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: Eye of the Paper Tiger; Game One

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2016-2017

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

EASTERN  CONFERENCE

Stanley Cup Playoffs

ROUND ONE

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

ICYMI:

The Slides of March
You can pirouette your way through the regular season against the NHL's mean competition,
but you can't do that in a short playoff series.  Yes, AV, I'm talking to you.

New York Rangers: What 102 Points Gets You at the Metropolitan Division Exchange Rate.

Mike ... why are you so down on the Rangers?

Go back and read the Slides of March.  The upcoming series will either prove me right, or dead wrong.  That remains to be seen.

Otherwise, my answer is because all was never as pretty as it seemed to begin with.

Let's start with the competition ... shall we?

There's no coincidence in the fact that Washington, Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Montreal all finished ahead of the Rangers in this year's Eastern Conference standings.  During the regular season, the Rangers posted a sub par 6-10 record against them.

The Rangers additionally sputtered to an 8-11 record through the Slides of March (and four games in April).  Three of those games were against the Habs, Penguins, and Capitals.  The Rangers lost them all by an overall 10-4 margin of disparity.

Tex's Rangers were once again winter marvels, though, posting a regular season record of 48-28-6 (102 points), scoring the fourth most goals in the league, and recording best road record in the NHL.   Despite their proficiency, they only placed fourth in the Metropolitan Division and fifth in the conference.

So, let me know when this all starts sounding familiar to you ...

In the mean time, the Rangers are just 11-19 in their last 30 games at home, and generally do not play well in Montreal.

That being said, it's north of the border we go for Game One.

Montreal jettisoned some smaller players and got bigger, stronger, and tougher at the trade deadline. They swept all three games of the season series against the Rangers, and enter this series arguably boasting the better goalie, the best defenseman, and the best forward poised to take the ice.

• LW - Max Pacioretty: 35 goals, 32 assists (67 points), +15.
• D - Shea Weber: 17 goals, 25 assists (42 points), +20.
• G -  Carey Price: 37-20-5, 2.23 GAA, .923 SV%

Just saying ...

In Mats Zuccarello We Trust; Think About That for a Moment

• LW - Rick Nash: 23 goals, 15 assists (38 points), +9
• RW - Mats Zuccarello: 15 goals, 44 assists (59 points), +15
• LW - Chris Kreider: 28 goals, 25 assists (53 points), +6

I don't want to be overly disparaging, but, Rick Nash should be ashamed of himself.  Thirty-eight points?  A guy with his size and speed - it's ponderous, I know.  I can't help but recall how Columbus fans told us we'd soon regret the trade.  Did we fans expect way too much of Nash?  I doubt it.

His failures create systemic problems.  Very simply, a team featuring Rick Nash should not be led in any offensive category by Mats Zuccarello.  Yet, MatZuccs did just that ... again!  He can not continue being the Rangers best forward ... if you know what I mean.  He's great.  I love MatZuccs.   He plays smart, and will skate into tougher areas of the ice.  But if he's the best Blueshirt forward on the ice, it means other forward-liners aren't doing nearly enough.

Therefore, Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider must seize the day.  Kreider had a good season, but now he must lead.  I'm not saying Kreider needs to knock Carey Price into the twilight zone again.  But I am saying Kreider, Hayes, Nash, JT Miller, and Jimmy Vesey, must all get their 200+pound bodies in front of net.

Outside of Shea Weber, they should be able to push their way through, but only if they want to.  This is where I demand more from Alain Vigneault.  I need for him to pull the curtain on his meticulously choreographed ballet, and order his bigger bodies on search and destroy missions seeking out second and third opportunities.  As they say, if Price can see the puck, he'll stop it.  Therefore, chaos in the crease is key.

I've always made size and toughness on the forward lines, or lack thereof, a major point of contention.  But do the Rangers have the blueliners to get this done?

• D - Ryan McDonagh: 6 goals, 36 assists (42 points), +20

No issues with the guy wearing the C on his jersey.  My biggest concern is whether Dan Girardi has one more good run in him?  He's a worn and torn 32-years old.

Next, watch out for trade deadline acquisition Brendan Smith.  I do not like this match-up at all.   When these teams last played, Smith was repeatedly knocked off the puck, and squashed by Montreal's newly acquired beefcake forwards.

And as a unit, the blueliners won't exactly be crunching any Montreal forwards in the corners either.

• G - Henrik Lundqvist: 31-20-4, 2.74 GAA, .910 SV%

The Rangers are asking more of Henrik Lundqvist than ever.  But our liege is 35-years old now, and may not be able to cover all the defensive shortcomings occurring in front of him, and around the net. They do such a deplorable job, and it's because they lack size and toughness needed to push bodies around.  Henrik and Price are essentially the same - if they see it, they'll stop it.  But where the Rangers must alter their style in order to create second and third opportunities, they routinely give them up in the defensive other end.

Please, Henrik, do everything for us ... is no longer an option.  Just like last season, and the one before that, and the one before that, etc., it's incumbent upon the skaters in front of Henrik to do more.  Not the other way around.

*

I tried very hard not to batter you with my prolonged Alain Vigneault rantings, and my lack of size and toughness ravings.  Very simply, I don't like Alain Vigneault.  I don't like his policy of turn the other cheek, and generally speaking, I think he's just plain soft.  I still say he gave away Game Seven against Tampa Bay because he went with cute, instead of tough.

I digress ...

With regard to the lack of toughness on this team ... those old enough to remember the Smurfs (not the TV cartoon, but the smallish Rangers of the 1980s in the years prior to Brian Leetch's rookie season), know exactly what I mean.

I'll do one better:  If Nick Fotiu (pre-Smurfs) played for these Rangers, we'd win the Cup!

Circling back to Vigneault, did I mention the Rangers downward trending since he took over?

But, Mike, the Rangers just posted three straight 100 point seasons.

Yeah, I know.

But I also know they made the 2013-2014 Stanley Cup finals during his first season, gave away(!) the 2014-2015 Eastern Conference finals the following season, then bowed out four games to one during last year's first round against Pittsburgh.

What will it be this season, getting swept by Montreal?

That's not entirely out of the question.

Ryan McDonagh says throw all that regular season stuff out the window.  The Rangers are playoff tested.  They know what it takes.

But can they get it done?

I'm not so sure.

