N.J. Devils: It's Keith Kinkaid or Bust

From the desks of:

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  THE BRICK CITY STYX

TONIGHT

New York Islanders

vs.

New Jersey Devils

FROM

THE ROCK

The Islanders quit on Doug Weight some time ago evidenced by their 12-21-6 record since New Year's day, and their 3-8-3 record in March.  This from a team that for most of the season ranked among the top five scoring teams in hockey.  Now officially eliminated from playoff contention, they have little left worth skating for outside of playing the role of spoiler.  But that makes them a dangerous opponent, and Newark knows it well.

With only five games left in their regular season, the Devils need every point they can get.  Ninth place Florida is hot on their tail, just three points behind but with six games left to play.  That puts New Jersey in a bind.

For the moment, John Hynes continues demonstrating confidence in goalie Keith Kinkaid, electing to stay with the hot hand rather than handing duties back over to Cory Schneider, and for good reason.  Schneider is 0-4 since returning to action on March 1.  Upon Schneider's return, Coach Hynes initially started Cory and Keith every other game.  But after three starts, Schneider went 0-3 with an .887 save percentage.  He made one other start on March 20 (a 6-2 loss against San Jose), but none since.

The two goalies are almost even in starts now.  Outside of actual wins and losses, there's not much that distinguishes one from the other:

• Cory Schneider - 39 games, 17-15-6 record, 2.88 GAA, .909 save percentage.
• Keith Kinkaid - 37 games, 22-10-3 record, 2.89 GAA, .910 save percentage.

Although Kinkaid was victimized by Sidney Crosby's abrupt game winning base hit in overtime this past Thursday against the Penguins, he is 7-3-1 in March with a .925 save percentage, not to mention the role he played in huge victories over Nashville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Tampa.

N.J. Devils: Newark Arrives at Pitchfork in the Road

From the desks of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

Bedeviled By Inconsistency

Eastern Conference

7) Devils         24-16-8 (56-points)

-------------------------

9) Rangers     25-20-5 (55-points)

10) Islanders  25-20-5 (55-points)

New Jersey Devils: The final thirty-four games will reveal how good they really are.

Who could have predicted the rebuilding Devils would achieve 56-points by the break, and be in sixth place of the conference standings?

So far, it's been a great story.  But they're slipping, and the only thing giving pause to their plight is this all-star break.  Otherwise they're presently in the midst of a four game skid.  But if you circle back to their five game win streak in December, the Devils have gone 2-7-3 since.

At this point last year, the Devils were floundering along with a 20-21-9 record and 49 points.  After which, their season really took a turn for the worse.  Having endured losing streaks of ten and six games respectively, the Devils went on to post an 8-19-5 record over their final 30 games.

Newark ended last year's regular season with a 28-40-14 record and 70 points, tying them for third worst in the league.  Through the NHL lottery system, however, they were awarded the first overall selection of the 2017 June entry draft.  

The Devils used that pick to select forward Nico Hischier.  Having turned 19-years old earlier this month, Nico has played in all of Newark's 48 games to date.  And with eight goals and 21 assists, he is third on the team with 29-points.

They've also had goalie issues of late.  Starter Cory Schneider and back-up goalie Keith Kincaid both have recently missed games with groin injuries, thus necessitating the services of Ken Appleby, called up from Binghamton.

Taylor Hall, the team leader in goals and assists, has recently missed a few games as well, and will certainly benefit from these few days off.

It is very clear what the Devils must do over their final 34 games of the regular season: avoid what happened last year.  

Easier said than done ...

But if they are to sustain their standing, they must obviously first snap their present losing streak with haste, then limit any potentially lengthy streaks down the stretch.  They've already suffered losing streaks of four losses or more on three different occasions this season, and might not survive many more.

That said, they also leave too many points on the table.  Their eight OT losses still remain tied for second most in the league.

Therefore the quicker the Devils learn the art of closing out games, the better off they'll be.

N.J. Devils: Predators Take Bite Out Of Appleby

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

What a pain in the groin!

