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: I find their lack of shots disturbing

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Home Ice Advantage Melts Away After Game Three Loss

Penguins lead series 2-1

I - PITT 5; NYR 2

II - NYR 4; PITT 2

III - PITT 3; NYR 1

IV- THURSDAY

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirt fans have little respect for Marc Andre-Fleury to begin with ... but this inability to put shots on net against second and third string goalies is ponderous!

After going with third string goalie Jeff Zatkoff in games One and Two, the Penguins turned back to second stringer Matt Murray for Game Three at the Garden.

The Penguins and Rangers have now utilized two goalies each.

• PITT has thus far faced 82 shots on goal, made 75 saves, with 7 goals allowed.
• NYR have thus far faced 91 shots on goal, made 83 saves, with 8 goals allowed.

Do the math.

After a scoreless opening period (video review negated a Chris Kreider goal), the 2nd session started out promisingly for the Rangers when the ghost Rick Nash scored a rare playoff goal in the opening minute.

In truth, however, the Pens could have started a circus bear in net, and it would not have mattered.   The Rangers mustered little to nothing in the way of offensive threats, registering just 17 shots on goal all game, and just four in the final period.

Four...

They should have spent all of Wednesday feeling embarrassed about themselves.

After Game Three, Derek Stepan blamed (his word) stubbornness for their offensive malaise, which is a word I've been using to characterize Alain Vigneault for three seasons now.  But where my usage stems from Coach's reluctance to play Dylan McIlrath (whom was a healthy scratch.. again), and his "turn the other cheek" mentality, Stepan was referring to their failure in changing strategy against Pittsburgh's neutral zone play.

Continual stick handling into a brick wall was indeed stubborn of them - but, pretty is as pretty does.   Unfortunately, dump and chase hockey remained a foreign concept.

Moving on, penalties have been a decisive factor.  The Rangers are a mere 1 for 12 on the man advantage, meanwhile, have allowed Pittsburgh 4 goals in 13 opportunities - one in each game played and a pair in Game Three.

N.Y. Rangers: New York, New York, a desperate hockey town...

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

In Henrik We Fret

NEW YORK RANGERS: Henrik Lundqvist received an inadvertent stick to the eye because the Blueshirts did not, and do not, clear the crease well.

Clear out the traffic, and Henrik never gets Marc Staal's stick to the eye.  This goes hand in hand with allowing Pittsburgh to administer Lundqvist a snow shower.  It's not like we can suit up Henrik with even more equipment and pads, so the Rangers' defense had better come up with a better plan for protecting their liege.

NYR: Here We Go Again - Round One 

On that note, Alain Vigneault had defenseman Brady Skjei lace up the skates.  The man is 6'3" and listed at 215 lbs., which is fine, aside from the fact he only participated in 7 regular season games. Meanwhile, Dylan McIlrath is 6'5" and listed at 230 lbs, and played in 34 regular season games.

My question, then, is - if you were head coach, which of the two would you have started to open the playoffs?

Personally, Brady Skjei was never a consideration for me.

Alain Vigneault's aversion to Dylan McIlrath continues.

2015-2016

Stanley Cup Playoffs

GAME ONE FINAL

Rangers     2

Penguins   5

Henrik Lundqvist exited Game One after the 1st period, and is doubtful for Game Two due to swelling around his eye.  Otherwise, Henrik and the Rangers say there is no damage/injury to speak of.

The Rangers, however, were already down 1-0 when Antti Raanta took over.  Sidney Crosby then made things look too easy in giving the Pens a 2-0 lead in the 2nd.  Both Pittsburgh goals were of the taboo variety - meaning they were both scored within the final two minutes of the period.

Despite Derek Stepan's best efforts, things naturally got worse for Tex's Rangers in the 3rd.

Question #2 - What's the only type of goal worse than one scored within the last two minutes of a period?

Bingo! A short handed goal!  Scored by none other than Tom Kuhnhackl ...

Who?

It doesn't matter ... Patric Hornqvist continued turning the rest of the 3rd period into his personal showcase anyway, netting the game's first goal, then completing a hat trick with two more goals in the 3rd.

N.Y. Rangers: Here We Go Again ... Round One

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

GAME ONE

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

FROM

An Igloo

NEW YORK RANGERS: Put your big boy pants on and play tough ... or go home.

Here's your preview...

• Welcome back.  
• Nothing has changed.  
• Thank you very much.

That's a hell of an attitude to start the playoffs with, ain't it?

