N.Y. Rangers: Glen Sather is Still in the Building

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Glen Sather spent wheel barrels of bad money on the likes of

Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Brad Richards, just to name a few.

But, there was no money for Ryan Callahan or Carl Hagelin...

NEW YORK RANGERS: Glen Sather didn't step aside soon enough.  Why can't he just leave, and hand off the team's remaining assets to Jeff Gorton already; please!

It's high time Glen Sather hastened his decision to step away from the office of general manager. Every day he further delays his decision is a detriment to the team and to the mental well being of Rangers fans.

If trading Carl Hagelin was indeed a cap move, (which is was), then who maxed out the cap in the first place?  Hagelin now joins Ryan Callahan as former Rangers Glen Sather couldn't afford.

That's irritating considering all the bad money he's thrown around.

I wasn't averse to trading Hagelin.  He never did maximize his potential here.  He's fast and young, and had opportunities under two different coaches with differing styles to get his game figured out.   He needed to become more than just a PK specialist, and didn't.  It seemed as if he wasn't scoring on a breakaway, his offensive game remained relatively inconsequential.

Fact is, the Rangers were in need of so much more from Hagelin, or in return from this trade, but walk away from this seemingly empty handed (outside of saving a few bucks).  I have a big problem when the player received in return isn't nearly as good, which is exactly what the Rangers are getting in Emerson Etem - a lesser player.  Suffice to say, Glen Sather far from maximized Hagelin's worth.

On another note, trading Hagelin is also an admission by the front office that the team needs to get bigger and tougher.

My same dissatisfaction applies for the trading of Cam Talbot.

Once again, I was not averse to trading Talbot.  The Rangers had a hot commodity.

Clearly, something needed to be done.  The Rangers went without a #1 and #2 pick in the 2013 draft, and were without a #1 pick last year.

I wonder who created that situation...

So, Sather traded Talbot to the Edmonton Oilers for the 57th, 79th, and 184th picks of the recent draft.  Very simply, Glen Sather got ripped off.  After reading around, the common sentiment is that Sather overplayed his hand, and blew it.

By his own semi-admission, it's time, then, for him to finally step down as general manager of the New York Rangers.

His tenure started horribly, and ended well.  That's fair, so let's leave it at that, because the next thing I'll say is the team just took a step backwards.


2015 Draft Selections:
#41 Ryan Gropp-W
#62 Robin Kovacs-W
#79 Sergey Zborovskiy-D
#89 Aleksi Saarela-C
#113 Brad Morrison-C
#119 Daniel Bernhardt-W
#184 Adam Huska-G



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Time For A Carl Hagelin Reemergence; Game 2

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

STANDING TALL!

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

Rangers lead series 1-0

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - MONDAY

GAME TWO

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

GOTHAM

NEW YORK RANGERS: Now that they've established a physical advantage, Blueshirts need to keep it up.

Did the Lightning's lack of playoff experience rear its young head in Game One?

For such a high scoring, skate and possession team such as Tampa to spend so little time in their offensive zone, to turn over the puck as much as they did, and to get limited to just 5 shots on goal in the 3rd period, the answer could very well be..., maybe.

The Rangers on the other hand, are very experienced.  After playing what seems like an eternity of gut-wrenching 1-point games, the tested Rangers have an overwhelming calm about them.  Dan Boyle and Martin St. Louis won a Cup with Tampa.  Most of these Rangers went to the Stanley Cup finals last season, and several more have now been to the Eastern Conference finals 3 times with the Rangers in the last 4 years.

Did the Rangers also go old school on Tampa?

If you watched Tex's Rangers play a more physical game - initiating hits and throwing their bodies around with purpose, battling along the boards, pushing Bolts off the puck, causing turnovers, and blocking shots - like they used to under Tortorella, then the answer is definitively yes.

The Rangers out-jolted the Bolts by a 30-18 count, and their 10 takeaways somewhat off-set losing the face-off battle by a 30-23 margin.

Do I think the Rangers will maintain their physical edge?  They should!

They better!

The Need For Speed:

Did the Rangers also skate with speed reminiscent of an Alain Vigneault coached team?  You bet.  I guess Rangers fans CAN have it both ways, sometimes.., I guess.., (against the Lightning at least).

Attention Carl Hagelin - the Tampa Bay Lightning seem like a perfect opponent for him to get his game going into a higher gear, considering all the wide open hockey expected of these two teams and all...

In the previous round, Hagelin registered a mere assist in Game One, then got sand thrown in his motor by the very physical Capitals, whom not incidentally had the Rangers scurrying on defense for large portions of the series.

The Penguins on the other hand, are a step down in physicality, and with that being said, Hagelin's game improved as the series against Pittsburgh wore on.  He scored a goal in Game 3, assisted on Kevin Hayes OT winner in Game 4, and of course scored the overtime winning goal in Game 5.

Now with yet another down tick in physicality against the Bolts, I similarly expect an uptick in Carl Hagelin's performance as this series progresses.

Shake and Bake:

I think the Rangers can forget about beating Ben Bishop top shelf, unless they can put one through his chest.  His 6'7" frame covers a lot of net.  And if he can see the puck, he'll challenge shots, and stop them.

When Rick Nash set up Kevin Hayes for a clear shot on goal, Ben Bishop challenged Hayes straight forward, and made an easy glove save.  Later when Derick Brassard and Nash rushed 2 on 1, Brassard kept the puck and shot into the glove of a well positioned, and unflinching Bishop.

• By the way, the Nash/Hayes/Brassard line did not score a goal, but played a brilliant game together.  In yet another line tweak, Brassard and Hayes assisted on Moore's goal.  The aforementioned line, however, may very well turn into the leading unit this series, as the Kreider/Stepan/Fast line was last series.

In Game One, Bishop was instead the victim of two costly deflections.  More importantly, the Rangers were able to create, maneuver, and effectively operate in traffic.

Derek Stepan's goal came off Chris Kreider's initial shot from the slot, that deflected off a Bolt in front, and presented itself for Stepan to clean up.  Bishop got beat moving to his right.

The second Rangers goal came on Kevin Hayes' bad angle shot/pass from the left corner.  Dominic Moore skated around from behind net to create the disruptive traffic and wound up getting credit for the goal.  On the play, Bishop got beat moving to his left.

