N.Y. Rangers: Game Three - Blueshirts Need To Protect Their House

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Series Tied 1-1

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - PITT 3; NYR 0

III - MONDAY NIGHT
*OT

GAME THREE
Pittsburgh Penguins
vs.
New York Rangers
FROM

NEW YORK RANGERS: Did You Think The Penguins Were Just Going To Lay Down? Capitalize On Game One,  And Win At Home.

Sunday night, in the absence of scoring from Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard, Dominic Moore, Mats Zuccarello, Dan Carcillo, Carl Hagelin, Brian Boyle, etc., etc., the Rangers were shut out by Pittsburgh's Marc Andre Fleury.

The Rangers were held to single-digit shots in the first and last periods of Game Two, and were limited to 22 SOG overall.  Reason being, the Penguins played perhaps their best game of the entire season.  That happens.

Here's what's not happening.

In my best Winston Churchill impersonation, it brings me no joy in reporting the shot count is now up to 37 (which leads the Rangers) and still no goal for Rick Nash in 9 playoff games.  His supporters claim he is being careful of taking care of the little things, and skating well.  That's fine, but I would suggest the little things should be left to the aforementioned players.  I would also point out, he has only registered 4 assists. Clearly, much bigger things are needed from Nash.

Here's what else isn't happening...

But Sidney Crosby hasn't scored either!  The Rangers do not pay Sidney Crosby, nor does he wear a Blueshirt.  The princess is Pittsburgh's problem.

And another thing.....

The power play is now 0 for its last 29 attempts.  The last PP goal came in Game Two versus the Flyers. The Rangers are now 3 for 41 (.07%) in the playoffs.

In truth, Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers played well Sunday.  However, I was concerned how Jussi Jokinen blew by Anton Stralman on goal one.  Heading into the series, I said,

I anticipate Ryan McDonagh having a better series, but I'm concerned with Anton Stralman's and Kevin Klein's ability to keep up with Pittsburgh's forwards.  I think the last thing the Rangers want is for Pittsburgh to start skating around and gaining flow - yes, what Coach Vigneault likes to do.  But, Coach might want to also consider grinding on the Penguins, in an effort to slow them down.  That should also involve keeping Dan Carcillo and his physicality on a steady shift.

Dan Carcillo - another 11 minutes and 20 shifts at even strength.  That's fair.

On Pittsburgh's second goal, Kris Letang just got the (rebound) better of an unsuspecting Marc Staal.

That happens.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Work Overtime To Snatch Home Ice Advantage

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Tex's Rangers Steal Home Ice Away From Penguins

Rangers Lead Series 1-0

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - SUNDAY

III - PITT @ NYR

IV - PITT @ NYR

V - NYR @ PITT

VI - PITT @ NYR

VII - NYR @ PITT

*overtime

GAME TWO

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

FROM

Steel City

NEW YORK RANGERS: We Have Ourselves A Series, As Pittsburgh Drops Opener On Home Ice.  Pressure Now Squarely On Marc Andre Fleury And The Mighty Pens To Square Series Before Entering Madison Square Garden.

Blueshirts Land First Blow In Metropolitan Division Prize Fight

Coach Vigneault was able to negotiate his team through a physical series against Philadelphia.  Among his adjustments, his timely implementation of Dan Carcillo was a key factor in the series.  Now, I have to credit Coach and say, a touch of Vigneault could be the difference in getting the Rangers through Pittsburgh.

Vigneault vs. Tortorella

The Rangers proved long ago, they can take a punch.  The criticisms levied against these new Rangers involved their inability, or willingness to punch back.  Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have done things differently for sure.  Where as I likened the Rangers under Tortorella to a big blue glacier grinding down teams in their path, who also many times settled things with their fists, Vigneault's team instead plays with a bit more refinement and polish, and above all, with shared responsibility.

The Rangers still continue to battle like heavyweights, just smarter under Vigneault.  Pittsburgh is clearly a far less physically threatening opponent than Philadelphia, but they're obviously a very skilled, and perennial powerhouse nonetheless.  That's where Vigneault comes in.