New Jersey Devils: Nashville Predators take a bite out of third-string rookie Keith Appleby.

With both Cory Schneider and back-up Keith Kincaid suddenly nursing groin injuries, the Devils have recently turned to 22-year old Binghamton call-up Ken Appleby.

Making his NHL debut in relief of Kincaid last Saturday at Philadelphia, the Flyers peppered Newark's rookie with 24 shots on goal over what amounted to his first ever 46:04 minutes of big league action.  But not a single shot found its way through as Appleby made all 24 saves.

Cory Schneider then started Tuesday against the Bruins at Boston.  But after two periods, Appleby was again summoned into relief.  He made another four saves in as many shots through 18:32 minutes in net - essentially making him a perfect 28/28 over the equivalent of a full game.

On Thursday, with family and friends in attendance, he made his first ever NHL start against the Nashville Predators at the Rock.  In the first period, Appleby again successfully turned away Nashville's first ten shots on goal.

However, traffic lay ahead.

Midway into the second period P.K. Subban's notoriously heavy shot from the top of the left circle, and through a busy crease, found its mark.  Then at 5:36 of the third, Mattias Ekholm likewise unloaded from the very same spot as Subban, and again through a congested crease area.  Effectively screened, Ken Appleby never saw either shot.

He had a clear and up-close view of Viktor Arvidsson's short-handed breakaway attempt, though - a pointblank slap shot this time taken from the top of the right circle.

But again, Appleby never had a chance.

And so goes his first NHL start.

The very streaky Devils have now lost four in a row.  Over that time, they have been outscored by a  3-12 margin, which includes getting shutout twice in their last three games.

That's not a goalie issue.


ART: Devil's Playground/Bushwick

Devils vs. Flyers: Backyard Brawl - II

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY STYX

TODAY

DEVILS

vs.

FLYERS

FROM

Arena of Brotherly Thugs

New Jersey Devils: Newark Out To Prove Speculation Of Their Demise Has Been Greatly Exaggerated.

As K-Squared goes, so go the Devils?

I have a saying: Once is an event; twice is a coincidence; three times is a trend.

Keith Kincaid will make his third straight start Saturday afternoon against the Flyers at Philadelphia.  

The Devils have been taking good care of their valued back-up while Cory Schneider recovers from illness.  On Jan. 16, Newark limited the surging Islanders to 26 shots on goal.  Kincaid rewarded his mates with 25 saves en route to a 4-1 victory.  That snapped a six game losing streak which at the time had some pondering whether the young Devils were trending towards their true level.

They said ... not so fast.

Two days later, Newark limited the first place Washington Capitals to just 19 shots on goal.  Despite allowing three goals, Kincaid prevailed long enough for Taylor Hall to net the winning goal in overtime.

No doubt a very significant victory as regular season games go.  Moreover, the Devils left Washington with two points.  I've mentioned several times how their eight OT loses to date are tied for second most in the league.

Back-to-back victories have now elevated the Devils into second place of the Metropolitan Division, and into fourth place of the conference standings.

The Flyers took the first meeting in this series.  Undisciplined as ever, they afforded the Devils seven power play opportunities.  The Devils, however, blew two different leads en route to a 5-3 loss at the Rock.

Now the Devils seek a measure of revenge at Philly.

Devils vs. Islanders: Flatbush Avenue Face-Off

From the desks of:  

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  THE BRICK CITY STYX

METROPOLITAN DIVISION RIVALRY

TUESDAY

DEVILS

vs.

ISLANDERS

FROM

Barclays Center

FLATBUSH

New Jersey Devils: Cheating Themselves Out of Valuable Points Now Threatening Their Place In The Standings.

The New Jersey Devils are demonstrating the value of fast starts.  With a 22-12-8 record to date, they enter Tuesday's game against the Islanders in third place of the Metropolitan Division, and in sixth place of the conference standings.

But how much longer can Newark keep this up?  Remember how they jumped out to an 8-2 record in October?  They have played sub par hockey since then, going 14-10-8 over their last 32 games.

Just when they appeared to be turning things around with five straight wins in late December, they start the New Year losers of six straight.