If Game One served as any indication, then the way to beat Ben Bishop is by causing disruptive traffic, and by getting him to move laterally.

Gotta shake him, and bake him.

ICYMI:
Blueshirts Short Circuit Bolts In Game One
Rangers Need To Keep Lightning From Sparking A Wildfire




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Be Lazy, Blame Henrik

from the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Where are all the King's horses, and where are all the King's men?

Can Alain Vigneault get this team back in sync again?

Capitals lead series 3-1

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - WAS 1; NYR 0

IV - WAS 2; NYR 1

V - FRIDAY

Game Five

Washington Capitals

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

from

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

NYC

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts Hockey 101 - Stop Blaming Henrik. It Makes You Sound Stupid.

Part of the reason why I started this blog was because I have my own opinions, and frankly, I find myself disagreeing with a substantial portion of the radio views, or in some cases, don't care much for their elitism.

I hardly, if ever, waste my time taking jabs at talkies.  However, there's one matter which becomes topical this time of year - one of which I can no longer withhold my grievance.

After Wednesday night's loss to the Capitals, I could have told you word for word, what those dumb asses would have been talking about on Thursday:

"Henrik needs to be better; 

he needs to stand on his head; 

he needs to shutout the Capitals.  

He is failing the Rangers.

Braden Holtby is outplaying Henrik.

Henrik Lundqvist is not an elite goalie."

They've been singing this same song for too many years now.  For a hockey-minded talkie, the above could have been passed-off as just lazy analysis after a long night out.  But for the unlearned media, that's just plain ignorant of them to say.  Whenever the Rangers fall behind in a series, Lundqvist's name is the one they always resort to.  It's the easy, safe, and uninformed thing to do.

Look, I'm just a dude with a blog and an opinion, but I'm yet to say anything remotely negative regarding Henrik Lundqvist this entire post-season, because, the man is a non-issue!

That said, I get a kick out of real hockey authorities coming on their show as guests, and summarily rejecting everything previously postulated by the host.

There's one word (used above) that might provide you with a hint as to whom I'm really talking about.  I'll give you another hint - he's an egomaniac, and an overly intellectual dolt - even about stuff he's a so called expert on.  There is another runt sitting on the panel these days, and the same goes for him as well.  Only the third member of the show is a true hockey aficionado.

With regards to the aforementioned two, for as much as they prefer not to hear it, truth is truth.  If they don't know hockey, they shouldn't pretend like they do, and shouldn't push the notion they do.   Don't then turn against the listeners when they criticize you for not knowing hockey to the extent you know baseball, basketball, or football.  Hockey fans are unlike baseball, football, and basketball fans, because, yes, hockey is a different kind of sport.  They're on skates, do not play with a ball yet they carry sticks, and fighting is part of the game.

How alien, I know.

These guys even had the nerve to say the Rangers were playing a version of themselves under John Tortorella - actually quite insightful.  Funny..., I've already been through that:

Staring at the Blueshirt in the Mirror 

  

Blueshirts Should Expect Big Cap Hit in Washington 

Let's Try This Again, Shall We? 

Oh No! Not You Again? Rangers vs. Capitals; Round Two

Unfortunately, this is what I mostly hear from them:

• There's 10 guys skating around, bumping into each other and being inconsequential, and, the goalie needs to be perfect or else they'll lose.

There are good talkies who freely admit they know nothing of the game.  But, because of their agreeable personalities, and perhaps by speaking about hockey in jest or otherwise, they are actually well received.  

It's the know-it-all, the non-humble type who in actuality knows nothing, whom draws our (hockey fans) ire.  They're indeed going to get criticized from time to time for not incorporating more hockey into the show.   This is a metropolitan area with 3 freaking professional hockey teams.  What did they expect?   

But, when they do drop the puck, it just comes off as simple, and uninformed.  It's shameful, really.   At the same time, I can see their agitation with fans wanting it both ways.  Nevertheless, what irks fans is when talkies are so out of their element, yet try to portray themselves as authorities.  It's insulting.  THAT's the reason why fans get upset when their talk focuses on hockey.  In this town, not many can pull it off.

The reason the Rangers are down 3-1 in this series to the Capitals has nothing to do with Henrik Lundqvist's goal tending.  With that kind of mindless thinking, we might as well blame him for not being Canadian as well.

With regards to Game IV, the Rangers made two huge mistakes, and Washington capitalized.   Turnovers by Chris Kreider and Ryan McDonagh twice put Henrik Lundqvist in bad situations, and made 20-year old Andre Burakovsky look like Brett Hull.   Turnovers are part of the game, but each of these were of the inexcusable kind.  In the playoffs, the price to be paid for such misplay is extremely costly.

Then, there are matters of crowd control and Capital confusion.  The Rangers have consistently allowed the Capitals to create disruptive traffic in front of Henrik all series, while they themselves have not done the same in front of Braden Holtby.  To Holtby's credit, he has made his share of brilliant saves.  Look no further than his huge save against Carl Hagelin's penalty shot.  Otherwise, the Capitals are sacrificing their bodies and blocking shots, and have effectively pushed everything to the outside where Holtby has been able to get clear, and unobstructed views of the puck.

In front of Holtby, the Capitals have what the Pittsburgh Penguins did not - Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskenen - two veteran defensemen and longtime teammates, extremely familiar with the Rangers.

Then, once one considers that Alex Ovechkin and Niklas Backstrom have been relatively quiet this series, one is forced to recognize the considerable affect Coach Barry Trotz's system has had on these new and improved Capitals.

In 11 games this post-season, the Caps have scored 23 goals, for a 2.09 per game average.  As noted many times previously, the Rangers averaged 2.2 goals in 12 games during John Tortorella's final playoff run in 2013.  These Rangers are now averaging 1.77 goals after 9 games played.  This was the NHL's 3rd top rated offense during the regular season.

Lundqvist is making big saves as well.  At 19:00 of the 3rd period, Henrik made an otherworldly save which prevented the Capitals from driving another stake through their hearts.  