That's because the same issues I had in October, and repeated through February, are pretty much what I still take issue with today.  In fact, I'm still clinging to the same gripes I held last season.

I do not believe in Alain Vigneault's system.  It's designed for the regular season, which is fine.  But come the playoffs, it reaches its limits in a short series, particularly against more physical teams.

You know exactly where I'm going with this...

Alain Vigneault had tough, physical players at his disposal when he coached the Montreal Canadiens. He also had a few physically minded players when he coached the Vancouver Canucks.  In both instances he resisted infusing physicality into his plan during the playoffs, and in each instance got dismissed as head coach.

The 2011 Canucks lost the Stanley Cup finals against the tougher, much more physical Boston Bruins.  Shortly thereafter, Vancouver stated their main reason for firing Alain Vigneault (and hiring John Tortorella) was to get tougher.  Which in turn means what?  The Rangers got softer.

Like you need reminding - the Rangers lost to the more physical and resilient Los Angeles Kings in the 2014 Cup finals in similar fashion.  Last year's elimination against the Tampa Bay Lightning I completely blame on him, and his stubbornness.  He made adjustments, but just didn't see them through.  He was determined to make his philosophy work, but just like in his previous endeavors, he came up short.

When he coaches with a backbone, he'll finally win a Cup.

To date, the results speak for themselves.

The Rangers get pushed off the puck too easily - they don't have the forwards that pound opposing defensemen, and therefore spend little time in the offensive zone.  It's mind numbing.  Defensively, they do a poor job of clearing traffic, and are generally too smallish to inflict any meaningful punishment themselves.  But, those are personnel issues.

Teams continually take their liberties against Rangers players, particularly Henrik Lundqvist, because they know the Rangers will offer no resistance, no retaliation, no nuthin'.  That's on the coach.

That said...

I'll be paying attention as to how Alain Vigneault utilizes Dylan McIlrath in the playoffs.

My issues are not solely focused on the team's lack of physicality either.

Henrik Lundqvist, is now 34-years old, yet recorded his most starts (65) since the 2010-11 season.   Under Vigneault, the Rangers have reverted back to being overly reliant on Lundqvist again - I'm talking Tom Renney dependence levels!

Lundqvist posted a .920 SV% this season, which is on par with his career.  He posted a 2.48 GAA, however, which was a career worst.  In my opinion, much of that is attributable to, yes, lack of physicality in front.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong ... but wasn't one of the reasons for hiring Vigneault to improve the power play?  I guess he's still working on that, but in the meantime the penalty kill finished 26th this season.

Just saying...

*         *          *

Lucky for Alain Vigneault, the Rangers will open the playoffs against Pittsburgh.  They've handled them before, perhaps they can do it again.

Pittsburgh plays right into Vigneault's system of skating with speed, and moving the puck quickly.   The Rangers and Pens played each other three times in March, and all were fairly fast paced affairs.

Oh yeah ... the Rangers lost all three games and were outscored by a combined 12-6 margin.

The Penguins will be without their starting goalie Marc Andre-Fleury, and forward Evgeni Malkin.

The Rangers will be without Ryan McDonagh for Game One.

I'll just see how goes and take it from there.



Points I still need to get off my chest:

• Blueliners - Marc Staal and Dan Girardi.
• If Mats Zuccarello is continually the Rangers' best forward, then they're in big trouble.

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...

The Rivalry Comes to Brooklyn: Rangers vs. Islanders - I

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

The Rivalry

TONIGHT

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER

BROOKLYN

Six points separate the (#2) Rangers and (#5) Islanders in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Sandwiched between them are Washington and Pittsburgh.  The gap between them, however, is now far closer than New Yorkers are normally accustomed to.

This evening, the Rivalry prepares to cross the East River, and invade the Borough of churches.

Lord Stanley pray for us all....

Both Nassau County leadership, and locals, rejected further financing of the decades long campaign, and ultimately pulled the plug on constructing a new base of operations for their NHL hockey club.

Forced to move on, the crossroads of Brooklyn are the new battle front between Tex's Rangers, and the seemingly nomadic Islanders.

The Battles of Uniondale are done.  The fight for Flatbush, is on.

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.  On that note, you can bet there will be hoards of Rangers fans in the building.

It's going to take some time in order for the Isles to establish their settlement along Flatbush Avenue.

In the meantime, enjoy the first regular season game between the Islanders and Rangers in Brooklyn.

The Skates of 'Rath...