Sorry...

#LGR

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.

N.Y. Rangers: Fast Forward

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

TEX'S RANGERS

90th Season

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

1926  ~  MEMBER  ~  2016

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jeff Gorton Spent Off-Season Appeasing Alain Vigneault's Unyielding Need for Speed.

If in any way Monday's effort against a (usually bigger) Western Conference team served as an early indication, then spending yet another off-season trying to increase team speed may yield Lord Stanley's approval yet.

Fans filed out of Madison Square Garden elated their New York Rangers disposed of the visiting San Jose Sharks by a 7-4 final.  A particularly inspired effort from Chris Kreider, and yes, collective speed, that which coach Alain Vigneault values so much, served as the main impetus for victory.

You must know I'm being kind, because there will be no pom-pom waving from me.  I have little faith in Vigneault, his system, and his preferred style of play to begin with, then seethed over the pre-season scuttlebutt regarding a potential trade of Dylan McIlrath.

So what better way to way to join the fray than on the night Dylan made his first start of the 2016-17 regular season.  

As we know, McIlrath only started as a result of Dan Girardi's injury.  And be sure, this will not be Girardi's last injury of the season.  He's put in a lot of hard and much appreciated time manning the blue line, but it started catching up to him last season, if not earlier.

Then I look at Marc Staal.  Fan favorite, right?  Too bad he never comes out of the corners with the puck.  I'm not trying to be intentionally or overly critical, but let's be honest about his situation.  We all realize Staal is one big hit away from another lost season, or worse, a potential end to his career - and he plays that way.

Dylan McIlrath has played well defensively during his limited ice time, while providing a big, strong, physical presence around the net, and passing the puck back up ice as smartly as Alain Vigneault can expect.

Yet, spanning a few years now, Alain Vigneault continues finding little use for him when the blue line required his presence most.  Coach's bias towards McIlrath is clear.  But the man is a good defenseman, rendering Vigneault's varying justifications indefensible.

It's ponderous to me, though, as Alain Vigneault was a defenseman as a player.  He knows what it's like when forced into turning your back (and retrieving pucks along the boards) with onrushing forwards bearing down.

Don't forget this...

Coach Vigneault tells the media one thing, but then conducts his team in a different manner.

I said it before, and I'll say it again.  His system is great for the regular season.  The Rangers will indeed make the playoffs.  It is then, however, his philosophy, style, and system, all fall apart like wet toilet paper.

N.Y. Rangers: Penguins Push Blueshirts to Brink of Elimination

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

COLOSSAL FLOP

Rangers Lose Pair at Garden

Penguins lead series 3-1

I - PITT 5; NYR 2

II - NYR 4; PITT 2

III - PITT 3; NYR 1

IV - PITT 5; NYR 0

V - Saturday @PITT

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts have allowed Penguins 19 power play opportunities, or 4.75 per game.  That screams of a lethargic team.

The longer this series goes, the more poorly Tex's Rangers play.

It's astonishing, really...

If anything, Game Four added insult to Henrik Lundqvist's initial injury (which hastened his removal from Game One).  This time, four unanswered Penguins goals were the cause.  But only Henrik's ego may have been bruised this time.  He faced 18 shots, but made just 14 saves before getting pulled at the 6:04 mark of the 2nd period.

Back-up Antii Raanta finished the game, and allowed one goal for an overall 5-0 whitewashing at the Garden.

GAME FOUR FINAL

Penguins   5

Rangers    0

In truth, ineptness has infected them all - so, please, let's keep Henrik Lundqvist as one of the least troubling items to rage against.  It's the overall play of the interchangeable fruitless five skating in front of him that has been most disturbing to watch, and even more difficult to explain.

How many times have we've seen the same distressed offensive zone set-up attempts result in losing the zone - a turnover - a break away the other way?

Exactly...

It's not Henrik's fault the Rangers led the NHL regular season in least time of offensive zone possession by a considerable margin.  They have chronic difficulty establishing the zone in the first place, then usually manage just one shot on net and done.  The playoffs have been no different.

There is little excuse this season when compared to last, when many blames Mats Zuccerallo's absence from the line-up a reason for Rangers misfortunes.  Kevin Hayse was not on the ice in Game Four?  Eric Staal was.

I offer that as a petty argument.  Point taken...

Nor is it Henrik's fault the Rangers lack a forward who is comfortable, and adept at playing behind the net - a supreme passer behind net is one of the more lethal assets on ice, and key to implementing an effective dump and chase when the neutral zone bogs down.

A game after Derek Stepan expressed displeasure with team strategy over their inability to break through the neutral zone, I saw little change in Game Four.  The same propensity to handle the puck, or the ill advised stretch pass still ruled the night.

Even then, they do not have wingers with booming shots striking fear from the dots, or the bodies willing to battle in the crease - or said another way, they lack forwards capable of wearing down (punishing..) opposing defensemen.  Some on this team can, but usually refrain because it does not fit within the framework of Vineault's system.  That said, I still can't comprehend why Rick Nash is so ... nashy?  Columbus fans warned us!  Now we know why?  Otherwise, getting pushed off the puck is old news.

To the Rangers credit, they have been out-hitting the Penguins.  But their overwhelming sluggishness is killing them.  That's a shame because Pittsburgh's Matt Murray is offering rebounds like cookies, but they're being scooped up by Penguins and carried the other way.

And as far as Rangers crashing the opposing goalie, well, once again, Alain Vigneault believes in a more civilized approach.

All of this leaves Henrik very little time for spectating at the other end.  Like I said in a previous post, this is like playing under Tom Renney again.  We're in a state of regression where everything falls on Henrik Lundqvist.  Moreover, this season Alain Vigneault taxed the King, now 34-years old, unlike any season since his 2010-2011 campaign.

Like I said, point fingers at the five skaters first.  It's evident the Rangers spend entirely too much time in their defensive end.  And when you do that, you're going to commit too many penalties, particularly when your forwards do a piss poor job of getting back on defense.

We also have to recognize Marc Staal and Dan Girardi have put in many long regular and post-seasons together.  They are now performing like beaten, battered, and bruised players - see Dan Girardi.   Time has clearly caught up, and even moved the opposition a step ahead of them.   Meanwhile, Ryan McDonagh is playing with a broken hand.

