N.Y. Rangers: Hurricanes Burst Blueshirts Bubble

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

The #NYR are still a rebuilding team. Oft times winners must first learn how to lose. JD and Gorton still have more work to do. I'm fine with this. #LGR

— B'klynTrolleyBlogger (@BTB_MikeII) August 5, 2020

At no time are the Rangers ever really in this series.  Thanks to former Blueshirt Brady Skjei, Jesper Fast is knocked out of action in the first period of game one and never returns.  Coach Quinn says losing Fast changes the whole complexion of the Rangers' approach.  I, on the other hand, do not completely buy into that notion.  However, I agree that not having Fast, and Brendan Lemieux, and Igor Shesterkin, on the ice does indeed compromise the Rangers.

Otherwise, eleven New York Rangers make their playoff debut against Carolina.  That speaks directly to the ongoing efforts of John Davidson and Jeff Gorton.  Lest we forget they're only a year and a half into this, and as far as I'm concerned, are going about their business well.  With regards to the players, learning how to lose as a team is part of the process.  Getting outscored by an 11-4 margin over three games is a hard, but necessary lesson learned.  If nothing else, this series demonstrates to the younglings the drastic differences between three regular season victories over the Canes versus three straight losses in the playoffs.  Carolina has been through this before, and it shows throughout all nine periods of hockey.

If the Rangers through three games only score four total goals, going 1 for 14 on the power play is largely to blame.  Otherwise, Artemi Panarin gets off ten shots in three games, but only one SOG in game one.  He scores one goal, but does not score enough; Chris Kreider scores a goal, but does not score enough; Mika Zibanejad scores one goal, but does not score enough.  Kaapo Kakko creates some nice chances for himself, but ultimately concludes the series with no goals and no assists. Circling back to Zibanejad, as a center he assists on just one goal.  And since I'm going there, Carolina wins 95 face-offs versus 85 by the Rangers.  Carolina also out-shoots the Rangers from the field by a 102-88 margin.  Quinn's Rangers are ill prepared to contain Andrei Svechnikov, who tallies a hat trick in game two, and less able to shackle Sebastian Aho, who totals three goals with five assists.

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Suffer Category One Loss to Hurricanes

From the desk of: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

OUT OF QUARANTINE AND INTO THE BUBBLE

ICED UP IN TORONTO

STANLEY CUP QUALIFIER

GAME ONE

Rangers        2

Hurricanes    3

FINAL

SLOW AND SLOPPY LOSES THE DAY

What Blueshirts fan doesn't want to see the Rangers excel against the Hurricanes, and beyond?  That being said, the Rangers in my opinion are still a rebuilding team, and I do not mind seeing the process through, part of which entails learning how to lose as a team.  The collective experience is invaluable. 

With that in mind, please know that I love Henrik Lundqvist; been in love with Henrik since I first laid eyes on him three games into his rookie season.  It's sad and regrettable that he has yet to win a Stanley Cup, nor might he ever.  But truth be told, for sake of moving forward I prefer Igor Shesterkin (or Alexandar Georgiev) in net for the playoffs.  I understand Igor was a late scratch, but stand by my aforementioned reasoning. 

Such is life, and so into the bubble with Henrik we go ...

These are not the Carolina Hurricanes the Rangers remember from the regular season.  Saturday's game makes that crystal clear.  If it takes a game for the Rangers to get their legs back under them, fine.  But they sure as hell better get their heads screwed on a little tighter as well.

Very soon after losing their first face-off since March 11, the Rangers commit one of the cardinal sins of hockey: letting the opposition score inside the first two minutes, or last two minutes of a period.  Sixty-one seconds into the first, Carolina does just that.  First, let's acknowledge Carolina's goal for what it is: a great pinch play by defensemen Jaccob Slavin.  With puck action taking place at Henrik's left, no one sees Slavin rushing in from the blue line on Henrik's right.  But even more troublesome to me is the Rangers inability to gain, much less sustain, possession.  In fact, Henrik stick handles the puck three times within the first sixty seconds alone!  That's an early indication things are off to an ugly start.  It also begs the question: what good is dishing out forty hits if you continually fail to come away with the puck (three takeaways all game), and tally eleven less shots on goal than the guys you're hitting?  Speaking of hits, former New York Ranger Brady Skjei at the 19:30 mark levels a clean open ice hit upon Jesper Fast, whom leaves the ice and does not return.  Add the fight between Ryan Strome versus Justin Williams, and there is your first period of hockey after roughly four and one-half months of quarantine.