The Rangers limited scoring this series has come down the middle, a la Derick Brassard's opening goal in Game IV, or Hagelin's breakaway goal, or Kreider's rebound goal, etc.  Tex's Rangers better start crashing the net with purposeful haste then, or have their President's Trophy season crash and burn in disappointment.

That hasn't happened to the Rangers since 1992, but for Alain Vigneault, dare I saw it's becoming old hat.

If anything, the Rangers underlying problem was displayed with just over 2:00 minutes left in the game.  The Rangers dumped the puck deep into Washington's zone.  The first Capital defenseman to catch up with the play easily knocked the Rangers off the puck, and skated back up ice in transition with haste.  That's been going on throughout the playoffs.  Moreover, the Capitals forecheck in the closing minutes prevented Coach Vigneault from pulling Lundqvist for an extra skater in a timely manner.  And once on the ice, the Rangers couldn't even keep the zone.

But, I suppose the Rangers lack of post-season scoring is Henrik's fault because he isn't pitching shutouts.  All I know is, you can't win games 0-0; someone has to score first, and, or, last.  But, score they must.

Derick Brassard's performance should be putting the Rangers over the top.  Instead, his teammates are burdening him with an increasingly heavy load.

Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Staring at the Blueshirt in the Mirror - Game IV

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

Capitals lead series 2-1

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - WAS 1; NYR 0

IV - WEDNESDAY

Game Four

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

from

Conglomerate Named Arena

D.C.

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jay Beagle's Goal Puts Blueshirts in a Very Familiar Bind.

Outside of the obvious character, personality, disposition, sociability, and overall attitude differences that exist between John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault, etc, the Rangers are not that much more evolved (two seasons later) as one might think - at least not in results - or at least not to me.

Something about the Rangers recent play has me thinking - where have I seen this all before?

ICYMI:

Blueshirts Should Expect Big Cap Hit In Washington 

Let's Try This Again, Shall We? 

Oh No! Not You Again? - Rangers vs. Capitals; Round Two

Don't get me wrong..., John Tortorella needed to be fired.  He mastered every infraction in the "How to get fired in a blaze of infamous glory for Dummies" instruction manual.

On the ice, two of the many dilemmas faced by Tortorella were trying to get better and more consistent play out of Carl Hagelin and Chris Kreider, and, what to do about a pathetic power play.

If you remember, Alain Vigneault was hired in part, to improve said power play.  In Tortorella's final two regular seasons, the power play operated at a 15.7 rate.  They finished 23rd in the league each time.  This season under Coach Vigneault, the power play posted a 16.8 mark, 21st best in the NHL.

In the 2013 playoffs, Tortorella's Rangers went 4 for 44 in 12 playoff games for a 9.10 rate.  In these playoffs, the Rangers are 4 for 28, good for a 14.8 mark.

In 2013, Rick Nash, Carl Hagelin, and Derek Stepan, combined with Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan to score a total of 11 goals in 12 games.  As a team, the Rangers averaged 2.2 goals in those playoffs.

In 8 games during these playoffs, Carl Hagelin and Derek Stepan each have 2 goals and 2 assists, and Rick Nash has one goal and 4 assists.  Derick Brassard has 4 goals, and Chris Kreider has 2 goals.   The Blueshirt Five have so far scored 11 goals in 8 games.  As a team, the Rangers have scored 15 goals in 8 games, for an average of 1.9 goals per game.

You can make of these numbers what you will.

John Tortorella once tried incorporating Carl Hagelin into the power play to no avail.  Hagelin remains a non-participant on the power play to this day.  Moreover, if he's not on a rush, or on a breakaway, where he can utilize his speed in open ice, he's usually passing off, or getting bogged down by bigger bodies, and getting pushed off the puck.

Then there's Chris Kreider, whom it was thought, that if he ever managed to escape the wrath of Tortorella, he would flourish.  He has 2 goals in these playoffs.  Despite a loss in Game Three, Kreider actually played a very effectively.  He also opened the scoring in Game Two.

Kreider is most intimidating when he's crashing the net, which he has done a few times during this post-season.  The problem lies within his varying levels of reliability - you never know when he'll decide to take the night off, commit a mindless penalty, or lose his bearing from shift to shift, as he did in the closing seconds of Game One.

He is too big, strong, fast, and skilled, to play inconsequential hockey.  Weren't those John Tortorella's exact issues with Chris Kreider?

The Rangers won 52 games this season and won the President's trophy.  It was Vigneault's third award.  But guest what... the Vancouver Canucks fired him and hired Tortorella because they wanted to adopt a tougher mentality and more physical style of play.  That wasn't a Rangers issue; that was strictly a Vancouver thing.  That should nevertheless speak to someone, no?  Tortorella additionally won 50 games with the Rangers, with arguably less talent.

...just saying.

But Glen Sather steered the Rangers away from the more methodical, and extremely physical team coached by Tortorella, and transformed them to align with Alain Vigneault's philosophy and system.

This team is younger, well rounded, and more skilled than any edition Tortorella coached.  Three lines of defense, transition and speed, passing and puck possession, have rendered physicality an inconsequential component of the Rangers' game.  Those methods are the new preferred way to thwart opposing team's physical play.

Then again, timing is everything.  In the two seasons under Alain Vigneault, we have witnessed the end of the New Jersey Devils era, a considerable drop off by the Boston Bruins, the decline of the Pittsburgh Penguins, not to mention the disarray of the Maple Leafs, and particularly the perennially tough Flyers (no more).  In other words, the Eastern Conference opened up very conveniently for the reprogrammed Rangers to step in and seize control of a less physical conference.

After all that said, the word that keeps entering my head is, negligible, as in minimal net gain.  The team is still in search of an elusive winning goal, and dependent on Henrik pitching a shutout every game.

Indeed, these coaches actually have two things in common.

They've both had to list Rick Nash as missing in action.  In the end, both coaches could wind up suffering the consequences of Nash's annual playoff disappearances.  After leading the team during the regular season, Nash scored one goal for Tortorella in the 2013 playoffs.

Secondly, both coaches ultimately resorted to worshiping at the House of Henrik.  When all else seems to fail, and does, they both fell in rank behind The King.

Nevertheless, Tortorella was his own worst enemy, and consequently worked himself out of Hockey.