At the core of my frustration is a coach telling me Kevin Klein should play Game Four instead of starting Dylan McIlrath, or that Kevin Klein warrants 27 shifts?  And I'll ask again - Brady Skjei made seven regular season starts, and gets to start over McIlrath whom made 34 regular season starts and wins the tale of the tape?

Unfortunately, to date, the story remained an old one this season ... the Rangers collectively can not clear sufficient traffic from Henrik's space, and Coach has an aversion to playing Dylan McIlrath.

Why not start both Brady Skjei and Dylan McIlrath?  At this juncture, Alain Vigneault really has nothing else to lose but another game, a playoff series, and his job - but not before he's made to answer why his team got eliminated in the first round.

Seems to me, then, Alain Vigneault needs Dylan McIlrath if the Rangers are to pull off a miraculous three game sweep.  Don't get me wrong, the forwards need to put their big boy pants on, and score.

As noted, the Rangers now must sweep the next three games or make earlier than expected plans for summer vacation.

I just call it like I see it.  Trolley Riders know I've been down on this team all season.  So, I'll only offer this...

I have little doubt Henrik will be on top of his game for Game Five.  So, please, give the man some help in front.  Then, just get shots on goal from any angle, converge on net, and get Matt Murray out of his element.  Then make sure you clean up the garbage.

Yeah, that requires taking a stick in the back at times, and it hurts.  But do it anyway!

• Too Much To Ask For?  With Evgeni Malkin back in the line-up, can the Rangers keep their eyes on him, Patric Hornqvist, and Sidney Crosby?  After four games, so far the answer is no.

• Too Much Too Ask For?  Readers might misunderstand me when I say - if Mats Zuccs continues being the Rangers best forward, they are in big trouble.  That's to his credit, considering Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, Kevin Hayse, etc., are the ones whom should be making headlines.  Can Rick Nash lead the Rangers through a series ... just once?

• Too Much To Ask For?  How about a power play goal, huh?  The Rangers are now just 1 for 16 in four games.  The Penguins have 7 goals in 19 opportunities.  That's a problem Keith Yandle was brought in to address, remember?

N.Y. Rangers: Screaming for Vengeance

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

The above was just one of many articles leading into Opening Night,

yet, four months later the coach himself remains a pacifist.

NEW YORK RANGERS: The King continues paying a stiff tax in Alain Vigneault's system.

...but this really has more to do with Dylan McIlrath.

Since Thanksgiving, work, life, and whatnot, has taken much of my free time otherwise usually spent operating this Trolley.

In truth, however, it seems as if I'm picking up where I left off (which is an indictment of itself).  So little has changed that perhaps I would have just been spending much of the last 3 months sniveling about the Rangers anyway.

We've officially entered crunch time folks ... and if you haven't noticed, things are starting to get a little chippy.

The New York Rangers presently own a 31-18-5 record (67 points), good enough for 2nd place in the Metropolitan Division, and 3rd in the Eastern Conference.

"We're a skilled team that can mix in hard work as well..." - Henrik Lundqvist

The Rangers goalie said that soon after shutting out the Penguins Wednesday evening in Pittsburgh, extending the Rangers win streak to 4 games.

It was a positive spin on the here and now, but, read between the lines.  Lundqvist has been critically vocal throughout the season regarding gridlock in the royal road, and the team's overall inability to clear traffic from his crease.

The defense has clearly taken a step backwards this season.  Dan Girardi's relentless style over the years seems to have caught up with him, while the overall blue line pairings look a step slower (if not fatigued), and are playing as passively as ever.

Now for the other pertinent stuff:

• Having both Keith Yandle and Kevin Klein in the line-up has officially become an untenable situation - specifically Klein's inadequate play.

• The opposition handles the puck into the Rangers defensive end with grace, style, and ease.   Once in the zone, opposing forwards are permitted to loiter around Henrik, sometimes in the form of menacing mobs.

• Above all else, opposing teams/players continue battering Rangers players and taking their runs with impunity, much less a reaction, from the Rangers coach.  That in turn, translates onto the ice.

Yes, I'm going there, again, meaning Alain Vigneault's preference for playing Kevin Klein over Dylan McIlrath for the better part of the season.  It's only recently, with Klein banged up, that McIlrath has been given more ice time.

Dylan McIlrath made his season debut on Oct. 13th, but did not play again until November, when he was squeezed into just 5 of the Rangers 14 scheduled games.  In December, however, he played in 11 of the Rangers 13 games.  Then in January, he was again relegated to just 3 of the Rangers 11 scheduled games.

Circle back to Feb. 2nd, when the Rangers suffered their lone defeat this month (to date) against the Devils - McIlrath did not play, while the rest of the team got pushed around.

McIlrath then played against the Wild in a game without incident.  Then came Wayne Simmonds and the Flyers - a game Dylan McIlrath did not start.

If you don't know ... Saturday, Feb. 6th at Philly, Wayne Simmonds sucker punched Ryan McDonagh with his glove still on.  McDonagh hasn't played since, out with a concussion.  It's hard to say whether McDonagh suffered his concussion as a result of Simmonds' initial check into the boards, or as a result of the punch, or both.

In either case, I'm sick of it...!

The Rangers followed up on Feb. 8th, turning the tables on the Devils with a 2-1 victory.  Newark didn't quite play with the same rambunctiousness they displayed on Feb. 2nd.  I offer no theories why, other that to simply state Dylan McIlrath started, registered 2 SOG and 4 hits in 14:24 (even strength) minutes, and committed no penalties.

Dylan McIlrath made his 2nd straight start Wednesday night in the Rangers 3-0 victory over the Penguins.  He registered 5 hits in 13:27 minutes.

I think by now you smell what I'm cooking.

• Small Picture - I'm interested to see how the Rangers handle Milan Lucic and the Los Angeles Kings on Friday.  My mind, however, is already fixed on Sunday's rematch against the Philadelphia Flyers - if I may be so bold as to even suggest vengeance should permeate the air.

• Big Picture - It's been proven throughout his tenure with the Rangers, Alain Vigneault's pacifism gets players hurt.  He had one or two enforcers in Vancouver, and refused to utilize them as well.   Thus, this is purely philosophical.  His is a great system for the regular season, but reaches it's law of diminished returns come playoff time.  