Lethargy rules the day.  The Rangers manage just 26 shots on goal all game.  It's a feeble number considering they are on the power play seven times, getting off minimal shots, and coming away empty each time.

Cycling back to laying hits ... take another look at the Martin Necas goal at 10:51 of the third.  The guy is literally loitering in front of Henrik for a full five seconds before anyone (echem...Marc Staal) notices.  Of course, by then it's too late; Canes lead 3-1 with a half period to go.

N.Y. Rangers: In the Middle of Nowhere

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

And so ends the 90th season of 

New York Rangers Hockey

I was certain getting through the Montreal Canadiens would be the hardest part about returning to the Eastern Conference finals.  Despite all my reservations, and to my great surprise, the Rangers wound up impressing me with the manner in which they prevailed against the Habs physicality and won the series in six rowdy games.

In pondering the Rangers next opponent, my preference was to play the Boston Bruins because (like Montreal) at least I knew what to expect from them, and also knew they were a compromised team on defense.

Conversely, I really had no idea what to expect from Ottawa (not that they're an unfamiliar team or foe).  However, knowing the Rangers enjoyed little success against the Sens during the regular season, I was nevertheless sure that a somewhat less formidable opponent lay ahead for the Rangers in Round Two.

And therein lies the rub ... doesn't it?

An age old cardinal mistake ... I know.  But I think we fans all feel the same way: the Rangers should have won that series hands down.

But opponents gets paid to compete and win as well.  So before delving into the Rangers failures, I'll render Ottawa their due respect first.

The Senators are indeed an exceptional counter-punching team.  I heard that term used in describing their style on radio prior to Game One, and they confirmed it by eliminating the favored New York Rangers.

• The Sens tied the Rangers at a goal apiece in the second period of Game One, then won on Erik Karlsson's late third period goal.

• Losing 4-2 through two periods in Game Two, Ottawa eventually tied the game at five in the third period, then won in overtime.

• After convincing Rangers victories in games Three and Four at New York, the Sens returned home where they overcame 0-2 and 3-4 deficits to win Game Five 6-5 in overtime.

Just as they knocked off Boston in six, the Sens did not allow the Rangers to linger, eliminating them with haste in Game Six at Madison Square Garden.  Said another way, their trip to the Eastern Conference finals is well earned.

Ottawa captain Erik Karlsson, while playing with a fractured foot, was the best skater throughout the series.  In fact, he has scored points in all eight of the Senators playoff victories (two rounds) to date.

Lastly, Craig Anderson was no doubt solid in net, and made some nifty saves.  Overall, however, he was not besieged to the extent Henrik Lundqvist was.  The Rangers may have peppered Anderson with more shots on goal, but far too many were taken from the perimeter, or from plain old bad angles.

That, by the way, will be my only mention of Henrik Lundqvist.  Very simply, he deserves better. There's also much to be said of the Rangers beaten and battered defensive unit.  However, my main focus is on the forwards.  I hold them most responsible for this year's post-season elimination.

They let this team down, or just aren't good enough.

Rick Nash: The Big Blue Enigma

The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Rick Nash with the number one overall pick of the 2001 draft.   During nine seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2002 through 2012, he averaged 32 goals and 28 assists (60 points).

The 2008-2009 season was his finest, and also marked the team's first and only playoff appearance during his years in Columbus.  He posted 40 regular season goals and 39 assists that season for a career high 79 points.  Nash then posted one goal with three assists during the Blue Jackets' only four playoff games.

The thinking back then was players of his size, physicality, skating ability, and proven NHL scoring record are not easy to come by, much less one entering the prime years of his career.

Desperately lacking that very type of player, the Rangers acquired just that ... a 28-year old Rick Nash.  Many or most Rangers fans (myself included) expected Nash to instantly become that unique top line forward capable of both distributing big hits and wielding TKO scoring potential.  He was going to make us fans forget about the previously failed ventures into Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Brad Richards, et al.

That being said, at the time of the trade many Blue Jackets fans were forewarning our sorrow.  I thought that was Columbus fans just exporting sour grapes.  It made me curious as hell, though, but I really wanted the Rangers to make that trade.

Keep in mind that after registering just 39 points in his rookie season, Nash never totaled less than 54 points over his remaining eight seasons in Columbus, and that between 2007 and 2011 he scored no less than 64 points in four consecutive seasons.

His off-Broadway career gets off to a brilliant start with 41 points in only 44 games during his first (NHL shortened) regular season with the Rangers.  His second season - not so much; Nash ties his career low with 39 points.  He follows that up in 2014-2015 with (a career high) 42 goals and (a second best) 69 points.  The year after, Nash establishes a new career low with just 36 points (in 60 games).  He reaffirms that mark with another 38 points in 67 games this season.  That translates to 25 goals and 44 points per season (without prorating the 2012-2013 shortened season) over his five year career with the Rangers.

Unlike with Columbus, Nash has played post-season hockey in each of his five seasons with New York under both John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault.  In four post-seasons previous to this year's, Nash registered an eerily sounding and no less inspiring 11 goals and 33 points through 61 playoff games.

... and has been well criticized for it during his years here.

Depending on your point of view, Rick Nash arguably played very well through two rounds of this year's playoffs.  He was one of the very few Rangers forwards causing traffic in front and crashing the crease with any regularity.  Throw in his defensive effort on the back-check, and I'd say he played very well indeed.

Unfortunately, his inexplicable dearth of post-season scoring remains ongoing.  Nash led the Rangers during these playoffs with 44 shots on goal in 12 games.  Of the Eastern Conference final four teams (NYR, OTT, PITT, WAS), only Washington's Alex Ovechkin (49 SOG in 13 games) took more shots than Nash through the first two rounds.  And out of that same pool of players from the final four teams, 17 scored more goals through the first two rounds than Rick Nash, whom finished with just three.  Three of those players were his team mates, one being defenseman Brady Skjei.  Otherwise, the other 16 were all forwards.

It's been reported that Nash played hurt during the second round.  Perhaps ... but he still managed 44 opportunities on net.  Did injury prevent him solely from finishing plays?

Traditionally speaking, his prime years are now behind him.  Rick Nash turns 33-years old in June, and has one more season remaining on his contract.

Centers of Inattention

I'll again refer to the pool of players among the Eastern Conference final four.  Seven of the eight skaters to register ten or more points through Round Two were forwards.  Ottawa's Erik Karlsson was the lone defenseman on the list with 13 points.  To no one's surprise, none of the other seven players wore Rangers jerseys.

Pittsburgh's top three scorers through Round Two are their centermen.  Two of Washington's top three scorers were also their centermen.  All five of these centermen registered double-digit points through Round Two.

Mika Zibanejad led the Rangers with a team high seven assists and nine points overall.  He was their lone legitimate threat up the middle.  Otherwise, the Rangers were woefully inadequate and inconsequential at the center position.

This may have been Derek Stepan's most ponderous performance to date.  The man was just awful from start to finish.  And depending on Alain Vigneault's mood, Oscar Lindberg and J.T. Miller remained relative non-factors as well.  Together, the three accounted for five goals and eight assists for a paltry 13 points.  Comparatively speaking, Washington's Niklas Backstrom accomplished that by himself!  And you can forget Ivgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby.  Penguins center Jake Guentzel has not only outperformed the aforementioned trio's collective effort, but leads the Pens with nine goals.  That's more than the combined total of all four Rangers centers.

Broken Wings

Does mighty Mats Zuccarello have to do everything around here?  Apparently, the answer continues being an overwhelming Yes!

I would have appreciated Jesper Fast getting some more ice time.

Chris Kreider may have enjoyed his finest regular season as a Ranger, but this playoff will go down as one of his worst.  Three goals and an assist in 12 games is now inexcusable coming from a young man with his skill, size, and speed.  He teased us with rare and fleeting moments of potential brilliance, but nothing more.  So lets just call it like we see it: he spent most of his time skating with his head up his posterior.  He does that a lot.  It's annoying.

And where the hell was Kevin Hayes?

These playoffs were supposed to be Kreider's and Hayes' time to shine and light up Broadway; time to elevate their respective levels of competition and lead the Rangers to higher ground.

Together, they couldn't lead a dog to a tree.


I said back in October this team wouldn't amount to much.  In this instance, I do not necessarily enjoy being right.  And just for giggles, I'm still an Alain Vigneault antagonist.

This doesn't help.

N.Y. Rangers: Forwards March

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME THREE 

FINAL

Senators  1

Rangers   4

Senators Lead Series 2-1

I - OTT 2; NYR 1

II - OTT 6; NYR 5*

III - NYR 4; OTT 1

*overtime

NEW YORK RANGERS: All The King's Horses Propel Blueshirts to First Victory Over Sens; Centermen Finally Do Their Jobs.

