N.Y. Rangers: The Goonies Strike Back; Regain Home Ice Advantage

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Tonight:

SUNDAY NIGHT STREET FIGHT at MSG

ICYMI:

Physicality Starts Behind the Bench 

  Get Back To What Worked

2014-2015

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Series tied 2-2

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - TBL 6; NYR 2

III - TBL 6; NYR 5

IV - NYR 5; TBL 1

GAME FIVE

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

NEW YORK RANGERS

FROM

Animal House

33rd Street @ 8th Avenue

N.Y.C.

NEW YORK RANGERS: Revenge of the Goonies!  See what happens when you bring your backbone to work?

Big Guns Power Rangers

Not only was Friday's game a complete, and necessary devolution from the spineless Smurf misadventures of games Two and Three (I'm happy to report), it fundamentally regressed into something much more primal than even Game One, or any game Tex's Rangers played during this post-season, or in two seasons under Alain Vigneault for that matter.

Game Four (or worse, a potential series loss) was, and effectively remains a fan referendum after last year's L.A. Kings series.

Prior to Game Four, I left off saying physicality starts behind the bench.  Simply put, Alain Vigneault was getting beat at his own game by Tampa, and so the onus was on him to make an adjustment.   After failing to keep up with Tampa's speed, a much more primitive approach was clearly in order.   Therefore, it came time to sound a call to arms, and demand his players follow through, or else face what would have arguably been an insurmountable 3-1 series deficit.

Sound familiar?

The coach deserves a lot of credit.  He is very adept at making quick, and timely adjustments.  He is far more adaptable when a change of style is warranted than his predecessor John Tortorella was.   The Rangers former coach was far more rigid in his approach, and terribly unyielding in his precepts and style.  Tortorella's strategy against adversity was more defense and intensity, but not much in the way of offensive logistics.

Rick Nash did for Alain Vigneault what he could not do for John Tortorella - bailed him out of a tight spot.

For the 1st period of Friday's game, the Rangers upped their intensity, and shocked the Bolts with some considerable physicality.  Late in the period, Carl Hagelin caused a turnover in the defensive zone and kicked it to Kevin Hayes, whom fed Rick Nash steaming down center ice with speed.  He utilized his size, brushing off Cedric Paquette like a toy clown buoy, and with 2:42 left on the clock, slid the puck passed Ben Bishop.  It was the bull in a china shop type performance the Rangers have lacked from Nash all post-season.

In the 2nd period, the Rangers lost their bearing, and regressed into a softer mode of play.  They were grossly out-shot in the session, and midway through, Steven Stamkos' goal had the Rangers looking miffed.  A few minutes later, however, Chris Kreider cleaned up a Kevin Hayes shot and rebound, whom shortly thereafter set up Keith Yandle for a 3-1 Rangers lead.

In the 3rd, the Rangers stuck it the Bolts again.  Tampa committed a pair of penalties, and the Rangers made them pay.  At the 5:08 mark, Martin St. Louis finally scored his first goal of the playoffs, and midway through the period Rick Nash was credited for his second goal of the game, thanks in part to the traffic he created in front.

The game effectively ended there, because, with less than 3-minutes left in the final period, the game truly deteriorated into an orgy of high sticking, cross-checking, and roughing penalties, a goalie interference, and some unsportsmanlike and misconducts for others.

Way to go Boys!  I'm so proud.

The goalie interference was perpetrated by Tampa's Brenden Morrow, which finally did not sit well with the Rangers - or lest we forget Sidney Crosby's indiscretion against Lundqvist in round one, that went ignored....?

The numbers say Tampa hit slightly more often than did the Rangers, but there's no arguing the Rangers hit harder, and strategically smarter than did the Lightning.

Now, all was not necessarily peaches and creme.  The Rangers were out-shot in that 2nd period by a 19-6 margin.  Tampa totaled 28 shot attempts.  Only Henrik Lundqvist prevented a complete meltdown by making 18 saves in the period, and 38 for the game.  The Bolts out-shot the Rangers 39-24 overall, but it was Ben Bishop whom allowed 5 pucks into his net.

Henrik Lundqvist was indeed brilliant, pitching a quasi-shutout after allowing back-to-back 6-goal games.  If not for a slight Dan Girardi deflection, Henrik most likely makes a save on Stamkos.

Most importantly, all the King's horses, and all the King's men actually showed up.

With a 2 for 4 performance, the Rangers PP is now 6 for 15 (40%) in the series.  I knew the power play could be an advantage for the Rangers - and will be if they only let it!  They are still committing too many themselves (then again, that's what Tampa's speed is designed to do).  The Bolts went 0 for 4 in Game Four, but are 11 of 16 for the series.

Here's the other side of that:  The Rangers and Lightning are now tied at 14 goals apiece.

The Rangers have the edge in the series, but, they've always had it.  They just decided to shelve it for a pair of games.  After a job well done, they have home ice back in their hands with Game Five at MSG.

Now that we know Vigneault and the Rangers have this kind of fight in them, they had better keep it up.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Two, Too Horrible to Watch

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Game Two Blues

2014-2015

Eastern Conference Finals

Series tied 1-1

I - NYR 2; TBL 1

II - TBL 6; NYR 2

III - WEDNESDAY

Game Two Final:

Lightning    6

RANGERS  2

NEW YORK RANGERS: That was just awful.

The Rangers played as bad a game as they have all post-season, if not worse.

Moreover, the 1st period was about as bad a period as they've played all post-season.

• Martin St. Louis seemingly forgot how to play hockey.  He had trouble with his footwork and   skating, he failed to convert a great pass in front and put it on net, and most glaringly, he turned the puck over with the Rangers in the midst of a 5 on 3 power play that resulted in a short-handed goal the other way.

• The regular season Chris Kreider reappeared.  Or, just to be clear should I say Stupid Kreider lost his bearing again...?  I'd swear someone spiked his Gatorade bottle with idiot juice.  After establishing position in front of Ben Bishop and cleaning up a rebound to tie the game at one, he committed just an absolutely idiotic penalty, and of course, the Lightning cashed in on the power play to make it a 2-1 game.

• Then there was Hagelin, who just decided to push the puck outside the offensive zone for no particular reason.

The Rangers played a particularly undisciplined game, and put Tampa on the power play 6 more times, in which they cashed in 3 times.

If they keep that up, they won't be playing in June.

More later.....



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: Put Up Time For Rick Nash

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

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

TONIGHT

GAME ONE

Pittsburgh Penguins

vs.

New York Rangers

from

The 8th Avenue Ice House at 33rd Street

N.Y.C.

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

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

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

There's the rub...

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

Previously:

 Sizing Up The Penguins - Beware The Downie! 

Henrik Lundqvist: Seizing a Legacy

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

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

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

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

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

SIZE MATTERS:

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

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

PICK ME UP A 6-PAK:

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

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

LET'S DO THIS:

Let's Go Rangers!!!



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: The Derek Stepan Show

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Metro Division Champs

51-21-7

NEW YORK RANGERS: Derek Stepan Puts An End To Columbus Blue Jackets' 9 Game Win Streak, And Moves Blueshirts Closer To Clinching The President's Trophy.

The Columbus Blue Jackets entered Monday's game winners of 9 in a row, and 12 of their last 13 games.  Even then, they still trailed the Detroit Red Wings for 8th in the Eastern Conference by 12 points.  Their season was already effectively over - except for former Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, whom almost crashed the party-like atmosphere at Madison Square Garden.

Martin St. Louis put the Rangers ahead in the 1st period, but Columbus came right back and tied the game.  Dan Girardi then put the Rangers ahead again in the 2nd period, but Columbus again responded in kind.

Near the midway point of the 3rd period, the one time crowd favorite Brandon Dubinsky gave Dan Girardi the slip, and put the Blue Jackets ahead for the first time in the game by a 3-2 margin.

Artem Anisimov failed to convert a golden scoring opportunity with Lundqvist badly out position, but lifted the puck out of play instead.  Outside of some other rather miraculous saves by Lundqvist, Anisimov's whiff was an omen of things to come.

Late in the 3rd period with Henrik Lundqvist pulled from net, Derek Stepan scored at the 19:32 mark on an assist from Chris Kreider to send the game into overtime.  Then with the extra session winding down, Stepan scored the game winner at the 4:10 mark to give the Rangers their NHL leading 51st victory of the regular season.  Stepan also registered an assist to give him 3-points on the night.