In effect, open season on Blueshirts has begun.  So I ask, what good is making the playoffs if one continually exposes his premium players to snipers, while at the same time restrains his team from firing back?

Proactive deterrence (don't make me laugh) is an entirely different matter.

Some call it playing with discipline.  There's something to that ... but in this case I call it soft, which will get the Rangers nowhere except placed on the disabled list.

If that's not enough for ya, then let's circle back to Henrik Lundqvist, because the Rangers have reverted back to requiring nightly miracles from their liege.  At 33-years of age, he presently leads the NHL with 46 games played (while starting 40 of the Rangers 54 games played to date).

In a bit of irony, a coach's philosophy, a poor penalty kill, worn down blue liners, injuries and perhaps indifference, are all imposing a stiff tax upon The King.

It's all relative...

N.Y. Rangers: Strong Start Masks Weak Flank

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Back in the City

NEW YORK RANGERS: You can lead this Tex's Ranger disciple to water, but you can't make me drink the kool-aid.

The Rangers will pay for their lack of physicality

when the Tax Man Cometh in Spring

ICYIM:

NYR: The Coach Who Cried Wolf

In the spate of three games, Tex's Rangers knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks and the Columbus Blue Jackets both on the road, then completed a sweep of their home and home against the Blue Jackets in Saturday night's season opener at Madison Square Garden.

They accumulated six quick points along the way, while doubling up their opponents by a 12 to 6 goal margin.

That's quite a first week of hockey.

Game 1: Wednesday @ Chicago - Season Opener

After a lengthy Stanley Cup banner raising ceremony, the Rangers ruined an otherwise glorious night for Blackhawk fans.  In the days leading up to the season opener, the Miller/Stalberg/Lindberg forward line generated the most concern.  As such, Oscar Lindberg dampened the mood right away with an opening goal at the 1:48 mark of the 1st. 

The Blackhawks finally tied the game at the 14:24 mark.  But he Rangers responded with two more 1st period goals by Kevin Klein and Derek Stepan providing the difference in a 3-2 victory.

Game 2: Friday @ Columbus

MattZuccs opened the scoring, but despite a 1-1 tie through two periods, the Blue Jackets arguably outplayed the Blueshirts.  Columbus, however, was unable to convert on four power play opportunities.   

The Blue Jackets out-shot the Rangers by a 23-16 margin.  In the 3rd period, Brandon Saad's finally converted Columbus' fifth PP opportunity of the game giving the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead.

Columbus then fell apart like wet toilet paper.  The Rangers registered three unanswered goals within span of just 1:14 allowing the Rangers to escape Ohio with their second victory of the season.

Game 3: Saturday @ MSG - Home Opener

An immediate fore-check resulted in three costly Blue Jackets defensive zone turnovers. The Rangers cashed in on all three, and led 3-0 after just 5:48 of play. Two Columbus goals late in the 3rd period gave Tex's Rangers opening night game its 5-2 final score.

When the Rangers have their choreography down, sometimes Vigneault's system is a true marvel to behold.  Look no further than Columbus, whom are regarded as an early Eastern Conference favorite, not to mention one of the Conference's toughest teams.  Yet, the Rangers took them completely out of their game, sparing themselves from Columbus' more punishing style of play.

The above reflects Alain Vigneault's emphasis on effort and proper positioning on defense, effective fore-checking, puck possession, then generally staying ahead of any disruptive physicality with quick decision making and passing, and of course, skating with speed.  He wants his defensemen passing the puck out of the zone quickly, and he wants his forwards in deep.

The Rangers will play well and accumulate many points this season.  I have no doubt they'll be an upper echelon Metropolitan Division force.  But, they will continue sustaining big hits along the way.  Just remember getting hit, exchanging hits, and initiating hits, all effect games differently.

Said another way, my eyes tell me very little regarding the Rangers overall condition has changed.

Vigneault wants to stay a step ahead, but opposing forwards are still following through and punishing his defensemen nonetheless.  The blue liners are blocking pucks, getting pounded from behind, and getting pushed off the puck by bigger forwards.  Teams know it's open season on Blue Shirts.  They know retaliation, for the most part, won't come.

And frankly, Tanner Glass is not the answer - at least not by himself.  Since I'm going there, when do you actually see Marc Staal use his body to separate forwards from the puck?  He poke-checks you death, but he won't hit you, much.  How many times can Girardi get blasted from behind?  How many cheap shots will the Rangers allow their goalie to endure?  I already witnessed my first questionable indiscretion against Henrik that went unaddressed.  The next incident is just a matter of time.

Yet, the Rangers get by defensively with superior positioning, stick work, and quick exits out of the zone.

Right now, everything is great.  But over the course of the season, this style will wear on them, again. Alain Vigneault wants to get things done based on talent, and talent alone.  But I will forever maintain you can't win without a complimentary measure of toughness.

If the Rangers were tougher, they wouldn't have gone as long as they did against the Washington Capitals, whom punished the Rangers, but succumbed to their better coach and collective skill.  By Round Three however, the Rangers were bruised, battered, and spent.  Their forward lines mustered nothing in Game Seven against the Bolts.

Simply put, the Rangers never had the forwards that get deep and punish defensemen off the puck.   Instead, the Rangers forwards are the ones getting pushed off.  When I watch Rick Nash get bumped around, I just shake my head.  He lacks killer instinct in that respect.  He's great when well fed, but left to stalk his own prey, not so much (not for his size and skill).

King Henrik's Taxes:

All this means Henrik Lundqvist will once again be asked to carry the heaviest load, and make 100 saves a game.  That said, Lunqvist (now 33-yrs old) has faced 106 shots on goal, and has stopped exactly 100 through the first three games of the season.

The problem is this:

• Game One - CHI 39 SOG; NYR 29 SOG
• Game Two - CBJ 33 SOG; NYR 25 SOG
• Game Three - CBJ 34 SOG; NYR 27 SOG
• Total - Opponents 106 SOG; NYR 81 SOG

The Rangers are operating at a deficit.

Never too early to do the right thing:

Performance wise, salary cap wise, locker room wise, and particularly fan wise, Dan Boyle has officially become the 800-pound gorilla on the roster.  He is a problem.

Meanwhile, there's a potential solution. Some of what the Rangers lack physically, and on defense, could potentially be addressed by giving Dylan McIlrath regular ice time.  It's not so much a case of Boyle's inadequacies, it's just that McIlrath addresses more important, physical matters that ultimately affect everyone, most importantly Henrik Lundqvist.

And let's face it - McIlrath can't do any worse.  Three games into the season may seem hasty, but this issue has lingered far longer than that.

The Rangers don't have to eat his salary, just make Boyle the odd man out.

N.Y. Rangers: Game Seven; Defend This House!

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Defend This House!

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

Series tied 3-3

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - TBL 6; NYR 2

III - TBL 6; NYR 5

IV - NYR 5; TBL 1

V - TBL 2; NYR 0

VI - NYR 7; TBL 3

GAME SEVEN

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

The Center of the Universe

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

N.Y.C.

NEW YORK RANGERS: Both teams drove their flag into each other's ice this series.  Now it's time for Tex's Rangers to Defend This House!

ICYMI:

Barely Alive After Game Five 

The Goonies Strike Back

What We Learned In Game One

Derick Brassard enjoyed the best regular season of his career, and has been the Rangers best forward throughout the post-season.  Facing elimination in Game Six of the Eastern Conference finals, he played his finest game.

As a team, the Rangers came correct!

Just 3:36 into the opening period, Brassard lit the lamp on the Rangers first shot of the game, and muted the arena with haste (except for all those Rangers fans in attendance that is..).  Roughly 12:00 minutes later, Brassard fed Keith Yandle, whose goal gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

At the 17:00 mark, Derek Stepan, Steven Stamkos, and Chris Kreider (who actually started the whole thing) were all awarded minor box time for beating each other with sticks, fists, and fists holding sticks.

With Tampa on the power play, an Anton Stralman pass split Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi like a football through the uprights, and caught Callahan's stick mid-stride at the blue line.   For 8 seasons as a member of the New York Rangers, Ryan Callahan took shots against Henrik Lundqvist every day in practice.  In Game Six, he took one more and converted on a breakaway to make it a 2-1 Rangers lead.

• On that note, one of the keys in Tuesday's victory was limiting penalties and preventing Tampa from going on what's been a highly fruitful power play.  The Blueshirst committed just two penalties all game, which matched their low from Game Three.  They did not commit their second until Dan Girardi's delay of game infraction with 4:24 left in the game.  Otherwise, the Rangers have put Tampa on the PP an average of 3.7 times per game.  Tampa in turn has gone 7 for 22 (32%) and scored in every game except Game Four.  The Rangers mission for Friday night, then, is to keep penalties at a minimum.

Henrik Lundqvist played an inspired 2nd period to preserve the Rangers precarious 2-1 lead.

Then came New York's unforeseen, nevertheless explosive 3rd period.

It's not so much that Tex's Rangers scored 3 times within the first 7:30 of the period, or scored 5 goals throughout the period, that should be taken away from their performance.  It was refreshing to see them opt against the defensive shell strategy and continue pressing the Bolts instead.  They came out strong and stayed on the attack.

• The Nash/Brassard/Miller line played like titans.  They combined to score 13 points, on 5 goals and 8 assists.  Derick Brassard scored 5 of those points, while Miller had a goal and 3 assists, as did Rick Nash.

After Nash and Brassard set up J.T. Miller's goal at 3:02 of the 3rd, the Rangers kept coming in waves.  A mere 3:00 later, James Sheppard literally crashed the net and scored again.  Then just over a minute later, Rick "the Brute" Nash brilliantly picked Nikita Kucherov's pocket, and set up Miller who fired on net - Brassard then cleaned up a juicy weak side rebound to make it a 5-1 game.

That was the back breaker, literally - to see Ben Bishop sprawled on the ice in the dead cockroach position, then heading towards the bench when Coach Cooper pulled him in favor of back-up Andrei Vasilevskiy with nearly 13:00 minutes still left in regulation.

Rick Nash eventually went on to score, and at 18:19, Derick Brassard shot into an empty net to complete a hat trick and give the Rangers their 7-3 margin of victory.

Like Bulls in a China Shop! 

As noted, Derick Brassard's third goal was scored into an empty net, while Keith Yandle scored in the 1st period from the point.   Otherwise, 5 of the Rangers 7 goals in Game Six were scored from Ben Bishop's (and Vasilevskiy's) doorstep.  You could even say Yandle scored because Bishop was screened.  He never saw the puck coming, which means the Rangers had sufficient traffic in front during 6 of their scoring opportunities.

You can't deny that I've been screaming about that since Game One.

Whenever Alain Vigneault let the bulls loose inside Tampa's china shop this series, the Rangers won each and every time.  Tampa has left the gates to their front porch wide open, and have displayed no desire to push the Rangers out of the way.  That's why I found it utterly ponderous Coach Vigneault and the Rangers went away from it in games Two and Five.

Don't stray again!

Line in the Sand:

There's a lot of familiarity that builds over the course of a 7 game series.  Alain Vigneault's line adjustments have been subtle, yet very effective.  Maybe another not so subtle shuffle is warranted.

My Spidey sense tells me there is a shake up in store for Game Seven, partly in an effort to awaken Carl Hagelin, and to get anything they can from Martin St. Louis (who by the way should finally be excused from the power play).  The Rangers have had two days off, which is plenty of time for new line partners to get acquainted.

That said, I'm very curious to see how often Coach deploys Dominic Moore (who is the only one pulling his weight on face-offs), and with whom.

James Sheppard and Kevin Hayes saw limited minutes in Game Six.  All I know is that Hayes is big, physical, skates with speed, will crash the net when told, and as a rookie doesn't seem the least bit intimidated by the enormity of playing in the conference finals.

If both teams aim to dominate the neutral zone, there's going to be a lot of dumping and chasing.  I would think some of the Rangers larger forwards should be able to bull their way through Tampa's smaller bodies, and retrieve the puck..., right?

Stop Bullying Those Blueshirts:

Steve Stamkos has been the Lightning's toughest player...all 6'1", 188 pounds of him!  I wonder if it's time to give him some Tanner Glass?

I was okay with Chris Kreider going after Stamkos for his hit on McDonagh.  He just didn't need to go after Stamkos twice.  I think that's the general consensus.  Stupid on Kreider's part..., again, but still worthy of a pat on the back this time.  Chris obviously needs to exercise more self-control Friday night, and get back to being the play maker he's been during this post-season.  The Rangers do not get this far without some gritty play on his part.  That's the Kreider the Rangers need in Game Seven.