Now they draw the Islanders, whom with a victory, can tie New Jersey in the standings with 52-points.

The Devils finished at the bottom of last year's Eastern Conference standings with a 28-40-14 record (70-points).  Their 14 OT/SO losses were second most in all the NHL.  Their eight OT/SO losses so far this season are once again tied for most among current playoff contenders, and tied for second most in the league.

... all the hallmarks of a young, rebuilding team.

The inexperienced Devils are nevertheless doing well - far better than fans could have ever expected.  Perhaps sooner than later they'll learn how to finish games instead of giving away points.

They can start by not exposing Cory Schneider to so many shots of goal.  The opposition is averaging 32 shots on goal against Schneider this season.  But that doesn't explain Saturday's performance against the Flyers - does it? -  when he allowed five goals on just 25 shots.

In Cory's defense, his .911 SV% over his last 93 games is somewhat reflective of the New Jersey's rebuilding.  Otherwise, he previously averaged a .923 SV% during his first three years with the Devils.


New York Islanders: Look Who's Number Eight! Thomas Greiss Rewards Coach Weight; John Tavares Takes Care Of The Rest.

Speaking of goalies, the Islanders two-headed monster must surely be killing Doug Weight.  While it would be prudent for him to chose one, and just give it a go, what's a head coach to do with two troublesome goalies?

It took consecutive wins in his two most recent starts against the Devils and Rangers just for Jaroslav Halak improving his record to 13-12-2 through 28 games.  At present, his 3.19 GAA is way above his career 2.46 goals against average, while his .906 SV% is down from his usual .916 save percentage.

Instead of allowing Halak a fourth straight start, Doug Weight elected to play Thomas Greiss against the Canadiens on Monday.

It was Greiss' 21st appearance of the season.  Entering Monday's game, he owned an unsightly 3.89 GAA, and an equally unsettling .882 save percentage.

But were it not for Thomas Greiss, the Islanders do not defeat the Habs on Monday; they do not win their third game in a row; and most importantly, they do not leapfrog over the Rangers into eighth place of the Eastern Conference standings.

Greiss made Doug Weight sweat, though.  He faced an absurd 56 shots, allowing four goals.  The Islanders blew leads of 2-0 and 4-2 before Max Pacioretti's game tying goal at 13:01 of the third period.  It was Greiss, though, who kept the Islanders alive allowing John Tavares to end the game in overtime with his 24th goal of the season.

Then again, scoring isn't this team's problem.  Defense is.

The Islanders are second in the league in scoring, averaging 3.6 goals a game.  Their power play is slightly above average, ranking 12th in the league.  Ponderously, the Isles rank 31st in goals against, and 30th on the penalty kill.

Devils vs. Rangers: Battle of the Hudson - II

From the desks of:

THE BRICK CITY STYX  and RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

BATTLE of the HUDSON

Series Tied 1-1

I - NJD 3; NYR 2

II - NYR 5; NJD 2

FINAL

Devils      2

Rangers  5

If you were like me, just hoping the Rangers poor start would result in Alain Vigneault's dismissal, I'm afraid we'll now need to wait a little longer.

After starting the season 4-7-2 in October, the Blueshirts rebounded to post a 9-3-0 record in November.  They are 3-1-0 so far in December, having recently earned six important points against division foes Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Newark on Friday.  That makes the Rangers 12-4-0 since the 2nd of November, elevating them from the bottom of the Metropolitan Division to within five points of the first place Columbus Blue Jackets.

With Friday's 5-2 victory over the Devils at the Garden, the Rangers now own a 16-11-2 record.

The Rangers remaining nine December games will no doubt test their collective mettle.  They'll be hosting the Stars, Kings, Ducks, Maple Leafs, and Capitals, then travel for games against the Senators, Bruins, Devils, and Red Wings.

The Rangers have excelled at home with a 12-5-2 record, and will now host their first games of the season against Dallas, the Kings, and Ducks.  They'll also be looking to avenge a blowout loss in just the second game of the season against the Maple Leafs, and their recent loss against the Capitals.

