New York Rangers Get Iced at the Igloo

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME THREE

Penguins   7

Rangers     4

FINAL

Penalties and Special Teams Continue Digging Deeper Hole

The Rangers played a commendable second period.  However, the other forty minutes were highly questionable, if not feeble.

They commit a cardinal sin right away, allowing a goal within the first two minutes of the first period.  Afterwhich they dig themselves into an even deeper hole, yielding two power-play goals just a little over two minutes apart.  The Penguins then score at 15:15 of the first period to put the Rangers behind by three.

Kaapo Kakko scored his first goal of the playoffs five minutes into the first period, and Filip Chytil and Alexis LaFreniere also notched their first points with the assists.

The Rangers miraculously scored three times in the second period to tie the game at four.  Frank Vetrano and Artemi Panarin scored their second playoffs goals, and Andrew Copp tied the game at the 15:15 mark with a short-handed goal.

However, the backbreaker occurred at 11:02 of the third period when Danton Heinen scored unassisted.

The Rangers naturally pulled the goalie during the late minutes, but the strategy failed miserably.  Not once but twice, the Rangers, with a man advantage, were unable to maintain possession and yielded empty-net goals, both assisted by Sidney Crosby.

After the first period, Igor Shesterkin never made it back on the ice, pulled in favor of Alexandar Georgiev.  That first period is not reflective of Igor's overall performance.  Lest we forget, Pittsburgh's backup goalie Casey DeSmith never made it out of game one.  

The fault for this series deficit lies in the Rangers' special teams, be it the power play or the kill.

... stymied by Louis Domingue?  

I'm not buying that.

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 Bring Goals and Salutations to Seattle

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SUNDAY

Rangers      3

KRAKEN     1

FINAL

For the first time, the New York Rangers ventured to Seattle to face off against the expansion Kraken.

Chris Kreider continues to impact games.  

He's crowding the crease area and converting passes.  

Kreider did it again on Sunday.  He gave the Rangers an early lead on yet another tip-in just 3:38 into the first period off a feed from Barclay Goodrow.  

Sunday marks his third goal in his last two games, four goals in his previous four games, and seven goals overall through the Rangers' first nine games.  

That's one way to carry a team.  Another is between the pipes.

Igor Shesterkin was again masterful.  He faced 32 total shots, making eight PK saves and 23 at even strength while allowing just one even-strength goal midway through the second period.  Then consider the Rangers mustered just 18 shots on goal of their own and blocked 21 other Kraken attempts.  

Igor has allowed a goal or less in four of his last five starts.  He has now made seven starts against two by Alexandar Georgiev.

Let's give Shesterkin an assist as well on Adan Fox's go-ahead goal in the third.  He made a key save, after which Kappo Kakko made a brilliant long outlet pass put right on the stick of Artemi Panarin, which has gone unspoken.

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: New Off-Broadway Order

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE GRESCHNER'S NUMBER!

The Chris Drury/Gerard Gallant Era Begins

How appropriate that the Rangers should start the new season against the Washington Capitals.  Lest we forget, it was Tom Wilson's indiscretions against Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin that generated a season-ending maelstrom at Madison Square Garden.  

To this day, I'm still very conflicted over the way last season, and the former regime came to an abrupt and fateful end.  I was a major proponent of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson and in lockstep with their rebuild.  However, a continued lack of physicality remained an outstanding issue and was brought to a head after playing Washington.

Yes!  Jim Dolan meddled in Ranger affairs unlike any other time since being handed stewardship of the team by his father.  That is an entirely different conversation.  In any event, I was still never wholly comfortable and settled with the new front office for as long as Glen Sather remained in the room - again, another conversation.

I heard all the rumors and scuttlebutt and read every account, and I am still unable to decipher what exactly happened and whether I agree with any of it or not.

That being said, I am yet to protest the respective dismissals of Gorton and Davidson.  Nor am I averse to moving forward under Chris Drury with Gerard Gallant as head coach.

This was easily the strangest off-season in my life as a Ranger fan.

Insofar as Wednesday night's opener, 

... terrible.

