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: Broadway Bullies Oust Habs in Six

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Rangers defeat Canadiens, 4-2

I - NYR 2; MON 0

II - MON 4; NYR 3*

III - MON 3; NYR 2

IV - NYR 2; MON 1

V - NYR 3; MON 2*

VI - NYR 3; MON 1

*overtime

NEW YORK RANGERS: MatsZuccs!  Smallest Blueshirt Bearing Heaviest Load.

Tex's Rangers Prove Too Tough for Montreal Canadiens

I've used many an unkind adjective in describing these Rangers throughout Alain Vigneault's tenure in New York, with soft, cute, and smurfy, topping the list.

But in truth, the Rangers played the Montreal Canadiens tough ... real tough ... astonishingly tough ... impressively tough.

I didn't think they had it in them, and was certain they would suffer a first round elimination.  In light of Saturday's series clinching victory over the Canadiens, I'm therefore only too happy being wrong.   It's only a first round victory, and well, the Rangers have been there and done that.  But this was nevertheless the grittiest, most physical performance they've ever put forth under this head coach.

Eliminating the Habs in such fashion still does not prevent me from pondering how Alain Vigneault called off the dogs in Game Seven against the Tampa Bay Lightning (Eastern Conf. Final).
With regards to his style, I've always said you can pirouette your way through the regular season playing the mean competition, but you can't do that in a short playoff series.  This series against Montreal only confirms that (for me).  After falling in the first round last year to the Penguins, maybe, just maybe, Vigneault has finally learned his lesson.

Stubborn as I am, I can't help but wonder if the Rangers overt physicality was inspired by Vigneault himself, or was born of the players' own collective and respective personal resolve.

In any event, they got it done.

Montreal mounted 206 shots on goal against Henrik Lundqvist, and scored 11 times in six games.   Meanwhile, the Rangers took 25 less shots on goal (181), yet tallied 14 goals against Carey Price.

More importantly, they answered any and all questions regarding their ability to compete against a bigger, and seemingly more physically oppressive opponent.

The Rangers and Canadiens combined for 533 recognized hits, for an average of 88 body checks per game.  While Montreal registered 50+ hits in games One, Two, and Five, the Rangers levied a series high 74 hits in Game Two, and out-hit the Habs overall by a 285-248 margin.

Into the Void

If Max Pacioretty scores just one timely goal at any time during games three through six, perhaps the series takes on a completely different complexion.  The Habs top forward and regular season scoring leader led all skaters in the series with 29 shots on goal, yet managed just one assist and finished with a minus-one.

That being said, Rangers blueliners Nick Holden, Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, Brendan Smith, and Dan Girardi in particular, are the primary reasons why Pacioretty was rendered ineffective.

Enter Jeff Beukeboom, whom was added to Alain Vigneault's staff after last season's disappointing first round playoff loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  As a former defenseman for the Oilers and Rangers, he brings Stanley Cup playoff experience and first hand knowledge in the stay-home tradition - minimizing traffic in the crease, keeping shooting lanes clear, with less attention on stick work and more emphasis on initiating and exerting a physical presence, and above all keeping Henrik Lundqvist safe.

For the first five periods of the series, the Rangers played with speed, while matching Montreal's all out physical blitz hit for hit.  I was indeed proud how they answered the opening bell in Game One and through the second period of Game Two.  Despite overall numbers finishing overwhelmingly in Montreal's favor, those were nevertheless five periods of hockey they should be commended for.

But because the Blueshirts hadn't spent any sustained stretches during the regular season playing at such an intense and relentless level, the Canadiens overall physicality was seemingly already wearing down, and slowing down the Rangers by the third period of Game Two.  It's not so much that Montreal scored the tying goal with just 0:17 left in regulation.  That was inevitable as Montreal dictated much of the period.  In turn, the Rangers were routinely denied timely line changes.  The Rangers obviously went on to lose Game Two in overtime, then got outplayed again in Game Three at Madison Square Garden.

All the King's Horses

The Rangers then reeled off three straight victories led by Mats Zuccarello and Henrik Lundqvist to earn a second round match-up against the Ottawa Senators.

They doubled Montreal's output through the final three games, outscoring the Habs by an 8-4 mark.

Unlike Montreal captain Max Pacioretty's playoff disappearance, Mats Zuccarello led the Rangers in points during the regular season, then led them with three goals against the Habs.  The Canadiens were clearly targeting MatsZucs throughout the series.  But Mighty Mats fought right back every step of the way, even proving himself toughest of all with a pair of in-your-face second period goals in Game Six.

Rick Nash played very well.  He was second among all skaters and led the Rangers with 23 shots on goal.  He was one of the few Rangers forwards truly guilty of crashing and disrupting Carey Price's safe space with any consistency.  Good job!

Otherwise, Henrik Lundqvist saved the Rangers from their overall lack of forward line production yet again.

Center Mika Zibanejad had a fine series.  But Derek Stepan, J.T. Miller, and Oscar Lindberg, are becoming real issues up the middle.  Meanwhile, Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes are becoming mirror images of ineffectiveness.  In fact, all Kreider did was prove he is still a head case.  And generally speaking, the Rangers fore-check was somewhat appalling.

Before getting into special teams, how about a round of applause for the men in stripes, whom did a superb job of swallowing their whistles and letting play, and the players regulate themselves.  Suffice it to say both teams got away with various and seemingly innumerable infractions.

Montreal went 3 for 20 on the power play.  Two of those led to Montreal's Game Three victory at MSG.  The Rangers went just 1 for 15 on the power play.  On the bright side, it means the Rangers outscored Montreal 13-8 during even strength.

N.Y. Rangers: Smooth as Glass; Blueshirts Take Game One

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2016-1017

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference; Round One

GAME ONE

Rangers      2

Canadiens  0

FINAL

NEW YORK RANGERS: Rough and Tough Tanner Lends Blueshirts a Touch of Glass.

Calling all Forwards ... That's One Win for Henrik ... You Owe Him.

As expected, Montreal tried imposing their physicality upon the Rangers.  Artturi Lehkonen, Paul Byron, Steve Ott, and the rest of the Habs threw their bodies around quite liberally, out-hitting the Rangers for the game by a 53-45 margin.  In turn, those hits created a lot of takeaways.  Those takeaways in turn led to quality scoring chances.

That said, the Habs opened with a furious first period onslaught, peppering Henrik Lundqvist with 16 shots on goal.  It was a very disconcerting first 20-minutes to say the least.  But the Rangers responded with a strong second period, then put twice as many shots on goal in the third period than did Montreal.  By game's end, each team finished with 31 shots on goal apiece.

It was clear to me, the Habs were targeting Mats Zuccarello.  But to the Rangers credit, they leveled some big hits as well.  Brady Skjei and Dan Girardi come to mind.  And I also credit Alain Vigneault for starting Tanner Glass.  I thought it was a smart move, if only because he added toughness.

As it turns out, Glass scored the only meaningful goal of the game on a great backhand shot off the face-off.  Dare I say brilliant even ... because he didn't get cute and just put the damn puck on net!

Speaking of brilliant, Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves en route to recording his tenth career playoff shutout.  And simply put, the Rangers do not escape the first period unscathed without his old school King-like performance.  Throughout the game, and particularly during that first period, our liege made several outstanding saves in heavy traffic against second chance opportunities.

Off Side:

Montreal played an undisciplined game.  After the Rangers withstood their best shot in the first session, the Habs clearly became frustrated.  However, numerous and obvious Canadien infractions went uncalled.  Lets see how the stripes potentially let this bleed into Game Two - or not.

But Montreal losing their cool didn't necessarily lead to Tanner Glass' goal.  In fact, Glass only played eight even strength minutes all night thanks to four Rangers power plays and another six minutes spent on the penalty kill.

The Rangers went 0 for 4 on the PP by the way.  But the fact Tanner Glass scored and some other forward didn't, makes me wonder...

• Five Rangers defensemen (Marc Staal, Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh, Nick Holden, Brady Skjei) together mustered 13 shots on goal.  

• Now take away each of Rick Nash's and Mika Zibanejad's 3 SOG, and Michael Granber's shot on an empty net, and the rest of the Rangers forwards (Kevin Hayse, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, JT Miller, Derek Stepan, Jimmy Vesey, Oscar Lindberg, Jesper Fast) only totaled nine shots on goal.

Just saying ...

The NHL's best road team this past season came through.  For the moment, home ice advantage shifts into Rangers hands.

Well done boys.

N.Y. Rangers: The Slides of March

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Cowering Down to the Real Competition.

The Rangers closed out February with a 9-4 record.  But they won't be getting a pat on the back from me.

I refuse to be fooled - not after consecutive losses against the Blue Jackets and Capitals, and another against the Canadiens, all at Madison Soft Garden.

During their 5-2 loss against Columbus, it was the same old story.  In each of their five games against the Blue Jackets, one hit to the body and the Rangers were easily pushed off the puck.

Two nights later, the visiting Caps quite literally left their feet as part of a concerted physical attack upon the Rangers.  Alex Ovechkin clearly took a leap at Jesper Fast.  The refs didn't call the blatant infraction, and of course, Alain Vigneault turned a blind eye.  But the Blueshirts didn't just get pushed around by a bigger, tougher team.  They got down right beat up.  Just ask Adam Clendening, who found himself on the receiving end of a series of upper cuts during a very one-sided fight against Washington's Daniel Winnik.

And don't think I forgot about how Dallas' Cody Eakin barreled through Henrik Lundqvist on Dec. 15, then how Boston's David Backes basically did the same this past Thursday.  Both incidences were ignored by Vigneault.  On Saturday, Montreal's smallish Brendan Gallagher took his turn at Lundqvist, which at least was met with mild exception from Marc Staal.

I've said it a million times: Vigneault's policy of turning the other cheek gets people hurt.

Low and behold, Jesper Fast will miss upwards of two to three weeks with a separated shoulder.

That's all that really matters in my method of accounting.

With the playoffs fast approaching, why do you suppose the Montreal Canadiens focused on getting bigger and tougher at the trade deadline?  They traded several smaller players for beefcake blue liners Brandon Davidson and Jordie Benn (whom average 6'2" 204 lbs.), along with hulking forwards Dwight King (6'4" 232 lbs.) and Andreas Martinsen (6'3" 220 lbs.).

Jeff Gorton?

The Rangers general manager acquired defenseman Brendan Smith from Detroit (for two draft picks), whom doesn't even tip the scale at 200 lbs.

With Kevin Klein missing time, and Dan Girardi now nursing an ankle injury, the move to bring in Smith was necessary.  He even received a favorable scouting report from Ron Duguay, who said on the MSG pregame Smith will protect Henrik Lundqvist.

I hope so, because Vigneault won't.

Coach continues believing speed and finesse will overcome all.

Speed is nice, but it's not the end-all-be-all method of puck matriculation.  Speed can be slowed down, and even be brought to a grinding halt.  Which is to say speed can be neutralized.  Physicality and toughness, however, are near constants.  They come to the ice every night.  If nothing else, what Columbus, Washington, and Montreal, all did was simply weigh down the (Smurfs) Rangers.

If you watched Saturday's game against the Habs, you also figured out there was little Brendan Smith could do against Andreas Martinsen's forechecking.  And just for kicks ... did anyone catch how Steve Ott (another Montreal trade deadline acquisition) towered over J.T. Miller?

Comical ... (sigh).

Come the playoffs, I have little confidence the Rangers can advance by Columbus, or Washington, or Pittsburgh, or even Montreal.  Beyond speed and Henrik Lundqvist, I base that on their record.

Saturday's victory over the Rangers gives the Habs a 3-0 regular season series sweep.  That lowered the Blueshirts record to 5-9 against the aforementioned four teams.  They also lost their season series 2-3 against Columbus.  They are down 1-2 against Pittsburgh with two games remaining, and have one more game against Washington.

I've said this a million times as well: you can pirouette your way through mean competition during the regular season, but you can't do that in short series/playoffs.