Kevin Klein's promotion to the top defensive line didn't last very long.  He is due to miss the next few weeks with an abdominal injury sustained against Carolina.

As they say, one man's injury is another man's opportunity, meaning, Dylan McIlrath will finally get a block of consistent playing time (whether Alain Vigneault likes it or not).

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.

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: The Coach Who Cried Wolf

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2015-2016

The 89th Season of 

New York Rangers Hockey 

Starts Now

OPENING NIGHT

New York Rangers

vs.

Chicago Blackhawks

FROM

Home of the Cup

ChiTown

NEW YORK RANGERS: It all starts with the man wearing the suit.

I'll be forthright about this.  I'm still pissed off.

My disgust hasn't waned.  May 29th seems like yesterday.

Neither Torts' loss to the Devils, or the Rangers loss to the Kings inspired this much anger. The last time I got consumed by such madness came during the Mario Lemieux/Adam Graves fiasco of 1992.

That said, of the four major sports teams I root for, I'm by far most forgiving of the Blueshirts.

Sometimes, however, I just can't move on unless I vent.

I don't care which players' feet you chose putting to the fire.  Blame Rick Nash's lack of scoring, Kreider's lack of discipline, etc., or blame Hillary Clinton, my old high school coach, Ricky Ricardo, Godzilla, Han Solo, or the Dali Lama for all I care.   It makes no difference to me.  All this year's returning Rangers bear their share of responsibility; some more than others.

However, outside of personal skill, individual effort, and competency, players are generally told what to do.  Therefore, I still maintain the Rangers lost last season's Eastern Conference final to the Tampa Bay Bolts due to a philosophical (physical) miscalculation on the part of Alain Vigneault.

As far as I'm concerned, there are reasons why he was fired in Montreal, and Vancouver, etc.  As it also relates to the Rangers, we've learned there are limits as to how far his system can and will go in the absence of a friggin' backbone.

There!  I said it.

President trophies are just big boy participation awards.

His Canucks couldn't outlast a tougher Bruins team in the 2011 Stanley Cup finals, nor could his Rangers defeat a tougher, more resilient Kings team in 2014.

Vigneault's insistence on proving his system right against the Tampa Bay Lightning arguably cost the Rangers a trip to the finals, I think.

The Rangers physical play was the decisive factor in games Four and Six.  Coach then ponderously turned his back on physicality in Game Seven, opting instead for what previously failed particularly in games Two and Five.

They played soft, plain and simple.  Alain Vigneault calls it playing the right way. That's just pillow talk to me.

I certainly wasn't napping when a few select teams stocked up on physical type players this past off-season headlined by Milan Lucic's relocation to Los Angeles.  In fact, the Pacific Division is shaping up to be a rumble royal, with Anaheim, San Jose, and the aforementioned Kings all loaded up with beef.

Columbus, St. Louis, and maybe even Winnipeg will be some of the more tougher teams this season.

The trend has been swaying away from the traditional northeast cities for some time now, towards the Western Conference.

If you remember, the reason why Vancouver fired Vigneault and hired John Tortorella in the first place was to get tougher.

The Rangers?

N.Y. Post

Completely laughable is the only way I can explain Alain Vigneault's audacity with regards to his call for more physicality.

Dylan McIlrath will finally start the season off-Broadway, on paper at least.  He earned a roster spot as the 7th defenseman, but despite turning in a fine physical performance during their last tune-up against the Bruins, he will be a healthy scratch for Wednesday night's opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Even before the Rangers drop the puck on their 89th season, McIlrath is already their most punishing blue liner.  However, he previously remained someone Alain Vigneault found little use for these last two seasons.  In truth, his future under Vigneault remains no less uncertain.

The addition of winger Viktor Stalberg should help.  He's 29-yrs old, owns a Stanley Cup ring and understands the role physicality plays on the ice.  He'll team with Oscar Lindberg and J.T. Miller to form the third line.

Lindberg is a smart playing 23-year old, whom impressed enough in camp to win a spot on the third line over veteran Dominic Moore.  At first glance it would appear J.T. Miller got screwed out of a spot on the 2nd line.  Line combinations, however, are very transient situations this early in the season.

Look, Alain Vigneault is a good coach - a damn good one.  He may still pull off a Cup victory before this is through.

But if it takes pissing in his morning Cheerios to alter his thinking, then allow me to be the first in line.

And so concludes my unapologetic opening rant.

The 2015-2016 regular season starts, now!

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