The Sens, Bruins, and Red Wings, meanwhile, will all be looking to avenge previous road losses against the visiting Rangers, who own a sub par 4-6-0 record on the road.  They will also be visiting Newark for their third encounter against the Devils.

The Rangers have been surging minus the services of center Mika Zibanejad, who Friday missed his fifth straight game (concussion protocol) stemming from a Nov. 24 hit incurred against the Detroit Red Wings.

That being said, if you regularly follow Raise Gresch With The Greats, you know one of my pet peeves is Mats Zuccarello leading the team in points.  It's always been my contention that points to greater Rangers troubles and needs (lack of a top flight center).  I love Zucs, but my point is he shouldn't be leading a this team in points ahead of Rick Nash and Chris Kreider - two of the teams ultimate underachievers.

Rick Nash routinely leads the Rangers in shots of goal.  He leads again with 91 SOGs, yet has only registered seven goals and eight assists to date.  Kreider is second on the team with 74 SOGs, and at least is one of four Rangers with double-digit goals (10), but is nevertheless lagging behind his skill set with 17 points in 29 games played.  MatZucs, on the other hand, has seven goals and 17 points, and it the only one of the three with a positive +/- rating.

Henrik Lundqvist registered his 419th career victory Friday evening, tying him with Tony Esposito for second most wins by a goalie with one franchise.  With four more victories, Lundqvist will also tie Tony Esposito (423) for eighth place on the NHL's all-time career victory list.

*

The Devils for much of the first quarter season have surprisingly jockeyed back and forth for first place of the Metropolitan Division with Columbus.  Newark jumped out to an early 8-2-0 record in October, but have trended the other way with an 8-7-4 record since.  They've recently dipped to third place behind the re-emergent Capitals, but still only trail the first place Blue Jackets by three points.

They are 2-3 in December, after losing two straight against the Blue Jackets and Rangers.  However, Friday's lost against the Rangers at the Garden was only Newark's fourth regulation time road loss of the season.  They're lagging with a 6-5-2 record at home, but own a 10-4-2 on the road.

Prior to Friday's game against the Rangers, Cory Schneider started both games of a home/home series against Columbus.  He limited the Blue Jackets to just one goal on 42 SOGs on Dec. 5, but then allowed five goals on just 28 SOGs three days later.  Keith Kinkaid made his tenth appearance of the season against the Rangers, allowing five goals on 35 shots against.

Since arriving, defensive acquisition Sami Vatanen is leading Newark blueliners with 22:10 average ice time, but is presently a minus-five, with just five SOGs, in five games so far for the Devils.  Centerman Adam Henrique, meanwhile, is thriving with a plus-two, three goals, and three assists, during his five games with Anaheim.

Rangers vs. Devils: Battle of the Hudson - II

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS   &  ALL MOTHER LEEDS CHILDREN

Devils lead series 1-0

I - NJD 2; NYR 1

overtime

TUESDAY

New York Rangers 

vs.

New Jersey Devils

FROM

The Rock

NEWARK

New Jersey Devils: With blunted pitchforks...

The Devils are presently on the outside looking in.  The standings say they are 9th in the conference, but tied at 55-points with (#8) Pittsburgh, and 31 games remaining after tonight.  If you want some pain to go along with that suffering, well then the Devils trail the Metropolitan Division leading Washington Capitals by 19 points. That said, who doesn't...

Few teams, though, are playing better defense than the Devils.  That said, despite a recent offensive outburst against the Flames and Senators, nearly the entire NHL is scoring at a higher rate than the Devils.   They enter Tuesday's game with a -4 point differential. There's your season to date.

It's been a campaign best characterized in terms of peeks and valleys, as Newark had their most recent 4-game win streak snapped when the Penguins shut them out in Pittsburgh.  The brief win streak, however, came after losing five of their first seven games of the new year.

At least the Devils still have Feb. 9 to look forward to.  That's when the organization will retire, and raise Martin Brodeur's #30 jersey to the rafters, where it will join company with Ken Daneyko's #3 and Scott Stevens' #4 jerseys.

