelo scored over 50 points last season, but truth be told, his defense has left a lot to be desired throughout.  He was a minus-six when the hammer fell.

File Monday's win against Pittsburgh under addition by subtraction.

N.Y. Rangers: Education of the Young Blueshirts Continues

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

DEFENSE

Fifteen Goals Against 

3rd Least East Division

PENGUINS SHMENGUINS ... ON TO BUFFALO and #SABRESMAFIA

Two blown third-period leads, two straight losses against the Penguins, and three losses in a row.  The Rangers are now 1-3-1 in a 56 game regular season.  

I don't mind, because I have no expectations.  Into the fire, let them play.  For now, I'm content with letting these young Blue Shirts learn how to lose.  By that, I mean coming to understand the fine line between playing sixty minutes and everything else.  It's part of the process.  If I may, the devil is in the details.  This is still a rebuilding team.  Therefore, I'm more interested in development, improvement, and progress. 

In the meantime, my eyes are peeled on Filip Chytil.  The biggest reasons are because on occasion he centers Alexis Lafreniere just as Coach Quinn has a tendency of shifting Kaapo Kakko up and down in lines.  Chytil, 21-years old, through five games, has two goals and one assist while averaging just under thirteen minutes of tice time.  Meanwhile, through five games Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko have posted a total of just two points.  Chytil assisted on Kaapo's second period goal in their second tilt against the Islanders.  Sunday's game against the Penguins was another instance wherein Kakko was lined up with Chytil and Philip Di Giuseppe who by the way has four assists in four games.

On that note, I prefer Coach roll out four lines more consistently.  What coach on occasion wouldn't want to add Artemi Panarin next to Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.  But I ask discipline of my coach.  I also want to see Brendan Lemieux more, and if that means next to Brett Howden and Julien Gauthier or Di Giuseppe on an acceptable rotational basis, so be it. 

CENTERS of ATTENTION

• Mika Zibanejad - 5 games; one goal; one assist; (-2); leads team w/ 16 SOG; 19:57 minutes.
• Ryan Strome - 5 games; one goal; no assists; (-1); second on team w/ 14 SOG; 20:11 minutes.
• Filip Chytil - 5 games; two goals; one assist; (+3); 12 SOG; 12:56 minutes.

As we know, the defense was a big problem last season.  So far, they've allowed the third least goals within the eight team East Division.  Only the Devils and Islanders have yielded less.  Adam Fox is fast becoming a star, and for the moment, Ryan Lindgren is winning the day.  Along with Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller, the four are settling the blue line.  Lest we forget the Rangers potentially still have more talent on the way.  Therefore, this is still a work in progress.  In the meantime, I can do without Jack Johnson's experience.  He is wasting roster space and stealing minutes away from, say, Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith.  I imagine Tony DeAngelo is still trying to regain a comfortable space within the locker room, but his play, coming off a 53-point season in 68 games, speaks for itself.  Brendan Smith is still capable on a third pair for as long he's not opposing top line forwards.  But I'd still rather see Smith with DeAngelo in a somewhat regular rotation than having Jack Johnson on the ice.

UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2021, 1:26 p.m.

NYP - FILIP CHYTIL OUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS