Tonight the Rangers played a good team. Not a great team. A good team. And they were blown out of the water 6-3 in a game that wasn't even that close. Vancouver even had a clear goal waved off by the officials due to a bad call by the ref and a replay that didn't prove beyond a shadow of the doubt that the puck went across the goal line. But they didn't need it. The Canucks put the Rangers on their heels early and dictated the play for much of the night on their way to a solid win to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Islanders. That's right, the Islanders beat the Canucks and the Canucks hammered the Rangers. Not good. So, so very not good.
*The crutch was kicked out from under the Rangers as Henrik Lundqvist played a pedestrian game. Hank gave up five goals before giving himself the hook and heading to the bench. It is hard to blame him for at least three of those five but with a incompetent defensive corps and a offense that has trouble scoring, Hank has to be great - and he wasn't. It is a shame that he will shoulder so much of the blame for this loss but the Rangers need perfection from him to succeed and they didn't get it. *Apologists for the offense will point out that the power play went 2-6 in this one but the turning point came in the first period. Shane O'Brien took the first of his many penalties in the game and the Ranger power play couldn't put the puck in despite getting acres of landscape to shoot at. Instead, Alex Burrows scored a shorthanded goal and the snowball started rolling down the mountain.
*Chris Drury did what he could to stop the avalanche but even his pretty goal wasn't enough. What gets me is that he was signed for his leadership, not because of his scoring ability - where are the guys who were signed for those skills??
*Willie Mitchell had a helluva game - six blocked shots, four hits, and +1 in 25:23 of ice time. He makes $3.5 million a year. Think they will trade him? We could use an actual defensman ...
*That is because the Rangers waste salary cap space and roster spots on Michal Rozsival and Wade Redden - the two biggest wastes of money in the NHL. Neither one proved to be capable of anything in this game, failing on both sides of the ice. When you invest $10.5 million in two players, you expect some things in return and three shorthanded goals against on their turnovers certainly isn't one of those things. They are horrid and yet Tom Renney does nothing to motivate them. I was asked if it was too early to buy out their contracts and I tendered the idea that they should be lent to the Russian League, just to get them out of the Garden. Neither one is a realistic option and we will just have to sit and hope that they remember how to be top flight defensemen - even if neither one ever achieved that level of skill. *Nik Zherdev's level of skill is scary. Z made some stellar moves, as per usual, but either he deked around two guys just to lose the puck to a third or he couldn't get off a shot after making a stunning move.
*The heavyweight battle between Darcy Hordichuk and Colton Orr never materialized. The two chatted over the red line during warmups but Orr took a bad penalty with the team down 4-1 in the second period and never saw the ice again. Why carry an enforcer if you aren't going to use him to spark your team when needed?
*Why haven't the Canucks retired Pavel Bure's number? Even without it being in the rafters, I was surprised to see No. 10 out on the ice (Ryan Johnson? who?).
*The game started at 7:30 to accommodate Canadian broadcaster TSN and that led to the sign of the night. There was a woman holding an oaktag that said:Thank you
So very much
Nazzy!!
There was a surprising number of Vancouver fans and they all seemed to be cheering for their former captain in addition to their own team. Seeing that kind of love and respect makes you appreciate having him more. I just hope he shows us the kind of effort that he gave to them; he hasn't come close yet. He had a few good moments, skating nearly 23 minutes, but doesn't have the jump or strength that he once did and had trouble getting into good scoring positions.
*What also was odd was the complete inability of the Rangers connect on their passes and get out of their zone in the first period. It looked like the Canucks were playing the little Rangers, completely dominating the Rangers. Maybe it was that 7:30 start: the Rangers just thought it was the second period so they didn't really try.
*Is Dmitri Kalinin the best Ranger defenseman right now? Rozy and Redden are awful, Mara is playing frustrated, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal are trying to do too much ... while Kalinin has been almost solid. I'm scared!!
*There was a new logo on the ice - that of Vitamin Water. They have tried to do more subtle advertising before by getting Hank to wear their hat during interviews but now there is a bottle painted on the ice. It looked quite weird and, unfortunately, didn't make me want to drink their product seeing as the Rangers soiled the ice it was advertised on with this stinker of a game.