But, Vancouver's overwhelming reason to ultimately part with a successful head coach is somewhat of an omen with regards to the Rangers' presently deteriorating situation, and near future - IF they fail to make Rangers history together, that is.

Before Tex's Rangers can claim the Eastern Conference title (after all they are the favorites), they need to tie this series against the Capitals first.  Easier said than done.  Then again, the Rangers were a superior team on the road this season, weren't they?

For now, just win Game IV in order to regain home ice advantage in a short series, and quiet down a lot of noise.

I tip my hat to the new constitution....

...so I get on my knees and pray, we don't get fooled again.  -  (stuff The Who would say.)





Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Should Expect Big Cap Hit In Washington

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

(circa 2009 playoffs)

Alex Ovechkin is clearly the series' most tenacious player.  

He has elevated his performance to stupid levels, 

and perhaps is just getting started, or, as he puts it,

All Night Long!

*          *          *          *

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

Series tied 1-1

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - MONDAY

GAME THREE

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

from

Some Conglomo Named Arena

D.C.

Tex's Rangers March on Washington for Game Three.  We Should Know Very Early On What Kind of Night it Will Be.

A perturbed Alain Vigneault said the team would make adjustments after Game One, and they did.  In Game Two, Tex's Rangers more resembled the President trophy winners they are.

When you give up a goal at 19:58 of the final period, as they did in Game One, that doesn't leave much time to respond.

The next best way to answer back I guess would be to score at 0:38 in the opening period of the very next game, like Chris Kreider did in Game Two.

With the way things have been going, two Rangers goals in the 1st period, and the game winner in the 3rd, could be considered an offensive explosion.

There must be something about Game Two's.  The Rangers hadn't scored more than 2 goals in a game since they lost Game Two by a 4-3 margin to the Penguins in round one.

Maybe Washington's continuing play after a big Game 7 win over the Islanders, and the Rangers rust for lack of action prior to Game One against the Caps explained Thursday's outcome.  And maybe going seven games, plus one, finally caught up with Washington (if just for a game), as they only managed 4 shots on goal in the 1st period.  Meanwhile, the Rangers played a far crisper game, seemingly got their timing and legs back, and maintained possession of the puck.

In any event, the series is now even.  The Caps did what they needed to do - steal a game on the road. 

Next mission critical for Tex's Rangers - wrestle back home ice advantage by taking a game in Washington.

JUST WING IT: In Hockey, Being Mr. October is a Bad Thing.

Derick Brassard continues having best season of his career, and is presently the Rangers top performer in the post-season.  He has 4 goals and 5 points in 7 playoffs games, leads the team with a plus-4, has 2-points on the PP, and leads the team with a 22.2 shooting percentage.

If you look around the tournament, Tampa's Tyler Johnson is just having a stupid post-season with 7 goals, the Ducks Corey Perry has 5 goals, Zach Parise, Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and Derick Brassard all have 4 goals each.

To that effect, Killjoy phoned in, and said he will not be sold on Mats Zuccarello's absence as any kind of excuse for Rick Nash's poor production.  He knows, MatsZucs is a spark plug.  The fact remains that Nash needs to be better - 

...an old battle cry at this point.

In Rick Nash's defense, Steven Stamkos has yet to score a goal in the post-season, and only has 3 assists in 8 games.  In 7 games, at least Nash has one goal and 5 points.

• Update: Don't look now, but Stamkos finally scored his 1st goal of the playoffs Sunday against Montreal.

At the moment however, Tampa means nothing to the Rangers (yet), and Stamkos plays center, like Brassard does.  Nash is the Rangers problem, and Stamkos is theirs.  Nash plays wing, like his present opponent Alex Ovechkin, who scored an absolutely ridiculous goal in the 3rd period of Game Two, and made an equally astonishing pass that led to Joel Ward's game winner in Game One.  His Game One slap shot/goal was virtually unstoppable.  Ovechkin now has 4 goals in the post-season, one in each game against the Rangers, and 8 points overall.

...because that's what the elite players of this league are supposed to do.

• Baseball: Being dubbed Mr. October means you're an elite playoff producer - a la Reggie Jackson.  When The Boss signed Dave Winfield, the newcomer started the regular season on fire.  He then went 1 for 25 in the 1981 playoffs to earn the moniker Mr. May from Mr. Steinbrenner.

• Hockey: The opposite applies.  Players on the ice strive to be Mr. May, or better yet, Mr. June.  To be labelled Mr. October in Hockey, is, for all intents and purposes, a disparaging term.

Rick Nash isn't even in the top ten in post-season points - a list that still features two St. Louis Blues on it, but no Blueshirt.  The other top 8 scorers are still alive and playing with Minnesota, Tampa, Chicago, Anaheim, and Washington.

Talk of Nash fading away is warranted.  Let's face it, he finished the regular season poorly.  In the final 19 games of the regular season between March 2nd and April 7, Nash only registered 5 goals.   His last goal came during a losing effort in Game Two against Pittsburgh.  

Mats Zuccarello was still on the ice throughout that time.

Hey Killjoy!!  

The Rangers advanced to the NHL Finals last season despite Nash's lack of productivity, 

and seem to be moving along just fine this season.....

If the Capitals defensemen start factoring into their offense more, like they're so adept at doing, how long then can the Rangers rely on Brassard, Carl Hegelin, Derek Stepan, and Chris Kreider for consistent scoring?

When Nash chooses to utilize his size and skill, and bullies his way towards net, he is the only Ranger whom is able to go on an offensive tear seemingly at will.  Chris Kreider could, if he tried, but he has yet to learn to play a full game, and keep his head involved.

No, Martin St. Louis does not get a free pass.  He has 2 assists in 7 games, and was recently moved up to the 1st line with Nash, but to no avail.  He posted 8 goals in last year's playoffs.  This year, he turns 40-years old in June.  He has not scored a goal since April 6th.

Without Nash and St. Louis contributing, the Rangers quest to the Cup remains a bumpy ride.

And, just in case no one has noticed, Braden Holtby has played a little better than anticipated, which makes Rick Nash's contribution that much more pressing as the series shifts to Washington.

After making an initial save, Braden Holtby served up a fat rebound Chris Krieder took full advantage of.  On Dan Boyle's pp goal, Rick Nash established great position to block Holtby's view.

