New York Rangers Head Back to Tampa for Game Six

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

GAME FIVE

Rangers     1

Lightning   3

FINAL

Backs to the Wall, Rangers Face Elimination, Again!

Tampa Bay has outplayed the Rangers in eight of the last nine periods.

Any remaining spots of rust have been polished over.

The Rangers look slower, a step behind, and lack sixty-minute discipline.

To be fair, they've played 19 games in 38 days, which is a lot, and it has taken the Lightning everything they have to beat them.

Nevertheless, the education of the young Rangers continues ...

These boys must first learn how to finish.  The Rangers failed to protect a two-goal lead in game three, and with 0:42 left in regulation, yielded the game-winning goal.  They once again failed to effectively close out the second period in game five, allowing the game-tying goal at the 17:34 mark, and like game three, could not push into overtime, surrendering the go-ahead goal at 18:10 of the third.

Ryan Lindgren scored the game's first goal simply because he put the puck on the net, nothing more, nothing less.  The Rangers had their chances, some better than others.  Just ask Ryan Strome.  But in truth, the Rangers are no longer making Andrei Vasilevskiy work for his saves.  They hardly drive down the slot, no passing from behind the net, and, like I've been saying, a lot of predictability.

Ryan Reaves was a healthy scratch in favor of Kevin Rooney, an apparent attempt by Coach Gallant to muster more offense.  Reaves would have proved helpful after the final whistle.  Rooney threw his body around and got off two SOGs in under ten minutes on ice.  Overall, Blueshirt centermen had ten SOGs but no points.  Only one Ranger forward, Artemi Panarin, had as many as three SOGs.

Meanwhile, the refs seem less interested in blowing their whistle these days - advantage Bolts.  Tampa handed the Rangers just one power-play opportunity midway through the second period.  Lindgren's goal aside, game five was the latest example of the Blueshirt's dearth of scoring at even strength. 

Something needs to change quickly as the Rangers head to Tampa for game six.

If the first two rounds demonstrated anything, the Rangers played exceptionally well when faced with elimination - three straight must-win games against Pittsburgh, two against Carolina, and here we go again against Tampa.  But can the Rangers pull it off, again, against the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions?

That's a lot of noise!

We all know what needs to be done.  

Some better luck wouldn't hurt.

Otherwise, I expect all the New York City transplants and retirees to don their jerseys and make a ruckus at Amalie Arena.

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 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 Fall to Carolina Hurricanes in Overtime

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

ROUND TWO

GAME ONE
Rangers      1

Hurricanes  2

FINAL/OT

Here we go again ...

Carolina clearly did not play at their best during the first forty minutes.  The Rangers had numerous quality scoring opportunities.  Filip Chytil gave the Rangers an early lead.  But Antti Raanta absolutely kept Carolina within striking distance.  By the second intermission, I believed the Hurricanes were making the Rangers look good rather than the other way around.

That all changed in the third period.  Everyone in a Ranger jersey not named K'Andre Miller was severely outplayed.  Then, sure enough, Sabastian Aho cleaned up his own rebound and scored the tying goal with 2:23 left in regulation.  In overtime, the Hurricanes picked up where they left off, and at the 3:12 mark, Ian Cole launched a shot from the top of the right circle that was tipped by Ryan Lindgren and found its way through Igor Shesterkin.

The Kid Line, against a new opponent, continued playing well together.  Kaapo Kakko is skating well, but he's been erratic with his passes and shots throughout the playoffs.  He missed a completely open net at the 6:46 mark of the third period - he's probably riddled with anxiety.  Alexis LaFreniere and Chytil appear far more comfortable in their skin.  Both teams, including LaFreniere, clanked pucks off the post.

K'Andre Miller wiped out Seth Jarvis on a potential breakaway in the second period.  What a great play!  The man has been flawless through eight games.

The only two penalties of the game essentially offset.  Otherwise, many infractions by both sides went uncalled.  The Rangers effectively lost this game at even strength.

Coach Gallant stubbornly rolled out his four lines through the first six games against Pittsburgh.  Not till game seven did he mix up the lines and wrangle with matchups, or not.  The coach said matchups mean little to him.  This series is as much about Gallant and Rod Brind'Amour trying to four-line each other as it is, as it was, the Rangers forwards doing more.

Antti Raanta was indeed the hero of game one.

Ryan Lindgren gets credit for the winning goal ...

Igor Shesterkin deserves better.

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: Blueshirts Pick Up Against Boston Where Long Islanders Leave Off

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

FEW AND DISTANCED FANS RETURN TO 

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

FRIDAY

Bruins  2

Rangers 6

FINAL

Third Time Is A Charm; Blueshirts Defeat Division Leading Bruins

Brad Marchant, very early in the first period, tried setting the tone for the rest of the evening, pinning Adam Fox in the corner, even dropping his gloves.  But Fox refused to oblige, and Marchant ponderously escaped without a penalty.  Marchant was nonetheless successful, as the shorthanded Rangers on this night decided they weren't having any of it, and so the tone indeed was set.  Big hits, obligatory crosschecks, scrums, and bad words abounded.  

In their first meeting against the Bruins, the Rangers were plus-eight in hits but a woeful minus-16 in face-offs and minus-three in shots on goal en route to a 3-2 loss.  Then despite a tighter 1-0 defeat in the second meeting, Boston was in clear command, outhitting the Rangers 31-22, going plus-five on faceoffs, and a plus-nine on shots on goal.  Through the first two games, each team went scoreless on the power play.  Boston was scoreless in eight opportunities, and the Ranger came empty in six chances. 

On Friday, the correlation between winning face-offs, possession, drawing penalties, and shots on goal works in the Rangers' favor for a change.  The Blueshirts were plus-four in hits, plus-one in face-offs, and plus-one in shots on goal.  In the second period, Colin Blackwell scored the first power-play goal of the series by either team, while Boston was once again held to 0/3 on the man-advantage.

At 13:16, Julien Gauthier opened the scoring assisted by Ryan Lindgren, who clashed with David Pastrnak during the game.  Ryan Strome opened the second period scoring on a beautiful feed from Alexis Lafreniere at 2:32, but Patrice Bergeron scored just 1:30 later.  Afterwhich the roof caved in on Boston.  The Rangers scored twice in the closing two minutes of the second period on a power-play goal from Colin Blackwell, then just twelve seconds later on Chris Kreider's ninth of the season assisted by Strome.  Picking up where they left off, the Rangers strike quickly in the third on Pavel Bushnevich's fifth of the season at 1:45, and Jonny Brodzinski's first goal of the season and only the sixth of his career at the 3:43 mark.  Brad Marchant added an inconsequential goal at 7:51 to cap off the night's scoring.

I'm pleased to see Brendan Lemieux's minutes were increased.  He mustered three shots on goal and, late in the third, got stuffed on a good drive to the net.  Alexis Lafreniere registers just his second point of the season.  Chris Kreider now has five goals in his last three games and a team-leading nine for the season.  Rangers' centermen generated 13 (38%) shots on goal with four goals and two assists for six points.  However, Bret Howden has just one point in his last 13 games and only two for the season.  With three more points against the Bruins, Ryan Strome unexpectedly leads Rangers centers this season with 13 points.

This is the second straight night the Bruins have gotten their doors blown off.  Thursday, on the front end of back-to-back nights, the Long Islanders drubbed the Bruins by a 7-2 final at Uniondale.  The Islanders centermen joined for 14 shots on goal with two goals and three assists for five points.  

The Rangers and Bruins resume hostilities again on Sunday.

N.Y. Rangers: Blueshirts Cannot Overcome Pandemic, Putin, and Penalties

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

WEDNESDAY

Rangers 3

Flyer   4

FINAL

The Rangers are a rebuilding team, right?  

Therefore I don't mind the adversity.