Don't get me wrong though, Friday night Steven Stamkos needs to get hit, repeatedly.

The Triplets haven't exactly responded well to physicality either.  That needs to continue.

Ice Breakers:

So much for Ben Bishop being lauded as some net-minding hero after Game Five.  In the 3rd period, he got caught in a crossfire hurricane.  And I howled, at my ma in the drivin' ....  Sorry, I digress.

How quickly can he recover?  Is his confidence even recoverable?  I expect Tampa to execute a similar game plan to Game Five in order to minimize opportunities against him.

In truth, it may be too late for Bishop, as the book on him is already out.  By now, everyone knows how to beat Tampa's goalie.  If you don't know, then you haven't been watching.  The Rangers just need to follow through with what got them to Game Seven, which has been playing tough and being relentless around the net.

Meanwhile, the book on Lundqvist is still being researched.  The league has been trying to figure him out for a decade now.

Henrik Lundqvist has been in Ben Bishop's shoes before, but he's a master at deleting such poor performances from his mind and moving on.  Henrik is also an experienced proven performer under elimination circumstances.

About that...

A lot is being made of Henrik's brilliance in past Game 7 performances.  I don't pay mind to that, as none of it has any bearing on Friday's game.  This is strictly about playing hard for 60-minutes, defending well in front of Henrik, and coming out on top.

I will cede, however, that Henrik Lundqvist needs to tighten up his game.  He has no doubt surrendered a handful of questionable goals this series.   However, when I listen to Coach Cooper speak, this is what I interpret from him: 

...the Rangers goalie is better than my goalie; my goalie's confidence is questionably shattered; and I don't trust him to win Game 7 on the road.

I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead.  I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled.

Yeah, yeah, I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I was crowned with a spike right through my head.

But it's all right now, in fact it's a gas!

That's what I hear...




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Lightning Strikes MSG

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Former Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan Scored Two Goals In Return To MSG

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Time May Have Come To Promote Dylan McIlrath.

I swear I watched a bunch of girl scouts lash out over the (clean) hit Dan Girardi sustained from Ivgeni Malkin!  I saw a lot of grappling in the corner, but not one punch.

You just can't let hits like that go unchallenged.  It's not that I want someone to get a black eye.  It's just that teams have been taking advantage of the Rangers for two seasons now, so I guess this is welcome to season three.

It's painfully obvious the Rangers do not have the type of player to police the ice; Glen Sather ensures that.  I blame him.  Things like Colton Orr and Brandon Prust, and Sather's feeble attempts to correct his folly with Donald Brashear and Derek Boogaard come racing into my brain!

With the Lightning in town Monday night, I was also reminded of Glen Sather's inability to manage the salary cap.

About Monday....

Without even trying to be physical, Tampa showed once again how soft the Rangers can be.

I watched Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucjerov set camp in front of Henrik Lundqvist and play a leisurely game of tic-tac-toe for Tampa's opening score.

Then I watched Ryan Callahan easily shove Dan Girardi completely out of position and score a power play goal to give Tampa a 2-0 1st period lead.

• The Rangers have 7 PP goals this season; Callahan has 2; just saying....  Callahan even pushed around MatsZuccs at one point, because everyone can, and does.

After a mindless neutral zone turnover by Rick Nash resulted in a breakaway goal by Steven Stamkos, the Lightning had their 4th potential goal of the evening waived off after literally pushing Lundqvist clear out of his crease.  No Bolts player received even so much as a dirty look.

Shortly thereafter, I watched Palat and Johnson again, with Alex Killorn blitzkrieg their way to an unhindered 4th Tampa goal.

The 5th Tampa goal was not a garbage time goal; it was just a garbage goal.  Two Rangers defensemen (who shall remain nameless) failed to matriculate the puck from behind their net, much less initiate an effective breakout.  Ryan Callahan swooped in to arrest the puck, and scored his second goal of the evening, capping off a triumphant return to Madison Square Garden.

Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos are now tied with 12 goals each this season, with the difference being Stamkos plays with Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle, and has his team in first place with a 13-4-2 record, while Rick Nash now plays with Martin St. Louis, whom together have helped the Rangers achieve an inconsistent 7-7-4 record.

Teams like Columbus and Toronto have already shown what happens to the Rangers when games really get physical.

In summary, the Rangers are playing soft, ineffective defense.

They can potentially improve their strength, size and presence in front of Henrik Lundqvist, while at the same time perhaps adding a measure of toughness in other scenarios.  Perhaps it's time to promote Dylan McIlrath again - and this time, for good.

McIlrath, 22, is listed at 6'5" and 220 lbs.  He would instantly become the Rangers biggest   defenseman, and arguably their most physical.

What could it hurt?  In his absence, perhaps a lot.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: In Need Of A Blue Line Bruiser

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS - Let The Rath Of Dylan Begin!

Despite Rick Nash's scoring woes in the playoffs, a lack of goals was not necessarily the reason why the Rangers lost to the Kings.  Three overtime losses made it plainly obvious that the Blueshirts need a big defenseman who can clear traffic from in front of the net, and whom also possesses a big shot from the point on power plays.

On that note, Anton Stralman probably had the best shot from the point (by a NYR defenseman) this season but is in no way the answer.  I do believe however that he played well enough to warrant a reasonable contract offer from Sather.

And on that note, any additional potential free agent signing will obviously cost money - lots of money.  How does Sather clear the space needed to facilitate such a deal?  For starters, John Moore is no longer needed. I'd make Raphael Diaz go poof, and I'm on the fence with regards to Kevin Klein.

I'll get into what forwards I'd consider sacrificing shortly.

This year's free agency period is less than two weeks away.  Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen is perhaps the most notable defenseman on the list.  He will no doubt cause a bidding frenzy, and inevitably command major salad.  But I'm not sure he's right for the Rangers.  He is listed at 6'0" and 209 lbs., which does not exactly distinguish him in a line-up with Girardi, Staal, and McDonagh.

Coming off a career high 46-point season, while still only 27-years old makes Niskanen very attractive.  Pair him with Ryan McDonagh, and the Rangers are set for years to come.  Niskanen certainly handles the puck better than Girardi did against L.A.  He would also be a welcome addition on the power play.  But he's not going to be the one clearing bodies from Henrik's space.

