New York Rangers Fall in Last Minute to Tampa

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME THREE

Rangers     2

Lightning   3

FINAL

Rangers Let Tampa Back in Series

What did I say ...

A two-game lead heading into Tampa means nothing if you can't finish!

The Bolts took 52 SOGs, with 19 coming in the third period.  The Rangers had just six shots after getting off a dozen in the first and second periods.  

They played too close to the fire in the final session and got burned with a mere 0:42 seconds left in regulation.  This isn't the first time we've seen them adopt this defensive posture.  Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad were on the ice and solely blamed themselves.  Noble, but a poor finish nonetheless.

Andrei Vasilevskiy played his best game of the series.  The first period was Andrei versus Igor.  Each team had numerous scoring opportunities.  The second period was all about the power play in which the Blueshirts closed out the session with a 2-1 advantage.  But it didn't last.  Steven Stamkos scored on another Tampa power play at 1:12 of the third period tying the game at two.

The Rangers were 2 for 5 on the power play.  They completely blew a golden opportunity when the Bolts got whistled for a double-minor but ruined things with a penalty of their own.

All the big men on campus skated to a stalemate until the final minute.  Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider accounted for six points for the Rangers.  Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, and Corey Perry accounted for eight points, including assists on the game-winning goal by Ondrej Palat, who made it nine points for Tampa.

Vasilevskiy and the Lightning finally showed up and played their best game this series.  Even then, victory was within the Rangers' grasp.

Hopefully, Ryan Strome and Barclay Goodrow are up for the challenge of game four.  

New York Rangers Seize Two Game Lead Over Tampa Bay Lightning

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME TWO

Lightning   2

Rangers     4

FINAL

Into Enemy Territory, They Go

Pack your sunscreen!  

It's on to Tampa Bay for games three and four.  Life is different down there.  Expect changes.  The Bolts are the defending two-time Stanley Cup champions.  That means something.  Exactly what remains to be seen.  But rest assured, a two-game series lead means little unless you finish.

That being said, the Rangers appear to be getting better with each passing game and have yet to reach their peak.  Their stars are shining brightly, the kids are improving with every shift, and the blueliners are performing very well.  

In case anyone forgot, Carolina was the stingiest regular-season team in hockey, not the Lightning.  The Rangers jumped that hurdle.  After the Hurricanes, you guessed it, the Rangers yielded the second-fewest goals.

Speaking of which, the opposition would have even fewer goals if not for Ryan Lindgren, who has now tipped three pucks past Igor Shesterkin.  Nikita Kucherov's shot at 2:41 of the first period was a frisbee until tipped by Lindgren.  Afterwhich the puck toppled end over end until it found the back of the net.  Corey Perry never touched it.  However, that Tampa Bay power-play opportunity should never have been.  Ryan Reaves and Pat Maroon should have been sent to the box, or none of them, not just Reaves. 

But the resilient Rangers answered right back.  K'Andre Miller tied the game at the 5:59 mark on a setup from Chris Kreider.  The shot was initially blocked by Brandon Hagel.  But Miller secured his own rebound and scored on Andrei Vasilevskiy's glove side.  

It's good to see K'Andre's efforts rewarded for such brilliant defensive play throughout the playoffs.  Miller and the blueliners have been stellar.  Jacob Trouba laid another big hit, this time to Anthony Cirelli.  Adam Fox continues to be the master of puck possession and movement, and all you need to do with Ryan Lindgren is wind him up and see him go.

The Kid Line once again announced their presence with authority.  With time winding down in the first period, Kaapo Kakko tipped in a perfect feed from Adam Fox, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead.  Filip Chytil also assisted in the play.  The kids created numerous other scoring opportunities.

After a scoreless second period, Tampa committed one of the cardinal sins of hockey by allowing a goal inside the first two minutes of the third period.  At the 1:21 mark, Mika Zibanejad scored from the left wing, beating Vasilevskiy once again high on his blocker side.  Chris Kreider registered his second assist.  It was the game's decisive goal as Nicholas Paul scored at 17:58 to bring the Bolts within one.

Igor Shesterkin was the hero, again, stopping 29 of 31 shots.  He is by far outclassing Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net.

Hello Sunshine State ... and all the relocated New Yorkers and retirees just waiting to don their Rangers jerseys and storm Amalie Arena.

New York Rangers Zap Tampa Bay Lightning in Game One

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

I - NYR 6; TBL 2

Kid Line Short Circuits the Bolts

Was Tampa rusty after a nine-day break?

Perhaps ...

Do I expect more from them as the series progresses?

Absolutely.

But in no way will I minimize what the Rangers accomplished on Wednesday.  It was a stellar effort.  They were on the attack early, won the faceoff battle, and converted on the power play while killing off three.  

Moreover, it was smartly played hockey.  Mika Zibanejad faked a shot and fed Chris Kreider.  Filip Chytil hopped back to create a better passing angle for Kaapo Kakko, the now-famous "shift," or Ryan Reaves waiting for the right moment to send a message; it all wreaked of cohesiveness.

The Kreider/Zibanejad/Vatrano line scored the Rangers' first two goals.  Vatrano chipped the puck along the boards into the offensive zone in the opening moments.  Mika Zibanejad retrieved it in the right circle and passed it to a waiting Chris Kreider in the slot, who wristed it past Andrei Vasilevskiy at 1:11 of the first period.  Seven minutes later, Steven Stamkos tied the game at one.  Then at 7:50 of the second period, Frank Vatrano received the puck from Adam Fox and unleashed a sneaky shot from the slot for a 2-1 Rangers lead.  

As expected, Tampa tied the game at two.  

But then came the Kid Line to the rescue.  

They say that lightning doesn't strike the same spot twice.  That is unless you're Filip Chytil.  The Rangers' 23-year-old center is on fire.  He scored at 10:09 of the second period on feeds from Alexis LaFreniere and Kaapo Kakko.  A little over five minutes later, Chytil scored again off a cross-seam pass by K'Andre Miller.  He now has five goals in his last three games.

Artemi Panarin made his deliveries in the third period.  The Bread Man scored just 0:30 into the period on feeds from Andrew Copp and Jacob Trouba.  Panarin then assisted on Mika Zibanejad's power-play goal at the 6:06 mark.

Ryan Reaves and the fourth line very strategically notified Tampa that they aren't putting up with any crap in the closing minutes.

... a complete team effort.

My heart stooped when I saw Igor Shesterkin lying face down on the ice.  It appeared as if Nikita Kucherov buried his stick into the neck of Shesterkin.  But Igor rubbed it off to stop 37 of 39 shots on goal.

Some say Vasilevkiy was rusty.  I say he was perplexed.  The Rangers had him moving left and right.

By game seven of the first round, it finally dawned on the Blueshirts that their best scoring opportunities were shooting top shelf.  

Kreider scored high, blocker side moving right.  Vatrano also scored high on the blocker side.  Both Chytil goals were high glove side while moving left.  Artemi Panarin's goal mimicked Kreider and Vatrano, high on the blocker side.  Mika Zibanejad's power-play goal in third was likewise high on the blocker side, which confirmed Andrei Vasilevskiy has his issues.

Not all of that was rust.

New York Rangers Advance to Eastern Conference Finals

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

CAROLINA HURRICANES

BRING ON THE BOLTS!

That's How You Close Out a Series!

The Rangers' power play continued making the Canes pay for their mistakes.  Adam Fox converted passes from Alexis LaFreniere and Andrew Copp at 3:40 of the first period.  A little over four minutes later, Chris Kreider tipped in a pass from Mika Zibanejad, and just like that, before a hushed crowd, the Rangers owned a 2-0 lead.  

More importantly, Carolina was taken out of their game post-haste.  Jacob Trouba deleted Seth Jarvis with a big clean hit.  In Jarvis' attempt to crawl off the ice, Carolina was called for too many men on the ice.  Zibanejad and Kreider made them pay.

Then, with fewer than four minutes left in the second period, Ryan Strome scored the game's decisive goal.  He came rushing down the left-wing and placed a wrister stick side.

Chris Kreider scored the exclamation point to open the third period.  It was a great play on a breakaway, a power move, a classic.  He's been an exceptional leader all season long.  In the second round, game seven, the Rangers are on the road, and Kreider killed it with his second goal of the game.

That being said, the big guns got it done.  The team's top scorers, Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Adam Fox, accounted for eight points.

Meanwhile, Filip Chytil continued creating his own chances and capitalizing on Carolina turnovers.  At 8:15 of the third period, he did it again, a beauty.  Chytil scored his third goal in his last two games and fourth of the series.

Igor Shesterkin turned in another brilliant performance.  But for the second time in the series, he was indecisive with the puck, which left him out of position, and he wound up paying the price.

Next stop: Eastern Conference Finals.  

The Rangers regain the home-ice advantage.

Bring on the Bolts!

New York Rangers Set to Storm Beaches of North Carolina

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME SIX

Hurricanes  2

Rangers      5

FINAL

Rangers Force Game Seven at Carolina

The winning formula remains: top-line scorers stepping up, converting on the power play, and going top shelf on Carolina goalies.  Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Artemi Panarin all registered a point.  Zibanejad and Panarin scored on the power play, and Filip Chytil demonstrated how to aim high.

Tyler Motte opened the scoring at 7:22 of the first period, barrelling right down Broadway and sneaking a wrister through Antti Raanta's midsection.  Mika Zibanejad then scored on a power play two and a half minutes later.  His footwork and skating made the space, brilliant maneuvering on his part.  It was Mika's fourth goal in his last four games.

As has been the case throughout these playoffs, the second period turned into a wild and wacky affair.  Two goals were scored by each team.  The kids continue creating chances for themselves.  Shortly after shooting wide of the net on a semi-breakaway, Filip Chytil caused another turnover.  He broke for the net and wristed a shot over Antti Raanta's left shoulder that knocked the Carolina goalie out of the box.  A little over three minutes later, Chytil scored again.  After digging the puck out of the left corner, Chytil unleashed a backhand that beat backup goalie Pyotr Kocketkov top shelf over his left shoulder.

The Rangers took a 4-2 lead into the third period.  If Carolina scores here, the game changes on a dime.  But Artemi Panarin made sure that did not happen.  This was by no means a garbage-time goal.  Instead, it was the stake through the heart.  Chris Kreider drew in the defense down low, then passed to Panarin, who wristed it home.

Igor Shesterkin had a game for the ages, making 37 saves, assisting on two goals, and incurring an interference penalty.

Ryan Lindgren has now tipped in two goals for the Hurricanes.  This time Shesterkin looked at him like ... c'mon, man!  

The Rangers are headed back to Carolina for game seven.  It was game one in which Lindgren tipped in the game-winning goal in overtime for the Canes.  

Said another way, the Rangers can win in their house.

New York Rangers Brace For Hurricane at the Garden

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

DEFEND THIS HOUSE

GAME FIVE

Rangers       1

Hurricanes   3

FINAL

First Liners Must Force Game Seven

That was a terrible effort by the Rangers, plain and simple.  

They looked like they were skating on the sands of the Outer Banks.  

Most all attempts to possess the puck and establish the zone were feeble.  Net result, the Rangers mounted an amateurish 17 SOGs.  Five shots in the first period, five in the second, and a whopping seven in the third period, that's it ... that's all there was.

Ryan Strome led the Rangers with four SOGs; Mika Zibanejad and Andrew Copp had two.  No other player had more than one shot on the net.  Chris Kreider had none and Artemi Panarin, none.

Chris Kreider has one point in this series - a goal in game three.  Artemi Panarin registered assists in games three and five for two points.  We're watching with our own eyes: the Rangers can't survive this significant lack of productivity from the top-line guys.

But there's more ...

For the second time this series, the Rangers yielded another short-handed goal to Carolina, and just like the closing minutes of game two, Igor Shesterkin was pulled in favor of a sixth skater.  Still, the Rangers again failed to establish possession, much less zone presence.

The series shifts back to the Garden on Saturday.

We know what they gotta do.

Defend this house!

New York Rangers and Hurricanes Head Back to North Carolina Tied at Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME FOUR

Hurricanes   1

Rangers        4

FINAL

Smurfs Need Not Apply

Midway through the first period, Jacob Trouba laid a big neutral zone hit on Max Domi which his linemate Steven Lorentz took exception.  Trouba in turn took out Lorentz post-haste, and both served five for fighting.

On that note, Alexis LaFreniere and Ryan Strome seem to enjoy when things get touchy, as do K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren.  We know Chris Kreider handles himself very well.  The additions of Andrew Copp, Tyler Motte, Frank Vatrano (and even the injured Barclay Goodrow) have also elevated this team's grittiness and toughness.

But make no mistake, for the second game in a row, Ryan Reaves let Domi, Tony DeAngelo, and all the other Canes know the Rangers aren't putting up with any of their crap.

The Rangers followed the winning recipe from game three: front-line scoring and goals on the power play.  I also left off saying they needed to go top shelf on Antti Raanta.  At the very least, they have him shifting left and right.

A pair of breakaway attempts by Alexis LaFreniere and Artemi Panarin was stopped cold by Antti Raanta; LaFreniere tried going five-hole, and Panarin resorted to his backhand.  Mika Zibanejad later received a pass from Chris Kreider and was likewise stuffed by Raanta.  Filip Chytil even attempted a wrap-around to no avail.  My point is that the Rangers need to elevate like Andrew Copp did in the third period when he took a feed from Ryan Strome and scored mid-level.

Ryan Lindgren gets it.  He took two shots that ended up in the back of the net.  The first came from the left circle and was tipped by Adam Fox.  The next came in the second period when Mika Zibanejad cleaned up a rebound that got behind Raanta.  Both shots were high and caused trouble.

Frank Vatrano opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 13:31 of the first period.  The Rangers were 1/4 on the night but now have two PP goals in their last two games.  Carolina was held scoreless in two opportunities.

Mika Zibanejad came to play with another goal and assist.  More importantly, four Ranger centermen joined together for three goals and seven points.  

However, Artemi Panarin remains lost in space.

Long live Igor Shesterkin!

Back to North Carolina ...

New York Rangers Protect Garden From Game Three Hurricane

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME THREE

Hurricanes    1

Rangers        3

FINAL

Home Sweet Home ...

Everything we need to see from the Rangers we witnessed in game three: scoring from the top line, converting on the power play, and beating Antti Raanta top shelf.

Mika Zibanejad scored a power-play goal at 11:54 of the first period.  It was the Rangers' first PP goal of the series, not to mention their first score since the first period of game one.  The Rangers, who killed four penalties in game three, have yet to yield a goal to Carolina in seven power-play opportunities.

Chris Kreider scored the decisive goal at 5:55 of the second period, beating Antti Raanta over his left shoulder.  He patiently handled the puck behind the net and set himself up for a shot from the left circle.  Kreider is likely still pissed off over hitting the post on an empty-net chance late in the third period.  But Tyler Motte had his back, scoring into an empty net with 1:23 left in regulation.

Igor Shesterkin took care of the rest, stopping 43 of 44 shots.  He gets a pass for allowing a second-period goal because, at 6:56 of the first period, he made a daring, if not brilliant, save against Jesperi Kotkaniemi.  It was the key save of the game.

It's essential to get Antti Raanta moving in all directions, left, right, up, and down.  You just can't let him assume shots.  Give him something to think about.

Enter Artemi Panarin ...

Artemi has eight points (five assists) through ten games.  He assisted Mika Zibanejad's first-period goal, but the Rangers need more.  Panarin should not be tied in these playoffs with two other teammates for fifth in shots on goal.  Case in point - Jacob Trouba should not have more SOGs than Panarin.  The Bread Man is also getting pushed off the puck.  It would behoove him and the Rangers if he took quick, decisive shots.  It's just a matter of simplifying the game instead of needing to be perfect.