On Feb. 9th, they'll play against the Edmonton Oilers, but that comes a night after playing the Rangers, again, and will cap off a five game stretch in an eight day span.  Just saying....

Entering tonight, the Devils have what the Rangers do not, which is a 20-goal scorer in winger Kyle Palmieri.  With 24 assists, Michael Cammalleri is Newark's leading scorer with 38 points.  In fact, he'll be the leading scorer among either team hitting the ice tonight.

If anyone, the Devils have Cory Schneider to thank for their standing.  He ranks 7th in the NHL with a .929 Sv%, 4th with a 2.03 GAA, ranks 6th in wins (just one behind Henrik Lundqvist), and is 4th with four shutouts.

FINAL

Rangers  2

Devils      3

Look what Newark did to the Rangers.., again.

There's a point on that pitchfork after all... and they stuck it right to Tex's Rangers.  Two points to be exact, which placed the Devils within one point of the Rangers for 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Pittsburgh Penguins won, however, and so the Devils #9 standing in the conference remained unchanged.

The Devils were out-shot by the Rangers 33-25, but Cory Schneider outlasted J.T. Miller and the Rangers with 31 saves.  Henrik Lundqvist faced 25 shots, but surrendered three goals.

J.T. Miller scored twice for the Rangers.  He opened the scoring in the 1st period.  After Lee Stempniak's 15th goal (PP) of the season tied it in the 2nd period, J.T. Miller put the Blueshirts back in front within another two minutes of play.

Joseph Blandisi tied the game shortly thereafter, and another power play goal by David Schlemko midway through sent the Rangers home defeated.

There ya go..  The Devils were 2/2 on the power play, and the Rangers were 0/4 on the man advantage.

Oh yeah..!  And Mike Cammalleri was a scratch to boot.

With no Dylan McIlrath on the ice, I also saw the Rangers get hit, and otherwise pushed around.   Newark was clearly focused on throwing their bodies around, to which the Rangers never answered back.  Kevin Hayes paid a heavy price late in the game and skated off the ice in pain.

As a cherry on top, Newark dominated face offs too.

Signed, 

an increasingly perturbed Rangers fan.

Montreal Canadiens Conclude Week Long Siege of Metropolitan Area

From the desks of:  

ALL MOTHER LEEDS CHILDREN,   FIVE FOR FLATBUSH,

and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

N.H.L.
Eastern Conference Standings:

#1 MON  18-4-2 (38)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#2 NYR  16-5-2 (34)

#8 NYI  11-8-4 (26)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

#10 NJD  11-9-2 (24)

Les Habitants posent le siege a la region metropolitaine; distancent NY/NJ dans la ruine.

The Habs Lay Siege to the Metropolitan Area; Leave NY/NJ Behind in Ruins

While most Americans were busy preparing for, then partaking in our nation's annual Thanksgiving Holiday, les Habitants de Montreal sprung hockey's version of Tet (Offensive) into action against the NY/NJ metropolitan area member clubs.

Their week long siege of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Newark, concluded Friday evening with one last 3-2 shootout victory over the Devils at the Rock.

In truth, Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, and the Prudential Center all crumbled under Montreal's Godzilla-like rampage through downtown Tokyo.  The combined forces of the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils are thus far 0-5 versus the Canadiens in November, and were outscored by a heavily tilted 24-9 margin.

Heading into Saturday's Devils/Canadiens game, an area team has yet to defeat the (now) Eastern Conference leading Montreal Canadiens.

Oct. 15 - MON 3; NYR 0
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Nov. 5 - MON 4; NYI 1
Nov. 20 - MON 5; NYI 3
Nov. 22 - MON 4; NYI 2
Nov. 25 - MON 5; NYR 1
Nov. 27 - MON 3; NJD 2 (so)
Nov. 28 - NYD @ MON

As of Friday night's final scores, the Montreal Canadiens lead the conference with 86 goals scored.   The Rangers are a distant 5th with 70; the Islanders 64 goals rank 6th, and the Devils 53 goals are 11th in the Eastern standings.