After Facing 77 SOG Through Game Two, 

Blueshirts Lighten Henrik's Load; Faces Only 27 SOG

MatsZuccs to the rescue, again!

But at least the other lines showed up.  So, let's here it for the Rangers center men, finally!  Mika Zibanejad assisted on MatsZucc's opening goal.  Derek Stepan assisted on Rick Nash's goal.   And even J.T. Miller (who needs to stay the hell out of the penalty box) assisted on Oscar Lindberg's goal.

Now if they can start winning a few more face-offs ...

Tanner Glass finally skated for the first time since Game Three against the Habs.

About that ... see how wishy-washy Alain Vigneault is?

At least he had the wherewithal to realize the team needed an increased physical presence against Montreal, and thus started Tanner Glass in Game One.  Outside of Henrik Lundqvist, Glass was perhaps most responsible for the Rangers opening victory despite only eight minutes of ice time.

But because things went awry after the second period of Game Two (Glass nonetheless accounted for 10 hits), and again in Game Three against Montreal, Glass was scratched for the remainder of the series.

Fast forward - the Rangers get woefully outplayed during their first two games in Ottawa.  I'll take it a step further: Vigneault was getting beaten at his own game.  Vigneault adjusts by shortening his bench in Game Two.  When that doesn't work, Coach lengthens his bench again, reverting back to four lines featuring Tanner Glass in Game Three, whom initiates three hits, and registers a secondary assist on Oscar Lindberg's goal.

And if I may, how about giving Jesper Fast just a little more ice time?  Take away some minutes from a very inconsequential Kevin Hayes.

Just saying ...

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: Resistance Has Been Futile

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESH WITH THE GREATS

You didn't have to like him.  He was never the most composed player, and his team mates didn't necessarily like him either.  In truth, his general misconduct belied his true hockey abilities.  Sean Avery could skate, and knew how to play, and was a brilliant passer, particularly from behind the net.  Avery also knew how to crash the net, and possessed down-low killer instinct.  He didn't get pushed off the puck, and knew when a well timed fight was in order.  If he and John Tortorella could have only found an inch of common ground, they would have made sweet music together...,

(Ryan Callahan withstanding).  Just saying.........

Gotta turn this into a street hockey game.  No blood, no penalty.

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME FOUR

New York Rangers

vs.

Tampa Bay Lightning

FROM

Century Village Ice Hut

SoFlo

NEW YORK RANGERS: Physical play starts behind the bench, meaning, Alain Vigneault has a tough adjustment to make.

The Rangers scored 5 times in Game Three.  That should have been good enough..., anytime..,

....except, when you commit another offensive turnover near the blue line that went the other way for a goal; allow Tampa the offensive zone with numbers off one stretch pass; play with a complete lack of resistance in the neutral zone; arrive late to the boards and shy away from dirty ice; and commit stupid penalties because they can't keep up (or they're either just stupid, or Chris Kreider, or both).   All that demonstrated just how much faster the Lightning are than Tex's Rangers.

Henrik was the one who said he's having trouble zeroing in on the puck, and that Tampa was doing anything they pleased these last two games - not me.  Yeah, Henrik has been a little sketchy of late, but I still refuse to unload my ire on him.  I chose to direct it towards the forwards, and to a lesser extent, the blue liners.

So, what can the Blueshirts do to slow Tampa down?  You know the answer to that as well as I do.

Refer to Game One.

The Lightning are even smaller than the (Smurfs) Rangers!  C'mon!  The Rangers should be pushing and plowing their way towards net, and laying the body wherever necessary, just like in Game One.   Furthermore, Tampa has shown no inclination to clean the front of Ben Bishop's crease.  The Rangers should be living on his doorstep.

With regards to style, Coach Vigneault is getting beat at his own game.  Therefore, the directive must come from him.  This is his adjustment to make.

On another front, how many Rangers bells have been rung so far?  Ryan McDonagh, Dan Boyle, Kevin Hayes...   Who's next?  Where has the response been?  What bells have they rung?  Don't think I forgot the cheap shot Sindy Crosby took on Henrik that went completely ignored.  I don't want people getting hurt.  I just want the Rangers finishing their checks, and initiating effective physical play, but I also want them administering justice for any opposing indiscretions.