Coach Gallant did some first-period mixing and matching.  Filip Chytil was added to the Zibanejad and Kreider line.  In turn, the three led the Rangers with four SOGs each.

Now let's see if they all can do it again ...

New York Rangers Sustain Category Two Hurricane at Carolina

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME TWO

Rangers       0

Hurricanes  2

FINAL

New Hole, Different Shovel

Looks can indeed be deceiving.  I see a team still trying to be too cute and over-passing instead of just putting more shots on net.  I also see all forward lines getting bogged down at the blue line when attempting to enter the offensive zone, and if they dump and chase, getting easily pushed off the puck.  Yet, the Rangers actually have one more shot on goal (49-48) than Carolina through two games.  Thus both teams are creating roughly the same number of opportunities.

For a second straight series, the Rangers are getting killed on faceoffs.  Not just on the puck drop but the wingers within the circle.  Carolina owns a 64-47 advantage.

The question of whether Coach Galant would stay disciplined with a four-line rotation has been answered.  To a certain extent, he mixed and matched, most notably bumping up Alexis LaFreniere with Chris Kreider and Mike Zibanejad.

Special teams are officially a problem.  The Rangers are now 0/5 on the power play.  However, surrendering a short-handed goal while on a four-minute power play, then later failing to maintain possession upon pulling Igor Shesterkin in favor of a sixth skater, is inexcusable.  If nothing else, this is precisely why the Rangers lost game two.

If Carolina cleans up their offensive zone passing, it pains me to say they can dispose of the Rangers in five games.  If Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider start scoring, maybe not.

Anyone laying blame on Igor Shesterkin is just plain wrong.

Artemi Panarin Punches New York Rangers Ticket to Round Two

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RANGERS def. PENGUINS; 4-3

I - PITT 4; NYR3

II - NYR 5; PITT 2

III - PITT 7; NYR 4

IV - PITT 7; NYR 2

V - NYR 5; PITT 3

VI - NYR 5; PITT 3

VII - NYR 4; PITT 3

The Bread Man Delivers!  

Everyone knows the playoffs are a different animal.  It requires a more straightforward and more barbaric approach than the regular season.  

The Rangers' top forwards clearly needed time to figure that out.  Maybe they were overthinking things - paralysis by analysis.  Because the kids, Filip Chytil, Alexis LaFreniere, and Kakko Kappo, played more free and easy as if being too young and inexperienced to know playoff pressure.  Down in the series three games to one, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider finally stepped up to become the decisive factors in games five and six.  

Chris Kreider opened the scoring in game seven at the 7:36 mark.  At 14:15 of the third period, Mika Zibanejad scored the game-tying goal, and they went into overtime at Madison Square Garden.

After a most frustrating series, Artemi Panarin saved his best for last.  He received criticism for failing to put more shots on the net throughout the series.  He spent his time trying to be a facilitator, always looking to pass first.  It's what he does.  Artemi led the Rangers with 74 assists and 96 points during the regular season.  However, he entered game seven with six points (two goals, four assists) through damn near 21 periods of hockey.  The first three periods on Sunday changed little.

Alas, when the team needed another hero, Panarin answered the call.  He took a team-high five shots on goal, and at 4:46 of overtime, Artemi put the biscuit in the basket to send the Rangers into a round two matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.

I'm an older fan now, so I'm not easily impressed.  But Chris Kreider has become such an incredible leader for this team.  The unnamed captain led the Rangers with five dramatic goals, snatched an iPad from the hands of Mika Zibanejad, smashed it on the floor, and told his linemate to stop second-guessing himself.  

The series also changed when Ryan Lindgren returned to the ice.  Just ask Sidney Crosby, who Lindgren showed mercy on when the Penguin captain was poking at Igor Shesterkin.

K'Andre Miller was brilliant throughout, smart, effective, and tough, and Igor Shesterkin is a star, and soon he'll have the hardware to prove it.

That was a hell of an education for the youngsters and some fine tutoring by the veterans.

New York Rangers Force Game Seven Against Penguins at MSG

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME SIX
Penguins   3

Rangers     5

FINAL

First Line Proves Its Playoff Worth 

Following two deflating, if not disgraceful losses in games three and four, the young Blueshirts rose to the occasion in game five.  The Rangers got critical goals from Adam Fox, Alexis Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil.  But that was on home ice, and so the call to action sounded loud and long for Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider immediately after the game.  

Sidney Crosby left the ice midway through the second period of game five and did not play on Friday, but that made New York's game six road victory at Pittsburgh no less impressive.  During the first intermission, whatever was discussed in the Ranger locker room seemed to work.  The Blueshirt big boys, the veterans, the top line, answered spectacularly.  Facing elimination for the second consecutive game, Kreider and Zibanejad seized control of the situation, leading the Rangers into Pittsburgh needing to extend the series and doing just that.  

Down 0-2 after the first period, Mika Zibanejad scored during a power play at 5:05 of the second period on a one-timer from Adam Fox and Ryan Strome.  A mere seventy-six seconds later, Zibanejad again scored on a one-timer from Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox.  Mika almost accomplished the hat trick at the 13:48 mark.  Igor Shesterkin made a brilliant first pass to Zibanejad.  Louis Domingue made the initial save, but Chris Kreider was there to clean up the rebound for a 3-2 Rangers lead.