Five goals allowed on 27 Washington shots on goal, three goals allowed on the power play, and two second-period goals scored within 0:24 seconds of each other.

Alexandar Georgiev looked out of sorts, just 22 saves and none on the penalty kill.

Big money man Mika Zibanejad led all forwards with 25 shifts and 20:26 minutes but generated no assists, no goals, and not a single shot on goal.

I do not want Chris Kreider as captain of this team, although he did score the Rangers' only goal.

N.Y. Rangers: Young Blueshirts Lead Way Against Veteran Islanders

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

THE RIVALRY

Rangers and Islanders tied: 2-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT..!! 

The up-and-coming off-Broadway city slickers trekked out to Uniondale, where they achieve a decisive and rather uplifting victory over the division's top team and their chief local rival.   

Quinn's Kids knot the season series at two but, more importantly, close within five points of fourth-place Boston.  

Meanwhile, the Islanders fall back into a first-place tie with the Washington Capitals, who, as you might expect, defeated the Buffalo Sabres.

Making his first start since Mar. 19 against the Capitals but looking far from rusty, Alexandar Georgiev was sharp as a razor's edge in earning his seventh win of the season.  He faced 32 (even strength) shots on goal and stopped all but one by Andy Greene at 14:53 of the second period.  The Islanders were afforded just one power-play opportunity in which they failed to get off a shot.

Islanders' newly acquired center Travis Zajac generated two shots on goal but was 1/4 on face-offs.  Kyle Palmieri skated a quiet 13:54 minutes and participated in Long Island's lone power play.

The Rangers actually split face-offs down the middle at 29 apiece, which for them is a good thing.  And wouldn't you know, they even mustered six more shots on goal.  If you're so willing, one might even agree Isles' physicality was outdone Friday evening by speed and, dare I say, finesse.  But you didn't get that from me ... Long Island laid 21 hits versus just twelve by the Rangers.  However, the Blueshirts peppered Semyon Varlamov with 35 even-strength shots on goal, of which three got by.

Alexis Lafreniere / Filip Chytil / Kaapo Kakko

In what many Rangers find might consider the highlight of the game, 19-year old Alexis Lafreniere opened the scoring at 6:05 of the second period on assists from 21-year old Filip Chytil and fellow 19-year old Kaapo Kakko.  If only Coach Quinn would just leave Lafreniere/Chytil/Kakko alone for stretches and let them develop chemistry together.  I understand they are young and still need a measure of protection, both physically and logistically.  More time together for the sake of familiarity is all I ask.  But here's everything you need to know - Alexis Lafreniere, to date, has seven goals.  His first five goals of the season were assisted by seven different players.  

1. vs. BUF; Colin Blackwood.
2. vs. WAS; Artemi Panarin, Anthony Bitetto.
3. vs. BUF; Pavel Buchnevich.
4. vs. NJD; Mike Jibanejad.
5. vs. WAS; Julien Gauthier, Kevin Rooney.
6. vs. PITT; Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko.
7. vs. NYI; Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko.

Low and behold, goals number six against Pittsburgh and number seven against the Islanders were assisted by Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko.  

Speaking of Kaako, his situation has been only somewhat different than that of Lafreniere.  Artemi Panarin has assisted on three of Kakko's six goals, and Ryan Strome and Philip DiGiuseppe assisted on two each.  Which is to say Kakko has experienced a little more stability and consistency insofar as linemates.  Otherwise, similar to Lafreniere, seven different players have assisted on Kaako's six goals, and Filip Chytil was one of them.  He assisted on Kaapo's first goal this season back in January against the Islanders, but not since, and for that, I blame Quinn.  Let the results speak for themselves.

Cycling back to the game ...

Roughly four minutes later, Colin Blackwell netted his twelfth of the season on Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome's assists.  Midway through the third period, 21-year old K'Andre Miller scored on assists from fellow blueliner Jacob Trouba and Panarin's second for the game.  Mika Zibanejad then closed out the scoring into an empty net with 1:12 left in regulation.

Zibanejad, to date, has quietly amassed 31 points in 40 games played.  After scoring just six points over his first 19 games of the season, Mika has since scored 25 points in his last 21 games.