Coach must make the call for tougher play, and demand his players respond accordingly - all of them, including Rick Nash.  He should be the lead bull in Tampa's china shop.  If he's been veering wide, demand that he turns toward net.  Toughness starts behind the bench.

I predicted the Rangers would be enjoying an advantage with regards to PP opportunities, but they lost their bearing along the way.  The Rangers are 4 for 9 on the power play this series.  That would ordinarily have been considered a glorious success, as they were just 6 for 36 during the two previous series against Pittsburgh and Washington.  Instead, it's an inglorious performance, because they've let Tampa on the power play 12 times this series, and the Lightning converted on 7 of them.  That's unacceptable!  The Rangers are having too much trouble skating with Tampa at even strength as it is. If they're going to allow Tampa goals on special teams as well, then this will be a much shorter series than anticipated.

Last point...

At 9:55 of the 1st period, Jesper Fast (and the Rangers) did it again.  They proved once again Ben Bishop can be beat if you make him move side to side.  Yet, the Rangers have largely settled for outside shots, and generally played the last two games with a major lack of killer instinct.  Sure, they did well to stay somewhat competitive in a 6-5 loss (as if..).  But, a loss in the playoffs is a huge loss nonetheless.

Be Better, Do More, Get Tougher.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers Need to Prevent Lightning from Sparking a Wildfire

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Saturday Afternoon Fever

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Finals

GAME ONE

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

GOTHAM

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Best of Frienemies..

Regardless whether you spent your hard earned cash and bought one, or received one for your birthday, or as a gift for Christmas, there are many Rangers fans with a Ryan Callahan jersey hanging in their closet.

• For the moment, that's problematic.  Twenty years from now, not so much.

The former home grown captain and supremely popular Blueshirt, Ryan Callahan was the embodiment of everything John Tortorella wanted the Rangers to be.

Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman put in very admirable work for the Rangers as well.

That being said, I like to think that after the opening face-off, there are no such things as friends.

There's nothing wrong with a healthy respect for one's opponent, but, ti's the season for adversaries, enemies and foes.

Ryan Callahan (appendicitis aside) has actually been a minor contributor for the Lightning.  In 12 post-season games he has registered a mere 3 assists.  However, Callahan was acquired to add a respectable measure of front line toughness and grit, as the Tampa Bay Lightning are a less physical team than say the Washington Capitals, or the Rangers teams Callahan played for.

Under Barry Trotz, the Capitals executed a system right out of the John Tortorella manual, but the Bolts more closely mirror the Rangers under Alain Vigneault.  That makes Callahan's individual performance against the Rangers quite intriguing.

The Lightning swept the season series 3-0, and outscored them by a 15-7 margin.  However, all three games came before New Year's, when the eventual President Trophy winners were still languishing with an 11-9-4 record.

Season Series

I - (Nov. 17) T.B. 5; NYR 1

II - (Nov.26) T.B. 4; NYR 3

III - (Dec. 1) T.B. 6; NYR 3

In Game One, Ryan Callahan scored a power play, and an even strength goal.  

In Game Two, a power play goal, an even strength goal, and an assist.  

He had a negligible impact on Game Three.

For his part, Martin St. Louis has 4 assists in 12 post-season games.  Three came against the Capitals. He, like Callahan, has yet to score a goal in the playoffs.  But in three regular season meetings against the Bolts, St. Louis scored power play goals in Game One and Three.

Callahan finished the regular season with 24 goals and 30 assists.  St. Louis finished with 21 goals and 31 assists.  It would seem, then, the only real difference between the two would be their age.

Martin St. Louis did have his chances against the Capitals.  Opportunities presented themselves.  He was simply fire-walled by Braden Holtby like so many other Blueshirts.

On Saturday afternoon, the fans of Madison Square Garden will be cheering and encouraging Martin St. Louis, like they used to for Ryan Callahan, whom is now the enemy.

*          *          *          *

There is no getting around the fact Tampa can score goals, and score in bunches.  The Bolts led the NHL with a 3.16 goals per game average.  They presently have three skaters with double-digit points, while Tyler Johnson leads the post-season with 8 goals.  By contrast, the Rangers have only two skaters with 8 total points, but, were one of only three NHL teams (T.B., DAL) to average three goals or better per game this season.

• In 13 games played, the Bolts average 2.62 goals per game.  The Rangers are averaging exactly 2 goals per, over 12 games played.