Under Torts, Benoit Pouliot would have never been on the ice to factor like he has.  After a series of bad penalties against the Flyers (if not after his first stupid penalty) Pouliot would have been buried deep in the basement of Tortorella's dog house, and Derick Brassard would have probably been in the penalty box having earned five for fighting.

Under Torts, the 4th line would have been nothing but a pipe dream.  Coach Vigneault deserves credit for not only creating a functioning four line system, but for assembling a 4th line that excels, and propels the Rangers.  In fact, he also established order throughout the four lines.  Under Torts, the top three forwards would have most likely been getting over-shifted.  Mats Zuccarello, the team's leading regular season scorer, would probably still be suffering from un-favored status, while Brad Richards would still be clocking in 24 minutes a night.

All that said, the Rangers and Penguins exchanged hey-makers in the first two periods, before gaining a measure of respect for each other in the third.  Then three minutes into the fourth round, Derick Brassard delivered Game One's knockout blow.

Benoit Pouliot and Brad Richards each notched their third goals of the playoffs.  Derick Brassard's first of the playoffs was a winner, and a reward for his 8th straight game of hard work.

Henrik Lundqvist faced 9 more shots (36 to 27) than did Marc Andre Fleury, and forced the game into overtime with a brilliant third period save.  But, as speculated, Fleury proved erratic between the pipes. Benoit Pouliot beat Pittsburgh's goalie like a rented mule on the game's opening score.  Then on the second score, Fleury's defensemen abandoned their posts, forcing him to over play Brad Richard's goal.  In overtime, Fleury actually got beat twice on the game's winning goal in overtime by both Pouliot and Brassard.

Sidney Crosby's post-season woes continue.  He was held to three SOG, and was a -3 for the game.
James Neal and Chris Kuntitz earned a measure of Blueshirt attention however, with 5 and 7 SOG respectively.  Rick Nash had 4 shots, and Derek Stepan had 5 shots for the Rangers.

For the new wave of Dan Carcillo fans, Coach Vigneault gave him 19 shifts in 10:00 minutes of ice time, all at even strength.  But, Coach Vigneault has so far resisted trying Anton Stralman's shot on the PP.

Both teams were scoreless in four PP opportunities each, so credit the Rangers for pulling out Game One at even strength.  The Rangers are now scoreless in their last 25 PP opportunities.

Although the Penguins had more SOG, the Rangers laid more hits and won more face-offs.

The Rangers obviously do not own home ice advantage as they did in Round One against the Flyers.  On Friday however, they helped themselves immeasurably, but only if they capitalize on their 1-0 series lead. They need an even higher sense of awareness now, and attention to detail.  I'm sure we all agree, the Rangers want the Penguins lingering around as little as possible.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: After Quick Garden Party, March On The Penguins Begins

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Win Series Over Flyers 4-3

I - NYR 4: PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - PHI 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 4; PHI 2

VI - PHI 5; NYR 2

VII - NYR 2; PHI 1

2013-2014

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO ~ GAME ONE

FRIDAY NIGHT

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

FROM

Steel City

NEW YORK RANGERS: With The Penguins Looming, No Time To Enjoy Dan Carcillo's Demoralizing Goal, Or Benoit Pouliot's Back Breaker In Game Seven.

I'm not trying to detract from the Rangers Game Seven victory, but, boy, did Philly play flat.  I mean, not once, but twice, Rangers passes went through the legs of two Flyers defensemen en route to a pair of Game Seven goals.  That's what happens when there's a lot of standing around and watching, which describes Philadelphia's second period play.

Otherwise Steve Mason was doing cartwheels in net.  I can't really say Henrik Lundqvist won the battle of the goalies, although, all hail the King for Game Seven.  But, the head to head numbers against Ray Emery early in the series were not that great.  Even then, Philadelphia's mistake, or misfortune (due to injury) was inserting Steve Mason too late.