N.Y. Rangers: Alex Ovechkin Lowers Iron Curtain on Artemi Panarin and the Blueshirts

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

ALEX OVECHKIN

Photo: 2008 Playoffs vs. Rangers

FRIDAY

Rangers  1

Capitals 2

FINAL

At 13:18 of the third period, Alex Ovechkin scored his 13th goal of the season.  Three minutes and nine seconds later, he would score again, giving the Caps a 2-1 lead and Washington's final margin of victory.  

Ovechkin's patented one-timer from the left circle - that unmistakable shot we've witnessed now for sixteen years, one of the singularly greatest NHL mental snapshots of all-time - played a part in neither goal against the Rangers.

In fact, these were of the variety even Phil Esposito would be proud of.  Positioned in front and boxing out Blueshirts, Ovechkin twice cleaned up loose rebounds for goal #719 and #720 of his illustrious career.  He recently passed former Boston Bruins and New York Rangers favorite and Hall of Famer Phil Esposito who's 717 goals now rank seventh all-time.  Fifth on the all-time list is Marcel Dionne, with 731 goals.  That puts Ovechkin eleven goals away from tying Dionne with 26 regular-season games left to play.

717 Career Goals; 184 w/ Rangers

Coming off an impressive 9-0 shutout of the Flyers, Alexandar Georgiev faced just 18 shots on goal.  He stopped all but two.  After making initial saves, he left two free-range rebounds in front with nary a Blueshirt around to contest Alex Ovechkin, who easily cleaned up.  

Meanwhile, the Rangers peppered Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek with 33 shots who stopped all but one, a power-play goal by Artemi Panarin at 16:42 of the first period.  It was his eighth goal in 18 games this season.  Moreover, Panarin has registered seven points in his last four games since returning from Russia.

This was Washington's first defeat of the Rangers in three games.

N. Y. Rangers: Blueshirts in a Landslide

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers vs. Flyers series tied; 2-2

I - NYR 3; PHI 2*

II - PHI 4; NYR 3

III - PHI 5; NYR 4#

IV - NYR 9; PHI 0

*shootout

#overtime

Back to the Future: Blueshirts Post Largest Goal Total Since 1986 Smurfs Scored Ten Against the New Jersey Devils

No head coach, no staff, no problem.  

Or, was David Quinn the problem all along?  

That can be debated.  

In any event, minus their entire coaching staff crowding the bench area and busting their pucks, the Rangers veterans took it upon themselves to lead the troops after Monday's overtime backbreaker in an uproarious bounce-back effort against the Flyers on Wednesday.

Insofar as Quinn, Brendan Lemieux might have something to say.  After all, he's the one who lit the fuse igniting a Blueshirt explosion.  Lemieux converted feeds from Adam Fox and Bret Howden to open the scoring at 7:05 of the first period.  At 14:47, Artemi Panarin netted his seventh of the season for a 2-0 Rangers lead.

The Flyers, throughout the second period, appeared to be skating in the west side railyards.  The Rangers, in turn, unleashed a seven-goal attack against Philadelphia goalies Carter Hart and Brian Elliot.  Mika Zibanejad posted a hat-trick and assisted on two other goals by Pavel Buchnevich and another by Jacob Trouba.  Then with just 0:27 seconds left in the second period, Filip Chytil scored his fourth goal of the season for a 9-0 Rangers lead.

Alexandar Georgiev was back between the posts demonstrating a marked improvement in performance after getting the hook in each of his last two starts against Pittsburgh and Boston.  If anyone needed a confidence booster, it was him.  Georgiev faced 26 shots on goal and stopped them all for the shutout.

Circling back to Lemieux, it was his second goal and sixth point in limited minutes.  The Rangers need his physicality on the ice.  The Rangers got four points from their blueliners, a goal and assist from Jacob Trouba, and assists by Adam Fox and Libor Hajek.  Pavel Buchnevich finished with four points.  Even Bret Howdenn attempted a shot on goal.  So, you know things went well.

With the victory, the Rangers tie the season series against Philadelphia at two wins apiece.