Rich Nash also assisted on Derick Brassard's 3rd period goal.

Nice, but not enough.

Enter the Dragon:

Henrik Lundqvist tapped into his inner Kung-Fu Panda to kick back the Washington Capitals Saturday.  He made 30 mostly brilliant saves, but perhaps none better than his martial arts kick save against Kuznetsov.

Chris Kreider's strong game was offset by Alex Ovechkin's exploits, which in effect makes Henrik Lundqvist the true savior of Game Two.

The Rangers also did themselves a huge favor by committing just one penalty.  On the other side, Washington was busy killing off four penalties.

I Will Break You:

If I understood Ovechkin correctly after Game Two, the Capitals intend to increase the physicality of the series.

Speed, puck possession, passing, a supreme effort on defense, and a superior goalie are the formula here.  Outside of Tanner Glass, no other allotments have been made for toughness.  Of course, that's been a major issue of mine.

That style didn't get the Penguins very far though, and by Game 5, they were playing it straight.  The Capitals, however, stayed aggressive, and were quite physical against the Islanders in Game 7 of their series - even committing a questionable hit or two with impunity.  The Islanders might have suffered stage fright in their series finale, but are nonetheless a tough team as well.

To a certain degree then, you have to believe the hype.  These Capitals are better defensively, and certainly more disciplined than Washington teams of the past.  And yes, they are tough as ever.

We remember what happened at the end of Game One, don't we?  Just ask Dan Boyle what happened.  The stripes do not seem to be blowing the whistle for such infractions, so, we should know very early in Game Three what kind of night it will be.

Lastly, I said it before, and it's worth saying again: Chris Kreider must play smarter, more consistent, and more physical hockey while staying out of the box.

Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Oh no! Not you again! - Capitals; Game One

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014-2015

National Hockey League

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Round One

Rangers defeat Penguins 4-1

I - NYR 2; PITT 1

II - PITT 4; NYR 3

III - NYR 2; PITT 1

IV - NYR 2; PITT 1 ot

V - NYR 2; PITT 1 ot

* * * ROUND TWO * * *

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

Game One

Washington Capitals

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

from

Madison Square Garden

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

NYC

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts put Evgeny Malkin and Sidney Crosby on ice; eliminate Penguins in five.

Washington Capitals prevail over N.Y. Islanders in Game 7; 

draw Blueshirts for 5th time in last 7 years.

Pittsburgh made the series much tougher than it looked in the boxscores.  Even Marc Andre Fleury deserved more credit than received by this blog.  However, when your top stars; Evgeny Malkin and Sidney Crosby; get shut down, the Penguins are sure to fail.

The Rangers did just that.

The Penguins tried thugging things up throughout the first four games of the series, and then needed to play it straight in Game 5 to no avail.  Henrik, the Rangers defense, and team speed proved to be the difference makers.

The Rangers were 15 points better than the Pens in the regular season, and it showed - not because the Blueshirts were overwhelming; they weren't.  The Rangers are still a team struggling to win games in 2-1 fashion and asking Henrik to stand on his head all these years later.  This series was no different.  All four Rangers victories over Pittsburgh; home or away; ended in 2-1 finals, with the last two games going into overtime.

That's something very familiar to Rangers fans.  However, the Rangers managed to dispatch the Penguins in a quick efficient manner - something they could never afford themselves in recent playoff history.

*     *     *     *

Derek Stepan opened the scoring in Game 5 with a 1st period power play goal - the Rangers third pp goal of the series.  They finished 3 for 20 in five games.

After PITT tied the game in the 2nd period, the teams skated to a scoreless duel in the 3rd - then into overtime they went for the second straight game.

In Game 4, the big rookie, Kevin Hayes scored at 3:14 of overtime to give the Rangers a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.

In Game 5, Carl Hagelin's burst of speed and game winning goal midway through overtime put Pittsburgh in the Rangers' tail lights.

Oh no! Not You Again?

This will be the 5th post-season encounter between the Rangers and Capitals in the last 7 years.

2009 - Capitals win series 4-3
2011 - Capitals win series 4-1
2012 - Rangers win series 4-3
2013 - Rangers win series 4-3
2014 - ?

The Rangers also dispatched the Capitals in 5 games back in 1994 on their way towards hoisting the Stanley Cup.

The last time the Capitals defeated the Rangers prior to the Cup was in 1991, four games to two.

Front and Center

Unlike the Penguins, what the first round demonstrated is that both Washington and New York can win despite considerably diminished output from Alex Ovechkin and Rick Nash, respectively.

Alex was limited by the Isles to a pair of goals and 3 assists over their 7 game series.  For the Rangers, Rick Nash scored a single goal, and had 4 assists in 5 games.  That's difficult for either fan base to digest, and perhaps the subject of my next post.....

Both team's top performers in the first round instead played up the middle.  In 7 games against the Islanders, center Niklas Backstrom registered a team leading 6 points; 3 goals and 3 assists; while centerman Evgeny Kuznetsov had 3 goals and 4 points.  At center for the Rangers, Derick Brassard scored a team leading 3 goals against the Pens in five games, while centerman Derek Stepan scored a pair and had an assist.

Life Without a Net

Advantage Lundqvist...

Henrik Lundqvist is fresh, having started only 43 games (46 games) this season.  Braden Holtby, on the other hand, played in an NHL leading 73 games, and made 71 starts in the regular season.  It makes sense then, that he led the league with 4,247 minutes.

According to (someone..) NHL Network, goalies who play more than 60 games in the regular season most often fall short of a Stanley Cup.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Put Up Time For Rick Nash

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The Quest for the Stanley Cup starts....NOW!

TONIGHT

GAME ONE

Pittsburgh Penguins

vs.

New York Rangers

from

The 8th Avenue Ice House at 33rd Street

N.Y.C.

NEW YORK RANGERS: Rick Nash Needs To....  That's It, Rick Nash Needs To.

All King Henrik's horses, and all the President's Trophy men must begin their march back towards the NHL Finals tonight.  Anything less will be a major disappointment.

You know what I always say: You can't be disappointed with what you do not expect.

There's the rub...

The Rangers have evolved into favorites this season, and are now expected to win this year's Stanley Cup tournament.