Defensively, the Rangers 47 goals allowed are still best in the NHL.  Montreal's 53 GA rank 4th; the Devils 55 GA are 6th, and the Islanders 57 GA are 7th in the Eastern Conference.


New Jersey Devils: Cory Schneider Keeping Newark Within a Pitchfork's Distance of Top Eight.

Saturday

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

vs.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

FROM

The Great White North

With little question, Cory Schneider is the lead story in the Devils .500 start this season. Were it not for Schneider's play, where would New Jersey be other than much lower in the Eastern Conference standings?

For the moment, there are four NHL goalies with at least 17 starts: Cory Schneider, Henrik Lundqvist, Ben Bishop, and Braden Holtby.

Newark is playing representative defense, as Schneider has faced the second fewest shots, is second with a .927 Sv% among the four aforementioned goalies, while his and Henrik Lundqvist's 2.05 GAA average rank tied for 3rd.

The Devils obviously lack in the scoring department, which doesn't forecast to be changing much as the season progresses.  New Jersey is averaging the least shots on goal per game in the league.

Adam Henrique, now the seasoned vet, leads the team with 10 goals.  Winger Mike Cammalleri leads with 22 points.

• Patrick Elias made his first appearance of the season against the Florida Panthers Friday, and after a change in scoring, he was credited with the 612th ever assist career, giving the Devils all-time points leader 1,018 for his career.

The Devils were the only team of the three locals able of taking the Canadiens beyond regulation time.  While that's no consolation, New Jersey did expose some chinks in Montreal's amour and gained a point.  Losing in shootout was just plain unfortunate, and should be taken as a failed opportunity to at least tie idle (#9) Tampa with 25-points.

And so begins life under a new regime.  Head coach John Hayse is an AHL promotion, while Ray Shero, whom constructed a Cup winner in Pittsburgh, assumed GM and Vice Presidential duties from the departed Lou Lamoriello.

It's still too early in their respective tenures for them to impact this team.  Instead, certain players should bet they're being evaluated very closely - maybe Adam Larrson among them. Otherwise, Patrik Elias will be moving on after the season.  The face of the Devils will begin changing in earnest either at the trade deadline, or next off-season for sure.

There's certainly several teams behind them in the standings that should not be underestimated.   Florida and Columbus might interfere with even the best laid plans of clinching the 8th seed.  But, Tampa, NYI. etc., will factor plenty as well.

The Devils, in other words, have no margin for error.  In a sense, not much has changed, then.  They have no star player to speak of, and must rely on a highly disciplined system in order to get by.

The Canadiens and Devils will finalize their home-and-home engagement north of the border on Saturday.


New York Islanders: Flatbush Itching for a Fight?

Saturday

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

vs.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

FROM

Sunny Hot Florida

Just as the New York Rangers and Devils learned, Montreal is fast turning into the Eastern Conference team of all measure.

The Islanders are already 0-3 against them this month alone.  They fell 4-1 in Montreal on Nov. 4, then dropped a home and home against the Habs just prior to hosting, and defeating the Flyers 3-1 on Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve.

But, to hear Casey Cizikas put it, you'd think the Islanders arrived upon the Rubicon.

As the 3rd period against the Flyers devolved into typical mayhem, fists flew as one could expect.   But, Cizikas (as per Thurday's Newsday/Laura Albanese) thought -

"that's exactly what we needed.  A good, hard game like that ... They're fun.  When they get testy like that, when they get physical like that.."

Despite losing in a shootout at Sunrise, Florida, against the Panthers Friday night, the Islanders brought that same fighting spirit with them, and employed their hands once things got chippy for a second straight game.

When the Islanders play aggressively, and utilize their size and physicality effectively, the Islanders play their best hockey - Friday's outcome withstanding.

They're starting to feel good about themselves ... Clutterbuck, Martin, and Cizikas that is - which spells trouble for any team.