N.Y. Rangers: Forward, No

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Bruins lead Rangers; 4-1

I - BOS 3; NYR 2

II - BOS 1; NYR 0

III - NYR 6; BOS 2

IV - BOS 4; NYR 1

V - BOS 4; NYR 0

Forwards Owe Georgiev an Apology

The Rangers have now been blanked twice by the Bruins, once on the road and Thursday at home.  It's their fourth loss in five games against Boston.  During that time, the Blueshirts have been outscored by a 14-9 margin.  But don't be fooled, as six of those goals came in one game on Feb. 26 at Madison Square Garden.  Said another way, the Rangers have scored just three goals in four other games against the Bruins.

Limiting Boston to just two power-play opportunities is a good thing.  Libor Hajek earned the first Blueshirt whistle of the night for holding at the 2:14 mark of the second.  At 3:31, David Krejci converted on a feed from Brad Marchant.  That's going to happen.  However, yielding a short-handed goal to Patrice Bergeron at the 17:34 mark of the first period is just inexcusable.  It was a goal that had much less to do with Alexandar Georgiev's inability to block it than it is a matter of Brad Marchant romping through the Rangers' power-play unit and a brilliant backhand feed to Bergeron.  Georgiev was pulled after allowing four goals in just under 25 minutes on ice.  He takes the hit for a bunch of non-scoring forwards who couldn't forecheck a mailbox, much less defend my front lawn.

Boston centermen generated seven shots on goal, two goals, and five assists.  Brad Marchant had no shots on net but assisted on three goals.  Rangers' centermen generated ten shots, five by Mika Zibanejad, but came up empty again.

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: Chris Kreider Hat Trick Hastens Devils Disappearing Act

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

BATTLE OF THE HUDSON

Devils lead Rangers; 2-1

I - NJD 4; NYR 3

II - NJD 5; NYR 2

III - NYR 6; NJD 1

SATURDAY

Rangers 

vs.

Devils

FROM 

NEWARK

Filip Chytil's Return Impacts Team in More Ways That One

The beleaguered Mike Zibanejad for major portions of Thursday's game at Newark was withheld from Coach Quinn's ice.  There's no controversy; it was well deserved, in a manner of speaking.  He is otherwise usually out there for the most shifts and ice time.  But despite two points in his last two games and the primary assist on Alexis Lafreniere's third-period goal, everyone knows Mika is struggling with just two goals and eight points through 21 games.  Last season through the same number of games, Mika scored at a torrid pace with eleven goals and 13 assists for 24 points.  Said another way, he is presently scoring two-thirds less than last season.

Meanwhile, Filip Chytil is two games into his return from injury and already has a point, his fourth in only seven games played this season.  But there's a rub.  During Filip Chytil's seven games played, Mike Zibanejad also registered four points.  In Mika's 14 games played in Chytil's absence, he registered only four points.  Now that Chytil is back, he and Zibanejad scored a point in the same game for the third time.  I'm inclined to think none of this is mere coincidence.  

So, what's a head coach to do?  Does Quinn bump Filip Chytil up to the first line and either bump everyone down a spot or leave Ryan Strome on the second line and drop Zibanejad down on the third line?

In the continuing absence of Artemi Panarin, Jacob Trouba, and Kaapo Kakko, the onus is on Blueshirts veterans to pick up the slack.  Pavel Buchnevich has five points in his last four games, and Chris Kreider is in the midst of one of those mind-boggling streaks we've witnessed so many times before.  With a natural hat-trick against the Devils, Kreider now has seven goals in his last nine games, including two hat-tricks.  He now has 13 goals and 15 points for the season.  Let's enjoy it while it lasts because history says these bursts of brilliance come and go.

Here comes Alexis Lafreniere!  After notching just two points in his first 16 games, the Blueshirts teenager now has two goals and five points in his last four games while finally playing consistently alongside the Rangers' other top-five forwards.

Igor Shesterkin was brilliant, that is, until succumbing to a non-contact leg injury with just under 6:00 left in the third period.  He left the ice, clearly favoring one leg.  At the same time, it confirms the need for depth within the pipes.  No confidence was lost with having Alexandar Georgiev minding the net.  But Igor was indeed winning the day.