Previously:

 Sizing Up The Penguins - Beware The Downie! 

Henrik Lundqvist: Seizing a Legacy

What is it going to take for Tex's Rangers to hoist the Stanley Cup for the first time in 21 years?

An obvious factor will be the performance of Rick Nash.  He seems well past his concussion issues, and is unhesitatingly playing physical hockey.  The on-ice results speak for themselves.  He posted a career best 42 goals this season.

But, all is not gold and glitter with him.  He caught fire right out of the gate, scoring 9 goals in October, and 23 goals through December.  From January through the end of the regular season, he posted 19 more.  In March. however, Nash only score 3 goals, and then 2 more in April.  That's only 5 goals in his final 19 games, after averaging 7.4 goals per month previous to March.

The 800-pound gorilla in the room is of course, Rick Nash's disappearance in two playoff appearances for the Rangers.  Last year Nash scored 3 goals throughout the tournament, all against the Montreal Canadiens - none in the 1st, 2nd, and Final rounds.  He tallied a mere 10 points in 25 playoff games.  In 2012-2013, he managed just one goal and 5 points in 12 playoff games under John Tortorella.

Rick Nash trailed only Alex Ovechkin in all the NHL this season in shots on goal.  All we can ask is that he continues creating opportunities, and fires the puck on net.  With a change of luck accompanying his improved demeanor, perhaps some shots will find net this post-season.

SIZE MATTERS:

Rick Nash anxiety aside, the Rangers have thrived with balanced scoring this season.  But, size still matters.  Kevin Hayse is only a rookie, however, he and Chris Kreider need to utilize their combined size and speed at post-season levels.  They need to factor differently than say, Martin St. Louis, MatsZucs, and Carl Hagelin, who have the speed, but lack the size.

Pittsburgh is chock-full-o-playoff experience, and pose a threat at all times.  The Pens are without their 2nd leading scorer (Letang).  Therefore, up the ante on defense.  Punish Sindy Crosby and Ivgeni Malkin.  Play big and hit hard.

PICK ME UP A 6-PAK:

The Rangers HAD the top three defensive lines in hockey.  They'll have the top three lines again once Kevin Klein returns.  The Rangers will be without Klein for at least Game One.  He's been out since March 11th, after suffering a broken arm while blocking a shot from Alex Ovechkin.

The Rangers allowed the 2nd least goals in the Eastern Conference this season, and were the 3rd in all the NHL.  The Rangers also posted a league high +60 goal differential.

LET'S DO THIS:

Let's Go Rangers!!!



Mike

Rangers vs. Islanders, The Rivalry - IV: NYR looking to snap NYI recent dominance

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

The Rivalry - IV

Islanders lead series 3-0

I - NYI 6; NYR 3

II - NYI 3; NYR 0

III - NYI 4; NYR 1

IV - TONIGHT

MONDAY NIGHT HOCKEY

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

from

Long Island Ice House

The magic/tragic number has been three: In three games this season, the Islanders have recorded three wins over the Rangers, all by 3-goal margins of victory.

Goalie Jaroslav Halak (t-2nd) trails Nashville's Pekka Rinne by two victories for the league lead.

He is one victory away from tying the Islanders single-season record of 32-wins set by Billy Smith in 1981-82, and tied by Chris Osgood in 2001-02.

The Isles are 6-4 in their last 10 games without Kyle Okposo.  They are riding a 4-game win streak entering tonight's game in Long Island.  However, they experienced a pair of big conference losses to the Bruins, and one loss each against the Red Wings and Panthers.

For the moment, the Isles own a 2-point lead over the Pens in the Metro Division, and 4-points over the Rangers.  They trail the Habs and Lightning for the conference lead by a point.

  

Long Island is second in scoring behind the Lightning in the conference, and 4th in the NHL, but the PK is now ranked 30th in the NHL, and their overall defense is 22nd.

Despite Okposo's absence, he still leads the team with 30 assists.  The Islanders have 8 players with double digit goals.

Due to the recent combined play of Kevin Hayes, Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin, and Chris Kreider, the Rangers now have 7 players with double digit goals.  With only 65 SOG, Kevin Hayes (15.4%) is second behind Rick Nash (17.2%) in scoring percentage.

The Rangers sport the NHL's 3rd rated offense, and the 4th ranked defense.  Their PP is 9th, and the PK is 13th.

The Blueshirts are 3-0 during their current road trip that ends tonight in Long Island.  Since Henrik Lundqvist went down, back up goalie Cam Talbot is 4-1-1 in his absence.  Talbot has appeared in 17 games and made 15 starts this season.  He owns an 8-5 record, with a .918 Sv%, and a 2.35 GAA.

Since these teams last met, the Rangers have posted a 9-3-1 record, with losses to top teams such as the Isles, Habs, Predators, and Stars.  They enter tonight's game winners of three in a row with victories over discombobulated Toronto, last place Colorado, and even worse Phoenix (sorry, that's just the way I see it).  However, they posted a very strong, physical victory over Boston on Feb. 4th.

Rick Nash's 33 goals are second behind league leader Alex Ovechkin's 35 goals.  He leads the Rangers with 206 shots on goal, while the next closes players is Carl Hagelin with 126 SOG.

Derick Brassard, 27, is in the midst of his best season ever.  His career year came in 2010-11 with Columbus, when he scored 17 goals, with 30 assists, for 47 points, but posted a -11 for the season.   This year, he is up to 13 goals, and has tied his career high of 30 assists.  He is a +10 so far this season, and is second on the team with 43 points.  He leads the team with 11 PP assists.

The Rangers are sandwiched between the Red Wings and Caps for the Eastern Conference 6th seed.   

They also have games in hand versus both the Islanders and the Caps.

The Rangers last game against the Coyotes was Alain Vigneault's 500th career victory, ranking him 20th on the all-time list.

Mike

N.Y. Islanders Extend Season Dominance Over N.Y. Rangers

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  BROOKLYN'S FOSTER HOCKEY CLUB

TUESDAY FINAL

NY Rangers     1

NY Islanders    4

Look what the Islanders did to the Rangers..., again!

For a third straight time, the Islanders dispatched the Rangers by a decisive 3-goal margin, and over the trio of games have outscored the Rangers by a 13-4 discrepancy.