Under those circumstances, Jarolsav Halak could, and really should play well enough for them.  He's only made 12 starts so far (and therefore was not included in my previously sampled goalie comparison).  He's pitched two shutouts, with a .921 Sv%, while a 2.03 GAA puts him right there with Schneider and Lundqvist.

The newly transplanted Brooklynites seemingly tightened up their defense this year, particularly on the penalty kill.  They are presently 11th best, which as Isles fans know is a marked improvement over previous seasons, when they routinely averaged among the league's bottom tier PKs.

Ponderous, however, has been their inability to consistently score on the power play this season - which has traditionally been their strength in previous seasons.  To date, the Islanders are 24th on the power play.

The Islanders play Tampa and Colorado before they welcome the New York Rangers to Brooklyn, in what will undoubtedly start the next chapter of their long running rivalry.

Now it's Borough against Borough - or maybe it will build up to that over time, as Long Islanders are the one's largely attending games during this early going.  Expect hoards of Rangers fans in the building as well.

This intra-city situation has a way to go before getting ironed out.


New York Rangers: Some Things Just Never Change...

Saturday

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street and 8th Avenue

Fellow Rangers fans, I want you (us) to consider what (NYI) Casey Cizikas said for a second.

(tick).

Now I want you to consider the hit Boston's Matt Belesky put on Derek Stepan Friday afternoon.

Matt Belesky is a marginal NHL player at best, whom enjoyed one decent season last year with the Ducks - perhaps the product of being on a good team, aye?  Although he does not usually go about the ice accumulating an obscene amount of brutish penalty minutes, his hit on Stepan was nevertheless a gross disregard of common sense.  Avoiding that play is constantly being drilled into player's minds.   It's outright dangerous.

Derek Stepan is now out indefinitely with several broken ribs.   Seems like a fair trade-off, right?

Exactly!

We know teams have freely taken their liberties against the Rangers for several years now, because they're generally secure in the fact there will be no reprisals.

Enter Dylan McIlrath, whom followed the play and proceeded to throw Matt (marginal player) Belesky a beating.

Thank you Dylan McIlrath!  That's the kind of element that makes other teams think twice about taking runs at your mates, or goalies for that matter.

But therein lies the physical player Alain Vigneault has no use for.  McIlrath has only played in five games, and has accumulated 17 penalty minutes, most of which came Friday.  Are there deficiencies in his game?  Sure.  But, I'd argue he needs playing time.  In return I would ask if his physical presence on the ice is becoming more critical by the day?  And to that I say unhesitatingly, absolutely, resoundingly, yes.

In fact, I find this whole start disturbing.  Pretty crazy to say considering the Rangers are third in all the NHL with 34 points.  But is it really, after the way they played Montreal on Nov. 25th?  I don't think so.  What was supposed to be a battle for Eastern Conference supremacy, instead turned into the Rangers poorest performance of the season.  One bad line change very early on got Montreal started, while the Rangers night just continued deteriorating.

In two games against the Canadiens to date, the Rangers are 0-2, and have been outscored by a commanding 8-1 margin.

Next item...  Time to start keeping tabs on Henrik's playing time.  He's been brilliant thus far, as usual.  The soon to be 34-year old, is arguably enjoying one of his best seasons, and is easily carrying the team.

Prior to Friday's disappointing loss against in Boston, Henrik was leading the league with 542 saves made, a .939 Sv%, and a 1.94 GAA.

Henrik Lundqvist is now tied for the league lead with 19 starts entering Saturday's action.  He also leads the league with 611 shots against.  He's the only goalie in the league above the 600 mark.   There's many reasons for that, which I'll get into another time.  Ottawa's Craig Anderson is second with 588 SA.

We're basically talking about an untenable situation over the long haul of the season, and we're only one-quarter of the way through.

Defensively, the Rangers have given up the third most shots on goal.  It is what it is - Rangers defensemen do not have enough physical presence, and as a result, fail to clear traffic effectively.   They rely on positioning, stick work, and anything but moving bodies around.

Offensively, this also means the Rangers aren't spending nearly enough time in their own zone.  It's usually one shot and done, then back the other way.  They've only taken the 20th most shots on goal.