Moreover, if it wasn't for Igor, the Rangers, in all practicality, should have lost Thursday's game.  The best centerman on the ice, Jack Hughes, opened the scoring at 7:12 of the first period.  But Shesterkin performed cartwheels in shutting out Newark the rest of the way.  Newark won 16 more faceoffs than the Rangers, which correlated into 36 shots on goal versus just 19 shots for the Rangers.  Mackenzie Blackwood was pulled early in the third period of Thursday's game.  At some point, the Devils effectively stopped playing in front of him.  

Blackwood is otherwise sporting a .912 Sv% and 2.77 GAA through eleven starts.

After a quick start to the season, the Devils have now lost seven of eight since returning from COVID hell.  Losing two of three against the Sabres is most troublesome.  They were also playing Thursday yet again, minus their captain Nico Hischier, who is now in concussion protocol, not to mention suffering a broken nose/sinus fracture.  He will not be returning soon. 

Second-year Jack Hughes has five goals and 13 points in 19 games, and despite Newark fortunes, Miles Wood and Ty Smith continue to impress as well.  Wood leads the team with seven goals, and Smith leads with nine assists.  

Should Wood and particularly defenseman Ty Smith be having betters seasons than Kyle Palmiere?  That's a discussion worth having.  The Devils are no doubt strong up the middle, unlike the Rangers.  Bit whereas the Rangers appear string on the wing, the Devils do not.  

But aren't they too a rebuilding team?

On that note, Coach Lindy Ruff doesn't seem to be winning over the masses either.  Rangers fans know what that's like from when he coached the Broadway blueliners to certain fan dissatisfaction.

N.Y. Rangers: Artemi Panarin Lifts Lagging Mates

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SHOWDOWN AT HIGH NOON

SATURDAY

Rangers

vs.

Capitals

The Rangers were lucky to come away with two points in their first meeting against the Flyers.  Philadelphia's line-up is still being compromised by COVID.  So, there are questions as to what outfit the Rangers really defeated.  But with regards to what transpired on the ice, the Rangers committed one of the cardinal rules of hockey, not once, but twice, and got away with it.

Never yield a goal in the first two minutes or last two minutes of a period.  

They did just that, allowing a goal in the first 0:59 seconds of the game to Nicolas Aube-Kubel.  Colin Blackwell tied the game on a power-play goal at 3:24 of the second period.  Ryan Strome then put the Rangers ahead with an even-strength goal at the 8:21 mark of the third period.  But with just 1:14 left in regulation, Joel Farabee scored his seventh goal of the season, tying the game at two.  After a scoreless overtime, Artemi Panarin, returning from injury, saved the Rangers' ass with a decisive goal in the shootout.

Playing minus Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller, the blueliners still limit Philadelphia to 22 shots on goal and 0/5 on the power play.  The Rangers blocked 27 shots in front of Alexandar Georgiev, who stopped all but two shots.  For reasons I won't get into, Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox walked away with a respective minus-two for the game.

There came the point when Coach Quinn was reprimanding Brendan Lemieux on the bench, if I remember correctly, after a neutral zone blunder.  How about Quinn coaches better and gives Lemiex more ice time!  

Yeah, I went there ...

And thank goodness for Colin Blackwell, who miraculously has seven points in only five games.  Artemi Panarin had eight shots on goal, which equals all five Rangers' centermen shots on goal combined.

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: No Shot Against Devils Mackenzie Blackwood

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

Battle of the Hudson - I

TUESDAY

Devils       4

Rangers    3

FINAL

The Rangers commit one of the cardinal sins of hockey: allowing a goal inside the first two minutes or the last two minutes of a period.  Entering his fifteenth year with the Devils, Travis Zajac does just that, scores within the first 32-seconds of the game.  Thus, the Rangers play from behind all night.  