However, before the second period ended, Evgeni Malkin picked off a pass in the Pittsburgh defensive zone and scored on a breakaway at the 16:36 mark.

The third period was a tightly contested affair.  Finally, with 1:28 left in regulation, Chris Kreider launched a shot from the left point that (I say) deflected off a Penguin stick.  Mika Zibanejad was causing traffic in front, and Domingue thought he made the save, but the puck deflected over the goalie's head and into the net for the tie-breaking goal.

Andrew Copp sealed the deal with an empty-netter off feeds from Adam Fox and Kevin Rooney.

Adam Fox assisted on four of the Rangers' five goals, and of course, the Rangers got two by Mika Zibanejad and two by Chris Kreider.

Mika hit the post on another opportunity, as did Frank Vatrano.  More importantly, the Rangers were 2 for 3 on the power play and did well to prevent the Penguins from scoring on their three opportunities.

Now they have to do it all over again, but they'll be home at Madison Square Garden this time.

New York Rangers Need Top Forward Line Contributions at Pittsburgh

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

BACK TO THE IGLOO

GAME SIX

New York Rangers

vs.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Veterans Must Step It Up Because The Kids Are Alright

Igor Shesterkin completely misplayed the tying goal.  

Okay ...

But once again, he is not and has never been even a top-three issue why the Rangers are in this predicament.

Instead, look what happens when you make passes from behind the net and take shots from the slot and between the dots.  I've spent the majority of five games now watching the Rangers loitering around the perimeter, cycling the puck, settling for poor quality shots from outside the dots, and making Louis Domingue look like Ken Dryden.  The Penguins instinctually veer toward the net, anticipating a pass or shot, whereas the Rangers, on the rush, push the puck outwards towards the wings and take lousy angle shots.  They executed the strategy well in game one until they didn't and failed to revert to what works best until game five.

Pittsburgh continues to dominate face-offs and create shots.  Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad is yet to show up at the party.  He continually leads the Ranger forwards in minutes but is sixth on the team with only 14 shots on goal and only four points (assists) to show.  In fact, eight different Penguins have gotten off more shots than Zibanejad, and five have posted more points.

The return of Ryan Lindgren clearly impacted the Rangers.  But the million-dollar question is whether anything about the second period happens if Sidney Crosby is on the ice?  His absence clearly emboldened the Rangers.  In fact, the whole complexion of the game changed when Crosby left the ice.

K'Andre Miller, Alexis LaFreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, and Igor are being administered quite an education.  Now it's back to Pittsburgh for game five.  Staring into the face of elimination, let's see what they've learned or not.  

Otherwise, with great conviction, I will say it's time for Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, and the veterans to pull the Rangers through to a game seven back at Madison Square Garden.  They're the ones with something to prove.  They're the ones who need to pick up the scoring and not rely so much on Adam Fox.

Because the kids are alright.

New York Rangers Face First Round Elimination

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

GAME FOUR

Rangers   2

Penguins 7

FINAL

Penguins Continue Skating Circles Around the Blueshirts

Chris Kreider, after game one, said the Rangers weren't playing together, they lacked cohesion, and everyone was off doing their own thing.  

I concur ...

There is individual effort, and then there is team play.  I'm not sure what the Rangers are trying to do on any given possession.  Whereas the Penguins appear to have a plan each time down the ice.  In the name of Lester Patrick, I want to see more passes from behind the net and more shots from the slot.

After game three, Sidney Crosby said that the Pens kept things simple, put shots on goal, and fought hard for position in front of the net.  

I concur ...

I've been screaming all series for the Rangers to stop being so cute, stop looking for the extra perfect pass, just put shots on net, and clean up the rebounds.

Following game four, Coach Gallant called his team soft in all areas of the ice.  

Once again, I concur ...

Yes, the Rangers are playing minus Ryan Lindgren.  But the defensive decision-making and overall effort have been deplorable.  There's been a lot of standing around, poke-checking, and a lack of physicality in front after the first period of game one.  In turn, they're making Igor Shesterkin look bad while so little of this situation is his fault.  Pittsburgh is securing a firm position and tipping pucks in the net.  The result is 14 goals allowed over the last two games.

Playing without Barclay Goodrow, the Rangers centermen through four games have scored 16 points, led by (non-first line caliber centerman) Mika Zebanejad with four.  Pittsburgh's centermen have posted 21 points, led by Sidney Crosby with nine.

The education of the New York Rangers continues.

N.Y. Rangers: Late Comeback At Ottawa Marks Fourth Consecutive Win

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

SATURDAY
Rangers    3

Senators   2

FINAL

Chris Kreider Striving To Earn The Elusive "C"

Despite allowing a quick goal, Alexandar Georgiev saved all the Rangers posteriors with a hell of a performance in the first period.  Making his first start since that troublesome season opener at Washington, Georgiev yielded a goal just 0:41 seconds into the game.  But it started with an offensive zone turnover and resulted in an odd-man rush heading his way.

After a scoreless second period, Alexandar Georgiev committed his second cardinal sin of the game, yielding a goal 1:04 into the third period on yet another offensive zone turnover, this time converted unassisted by Josh Norris.