• Derek Stepan now has 3 goals and 5 points in his last 2 games.

• The Rangers are now 3-0 with Martin St. Louis back in the line-up.  They posted a 4-4 record without him.

• After losing his return game against Boston, Henrik Lundqvist has now won 4 in a row.

The Rangers now have 109 points, which ties their 2nd best all-time franchise mark.  The Rangers club record is 112 points set by the 1993-94 team.  

The race for the President's Trophy is down to the Rangers and Anaheim Ducks.  The Rangers have 3 games remaining, while the Ducks have 107 points, and only 2 games left to play.  By securing one point against the Devils Tuesday evening, the Rangers would clinch the Eastern Conference title. With a 2-point victory, Tex's Rangers would clinch the President's Trophy.

Mike

N.Y. Rangers Dance Past Devils For 50th Victory of Season

From the desks of:  

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  ALL MOTHER LEEDS CHILDREN

Battle of the Hudson - III

Rangers lead series 3-0

I - NYR 4; NJD 3*

II - NYR 3; NJD 1

*overtime

SATURDAY NIGHT FINAL

Devils     1

Rangers 6

NEW YORK RANGERS: Metropolitan Division Champions Continue March Towards President's Trophy.

All Henrik's horses, and all the President's men....

Killjoy said be careful what we ask for - lest we forget 1992!  He also said not to forget 1970 through 1973 either.

Thing is, Killjoy just can't get that hit Winnipeg's Dustin Byfuglien laid to the back of J.T. Miller's neck!  That no Ranger responded to the vicious hit makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.   After the game, Coach Vigneault appeared angrier than did any Ranger player on the ice.  But, under Alain Vigneault that's old hat at this point.

These Rangers are not the grunts they were just a few years ago, that subdued teams with the grace of a troglodyte and the force of a glacier.  It's hard to say if that team could have slowed down this present team.

Vigneault's team at least advanced to a Final series; Tortorella's did not.  Both editions, however, were stymied by an inability to score one last goal.

This team is younger, much faster, more skilled, and except for some recent struggles on the power play, more balanced.  I get it.  But, they're smaller.  Unless they grow exceptionally thick beards for the playoffs, I'm nonetheless leery of a glass jaw.

(Although.....) That seems to have played less of a factor this season than in years past, as overall physicality in the conference is down.  The Bruins, Flyers, Devils, Leafs, Penguins..., all were shorter in the tooth this season.  The playoffs, however, are another animal - cute cuddly teams need not apply, particularly Smurfs.

I'm on record saying the Rangers should not have extended MatZucs, and should let Martin St. Louis walk as well.  My point of contention has always been their size, and the way they get pushed off the puck.  However, whenever I bring it up, MatZucs has another good game (with a rather brilliant assist on Rick Nash's 42nd goal of the season against the Devils).

The Rangers are additionally a better team with Martin St. Louis on the ice.  Out since mid-March, the team's drop off in play was noticeable.  The Rangers posted a 4-4 record without him.  They defeated the Panthers in his last game before missing time with a knee injury, defeated the Wild in his first game back, and walloped the Devils on Saturday.  That's no coincidence.

Two very key players moving forward will be Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider.  Hayes, the 22-year old rookie is making a name for himself.  He has 9 goals and 13 assists for 22 points in his last 31 games, while averaging just under 13:00 a game.   He's listed at 6'5", 225 lbs., and playing with growing confidence.

Kreider, 23, is listed at 6'3", 226 lbs.  After averaging just 2 goals per month over the first three of the season, Kreider has averaged 5 goals a month since January.  But, the Rangers need more.  The sophomore winger is just too big, too fast and strong, and too skilled to continue being an occasional, if not marginal presence.

Rick Nash has now scored 40 goals in three different seasons.  He scored his career high 42nd goal of the season Saturday night, 10 years after posting his first 40-goal season while still with Columbus.   His present team high 28 plus/minus is also a career best.  He has played this season with a ferocity not seen since prior to his latest battle with concussion symptoms.

However, while the Rangers were streaking in March, Nash cooled off significantly from his season long scoring binge.  He only registered 3 goals and 5 points for the entire month.  So far, he has 2 goals in 2 games in April which is a very welcome sign.  The memories of last year's playoff disappearance still haunt us all.