As it currently stands, import Justin Falk is the Rangers largest blue liner.  Will he see more time next season. At 6'5" and 215 lbs., perhaps he should, right?

The Rangers also have their proverbial ace prospect in the hole.  It's time to let the Rath Of Dylan begin!   Dylan McIlrath was the 10th overall selection of the 2010 draft, and should be ready to bang bodies in the NHL next season.  He is listed as 6'5" and 215 lbs.  His game is well suited for clearing traffic and maintaining lanes of sight for Lundqvist.

So with that in mind, I would give still Matt Niskanen serious consideration.

I also have interest in (LAK) Matt Greene.  And why not?  He's still only 31 years-old, and listed at 6'3" and 232 lbs.  That's the kind of size that moves bodies.  Realistically however, the Rangers can only sign him at their price and terms, not his.  I'll pass on (LAK) Willie Mitchell though.

Montreal's Andrei Markov is good, but like Mitchell he's getting old, and has become injury prone, so I do not consider him much of an option.  However, I think (NYI) Dan Boyle could be a good complimentary fit for the Rangers.

The Forward$$$ - Glen Sather needs to clear cap space, and will most likely start by buying out Brad Richards.  It's the right thing to do.  In the salary cap era, his contract is an albatross.  Unfortunately, Mats Zuccarello and Brian Boyle may have priced themselves out of town as well.  MatsZuccs?  Yeah, it's all about the salad.

What say you?



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Gotta Deal With The Bounces Boys

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Kings Lead Stanley Cup Series 1-0

I - LAK 3; NYR 2*

*overtime

GAME TWO

New York Rangers

vs.

Los Angeles Kings

FROM

LaLa Land

NEW YORK RANGERS: Los Angeles Kings Enforce Murphy's Law Against Visitors.

The 64:36 mark of Game One produced one of those unfortunate moments players dread - when bad luck descends upon them.  Despite all the physical and mental preparations they put into their craft, there are no preventative measures athletes can take to ward off bad luck.

Just as the puck hopscotched Girardi's stick, two Blueshirts were turning up ice along the near and far boards.  That left three fore-checking Kings in the Rangers zone against Girardi.

Why dwell?  If the Rangers come away empty in Los Angeles, then we can revisit Game One, and I do mean all of it. There were too many inconsistencies from one period to the next that warrant more attention than Dan Girardi's 4th period misplay of an uncooperative puck.

Certainly no one can blame Dan Girardi for the Rangers getting woefully out-shot in the 3rd period by a 20-3 margin.  And Derek Stepan's turnover was no less costly.

Otherwise, there were no surprises in Game One.  The Kings did to the Rangers what they've been doing throughout the playoffs - coming back from being down.  When they need game tying goals, they get them.   When they need game winning goals, they get them.  When they've needed victories, they've gotten them.   No lead, game or series, has been safe.  Game One was no different.

Nevertheless, Jonathan Quick demonstrated he will allow goals.  But two Rangers goals in regulation time is insufficient against the Kings.

They simply need to score more.  It's unlikely Henrik Lundqvist will be pitching any shutouts against the Kings.  Therefore, the players on this team paid to score goals, must score goals.  That means Rick Nash.   He was not brought in at such a high cost to be inconsequential.  Defending him for doing all the little things is falling on deaf ears.

The power play must also reemerge.  The Rangers are operating with a much lower margin for error, and therefore must maximize any and every opportunity they receive.

Despite being careless with the puck, the Rangers still demonstrated they can compete with the Kings.  As Brad Richards said, they need to clean that up.  So let's just drop the puck on Game Two, and see where that gets us.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Game 3 - Dan Carcillo Kicks Sand In The Broad Street Bullies Faces

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 2-1

I - NYR 4; PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - FRIDAY @ PHI

GAME THREE FINAL

RANGERS   4

Flyers          1

NEW YORK RANGERS: Flyers Cheap Shots Failing To Rattle Blueshirts, Unless You're Benoit Pouliot That Is.....

When do you suppose Coach Vigneault will play Dan Carcillo?  I hope the answer is games Three and Four.  A game in Philly seems tailored for him..., no?  Doesn't the former Flyer have anything to offer, be it with his physicality, or on-ice composure in a familiar environment?  Put him in coach.  C'mon, let him bang some bodies. - Yeah, I said that.

DAN CARCILLO REVISITS WITH OLD FRIENDS IN PHILADELPHIA

BEARING GOALS AND TIDINGS OF ILL WILL.

Ray Emery finally played down to his abilities.  He let pucks get by him from up close, from far away, and from bad angles.  In other words, he was an equal opportunity Game Three failure.  The Flyers finally pulled him from net in the third period, and it's probably safe to say, the Rangers should expect to see Steve Mason the rest of this series.

For the first time this series, the Flyers out-shot the Rangers by a 32-23 margin.  After chiding The King in my last post, Tuesday night, Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant in stopping all but one shot. The Rangers also uncharacteristically put Philly on the PP five times, but successfully killed them all.  A stellar defensive effort, and Henrik's 31 saves were most certainly the determining factors of Game Three.

For the moment, the Rangers were able to seize back home ice advantage.

The rest, makes for a very colorful recap.

The Flyers crowd was taken out of the game early, by two Rangers first period goals.  Ray Emery gave up a bad angle goal in close quarters to Derek Stepan, on a Rick Nash feed from the far corner.  Then a little under seven minutes later, he gave up another on Dan Girardi's shot which was deflected in by Martin St. Louis.

Before the first period was through, the Flyers got one goal back, but nothing more.  Dan Girardi then cancelled it out with a booming second period shot taken from downtown Philadelphia, which Emery was helpless to stop.

Former Flyer Dan Carcillo provided the crowd with one final punch to the stomach, when he converted a great pass from Brian Boyle, and tapped it through the pads of Emery, to give the Rangers a 4-1 victory.  It was a marvelous turn of events for him.  After feeling dejected over committing a penalty, he scored right out of the box.  Back in the second period, he took a minor penalty for coming to the aid of Carl Hagelin.  Good man!  Good game.