At practice, Coach Quinn implored his team to take more shots.  That translated into fifty shots on goal against the Devils.  The problem is Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 47 of them.  New Jersey's goalie stopped 33/34 shots at even strength, and 14/16 on the penalty kill.  Said another way, the Rangers averaged 2.6 shots per power play, but cashed in twice, first by Chris Kreider early in the second, then midway through the period by Mika Zebanejad.  Filip Chytil scored the Rangers' lone even-strength goal seven minutes into the third.

There's still no getting around the fact Blackwood and (centerman) Jack Hughes were for all intent and purpose the best two players on the ice.  Hughes, the Devils 2019 number one overall draft pick scored two goals within five minutes of each other in a back and forth second period and later assisted on another.

Alexandar Georgiev made his second straight start.  However, this one didn't go as well as his first.  Georgiev faced just twenty shots, stopping only sixteen, all at even strength.  Coach Quinn relieved him with Igor Shesterkin for the third period.  Meanwhile, the Rangers afford the Devils just two power-play opportunities.

gee I wish the #NYR had drafted a center ... just saying.

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) January 20, 2021

Rangers vs. Devils: Battle of the Hudson Resumes

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

BATTLE of the HUDSON

TUESDAY

New Jersey Devils

vs.

New York Rangers

FROM

The 33rd Street Ice House

DEVILS PUSH BOSTON BRUINS TO OUTER LIMITS

Playing for new head coach Lindy Ruff, the young New Jersey Devils wrapped up two tightly contested games against the Bruins.  Last Thursday's season opener saw the Devils fall behind late in the first period on a power-play goal by Brad Marchand.  Miles Wood ties the game at the 8:51 mark of the third.  After yielding a second power-play goal to the Bruins, Ty Smith ties the game at two, and into overtime, they go.  After a scoreless extra session, Newark comes up empty in the shootout.  Brad Marchand once again finds the back of the net against Mackenzie Blackwood.

On Saturday, the Devils answer back.  Miles Wood opens the scoring at 16:15 of the first period.  But the Bruins tie late in the second on a short-handed goal from Patrice Bergeron.  After a scoreless third period, the two teams once again head into overtime.  Mackenzie Blackwood pitches a shutout, and with just 0:01 left on the clock, KHL vet and 22-year old NHL rookie Yegor Sharangovich scores his first career goal with the Devils ... game over.

• Goalie Mackenzie Blackwood, through two games, has faced 65 shots on goal, with 62 saves.  All three goals against have come on special teams.  
• Jack Hughes, through two games, has assisted on all three N.J. goals.  
• Travis Zajac begins his fifteenth season with the Devils.
• Nico Hischier remains out with a leg injury.
• The Devils and Rangers will play four games straight game in April.

A LOOK BACK AT RECENT DRAFTS

• 2017 - Devils select (C) Nico Hischier with the number one overall pick; Rangers select (C) Filip Chytil with the 21st overall pick.
• 2018 - Devils select (D) Ty Smith 17th overall.
• 2019 - Devils select (C) Jack Hughes with the first overall pick of the draft; Rangers select (RW) Kaapo Kakko with the very next pick (second overall).
• 2020 - Rangers select (LW) Alexis Lafreniere with the first overall pick of the draft; Devils select (RW) Alexander Holtz with the seventh overall pick. 

Alexis LaFreniere and Kaapo Kakko are both just nineteen years old.  Selected in the first round of the 2018 draft, K'Andre Miller is about to join 2017 first-round pick Filip Chytil as the team's resident 21-year olds.  Otherwise, the Rangers have fifteen players age twenty-five or younger and just two players over thirty years old.

ISLANDERS ADMINISTER OPENING NIGHT BEATDOWN

In last Thursday's opener against the Islanders, Igor Shesterkin faced 33 shots and made 29 saves, allowing two power-play goals and two at even strength.  At the other end of the ice, Semyon Varlamov faced just 24 shots by the Rangers, stopping them all for the shutout.  The Rangers' shot total is a direct result of affording the Islanders eight power-play opportunities.  You can't generate offense if you're too busy killing penalties.  Mika Zibanejad, who battled COVID, led the Rangers in shifts and with five shots on goal.  No other Ranger exceeded two shots on goal.  Once the Islanders achieved a 4-0 lead in the second, all they needed to ensure was the Rangers stayed in their playpen.