Over two rounds of hockey, Tampa's best line (Ondrej Palat/Tyler Johnson/Nikita Kucherov) has produced what it has taken two Rangers' lines to produce.  In 13 games, they've combined on 17 goals and 14 assists, for 31 points.  Obviously, that does not account for Steven Stamkos or Ryan Callahan.

The Rangers line of Jesper Fast/Derek Stepan/Chris Kreider combined on 9 goals and 8 assists, for 17 points in 12 games.  The Rick Nash/Martin St. Louis/Derick Brassard line has combined on 7 goals and 12 assists for 17 points.  That's 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points in 12 games.

During the first half of the season, Steven Stamkos and Rick Nash ran neck and neck for the NHL lead in goals, that is, until Alex Ovechkin overtook them both.  Both forwards have struggled to score goals in the playoffs.  Stamkos has 3 goals and 7 assists in 13 games, while Nash has 2 goals and 5 assists in 12 games.

The Rangers power play, then, must become a decisive factor.  I believe they'll get ample opportunities because the Lightning will commit penalties.   Tampa finished 13th in the league in penalty minutes, averaging nearly 10 minutes per game.  The Rangers were 3 for 20 against the Penguins, and 3 for 18 against the Caps.   That's 6 for 38, good for a 15.8% rate of efficiency.  They'll have to do better this series if they want to hang with the Bolts, who's penalty kill finished the season 7th best.

Tampa's power play finished the season 14th best.  In the post-season, the unit has either scored in bunches, or not at all.  They were just 2 for 30 in the first round against Detroit, but were 7 for 20 in the second round against Montreal.  In two rounds they totaled 9 for 50, good for an 18% effective rate.  The Rangers had better keep their eye on Nikita Kucherov who leads Tampa with 5 points on special teams.  The Rangers penalty kill was ranked 6th best in the league.

Ben Bishop vs. Henrik Lundqvist

• Goalie Ben Bishop was one of only four goalies to post 40 or more victories this season.  He appeared in 62 games, and posted a 40-13 record, with a .916 SV%, and a 2.32 GAA.  In Round Two against the Canadiens, he allowed 13 goals in 6 games for a .940 SV%, and owns a .931 SV% for the playoffs.

• No team has allowed less goals in this year's playoffs than the New York Rangers.  Henrik Lundqvist should still be fresh, despite an exhaustive series against the Capitals.  He only appeared in 43 regular season games, and posted a 30-13-3 record, with a .922 SV%, and a 2.25 GAA.  He allowed 12 goals in 7 games to the Caps.  In 12 games, Henrik has a .944 SV% and a 1.60 GAA.

This will be a series of New York Rangers experience versus Tampa Bay's inexperience.  We'll see how much that works in the Blueshirt's favor.

And lastly, how about the Rangers win some face-offs, aye?  Even if they have to put Dominic Moore out there, then have him rush off the ice....  The Rangers need puck possession against the Lightning.

Otherwise, it's time.  Let the games begin.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers Eliminate Capitals in Overtime

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2014-2015

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Eastern Conference Semi Finals

Rangers win series 4-3

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - WAS 1; NYR 0

IV - WAS 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 2; WAS 1*

VI - NYR 4; WAS 3

VII - NYR 2; WAS 1*

*overtime

NEW YORK RANGERS: Broadway Blueshirts Are Headed Back to the Eastern Conference Finals for the Second Straight Season Under Coach Alain Vigneault.

At 11:24 of overtime, Derek Stepen tap danced backwards into the glass.  Jesper Fast was first to greet him, and Chris Kreider was next in.  Then came the rest of the Blueshirts to join in exhausted jubilation.

Those three forwards were mentioned with increasing frequency as the series wore on. They were the Rangers best line, and the three skaters most responsible for leading the Rangers through a seven game series win over the gamely Washington Capitals.

Chris Kreider led the Rangers with 4 insanely timed goals in the series.

In Game 1, Jesper Fast scored his only goal of the series.  More importantly, he assisted on Kreider's opening goal in Game 2, and on Kreider's opening goal in Game 6.  He also assisted on Ryan McDonagh's Game 5 winning goal.

Derek Stepan's only goal was the series clincher.  He assisted on three of Kreider's goals, and also joined Fast to assist on McDonagh's goal, for a total of 5 points in the series.

Combined, the Kreider/Stepan/Fast line tallied 6 goals and 7 assists for 13 points.