Playing without Filip Chytil and Jacob Trouba due to injury, without Kaapo Kakko and K'Andre Miller due to COVID, and Artemi Panarin playing spy games back in the USSR, you just knew the Blueshirts would be in trouble.  But that's not to say the Flyers weren't missing bodies as well because they were.  

That doesn't excuse eight penalties.  Igor Shesterkin needed to be an octopus out there.  It also doesn't explain their continuing futility on the face-off, outdone by a 35-20 margin.  Face-offs mean possession; possession means potential shots; Philadelphia out-shot the Rangers by a wide 39-27 margin.

See what happens when you loiter around the net?  Sometimes it takes brute force and ignorance, and sometimes it takes a sense of what's happening around you.  Chris Kreider records a hat-trick with two power-play goals and one at even strength, all of the tip-in variety.  Phil Esposito made a career of cleaning up garbage in front to the tune of over 700 goals.  No one ever accused Espo of being the best skater on the ice.

Chris Kreider was assisted by his centermen, finally.  Mike Zibanejad, although still unable to cash in opportunities like last season, assisted on two of Kreider's goals.  Ryan Strome and Colin Blackwell also picked up assists.  All told, Rangers' centermen joined for ten shots on goal and four points.

The Rangers turned over the puck in their own end early in the first period and essentially stayed there until Erik Gustaffson opened the scoring at the 7:38 mark.  Afterwhich, they were resigned to playing catch-up the rest of the way while having to kill 12 minutes in penalties, not to mention two delays of games.  Said another way, it was a very sloppy game.

I'm also a little puzzled why Ryan Lindgren skated a blueline low 14:45 minutes, and Jack Johnson is out there for 19:01 minutes.

Lastly, on this night, with two forwards missing from the lineup, I'm disappointed Brendan Lemieux only got 10:19 of ice time.

N.Y. Rangers: A Blueline Special

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

STILL THE CENTER OF ATTENTION

Not their drubbing of the Islanders roughly two weeks ago; not their recent defeat of the Sabres; Monday night's game against the Penguins was the Rangers' best game of the season.

It took some overtime along the blue line.  Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba played over twenty-six minutes each.  Jack Johnson was thankfully off the ice, Tony DeAngelo cleared waivers, and Brendan Smith sustained an injury after six shifts.  Ryan Lindgren and K'Andre Miller both skated over 21 minutes.  Meanwhile, making his Rangers debut, New York State native Anthony Bitetto saw almost 15 minutes.  K'Andre Miller was the brightest star of the night, laying a big hit and making the biggest save of the game when it mattered most.  Adam Fox's shot from the point deflected in by Chris Kreider midway through the second period gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish, 

... unlike losing face-offs in your own end and giving up yet another third period lead.

A look at the other side sees sophomore defenseman John Marino skate for over 30:30 minutes.  Next in was Pierre-Olivier Joseph with 26:14 minutes.  No other Pittsburgh defenseman skated beyond 16 minutes.  Now consider the Rangers only mustered 23 shots on goal.

There's just no getting around it.  The Rangers are weak up the middle, not just now, but for a long-ass time.  I don't need to tell fans; we all know it.  The Devils beat us to Jack Hughes, but it appears the Rangers would have drafted Kaapo Kakko nonetheless.  Hughes so far has eight points through nine games with a plus-two.  But I digress.  Filip Chytil's injury compounds the Rangers dilemma.  The Rangers are dependent on Ryan Strome more now than ever.  That's not somewhere I want to be.

Rangers Centers:

• Mika Zibanejad - nine games, two points, minus-four.
• Ryan Strome - nine games, four points, plus-three.
• Brett Howden - nine games, one point, minus-one. 

Coach Quinn rejoined Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Pavel Buchnevich, who created multiple chances in the third period.

By the way, did you see my guy Brendan Lemieux the other night ... a big hit in the neutral zone, recovers the turnover, then scores!  