With six minutes left in regulation, Coach Gallant had a few things to say, and the Rangers suddenly decided to play hockey.  

Parker Kelly got whistled for hooking K'Andre Miller at the 13:48 mark.  One minute later, Chris Kreider was precisely where he should have been and converted feeds from Artemi Panarin and Mika Zebanijad.  But the play was created initially by brilliant skating and possession from Adam Fox.  Senator goalie Matt Murray was also injured (head) on the play and left the game, although Kreider did make a discernable effort to avoid contact.

The Rangers took full advantage of a cold Anton Forsberg playing in relief of Murray.  Just over one minute later, Ryan Lindgren tips in a feed from Kreider and fine secondary assist by Fox, tying the game at two.  A little over two minutes later, Jacob Trouba secures the puck near the blue line, spins, and fires a shot towards the net.  Barclay Goodrow is there to tip it home for an abrupt comeback and 3-2 victory over the Sens.

Alexandar Georgiev earns his first win, stopping 26 of 28 total shots and keeping the Rangers in the game more importantly.  

In Georgiev's first start, the Caps went 3 for 6 on the power play.  Afterwhich, the Rangers held Dallas to one goal in two penalty kills.  They've since held their last four opponents scoreless in 13 power-play chances and are now 4/21 (19%) on the PK overall.

Adam Fox is so good ... but kudos to Chris Kreider for stepping up.  The now 30-year old Kreider put the Rangers on the board then helped them tie the game at two.  

Kreider is notorious for being a streaky scorer.  After netting goals in the season's first three games, he went scoreless against Toronto and Nashville, two games won by the Rangers.  Saturday, Chris returned front and center at a most opportune time.  But this is about context, and thanks to a fast start, he is indeed up to four goals, but one should consider he has two goals in his last four games.  Saturday's goal is early evidence of much-needed staying power - a punctuation mark if you will.  This is the kind of player Kreider needs to be, limiting those extended scoreless streaks to just a few games at a time.

That's what people who wanna wear the C do. 

N.Y. Rangers: First Line Front and Center at Montreal

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

FIRST WIN

With Injuries to Kappo Kakko and Ryan Strome, First Line Must Carry Rangers

It can now be said the Ranger season is underway.  It took three games, but they went from blowout to overtime loss to victory.

Coach Gallant's first line contributed four points towards the victory.  Chris Kreider opened the scoring on a power play midway through the second period on feeds from Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox.  After Montreal tied the game at one in the third period, Alexis Lafreniere answered just 0:26 seconds later on assists by Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin.

The first line (Kreider-Zibanejad-Lafreniere) accounted for 13 (54%) of the Rangers' 24 shots on goal.  Chris Kreider scored his third goal,  Zibanejad picked up his third assist, and Lafreniere scored in front of his home area crowd.

It's too early in the season for me to start wrangling over Mika Zibanejad's first-line qualifications.  We knew early last season he was recovering from a bout with COVID.  To what degree that affected his season-long play, we will not know.  All we can do is compare this season's performance against the previous two campaigns.  In the meantime, the Rangers demonstrated their faith in him with a lucrative contract.  To that point, three points in three games is an excellent way to start proving one's worth.

Chris Kreider is a car of another stable.  Like Zibanejad, he has three points through the first three games, all goals.  Are we now to expect a long drought of pointless games?  Because that's what his career trends suggest.  

Last season Kreider posted twenty goals and ten assists in fifty games.  He scored three goals through the first 15 games, then caught fire with eight goals over his next six games, giving him eleven goals through the season's first 21 games.  Kreider then finished out the season with seven goals and 15 points in his last 29 games.  He scored just three points in eleven games in one late-season stretch from March 27 through April 15. 

If and when someone impacts this team with sustained, tangible, and meaningful leadership, then you sew the C on their sweater.  Until then, I agree with Coach Gallant: let these guys keep having to prove themselves.

• Kappo Kakko sustained an upper-body injury in the first period and was placed on the injured reserve list, and Ryan Strome is still in concussion protocol.

N.Y. Rangers: Victory In Home-Ice Opener Not In The Stars

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2021 ~ HOME ICE OPENER ~ 2022

Stars       3

Rangers  2

overtime

Special Teams Experiencing Power Outages and Short Circuits

Open with a lopsided 5-1 loss at Washington, then host a slight downtick in competition only lose in overtime.  Rest assured, the Rangers are slowly but surely inching closer to a win.  Whether it comes against the Habs or Leafs remains to be seen.

The Rangers are putting forth a representative effort with faceoffs, shots on goal, and hits, but special team play has largely compromised their first two games.  They have now allowed four goals in eight penalty kills or lack thereof.  Meanwhile, the Rangers were 1/5 against Washington and shut out in four power-play opportunities against the Stars.  Needless to say, special teams require Gerard Gallant's immediate address.

That being said, goaltending cannot go unspoken.  Alexandar Georgiev stopped 22 of 27 total shots against the Capitals, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 23 of 26 total shots.  Said another way, the Ranger goalminders, in just over six periods of hockey, have thus far allowed eight goals on 53 attempts which translates into an 85% save rate.

Meanwhile, Adam Fox kicked off the season with a game-high 23:31 minutes against Washington.  He followed with a team-high 25:00 minutes Thursday against the Stars; over seven of those minutes were spent on special teams, and he still led the team in even-strength ice time.