Henrik Lundqvist allowed a lone third period goal to the Devils with less than four minutes left in the game.  After losing to Boston in his return to the net, the King has now won 3 straight over the Jets, Wild, and Devils, to improve his season record to a 28-12-3 mark.  In his last 3 games, he has allowed 5 goals on 98 SOG.

The Rangers have another 4 games left to play in 6 nights, which means Cam Talbot could conceivably make one more start this season.

Henrik is now 337-207 for his career, with a .921 SV% and a 2.26 GAA.  In the playoffs, Henrik owns a 43-48 record, with a near identical .922 SV% and a 2.24 GAA.

With a 6-1 drubbing over the Devils Saturday night, Tex's Rangers secured their 50th victory of the season for only the 4th time in their history.  They have reached 107 points.  This is the 8th time Tex's Rangers have eclipsed 100 points in a season.  The Rangers club record is 112 points set by the 1994 Stanley Cup champions.  Eight points remain for their taking, although they would set a franchise record with another 6 points.



Mike

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

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

3rd Place ~ Metropolitan Division

27-13-4 (58 points)

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

Did anyone catch the Flyers premeditated thuggery against the Penguins?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However....,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: West Coast Wonders

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

NEW YORK RANGERS: Break Up The Blueshirts!

They went into Anaheim, and ruffled the "mighty" Ducks - then traveled 45 more miles back to the dungeon of their summer time hell; Los Angeles; where they revolted against the Kings with a 4-3 victory.

They've been winning with defense, a good forecheck, speed, an effective power play, and timely goals.

Who are these guys?  And what have they done with my team?

Since December 1st, Tex's Rangers have been playing ice melting hockey.  They ended November with an 11-8-4 record.  Since then, the Blueshirts have gone 12-3-0, which includes a run of 8 straight victories.  They ride another 4 game streak heading into Saturday night's game in the San Jose aquarium.

Joe Thornton calling the Rangers the softest team he's ever played several years ago never left my mind.  The Sharks wound up getting their fishtails kicked that night, and the Rangers have handled them pretty well since.  In fact, Thornton has missed the Sharks last 4 games because his poor little shoulder has a boo-boo.

...still gotta play the game though.

TONIGHT

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

San Jose Sharks

from

West Santa Clara Street Aquarium 

The Other Side of the Puck:

The Rangers, I'm afraid to say, strike me as a one trick pony.  I hope I'm wrong, but...

Prior to Saturday's game, Rick Nash led the team with (25 goals and) 138 shots on goal.  The next closest were:

• Carl Hagelin - 80 SOG.
• Martin St. Louis- 74 SOG.
• Mats Zuccarello - 74 SOG.
• Chris Kreider - 74 SOG.

Let's look no further than the two Eastern Conference leaders: The Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders.

Tampa Bay Lightning/Leaders SOG:

• Steven Stamkos - 146
• Tyler Johnson - 117
• Nikita Kucherov - 97
• Ryan Callahan - 93

New York Islanders/Leaders SOG:

• Kyle Okposo - 135
• John Tavares - 121
• Brock Nelson - 108
• Ryan Strome - 90

The Rangers are 4th in the conference in scoring, and 2nd to Montreal on defense.

I don't know what all this means, but I rest my case.



Mike

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

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

207 - 0 - 4

(weight - big hits - points)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I digress.

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

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

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

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

But that's on Glen Sather.



Mike

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: Defeat Penguins With Finest Effort Of Young Season

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Tuesday Night Final

Penguins  0

Rangers   5

Henrik Lundqvist - 53rd career shutout

Rick Nash - scored NHL leading 12th goal

NEW YORK RANGERS: After a team meeting, Blueshirts put forth finest effort of young season.  Now what?

On the heels of a team meeting following lackluster losses to the Oilers and Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers turned in their best performance of the season Tuesday night against the Metropolitan Division's top team.

The Penguins entered the game as the division's top scoring team, and its stingiest.  But on this night, that mattered little, as Henrik Lunqvist posted his 3rd shutout of the season, and the 53rd of his career, in the Rangers impressive 5-0 victory over Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden.

Rick Nash scored his league leading 12th goal of the season.  Martin St. Louis also scored, and now has 4 goals in his last 5 games.