REMATCH: RUGRATS STRIKE BACK

As if with a flip of a switch, the Rangers roll the Islanders in likewise fashion on Saturday.  This time, the Isles afford the Rangers seven PP opportunities, who convert once in the third period.  Conversely, the Rangers limit the Islanders to four opportunities.  The Islanders still won face-offs 31-25, but unlike Thursday, the Rangers played more even-strength hockey and thus put more shots on goal.  Pavel Buchnevich sent an early message with an opening goal at the 2:12 mark of the first.  Artemi Panarin made it a 2-0 game midway through the period.  Buchnevich scored his second goal in the second period, and youngster Kaapo Kakko scored his first.  Panarin capped off the Rangers scoring in the third also with his second goal of the game.  

The performance in goal was similarly like night and day.  Alexandar Georgiev made the start.  He faced 23 shots and stopped them all for the shutout.  But unlike Thursday, the Rangers played far more competently in front of Georgiev than for Igor Shesterkin.

Rangers vs. Islanders: Local Rivals Reconvene Hostilities

From the desks: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS & NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

LONG ISLAND WAS HERE

OPENING NIGHT

(1-0) Islanders   4

(0-1) Rangers     0

FINAL

Sure, allowing an early power-play goal in the first game of the season against your local rival can be somewhat deflating.  But two goals within 1:19 of each other, inside the first four minutes of the game?

And so, the 2020-2021 season begins ...

Igor Shesterkin's night only got worse.  Mathew Barzal scored the Islanders' third goal of the first period.  While on the power play in the second period, Anders Lee scored his second goal of the game, giving Long Island a comfortable 4-0 lead.  From then on, it was merely a matter of keeping the young Rangers in their playpen.  Igor Shesterkin faced 33 shots and made 29 saves, allowing two power-play goals and two at even strength.  At the other end of the ice, Semyon Varlamov faced just 24 shots by the Rangers, stopping them all for the shutout.  The Rangers' shot total is a direct result of affording the Islanders eight power-play opportunities.  The Islanders also dominated face-offs by a 30-21 margin.  Mika Zibanejad, who battled COVID, led the Rangers in shifts and with five shots on goal.  No other Ranger exceeded two shots on goal.

SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

(1-1) Islanders   0

(1-1) Rangers     5

FINAL

RUGRATS BREAK OUT OF PLAYPEN; ROLL THE ISLES

Then with a flip of a switch, the Rangers roll the Islanders in likewise fashion on Saturday.  This time, the Isles afford the Rangers seven PP opportunities, who convert once in the third period.  Conversely, the Rangers limit the Islanders to four opportunities.  The Islanders still won face-offs 31-25, but unlike Thursday, the Rangers could play even strength hockey and put more shots on goal.  Pavel Buchnevich sent an early message with an opening goal at the 2:12 mark of the first.  Artemi Panarin made it a 2-0 game midway through the period.  Buchnevich scored his second goal in the second period, and youngster Kaapo Kakko scored his first.  Panarin capped off the Rangers scoring in the third also with his second goal of the game.  The play in goal was similarly like night and day.  Alexandar Georgiev makes a start.  He faces 23 shots and stops them all for the shutout.  But unlike Thursday, the Rangers played far more competently in front of Georgiev than they did for Igor Shesterkin.  The Islanders also gave Semyon Varlamov the night off, electing to give 25-year old Ilya Sorokin the start.

🏒

New York Rangers: Drop the Puck

From the desks: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Get Well, King

TONIGHT

New York Islanders

vs.

New York Rangers

33rd Street Ice House

The Rangers are still a rebuilding team, right?

Therefore, I have no expectations.  But I'm excited as hell.  I have but one request from Coach Quinn: let them play.  Let everyone play and let them learn.  Let teenagers gain valuable experience.  Let them lose; let them win; let them play.