Ranger centermen generated eleven shots on goal and just one point on an assist from Mika Zibanejad. Ryan Strome led forwards with five shots on goal.  But wouldn't you know, Adam Fox led the Rangers with six.  I'm hoping and praying Filip Chytil seizes outright the front-line center position.  In the meantime, Dallas centermen generated eight shots on goal, and two found the back of the net - advantage Stars.

Here's the thing about Chris Kreider's second goal in as many games: they came in losses.  But the real point is that he scores in bunches.  Kreider puts together four to six-game scoring bursts, then fades away for long stretches at a time.  I still can't believe of all players, he is the one to survive Jeff Gorton's purge.  But here he is ... Chris can be a real force if he just levels out his peaks and valleys. 

N.Y. Rangers: New Off-Broadway Order

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

RETIRE GRESCHNER'S NUMBER!

The Chris Drury/Gerard Gallant Era Begins

How appropriate that the Rangers should start the new season against the Washington Capitals.  Lest we forget, it was Tom Wilson's indiscretions against Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin that generated a season-ending maelstrom at Madison Square Garden.  

To this day, I'm still very conflicted over the way last season, and the former regime came to an abrupt and fateful end.  I was a major proponent of Jeff Gorton and John Davidson and in lockstep with their rebuild.  However, a continued lack of physicality remained an outstanding issue and was brought to a head after playing Washington.

Yes!  Jim Dolan meddled in Ranger affairs unlike any other time since being handed stewardship of the team by his father.  That is an entirely different conversation.  In any event, I was still never wholly comfortable and settled with the new front office for as long as Glen Sather remained in the room - again, another conversation.

I heard all the rumors and scuttlebutt and read every account, and I am still unable to decipher what exactly happened and whether I agree with any of it or not.

That being said, I am yet to protest the respective dismissals of Gorton and Davidson.  Nor am I averse to moving forward under Chris Drury with Gerard Gallant as head coach.

This was easily the strangest off-season in my life as a Ranger fan.

Insofar as Wednesday night's opener, 

... terrible.

Five goals allowed on 27 Washington shots on goal, three goals allowed on the power play, and two second-period goals scored within 0:24 seconds of each other.

Alexandar Georgiev looked out of sorts, just 22 saves and none on the penalty kill.

Big money man Mika Zibanejad led all forwards with 25 shifts and 20:26 minutes but generated no assists, no goals, and not a single shot on goal.

I do not want Chris Kreider as captain of this team, although he did score the Rangers' only goal.

Islanders Clinch Playoff Berth at Rangers Expense

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

ISLANDERS CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH

Islanders defeat Rangers; 6-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 3; NYR 2*

VI - NYI 6; NYR 1

VII - NYI 4; NYR 0

VIII - NYI 3; NYR 0

*overtime

Look What The Islanders Did To The Rangers, Again!

In what was possibly the final regular-season game ever to be played between the Islanders and Rangers at the Uniondale barn, Long Island blanks the city folk for a second consecutive game and the fourth time in their season series.  After splitting the first four games, the Isles take the final four.

Don't look now, but the Pittsburgh Penguins lead the Capitals by two points.  The Islanders clinch a playoff spot with 67 points. 

Insofar as the Rangers are concerned, I have no interest in Saturday's score and outcome.  However, the game itself and the fact that Long Island shut out the Rangers a fourth time in eight games partly serve my overall point.

Allow me to pick up where I left off ...

We know about Mika Zibanejad's terrible start to the season.  In January, he failed to score in six of eight games and similarly failed to score in eight of eleven games in February.  Mika totaled just six points over his first 19 games of the season.  But we also know he was returning from a pre-season bout with COVID.  

Mika then scored in nine of 16 games in March for 21 points, and in April, he scored in 12 of 15 games for 19 points.  That gives him 40 points in his last 31 games entering May.  His overall season stats now look more representative: 51 games, 20 goals, 26 assists, 46 points.

And therein lies the rub ...

In 16 games against the Devils and Flyers, Mika Zibanejad has grossed ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points. 

Through 35 games so far against the Islanders, Bruins, Capitals, Sabres, and Penguins, Mika has ten goals and nine assists for 19 points.  

Closer to the point, Mika scored just three points in eight games this season versus the Islanders; no points on Thursday, no points on Saturday.  

Just for the sake of being an equine posterior about it ... before going down with a season-ending injury, Islanders center Anders Lee scored 12 goals with seven assists for 19 points in 27 games, eight fewer games than Zibanejad.

The Rivalry: Islanders and Rangers Head Down the Stretch

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

THE RIVALRY

Islanders lead Rangers; 4-2

I - NYI 4; NYR 0

II - NYR 5; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NYR 0

IV - NYR 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 3; NYR 2

VI - NYI 6; NYR 1

VII & VIII

New York Islanders

vs.

New York Rangers

FROM
Eighth Avenue Ice Hut

Trotz Putting Together a Jigsaw Puzzle While Quinn Is Just Making a Mess

Washington takes three straight from the Islanders and wins the season series six games against two.  Three of the last four confrontations have been 1-0 affairs, with a blowout sandwiched in between.  Long Island slides down to third place in the East, four points behind the Penguins, and five points behind the first-place Capitals with seven games remaining in their regular season.