In all, five different Rangers scored to bring the team total up to 44 goals this season.   That's still 11   goals fewer than Pittsburgh.  And despite allowing 5 goals, the Penguins have still given up the fewest goals in the conference.

For the moment, the true measure of the Rangers will be how they perform against the Pens, Lightning, Canadiens, and Bruins (presently the top 4 teams in the conference, with each exceeding 20-points thus far this season).  Therefore, the Rangers are now 1-1 (lost to Habs) against the conference's top contenders.

After hosting Colorado this Thursday, the Rangers will be in Pittsburgh for a Saturday rematch, and   then come home on Monday to host Ryan Callahan, Brian Boyle, and the Atlantic Division leading Tampa Bay Lightning (who lead the conference in goals scored).

We'll reassess the Blueshirts then, because how much this game weighs in their future endeavors remains to be seen, lest we forget why they entered Tuesday's game languishing in the second division.

Chief among the reasons are that for the second straight season under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers are still searching for an identity.  The newest Rangers have been particularly quiet, and as usual, the team continues to demonstrate a lack of physicality.  Blame Glen Sather.  I do.

Of course, injuries have also been a monkey wrench in the spokes as well.  Just when they got Derek Stepan back, they lost their Captain, Ryan McDonagh.

Regardless, their overall defensive play this season has not been what we've come to expect from the Rangers.  They now have 44 goals for, but 46 goals against (the 4th most in their conference).

The Rangers also actually scored on the power play Tuesday.  But, let's face it, Alain Vigneault was brought here in large part to improve the power play, and to date, he hasn't.  Through 15 games this season, Tuesday's PP goal was only their 5th of the season, and only the 4th game in which they've actually scored on the power play.  Their 13.2% PP mark ranks 24th in the league.

In fact, despite winning the Eastern Conference title last season, the Rangers scored fewer even-strength, and PP goals last season than they did the previous season under John Tortorella.

And while I'm at it, what's wrong with Cam Talbot?  He's only started 4 games, but they were four bad games.  Now that Henrik Lundqvist is on the other side of 30-years old, the King will need proper rest.  Having confidence in Talbot is paramount towards that end.

All that said, there's no taking away Tuesday night's fine performance from the Rangers.



Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Break On Through

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

Tex's Rangers 88th Season

OPENING NIGHT

NEW YORK RANGERS

vs.

St. Louis Blues

FROM

The Gateway to the West

NEW YORK RANGERS: They've stepped to the door.  Last season they knocked on the door.  Is 2014-15 finally the season the Rangers break down the damn door?

First....

All hail the new Captain - Ryan McDonagh.  He becomes the 27th Blueshirt to hold the title, and the Rangers 4th youngest player to ever wear the C.

McDonagh, 25, has gained valuable experience over his 4 seasons. But last season he really elevated his game to another level.  Ryan indeed has become the Rangers most valuable skater, and getting better with the shift.  A young, talented, and experienced player such as McDonagh will be exciting to watch.

His confidence, strength of character, sense of accountability, intensity and demeanor presently make him the ideal Ranger to set examples and demand his mates follow.

Let us also take quick pause to thank Scott Gomez for being so bad.  How Glen Sather managed to pull off the deal that sent Gomez to Montreal in exchange for McDonagh will forever remain classified.

The Rangers assigned an A to Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Martin St. Louis, and Derek Stepan.  I have no arguments with these selections, but the obvious omission was Rick Nash.

There will be no "A" for him.  Although he gets an E for effort in last year's playoffs, he does not get to wear one on his sweater.  He skated the mile in each and every game but consistently came up an inch short of success.  Fans were frustrated for him.

That said, we're prepared for another robust regular season from the team's most expensive important scorer - aren't we?  After that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Here we go again!

These Rangers are pretty much last year's Rangers.  And many of these Rangers played under John Tortorella when they faced the Devils in the Conference Finals a few years ago.

So in a manner of speaking, they've been to the door.  Last season they knocked on the door.  This year marks the 20th anniversary since they last won a Stanley Cup.  Is 2014-15 finally the season the Rangers break down the damn door again?

On that note Henrik isn't getting any younger.  Just saying.