Igor Shesterkin gets the start.  He faces 26 shots and stops all but one.  After Jason Zucker's goal at 9:05 if the first period, Igor shut them out.  He stood up to intense pressure throughout the third period and particularly in the final minutes.  K'Andre Miller may have made the biggest save of the night, but Shesterkin made many excellent ones too.

This is what I mean by learning how to lose before you can win.  These youngsters are good learners.  Although their teacher has been pissing me off somewhat lately, it's cool.

Tony D'Angelo cleared waivers.  The Rangers are free to buy him out, or whatever it is they chose to do, but he will never again don a Blue Shirt.  That is certain.  He was problematic before arriving off-Broadway, he proved problematic here, and I'm not so sure other teams may want him as well.  The last straw was DeAngelo allegedly going after goalie Alexandar Georgiev for allowing the losing goal against Pittsburgh.  Rumor has it DeAngelo instigated a confrontation with his goalie in the tunnel on the way back to the locker room.  Sure, DeAngelo scored over 50 points last season, but truth be told, his defense has left a lot to be desired throughout.  He was a minus-six when the hammer fell.

File Monday's win against Pittsburgh under addition by subtraction.

N.Y. Rangers: Education of the Young Blueshirts Continues

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

DEFENSE

Fifteen Goals Against 

3rd Least East Division

PENGUINS SHMENGUINS ... ON TO BUFFALO and #SABRESMAFIA

Two blown third-period leads, two straight losses against the Penguins, and three losses in a row.  The Rangers are now 1-3-1 in a 56 game regular season.  

I don't mind, because I have no expectations.  Into the fire, let them play.  For now, I'm content with letting these young Blue Shirts learn how to lose.  By that, I mean coming to understand the fine line between playing sixty minutes and everything else.  It's part of the process.  If I may, the devil is in the details.  This is still a rebuilding team.  Therefore, I'm more interested in development, improvement, and progress. 

In the meantime, my eyes are peeled on Filip Chytil.  The biggest reasons are because on occasion he centers Alexis Lafreniere just as Coach Quinn has a tendency of shifting Kaapo Kakko up and down in lines.  Chytil, 21-years old, through five games, has two goals and one assist while averaging just under thirteen minutes of tice time.  Meanwhile, through five games Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko have posted a total of just two points.  Chytil assisted on Kaapo's second period goal in their second tilt against the Islanders.  Sunday's game against the Penguins was another instance wherein Kakko was lined up with Chytil and Philip Di Giuseppe who by the way has four assists in four games.

On that note, I prefer Coach roll out four lines more consistently.  What coach on occasion wouldn't want to add Artemi Panarin next to Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.  But I ask discipline of my coach.  I also want to see Brendan Lemieux more, and if that means next to Brett Howden and Julien Gauthier or Di Giuseppe on an acceptable rotational basis, so be it. 

CENTERS of ATTENTION

• Mika Zibanejad - 5 games; one goal; one assist; (-2); leads team w/ 16 SOG; 19:57 minutes.
• Ryan Strome - 5 games; one goal; no assists; (-1); second on team w/ 14 SOG; 20:11 minutes.
• Filip Chytil - 5 games; two goals; one assist; (+3); 12 SOG; 12:56 minutes.

As we know, the defense was a big problem last season.  So far, they've allowed the third least goals within the eight team East Division.  Only the Devils and Islanders have yielded less.  Adam Fox is fast becoming a star, and for the moment, Ryan Lindgren is winning the day.  Along with Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller, the four are settling the blue line.  Lest we forget the Rangers potentially still have more talent on the way.  Therefore, this is still a work in progress.  In the meantime, I can do without Jack Johnson's experience.  He is wasting roster space and stealing minutes away from, say, Tony DeAngelo and Brendan Smith.  I imagine Tony DeAngelo is still trying to regain a comfortable space within the locker room, but his play, coming off a 53-point season in 68 games, speaks for itself.  Brendan Smith is still capable on a third pair for as long he's not opposing top line forwards.  But I'd still rather see Smith with DeAngelo in a somewhat regular rotation than having Jack Johnson on the ice.