On Tuesday, the Islanders commit one of the cardinal sins of hockey and pay a high price.  Never surrender a goal in the first two minutes or last two minutes of a period.  The Islanders did just that.  Daniel Sprong scores his tenth of the season within 1:29 minutes of the opening faceoff, and the Caps make it stand.

The Long Islanders are 12-9-1 since captain Anders Lee last played on Mar. 11 against the Devils.  Over that stretch, they still managed to outscore their opponents by a 53-47 margin.  But, truth be told, the Isles are just 4-5-1 since acquiring Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri, and as noted, losers of three straight.  In another indictment, the Isles have been outscored 24-18 since the duo's arrival.  That hints at a correlation.  Or, said another way, Coach Trotz is struggling to reconstruct his forward lines.

Whereas Islanders fans can be confident their head coach will ultimately implement a viable plan in time for the playoffs, Rangers fans, on the other hand, remain confounded by Coach Quinn's allergy-inspiring line decisions.  The Blueshirts remain four points behind the fourth-place Bruins.  However, Boston has two games in hand.

The Rangers are coming off a split against the Flyers and two consecutive wins against the Sabres.  Long Island comes to the city for the front end of a home-and-home.  After splitting the first four games of the season series, the Islanders have since won two straight over the Rangers for a 4-2 series edge.

Last Sunday against Buffalo, Mike Zibanejad scored his third hat trick of the season.

About that ...

We know about his terrible start to the season.  He failed to score in six of eight games in January and similarly failed to score in eight of eleven games in February.  Mika totaled just six points over his first 19 games of the season.  But we also know he was recovering from a pre-season bout with COVID.  He then scored in nine of 16 games in March for 21 points, and in April, to date, Mika has scored in twelve of 15 games for 19 points.  That gives him 40 points in his last 31 games.  His overall season stats now look more representative: 50 games, 20 goals, 26 assists, 46 points.

Now for the truth ...

In 16 games against the Devils and Flyers, Mika Zibanejad has ten goals and 17 assists for 27 points.  Through 34 games so far against the Islanders, Bruins, Capitals, Sabres, and Penguins, Mika has ten goals and nine assists for 19 points.

That's what's really going on.

Battle of the Hudson: Rangers Hand Devils Fifth Straight Defeat

From the desks: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

BATTLE of the HUDSON

Rangers lead Devils; 5-2

I - NJD 4; NYR 3

II - NJD 5; NYR 2

III - NYR 6; NJD 1

IV - NYR 6; NJD 3

V - NYR 3; NJD 0

VI - NYR 4; NJD 0

VII - NYR 6; NJD 3

VIII - SUNDAY

Pavel Buchnevich Scores First Career Hat Trick on Birthday

Things are winding down to an interesting conclusion.  Not only are the Rangers a mere four points behind the Bruins with twelve games left to play, but the final two regular-season games are at Boston.  

I wonder if this is indeed the reason why the Rangers didn't trade Chris Kreider.  Of all the players purged these last few years by Jeff Gorton, I remain surprised they A)-signed him to a prohibitive contract, and B)-by the simple fact he is still here.  

Chris Kreider scored the Rangers' sixth and final goal of Saturday's match against the Devils into an empty net, that is.  It marks his first point in six games and his first goal since Mar. 28 at Washington.  Since scoring a hat trick on Mar. 4 against these very Devils, Kreider has just three points through nine games in April and just five goals in his last 23 games.

That won't jive in the playoffs.  Just saying ...

Pavel Buchnevich opened the scoring at 7:26 of the first period on feeds by Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.  The Rangers then scored on consecutive power plays, first by Ryan Strome at 10:27 with assists from Panarin and Zibanejad, then again by Pavel Buchnevich (K'Andre Miller, Colin Blackwell) at the 11:48 mark for a 3-0 Rangers lead.

Artemi Panarin scored within a New York minute to open the second period with assists from Ryan Lindgren and Ryan Strome for a commanding 4-0 lead.  The Rangers appeared on their way towards a third straight blanking of the Devils, but Michael McLeod ended that notion at 12:37 of the second period with his seventh goal of the season.

Into the second intermission, they went. 

A little over five minutes into the third period, P.K. Subban scored his fifth of the season on feeds from Yegor Sharangovich and Jack Hughes.  One minute and four seconds later, Yegor Sharangovich made it a 4-3 game off another feed from Hughes.  But that's where Newark's comeback stops.  The Devils gambled when they pulled goalie Aaron Dell from the net, but the house won.  Pavel Buchnevich scored into an empty net at 18:39, and Kreider followed likewise one minute later.

Pavel Buchnevich scores a hat trick on his 26th birthday!

Artemin Panarin had three assists and one goal; Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad score three points each.

After a tough overtime loss against the Islanders, Igor Shesterkin bounces back with back-to-back shutouts of the Devils.  In each of the first two games of this series, he stops 27 and 16 shots on goal.  On Friday, he faces an increased 33 SOGs and allows three goals even-strength (.. but that's because Coach Quinn took his foot off the pedal).

New Jersey played beyond seven periods against the Rangers before McLeod's second-period goal.  The Devils are 1-5 since trading Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac with 15 goals for and 27 goals against.  They are likewise 0-5 against the Rangers since winning the first two games of the season series.