Let's drop the puck and then we'll start tackling the details of this thing we call New York Rangers Hockey...,

and the defending Eastern Conference champions.




Mike

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Burried In Garden Of Errors

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE RANGERS

Penguins Lead Series 3-1

I - NYR 3; PITT 2*

II - PITT 4; NYR 1

III - PITT 3; NYR 0

IV - PITT 2; NYR 0

V - PITT 4; NYR 2

VI - FRIDAY @ PITT

*overtime

NEW YORK RANGERS: I'll Reserve Judgement Until ....

How on earth do teams play so miserably in such high stakes games?  No matter what team you root for, we've all been there.   The short answer, is, that's sports.  But, ask Rangers fans, and the conversation takes a radical turn.

Brutal play..., like Ryan McDonagh said, in every aspect of their game....  Game Four was by far their worst performance of the playoffs.

Brutal play in the defensive zone, brutal play in the offensive zone, and particularly brutal play in the neutral zone. - just brutal.

The Rangers only managed 15 shots on goal, they only won 18 face offs (vs. 31 by PITT), and turned the puck over 25 times.

Brutal.

And yes, Rick Nash got what he earned, which is different from "what he deserves".  I'm no one's ruler, and do not get to decide who deserves what.  Nash, however, earned the fan's ire Wednesday night.  A terrible turnover which directly led to a Pittsburgh goal, finally put everyone over the top.  Nash had four more shots in Game Four, which brings his total to 45 shots without a goal.

Truth is, that Nash went this long without catching hell shows how patient the fans have been with him.   Better players have gotten boo'd in this town for less.

The question still warrants asking - Where are the team's top players?  Nash, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards.... are not getting it done.  Derek Stepan, who held out for his money, is not getting it done.  It was Mats Zuccarello, and Carl Hagelin again, each scoring their 3rd goal of the playoffs, respectively.

Speaking of Hagelin, as much as McDonagh's pass, it was Hagelin's speed which led to his 2nd period goal - something the Rangers have been ineffective utilizing with the absence of Chris Krieder.  His return is unfortunately too little too late.  On the other side, Speed is something the Rangers are getting torched by.   Just ask Marc Staal.

And, then there's the power play, that Alain Vigneault was brought in to improve. It is now 0 for its last 36 opportunities, and 3 for 48 (.06%) for the playoffs.

I can't wait to say what I really feel.



Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: With Nash In A Funk, Game Seven Needs A Hero

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME SEVEN

Philadelphia Flyers

vs.

New York Rangers

FROM

NEW YORK RANGERS: The Smallest Players Continue Playing A Big Role, While Rick Nash And His Size Remain In Obscurity.

Wayne Simmonds Played Big When His Team Was Faced With Elimination.

Now Rick Nash Must Do The Same For The Rangers.

The Rangers generated more shots - as many as they did in the first two games, and won more face-offs than Philly, which is something they've struggled to do this series.  Unfortunately, the Steve Mason they faced in Game Four showed up, and not the Mason the Rangers faced on Sunday.

That might work out well for the Rangers heading into Game Seven.  Steve Mason does not play particularly well in Madison Square Garden.  The Steve Mason the Rangers played on Tuesday and in Game Four has proven to be a far more formidable net minder when on home ice.

Other than that, things went horribly wrong in Philadelphia.

Whether Dan Carcillo should have played in Game Six is a non issue - not after a game like Tuesday's, because once again, the 4th line was the Rangers best line.  So, there's no use haranguing the issue.  But, in Game Seven Coach Vigneault might have to insert his energy, and grit into the line-up.  No one else on this team throws his body around like he does.

Let's face it, the final score of Game Six read 5-2, but that was effectively a whitewash, because the Rangers main player continues to get shut out.

Jakub Voracek carried the Flyers early in the series, and now (with a hat trick in Game Six, and 4 goals in the series) Wayne Simmonds is taking charge.  For the Blueshirts, I guess you can say Brad Richards and Martin St. Louis took early charge of the Rangers, however, Rick Nash remains mired in obscurity.

How is it that the Rangers smallest guy, Mats Zuccarello is the Rangers best player?  He got knocked around like a pinball in Game Six, but still scored a goal, and has authored some nice passes as well.  Martin St. Louis, Carl Hagelin, and MatsZucs should not be playing a more physical game than Rick Nash, who seemingly refuses to utilize his size.