Jaroslav Halak posted his 26th win of the season, and ALMOST registered his second straight shutout over the Rangers.  With 40 saves, his whitewashing was all but secured.  Then Carl Hagelin scored with 0:10 left in the game.

Give credit to the Rangers for landing the first hit of the game, and for trying to match Long Island's physicality in the early going.  The Islanders even let the Rangers utilize some of their speed and passing for a bit.

By the midway point of the 1st period, however, the Islanders started weighing on the Blueshirts, and wound up out-hitting the Rangers 46-35 in the game.

Once again it was Tanner Glass administering the Rangers limited toughness when Marc Staal and Matt Martin came face to face.  In the 2nd period, Kevin Klein did a nice job protecting his goalie from an overzealous Islander.  In fact, the Rangers and Islanders came together several times throughout the game.  For the Rangers, however, to no avail.

The Rangers face-off woes continued as well, getting out done by a 38-24 clip.

This was the Islanders first game post Kyle Okposo injury.

At the 18:05 mark of the 1st period, John Tavares' new line-mate, Mikhail Grabovski, finally put the Islanders on the scoreboard with his 7th goal of the season.

The Islanders 4th line made it 2-0 in the 2nd period.  At the 4:11 mark, Cal Clutterbuck's pass from behind net exploited the Rangers lack of accountability in front of Lundqvist.  Matt Martin converted the feed for his 7th goal of the season.

Despite out-shooting the Isles 18-11 in the 2nd period, the Rangers averted a 3-0 deficit when the Isles struck a crossbar with 8:30 to go.

No matter, six minutes into the 3rd period Ryan Strome scored his 9th goal of the season (with help from Ryan McDonagh), and roughly ten minutes after that, John Tavares scored on a power play.

The Islanders increased their Metro Division lead over the Rangers to 7 points.  They lead the NHL with 32 victories, but are now tied with the Detroit Red Wings with 65 points for the Eastern Conference lead.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Avoiding the Sniper in the Bushes

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

3rd Place ~ Metropolitan Division

27-13-4 (58 points)

NEW YORK RANGERS: This Team is One Cheap Shot Away From Losing Their One Big Shot.

Did anyone catch the Flyers premeditated thuggery against the Penguins?

In their last game before the all-star break, the defending Eastern Conference champions defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime, and in doing so, secured 3rd place in the Metropolitan Division, and closed to within 5 points of the division leading Islanders.

After the Rangers fell behind Ottawa 2-1 after two periods, Chris Kreider tied things up at the 2:42 mark of the 3rd period.....  And into overtime they went.  Less than 3-minutes into the extra session, Carl Hagelin netted the game winner.

That was Kreider's 10th goal, and Hagelin's 9th goal of the season.  Appropriate that they should respectively tie, then win Tuesday's game, during a season in which so much more was expected of them.

More was certainly expected of Chris Kreider, now two seasons removed from John Tortorella's doghouse.  At 23-years of age, and listed at 6'3", 226 lbs., he was to bring the rare combination of size and strength, speed, and scoring ability to the ice.   However, in 41 games, he's only managed 84 shots on goal (when most of the league's top shooters are well beyond 100 SOG at this point).

He "only" has 10 goals and 14 assists, for 24 points - disappointing in and of itself, but, also because he spends an inordinate amount of time in the penalty box.  Foghorn Leghorn would say, "that boy, I say, that boy lacks discipline."  Tuesday night was no different,  He committed a senseless holding penalty in the 1st period.  On Sunday against the Pens, he was whistled for (careless) interference.   Kreider's penalty minutes double that of the next closest Ranger, Tanner Glass, whom understandably earns his minutes by administering the team's limited toughness.

Carl Hagelin's effort level is admirable as always.  His hustle hasn't translated very well to the back of a hockey card though - at least not in the way of elevating his game they way many thought.   While he's actually getting off more shots on goal per games than in his previous 3 years, Carl is lagging slightly behind his career averages.

With his speed came expectations that Hagelin would become a 20/25-goal scorer.  He had a career high 17 goals last season.  To date, Carl has 9 goals and 9 assists in 43 games.  At 26-years of age, his game doesn't seem where it needs to be.

How is the Ryan Callahan/Martin St. Louis trade looking?

• Callahan: 15 G; 20 A; 35 points; (29-years old; priced himself off Rangers budget).
• St. Louis: 14 G; 22 A; 36 points; (39-years old; an expiring contract).

Martin St. Louis is playing some of his best hockey now that he's back on the wing.  He is the team's 2nd leading scorer, but (salary cap wise) the Rangers will be hard pressed to bring him back.

The Rangers have a decision to make regarding Mats Zuccarello's free agency.  Plus, Derek Stepan, will also be a restricted free agent.

As the season progresses, it might become easier to decipher where the money to pay Stepan will come from.  But, sign him they must.  In 31 games played, Stepan has 32 points.  Despite missing 13 games, he is the team leader with 24 assists.

The club's budget also got a little tighter because they recently extended Marc Staal for another 6-years.   That's money well spent though, as the Rangers top four blue-liners are now all signed for several years to come.  And, they've earned it.  The Rangers presently rank 3rd in the NHL in goals against.

What money is left for Martin St. Louis and Zuccarello in the off-season, is growing increasingly questionable.

I would not turn away a younger (future Hall of Famer) Martin St. Louis, but I would pass on a 40-year old free agent to be.  I strongly feel the Rangers need to replace him, and Mats Zuccarello, with bigger, more physical players.

The New York Rangers are 6th in the NHL goals per game; 11th on the power play; and 12th on the penalty kill.

They are winning 61% of their games, owning a 27-13-4 record, good for 58 points.  The Rangers are 6th in the Eastern Conference; Washington is 7th with 57 points; and Boston is 8th with 56 points. Florida leads the best of the rest with 50 points.

On December 8th, the Rangers embarked on an 8-game winning streak, and overall, won 13 of 14 games through January 10th.  They marvelously punctuated their run on the west coast with impressive victories over the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks.

Their net minding and defense, speed, special teams, and particularly their passing, were impeccable.