Philadelphia's problems were not between the pipes though.  The Flyers defensemen flat out failed.  In Game Five, they lost track of Brad Richards, and then Dominic Moore went through them like saloon doors in the wild west.  Along with what Dan Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot pulled in Game Seven, all Philly's defensive futility was on full display.  Both Hal Gill and Braydon Coburn had a particularly bad series.

As bad as they were, the Rangers, and Henrik Lundqvist, still needed a hero last night.  Henrik - because if they had lost, everyone would have come crashing down on him.  So, thank you Dan Carcillo and Benoit Pouliot- not the most likely of names, considering...........

Think about it - the Rangers got assists from Mats Zuccarello, Kevin Klein, Derick Brassard, and Anton Stralman.  Outside of MatsZucs, you know where I'm going with this, and IT will need to change by Friday. I understand Rick Nash played an effective game, but against the Penguins, he, as well as Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, and Derek Stepan(!) must generate more scoring.

On a more positive note, three cheers for Brian Boyle and the 4th line!

I also like Carl Hagelin's and MatZucs' speed against the Penguins defense.  The Penguins are going to try and out-score their opponents.  No secret there, and with Fleury between the pipes, that's a sound strategy. If the Ranger's bigger stars show up, Hagelin and Zucs can make a big difference, but, only then.  If they are made to carry the team, then.... fuhgeddaboudit.

Not surprisingly, the Rangers generated 2.7 goals per game against Philadelphia.  That will not due against the Penguins.  But, without getting cocky, Marc Andre Fleury might be just what the doctor ordered.  At both even strength, and particularly on the power play, the Rangers need to keep peppering Fleury with shots, and from all angles.  If they can continue generating 30+ shots per game, as they did against the Flyers, I like the chance that a few more pucks find net with Fleury guarding the pipes.

Here are the obligatory numbers:

The Penguins ranked 5th in the NHL in goals, while the Rangers defense ranked 4th.  The Rangers offense was 18th, and the Penguins defense ranked 10th.

The league's 15th rated PP just got worse.  What the hell happened to the Blueshirt PP that started off so well in games One and Two, that they would fail over the next five games spanning 25 scoreless opportunities?  Mind you, the Rangers were 2/6 in Game One, and only 1/6 in Game Two, then short circuited.

Coach Vigneault might want to consider adding Anton Stralman's big shot on the man advantage, because if the PP proves equally futile against Pittsburgh, the Rangers will surely lose.  The Penguins PK ranked 5th in the league.

On the other side of the equation, I fully expect the Penguins to exploit their PP opportunities.  They were #1 in the NHL.  Therefore, the most effective method for the Rangers to kill off penalties, is to not commit mistakes in the first place.  Although their PK ranked 3rd in the regular season, the Rangers were uncharacteristically guilty of far more needless and dumb (Benoit Pouliot) penalties in the first round against the Flyers.  They'll obviously need to employ more discipline this time around.

On that note, I expect the Penguins 5th line to play a major factor in the series.  The NHL can't have anything happen to their crowned princess, so I'm sure the stripes will have their whistles at the ready any time a Blueshirt even nears her majesty.  And why not..., the refs in the last series were horrible, with all their embellishment nonsense, and other such curious calls.  Crosby additionally failed to score a goal in the first round, so I'm sure the networks want him treated with extra care to get him going as well.

I anticipate Ryan McDonagh having a better series, but I'm concerned with Anton Stralman's and Kevin Klein's ability to keep up with Pittsburgh's forwards.  I think the last thing the Rangers want is for Pittsburgh to start skating around and gaining flow - yes, what Coach Vigneault likes to do.  But, Coach might want to also consider grinding on the Penguins, in an effort to slow them down.  That should also involve keeping Dan Carcillo and his physicality on a steady shift.

No time to dwell on much else.  It's time to drop the puck on Round Two.

Let's Go Rangers.




Mike.BTB