All I hear out of Columbus is thank goodness Rick Nash is gone, and that they love Brandon Dubinsky. And, just to throw it out there, Brandon Prust is headed into the second round.

Let's just hope Coach Vigneault's power play wakes up tonight.  The Rangers will no doubt get opportunities.  But, the Flyers have been playing smarter of late, and are committing less penalties.  So, the need for the Rangers to capitalize on their dwindling chances this evening is paramount.  It also would not hurt if Coach Vigneault readjusts to Philly's adjustments.  The Flyers have taken control of the chess game. The next move is Vigneault's.

Clearly, the universal way of dealing with a Game Six loss is to let it go, and act like it never happened.  Life is now a one game matter now, which boils down to 60 minutes and intestinal fortitude.  It's gut check time. Let's see who shows up tonight, and who doesn't.




Mike.BTB

N.Y. Rangers: Vote No To Game Seven, Finish Tonight!

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 3-2

I - NYR 4; PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - PHI 2; NYR 1

V - NYR 4; PHI 2

VI - TONIGHT

GAME SIX

New York Rangers

vs.

Philadelphia Flyers

FROM

The Broad Street Octagon

NEW YORK RANGERS: Blueshirts Give Bullies A Bloody Nose In Game Five; Look To Knock Out Philadelphia Tonight.

FINISH!

You know what I say - once is an event, and twice is a coincidence.  But, the Rangers scoring four goals in every other game is now a trend, or so we hope.  I'd settle for a 2-0 shutout tonight.  Try me.

The Rangers were actually out-shot in Game Five, but took a 3-2 lead in the series on the strength of their somewhat least likely scorers.  Steve Mason's teammates certainly failed him on two of them.  Mason had no answer for Marc Staal's booming shot from the left dot.  However, on the Rangers second goal, Mason accounted for every one in front of him, except Brad Richards who lurked off net.  During a loose puck scrum, four Flyers descended on the crease, left Richards uncovered, and paid a price.  Later, Mason was then failed by his teammate's piss poor puck handling on Dominic Moore's goal.

Without knowing which Steve Mason awaits them in Game Six, it behooves the Rangers to generate more shots, similar to the first two games.

Of course, Mason was a non-participant during Brian Boyle's closing goal.  There's no doubt the Rangers have 4th line fever.  After all the hard work he's put in this series, Brian Boyle finally scored.  Good for him.

Brad Richards scored his 2nd goal of the playoffs, and Martin St. Louis was robbed of the Rangers potential sixth goal of the game by non review-able whistle.  The big guns have by and large, shown up - all except Rick Nash.  He leads the team with 23 shots on goal.  So, the chances have been there.  He's just able to finish.  If he doesn't get going, the Rangers themselves risk not finishing.

Oddly enough, the Rangers have won three games without his scoring, and with a sputtering power play.  If I didn't know any better, in Game Five, it looked like the Rangers took a page out of the Flyers play book.  I watched the Blueshirts play after the whistle, I saw them crash Steve Mason, I saw them make questionable hits (they got away with..), and saw them glove wash a few faces as well.  I saw the Rangers play with an edge the Flyers did not match.

Another Flyer-like similarity was the Rangers putting Philly on the PP an uncharacteristic 5 times in Game Five.  While, the Blueshirts were only afforded 3 opportunities (and went scoreless).

The big question for the Rangers is, should Dan Carcillo play in Game Six?  I'm not as insistent on him playing like I was heading into Game Three, but I still think he should be strongly considered.  J.T. Miller deserves minutes too, and just may get 'em.

No one wants the series to return to Madison Square Garden.  We can do without a Game Seven for a change.  Finish!

And Let's Go Mets too.




Mike,BTB

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

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Rangers Lead Series 2-1

I - NYR 4; PHI 1

II - PHI 4; NYR 2

III - NYR 4; PHI 1

IV - FRIDAY @ PHI

GAME THREE FINAL

RANGERS   4

Flyers          1

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

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

DAN CARCILLO REVISITS WITH OLD FRIENDS IN PHILADELPHIA

BEARING GOALS AND TIDINGS OF ILL WILL.

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

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

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

The rest, makes for a very colorful recap.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Mike.BTB