UPDATE: Jan. 26, 2021, 1:26 p.m.

NYP - FILIP CHYTIL OUT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS

N.Y. Rangers: Everything Is Deteriorating According To Plan

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

TEX's RANGERS: UNDER RENOVATION

New York Rangers: Jeff Gorton Trades Rick Nash; Extracts Two More Draft Picks From Boston Bruins.

MONDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE:

Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller Traded to Tampa Bay Lightning

Three cheers for another loss ... this time against the Detroit Red Wings.  That makes seven in a row, and gives the Rangers a sorry-ass 2-10-1 record for February.

Hey!  Hey!  Hey!

It's just a shame it had to happen on the same night Jean Ratelle's sweater was hoisted to the rafters at Madison Square Garden.

They'll nevertheless finish out the month with one last game against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday.  After which, less than twenty games will remain in the regular season.

As of close of business Sunday, the Rangers 60-points are seventh worst in the league.  Eleven points separate them from the 30th ranked Buffalo Sabres, while fourteen points separate them from the 31st ranked Phoenix Coyotes.

And, yet, there's still hope this can get worse.  Jeff Gorton, fans like myself, and the future of the next Cup contenders are counting on these guys to really suck down the stretch.  So, just keep them losses coming, fellas, and let's hope a little draft lottery luck comes our way.

In the meantime, Jeff Gorton's deconstruction seems to have gained momentum.  Hopefully there are a few more transactions coming before Monday's trade deadline.  And the more draft picks Gorton acquires, the better.

So far, he's reeled in a nice catch.

• February 20: Nick Holden remarkably traded to Boston in exchange for defender Rob O'Gara and Boston's third round pick of the 2018 draft.  I wouldn't have given the NYR three pucks and a roll of tape.  But that's just me ...

• February 23: Michael Grabner traded across the Hudson River to rival New Jersey Devils in exchange for defender Yegor Rykov and Newark's second round pick of the 2018 draft.

• February 25: Rich Nash traded to Boston in exchange for three players (Ryan Spooner, Matt Belesky, and prospect defender Ryan Lindgren), plus the Bruins first round pick of the 2018 draft, and their seventh round pick of the 2019 draft.

But Gorton also did a good job acquiring three young defensemen.

• D - Rob O'Gara is 24-years old, 6'4" 215 lbs.
• D - Yegor Rykov is 20-years old, 6'1" 205 lbs.
• D - Ryan Lindgren is 20-years old, a stocky 5'11" 203 lbs.

The Captain, Ryan McDonagh, continues missing games (as a precautionary measure in the event of another deadline trade).  Like I've said, I'm not buying into his upper-body injury jive.

I'd like to think Mats Zuccarello, J.T. Miller, Kevin Shattenkirk, and perhaps a few other Rangers could and will garner some interest.   But it's very unlikely Henrik Lundqvist goes anywhere, that is unless a team is willing to take on the full brunt of his contract.

Let's put it this way ... the only players I want the Rangers retaining are Pavel Buchnevich, Mika Zibanejad, and Brady Skjei.


UPDATE:

• February 26: Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller traded to Tampa Bay Lighting in exchange for forward Vladislav Namestnikov, prospects Libor Hajek and Brett Howden, the Bolts first round pick of the 2018 draft, and a conditional second round pick in the 2019 draft.

Vladislav Namestnikov was selected by Tampa in the first round (27th) of the 2011 draft.  A natural center, the 25-year old is listed at 5'11" 180 lbs.  He is in the midst of his best season with 20 goals and 24 assists through 62 games.

• D - Libor Hajek is 20-years old, 6'2" 196 lbs.
• C - Brett Howden is 19-years old, 6'2" 193 lbs. 

The Rangers now own three number one picks; a pair of number two picks, and two number three picks for the upcoming 2018 June entry draft.