However....,

Upon their return to Eastern Conference competition, the Islanders slowed down the Blueshirts, and   thumped them rather handily at MSG.  The Bruins did the same in Boston.  Both teams provided a rude welcome back to east coast hockey.  That's because both opponents bring size and physicality on all four lines.  The Rangers do not.

Physicality does not mean fighting.  It means; clearing the defensive crease of traffic and establishing position in the opposing crease; it means retrieving pucks in the corners; it means winning the battles along the boards; a strong cycle and puck possession; it means finishing checks and turnovers, and not getting pushed off the puck so easily...., etc.

Rick Nash, however, has demonstrated a change in his on-ice demeanor; he's utilizing his size and strength more than in previous seasons.  He is headed to the all-star game, while in the midst of an MVP caliber season.  At the break, he is tied for the league lead with 28 goals.

That said, team physicality also means having Rick Nash's back.  He's a big boy and can take care of himself.  But, no one ever sees the sniper in the bushes.  The more physical Eastern Conference teams routinely target him.  If anything should happen to Nash, if he should miss considerable time, the Rangers are doomed.

I recently called the Rangers a one-trick pony this season.  Here's why:

Rick Nash - 162 SOG
Carl Hagelin - 96 SOG
Chris Kreider - 91 SOG
Martin St. Louis - 90 SOG

The Islanders Johnny Boychuk (a defensemen for Pete's sake) has more shots on goal than all but two Rangers, yet doesn't even crack the Islanders top six!

Islanders:
Kyle Okposo - 154 SOG
John Tavares - 146 SOG
Brock Nelson- 115 SOG
Ryan Strome - 106 SOG

Lighting:
Steven Stamkos - 158 SOG
Tyler Johnson - 125 SOG
Nikita Kucherov - 111 SOG
Ryan Callahan - 105 SOG

Penguins:
Evgeni Malkin - 142 SOG
Sidney Crosby - 130 SOG
Patric Hornqvist - 120 SOG
Kris Letang - 119 SOG

When the Rangers resume play next Tuesday, they'll face the Islanders in Uniondale, where they'll have an opportunity to close to within 3-points of the division leaders.

They'll perhaps be looking to gain a small measure of redemption as well.  The last time they met, the Islanders held a tutorial on how to slow down the Rangers.  In each of two previous meetings this season, the Islanders defeated the Rangers by 3-point margins, as their distinct size advantage weighed heavily in both outcomes.

For as well as they've been playing, the Rangers are nonetheless running in a pack.  They say only the strong survive.  That said, can they distinguish themselves and separate from the pack in the second half?

We'll see.  After all, we wouldn't want our team to fall from defending Eastern Conference champs to an 8th seed.  Right?

They're 8-2 in their last 10 games, which presently makes them one of the hottest teams in hockey (along with Detroit, and Anaheim from the west).

In 2nd place of the Metropolitan Division are the Pittsburgh  Penguins, who seemly continue to win, yet appear to have lost a great deal of their toughness during the off season (with Sidney Crosby paying the price).  The Rangers handled the Pens this season, taking the series 3-1, but so have the Isles, and so have the Devils for that matter.

Then there's what happened in the Penguins/Flyers game.  So far, Philadelphia is playing some rather inconsequential hockey this season, which makes them all the more worrisome.  They admitted their thugoonery was premeditated.  On another level, they were typically shameless.

The Rangers have one more game with them on February 28th.  Circle that date on your calenders, because after that, the Rangers most grueling month of their schedule comes in March, when they will have to play 15 games (9 road games) in 31 days against Detroit, NYI, Boston, and two against Washington, and from the west, Los Angeles, Anaheim, two against Chicago, with the month kicking-off against Nashville.

By the end of February, the Flyers should be floundering like fish out of water.  But since when has that ever stopped the Flyers (of any decade) from stupidity on ice?  That means, as previously speculated, Rick Nash is a potential target.  I have no doubt the Flyers will somehow use the Thanksgiving home-and-home sweep at the hands of the Rangers as some sort of motivation to fuel their misguided and recklessness behavior.

Think not?  If the Flyers, somehow, get close enough to sniffing an 8th seed by then, think again. They are presently 12 points out.  If they get to within 6 points, watch your back.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: O.T. Win Failed To Cure The Blues

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

207 - 0 - 4

(weight - big hits - points)

NEW YORK RANGERS: I'm unhappy, therefore I am.

We're just about a third of the way through the season, and I can't smell what management is cookin'.

The Flyers didn't seem to pose a problem.  And apparently, the Rangers seem to have the Penguins number.  But if this team wants to go far, they'll need to get through Tampa, and Boston, and even the Islanders.

The Rangers can hang around with the competition, but to a certain extent.

So far, Martin St. Louis has arguably been the Rangers best all around forward; Rick Nash is up to 18 goals for the season; and they're even getting inspired play out of Kevin Klein.

Otherwise, I'm seeing a preponderance of yawn inspiring play.

Overall, the blue liners have played piss poor transitional hockey, and generally speaking, it seems as if there have been more defensive breakdowns this season than in recent seasons combined.

Kevin Klein's game winning goal is an obvious aberration, as the Rangers have benefited very little from their defensive scoring.  Klein has twice as many goals as the rest of his blue line mates combined; Dan Boyle (2 goals) and Dan Girardi are the only two other defenders to find net this season.

Even since before his injury, Ryan McDonagh has not played up to his own standards, while Marc Staal has played all 26 games this season and averages 22 minutes a game, but has only registered 4 assists.

I'm not necessarily targeting Marc Staal, but maybe if he threw his body around more often (or at all) the Rangers need not go into overtime against the Penguins.

I'll take that a step further: maybe if Montreal does not eliminate Boston from last season's playoffs, we have an entirely different perspective of this team.

I digress.

As a team, they're only playing 40-minutes of hockey on any given night, which is a problem considering they are not nearly as relentless in their offensive zone as, say, Tampa, Boston, or even the Islanders (...much less the Los Angeles Kings,etc.).  When you get right down to it, those are the only teams that potentially matter.

While I'm at it - Chris Kreider, Carl Hagelin..., Hello?

In truth, I still don't know what kind of club Alain Vigneault is trying to run.

I do know the Rangers are bland and clearly lack salt.

But that's on Glen Sather.



Mike