By comparison, the Nash/Brassard/St. Louis line totaled 3 goals and 7 assists for 10 points.

For many periods throughout this series, the Rangers were badly outplayed by the Caps.  You can't play an inordinate time in the defensive zone and expect to come out unscathed - not unless you have Henrik Lundqvist in net.  Henrik faced 36 shots in Game 7, and stopped all but one by Alex Ovechkin.  Overall, he held the Capitals to an average of just 1.57 goals per game.

The King also joined Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur as the only goalies with six Game 7 victories.   His 42 saves in Game 6 were a post-season high.

The NHL's most lethal power play was held scoreless in three chances as well.  In fact, Washington's power play was held scoreless over the final 5 games of the series.  They were just 1 for 15 over seven games.

The Rangers lost 3 games in which they failed to score on the power play, and won 3 of 4 games in which they did score.  The Rangers were 3 for 18 in the series, for a 17% mark of efficiency.

The Rangers wound up outscoring the Capitals by a 13-11 margin.


More to come...



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Now if the Power Play Can Just Get Going - Game Six!

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Capitals lead series 3-2

I - WAS 2; NYR 1

II - NYR 3; WAS 2

III - WAS 1; NYR 0

IV - WAS 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 2; WAS 1*

*OT

GAME SIX

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

Washington Capitals

from

The Center of the Universe

D.C.

NEW YORK RANGERS: It's Simple - Play With Abandon, Be Relentless to the Puck, Hit Hard and Often, and Get Traffic in Front of Holtby.

"Go out there and play like a bunch of crazed dogs..."   stuff Lawrence Taylor used to say.

Facing elimination and 50:00 minutes of scoreless hockey into Game V did nothing to inspire better play out of Kieth Yandle.

The age old question for defensemen is when to pinch, and when not to pinch.  The problem with Keith Yandle's decision midway through the 3rd was that he pinched too deeply into the zone.  He committed himself all the way to the top of the left circle, with absolutely no one covering the rear.   Coupled with his already glaring propensity for turning over the puck, the Rangers had a disaster on their hands.

It came in the form of one stretch pass out of Washington's defensive zone to the anonymous Curtis Glencross, and a breakaway the other way.  Henrik Lundqvist made the initial save, but Glencross cleaned up his own rebound to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead before a dejected Garden crowd.

That began the Times Square doomsday clock ticking 2:00 minutes closer to midnight.

At 11:35 of the 3rd, the Rangers missed a wide open net opportunity.

With the final bell tolling for Tex's Rangers off-Broadway show, the heroes finally emerged.   The Rangers finally got the two clutch goals they've been waiting all series for when Chris Krieder tied the game with just 1:41 left in regulation.

Henrik Lundqvist was the next to save the season, making a brilliant save with 0:27 left in regulation. That made the Captain's game winning goal in overtime possible.  At the 9:37 mark, Ryan McDonagh punched the Rangers ticket back to Washington.

Win, and they bring the series back to Madison Square Garden for a decisive Game Seven.  Lose, and they'll be cleaning out their lockers and wondering where to stick that President's Trophy.

The Rangers' season still breathes life today because Chris Kreider is finally taking ownership of his potential.  Ever since he mistakenly idled down in the final seconds of Game One, he has been the Rangers best player.  For both he and the Rangers, his opening goal in Game Two was a huge attitude adjuster after suffering a brutal loss in the closing moments of Game One.  Friday, he scored his third goal of the post-season, very literally, when the Rangers needed it most.

His was also the Rangers best forward line.  The trio of Stepan, Kreider, and Jesper Fast, have given the Rangers much to be thankful for - and not just in Game Five.

Entering Game Six, the Rangers should be aware that Braden Holtby can, and has been beaten glove-side high, and generally above the shoulders.  Krieder and Derick Brassard have demonstrated that several times already.  However, Martin St. Louis doesn't seem to have gotten the memo.  He's been shooting into Holtby's pads all series.  It's time to elevate the puck, son.

Theoretically, all the pressure is on the Rangers.  They're behind, they're on the road, and they're favored.  This technically gives Washington room to play with.  Therefore I fully expect them to ratchet up the physicality again, particularly at home.

The Rangers power play was 0 for 2 again.  Want to win in the playoffs, particularly when scoring is at a premium?  Score on the power play!  The Rangers are 1 for 11 in the series, and 4 for 31 (13%) in the post-season.

This Alain Vigneault's unit to fix.

Make it happen in Game Six.