Benoit Pouliot was clearly out of his mind though.  In fact, there was a point in the game when Pouliot and Carcillo were both going against everything Coach Vigneault preaches.  But, it may have served the Rangers well.  Winning certainly has a way of influencing perspective, and so I would say Carcillo and Pouliot both brought a high level of intensity, and even a measure of anger and raucousness, that perhaps Philadelphia needed to experience.

Once again, the Flyers resorted to their full repertoire of troglodyte tactics.  Wayne Simmonds continued his overall obnoxious behavior, and escaped the box after cross-checking Derek Dorsett in the face. Simmonds also continues to lead the Flyers in SOG.

Dan Carcillo took a deliberate shoulder to the jaw, which also went unnoticed by the stripes, who by the way, were particularly horrific this night.  If you were watching, how else can you explain Philly getting whistled only four times all game.  It was a ponderous performance by them.

Just prior to Philadelphia scoring their lone goal, I could have sworn Derek Dorsett and Simmonds agreed to drop gloves during their next shift, but the fight never materialized, unlike the series of punches Carl Hagelin endured during what the stripes deemed a non-fight against Jakub Voracek - an absolutely terrible job.

The Rangers are hopping a train back to New York City tonight, and will return for Game Four on Friday.  I don't blame them.  I wouldn't want to spend the night in Philadelphia either.

Enjoy a cold beer on the way home fellas.  Nice game.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Flyers Put A Few Extra Eggs In Henrik's Basket

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Series Tied 1-1

I - NYR 4; PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - TUESDAY

IV - NYR @ PHI

V - PHI @ NYR

VI - NYR @ PHI

VII - PHI @ NYR

GAME THREE

New York Rangers

vs.

Philadelphia Flyers

FROM

Broad Street

NEW YORK RANGERS: A Quiet Ninety Mile Drive To Think About What They've Done.

I Tried Protecting The King, But There's No Hiding From The Numbers

On a personal note, I hate Sunday afternoon starts!!!  Absolutely hate 'em!  I digress.

Game Two was nothing short of an opportunity lost (literally), and must be called for what it was. It was Easter, so, yeah, they laid a rotten egg in the Garden.  After spending two days wiping the yolk off their faces, they better get hot on stealing a game in Philadelphia in order to recapture home ice advantage, otherwise, well.......

That won't be easy.

So far, the Flyers were made to play the Rangers style of game, and in Game Two, the Rangers were made to play the Flyers style.

More so in Game One, but, to a certain extent, Coach Vigneault was able to escape the Flyers physicality while on home ice.  As the series shifts to Philly, the Flyers now obviously get final line change rights.  That means the Broadway Blueshirts better prepare for the Broad Street Bullies. Coach Berube can sic exactly who he wants after the Rangers defensemen, particularly in the corners, and decide who gets to instigate, and when.  Advantage Flyers.

That's not good news coming on the heels of Sunday's meltdown.  Most aspects of Tex's Rangers game failed them.  Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi didn't have particularly good days.  Both posted a minus-2 for the game.  But, there's no possible way to take them to task over it.  Not them - not after all they do otherwise.

It's not like Philadelphia refrained from committing penalties.  They banked plenty of goon minutes, again.  In fact, they committed 6 penalties in consecutive games.  While the Rangers rode the strength of two PP goals in 6 chances in Game One, they were only 1 for 6 Sunday.  But, that makes them 25% in two games, which is superior to their 18.2% mark during the regular season. On the other side of the puck, the Rangers have limited the Flyers to just 4 PP opportunities in two games, but to the Blueshirts dismay, Philly has cashed in twice.  Numbers suck, don't they?

Not all things, but you knew at least some things would change heading into Game Two.  Getting limited to 15 overall SOG in Game One was something the Flyers were certainly going to rectify. This time, the Rangers mustered 33 shots on goal to the Flyers 24 shots.  That brings the team totals up to 69 SOG for the Rangers, and just 39 for the Flyers - rather lopsided numbers, aye?

But, the scoring breakdown is unsettling - six goals for the Rangers, and 5 for Philly.  Three of the Rangers 6 goals have come on the power play, while Philly has tallied 3 of their 5 goals at even strength.

Somehow, and certainly not to my surprise, the Flyers continue making numerous mistakes, yet they now hold serve.  Meanwhile, the Rangers have played very disciplined hockey, yet can not afford even the slightest misstep.

Think about it.  Outside of Jakub Voracek's goal Sunday, the Rangers are actually keeping the Flyers first line in relative check.  Claude Giroux still does not have a shot on goal.  Scott Hartnell only has a pair, and none in Game Two.  And Voracek had no SOG in the opener, but got the Flyers going in the second period of Game Two, on one of only two shots he took.  Even the sticks of Vincent Lecavalier, Matt Reed, remain dormant.

But I guess you can't keep your eyes on every one.  Wayne Simmonds is the one Flyer finding daylight.  What Jakub Voracek started for Philly Sunday night, Simmonds ended with a lights-out power play goal at 19:34 of the final period.  Wayne leads the Flyers with 6 total SOG.

You know where this all is headed, don't you?  Henrik Lundqvist is getting outplayed by Philadelphia's backup goalie.  Damn.  I said it.  The numbers speak for themselves:

Philly vs. Lundqvist - 5 goals on 39 shots = 12.8%
Rangers vs. Emery - 6 goals on 69 shots = .08%

It's not like Henrik's skaters are failing him.  The Rangers main forwards are getting their chances against a very porous Philly defense.  In two games, Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis have factored in the scoring, just as required.  When you include Rick Nash, the three have combined for 27 SOG.  Rick Nash leads the trio with 13 SOG, but is having an awful time finishing.  Brad Richards has 11 SOG and one goal.  So, the opportunities have been there, but the fact is, Ray Emery, particularly on Sunday, has stopped them cold.  Martin St. Louis has a goal in three shots. He was held without a shot in Game One.

Now what?  The answer might be simple.  Keep doing what you're doing, but with a more watchful eye on defensive detail.  Certainly, a marked increase in intensity over Game Two is warranted as well.  And as they say in the fight business, protect yourself at all times.

On that note, when do you suppose Coach Vigneault will play Dan Carcillo?  I hope the answer is games Three and Four.  A game in Philly seems tailored for him..., no?  Doesn't the former Flyer have anything to offer, be it with his physicality, or on-ice composure in a familiar environment? Put him in coach.  Let him bang some bodies.




MIke.BTB