Last year's number one overall draft selection Alexis LaFreniere and Kaapo Kakko selected second overall in the 2019 draft, are both just nineteen years old.  Selected in the first round of the 2018 draft, K'Andre Miller is still twenty years old until his birthday one week from today, when he'll join 2017 first-round pick Filip Chytil as the resident 21-year olds.  Otherwise, the Rangers have fifteen players age twenty-five or younger and just two players over thirty years old.

I'm in lockstep with the decision to again not name a captain.  Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Artemi Panarin know many of the "C" responsibilities fall on them, anyway.

I bid Henrik Lundqvist a full recovery from recent open-heart surgery.  I remember his Rangers debut and his rookie season like yesterday.  It's just a matter of time before his #30 is raised to the rafters, and I hope to be there when they do.  He'll forever be The King, our liege in the net.  Henrik was 23-years old when he took over goaltending duties for the Rangers back during the 2005-2006 season.  It's Igor Shesterkin's net now.  He is 25-years old, and his companion Alexandar Georgiev is 24-years old.

An exciting 56-game schedule lies ahead.  Oh, Canada is grouped together in the North Division.  The Rangers are grouped in the East Division with the Islanders, Devils, Flyers, Penguins, Sabres, Capitals, and Bruins.  All but the Sabres and Devils qualified for last year's playoffs.  The Rangers will play eight games against each division member.  In most instances, teams will play a pair of games before moving on to the next opponent.  In April, the Rangers and Devils will play four games in a row.

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Suffer Category One Loss to Hurricanes

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

OUT OF QUARANTINE AND INTO THE BUBBLE

ICED UP IN TORONTO

STANLEY CUP QUALIFIER

GAME ONE

Rangers        2

Hurricanes    3

FINAL

SLOW AND SLOPPY LOSES THE DAY

What Blueshirts fan doesn't want to see the Rangers excel against the Hurricanes, and beyond?  That being said, the Rangers in my opinion are still a rebuilding team, and I do not mind seeing the process through, part of which entails learning how to lose as a team.  The collective experience is invaluable. 

With that in mind, please know that I love Henrik Lundqvist; been in love with Henrik since I first laid eyes on him three games into his rookie season.  It's sad and regrettable that he has yet to win a Stanley Cup, nor might he ever.  But truth be told, for sake of moving forward I prefer Igor Shesterkin (or Alexandar Georgiev) in net for the playoffs.  I understand Igor was a late scratch, but stand by my aforementioned reasoning. 

Such is life, and so into the bubble with Henrik we go ...

These are not the Carolina Hurricanes the Rangers remember from the regular season.  Saturday's game makes that crystal clear.  If it takes a game for the Rangers to get their legs back under them, fine.  But they sure as hell better get their heads screwed on a little tighter as well.

Very soon after losing their first face-off since March 11, the Rangers commit one of the cardinal sins of hockey: letting the opposition score inside the first two minutes, or last two minutes of a period.  Sixty-one seconds into the first, Carolina does just that.  First, let's acknowledge Carolina's goal for what it is: a great pinch play by defensemen Jaccob Slavin.  With puck action taking place at Henrik's left, no one sees Slavin rushing in from the blue line on Henrik's right.  But even more troublesome to me is the Rangers inability to gain, much less sustain, possession.  In fact, Henrik stick handles the puck three times within the first sixty seconds alone!  That's an early indication things are off to an ugly start.  It also begs the question: what good is dishing out forty hits if you continually fail to come away with the puck (three takeaways all game), and tally eleven less shots on goal than the guys you're hitting?  Speaking of hits, former New York Ranger Brady Skjei at the 19:30 mark levels a clean open ice hit upon Jesper Fast, whom leaves the ice and does not return.  Add the fight between Ryan Strome versus Justin Williams, and there is your first period of hockey after roughly four and one-half months of quarantine.

Lethargy rules the day.  The Rangers manage just 26 shots on goal all game.  It's a feeble number considering they are on the power play seven times, getting off minimal shots, and coming away empty each time.

Cycling back to laying hits ... take another look at the Martin Necas goal at 10:51 of the third.  The guy is literally loitering in front of Henrik for a full five seconds before anyone (echem...Marc Staal) notices.  Of course, by then it's too late; Canes lead 3-1 with a half period to go.