*Why would Tom Renney call a timeout with two minutes left in the game trailing 5-3? Wouldn't it have made more sense earlier, when the Rangers actually had a realistic chance of catching up?
*The kids - Lauri Korpikoski, Dan Fritsche, Nigel Dawes and Brandon Dubinsky - all put together mediocre, inconsistent efforts and the door is now open for Petr Prucha to return to the ice.
*Speaking of returns, when Scott Gomez "returns from his vacation" (as my buddy Jay phrased it), here is a thought: play him on defense. Gomez knows how to play in his own zone - thank you Lou - and he can skate the puck across the neutral zone to jumpstart the rush. He can't be any worse then Redden or Rozy in the Ranger zone and his passing and skating skills are miles above both ...*PHW Three Stars
3-Jannik Hansen - two assists.
2-Kyle Wellwood - one goal.
1-Alex Burrows - two goals.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Stephen Valiquette - Valley came in and stopped all 15 shots he faced to give the Rangers a chance to battle back. They didn't, but it wasn't his fault.
2-Burrows - Burrows is a role player but man can his wheels roll. He showed off lightning fast speed that allowed him to blow by the slow, soft, out of position defenders.
1-Hansen - The Dane, a 2004 9th round draft pick, continued his stellar start to the season with a few points but the reason he gets the top star is because he also went down to block a big shot in the late second period and got nailed up high. But, like Braydon Coburn in that Versus commercial, he came back.
14-6-2: Don't Believe The Hype - Deconstructing the Rangers' Season So Far
In the world of professional sports, the media and fans often swing between extremes of optimism and pessimism, especially when it comes to the performance of their favorite teams. The New York Rangers are no exception to this rollercoaster of emotions. As of their record at 14-6-2, there's a wide spectrum of opinions regarding their performance. In this article, we'll examine the Rangers' season thus far, deconstructing the hype and analyzing the key factors that have contributed to their success.
I. The Early-Season Optimism
At the start of the season, optimism was high among Rangers fans. The team had made significant offseason moves, including acquiring high-profile players, and there was a sense that this could be their year to contend for the Stanley Cup.
II. The Hype Train
The Rangers' strong start to the season led to the creation of the "hype train." Fans and media alike were quick to jump on board, with discussions of championship aspirations and the possibility of a deep playoff run dominating the narrative.
III. Deconstructing the Success
While the Rangers' 14-6-2 record is certainly impressive, it's essential to deconstruct their success to gain a more nuanced understanding of their performance.
Goaltending Excellence: The standout performance of their goaltender(s) has been a crucial factor. Goaltending is often the backbone of successful teams, and the Rangers have benefited from outstanding netminding.
Defensive Improvements: Defensive improvements have been evident this season. The team has reduced goals against, showcasing better structure and discipline in their own end.
Depth Scoring: Scoring contributions from all lines, not just the top stars, have played a significant role. Depth scoring provides consistency and takes the pressure off star players.
IV. Managing Expectations
While the Rangers' success is undeniably positive, it's crucial to manage expectations. The NHL is a long and grueling season, and early-season success doesn't guarantee a championship.
V. The Road Ahead
To maintain their success, the Rangers must continue to focus on the fundamentals that have brought them to this point. This includes consistent goaltending, strong defensive play, and balanced scoring.
VI. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Are the Rangers genuine Stanley Cup contenders this season?
A1: While their strong start is promising, the NHL playoffs are highly competitive, and success is not guaranteed. The Rangers have the pieces for a deep run, but it's essential to remain cautious.
Q2: Which players have been standout performers for the Rangers?
A2: Goaltenders, defensemen, and forwards have all made significant contributions. Standout players include the goaltenders, top-line stars, and depth forwards who have consistently chipped in.
Q3: What challenges lie ahead for the Rangers?
A3: The challenges include maintaining consistency throughout the season, navigating injuries, and performing well against tough opponents, especially in the postseason.
VII. Conclusion
The New York Rangers' 14-6-2 start to the season is undoubtedly reason for optimism and excitement among fans. However, it's crucial to approach the hype with caution and remember that the NHL season is a marathon, not a sprint. Deconstructing their success reveals key factors that have contributed to their performance, but the road ahead is still long and challenging. Rangers fans can look forward to an exciting season, but they must remain grounded and focused on the ultimate goal: the pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
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