27-16-4: Puttering Out In Pittsburgh

The Rangers came into Pittsburgh today on a nice roll to play against a divisional foe who has been reeling of late and all-too-predictable fell flat on their faces. New York allowed themselves to be kept out on the perimeter and couldn't break the ice as they got shut out 3-0 by the Pens.

Perhaps there was too much emotion invested in the penalty-fest on Friday, perhaps afternoon starts don't agree with the players and their precious routines, perhaps this team just doesn't have the leadership to keep the team motivated game-in-and-game-out. It doesn't matter. The loss is in the books and the Blueshirts sullied what had been a stellar road trip with a vanilla loss to a injury-riddled team.

*Henrik Lundqvist should feel bad after this one. Allowing a light shot by an AHL nobody in Chris Menard to beat him over the shoulder is unacceptable, no matter how perfect the feed from former Ranger Petr Sykora. The play was telegraphed and Hank went down too soon. Then he didn't learn from his mistake and dropped to his knees again when Tyler Kennedy skated in alone and snapped off a shot to make it a 2-0 game.

*But perhaps Hank's shortcomings aren't entirely his fault. Thus far this season he has shown an inability to get rolling for long periods of time and after three great starts, why should he start an afternoon away game against a lesser opponent? This would have been a perfect opportunity to get the capable Stephen Valiquette a start and allow Hank some rest before starting against the tough Ducks at home on Tuesday.

*How is this for curious decisions: the NBC production staff decided to put the talent on camera to talk about the state of the Rangers instead of showing a replay of the first penalty of the game, a legit two minute hook by Chris Drury. After the controversy around the officiating on Friday - which they had already talked about - the network should have felt obligated to show the call instead of giving Eddie O cameratime.

*Speaking of replays, they showed two of the Menard goal and both were cut so tightly that you couldn't actually see what happened. You would have thought that NBC would had shaken off the rust with the Winter Classic ...

*I guess kudos are in store for the Rangers not to retaliate to the big hit on Rozsival in the first period, as the goonery surrounding checking lately has reached preposterous levels. But at the same time, why didn't someone take a run at Whitney or Crosby the next shift? Credit to Colton Orr for chasing down Crosby the next period and goading him into a penalty. It is not pretty, it doesn't mesh with the Code, but the league has taken the code out of the players' hands so who says they have to abide by it? That isn't to say that they should run around and cheap shot (or run the goaltender like Matt Cooke did), but targeting the top players and get them off of their games is good hockey. Esa Tikkanen made a career out of it.

*When big, slow, dumb Eric Godard is blocking your shots, there is something wrong. Wade Redden is a disgrace.

*The Crosby dive to get a penalty shot was classic Cindy - undress a defenseman (Redden, of course), then fall down like you are shot when a stick touches you from behind. Just how does his feet fall out from under him when there is a hook to his midsection?

*They don't make them all that swift in Pittsburgh, huh? Late in the second period they showed Steeler fans in the crowd posing for the cameras holding up Terrible Towels and one of them was upside down. SMRT.

*I like Pierre McGuire. He is interesting, intelligent and well spoken - even if I disagree with some of his opinions. His observation late in the first that the Rangers were giving the Pens too much space was spot-on. Getting solid analysis is a refreshing change from the buffoonery we are usually force fed by Joe Micheletti.

*At the same time, when Doc made the joke that "you feel shame when you sit in the penalty box" Eddie O replied "Thank you Mr. Dunlop." Major, major negative points for for that. The original line in Slap Shot was by Denis Lemieux!! No wonder Olczyk got fired from coaching, HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT HOCKEY. That was exemplified later in the period when Eddie called the Mexican't Gomez one of the Rangers "top players."

*Gomez really is selfish fool. He was on the ice to kill a penalty in the third period and he started challenging Philippe Boucher to a fight. In the Pens zone, while the puck is headed back into the Ranger end. Tell me why he has that letter on his jersey again?

*Why don't the Rangers forecheck? Paul Mara and Dmitri Kalinin looked terrible allowing Petr Sykora to slip in and score the Pens third goal, but if there was a body on Ryan Whitney, then the defenseman wouldn't have had the time and space to spot the perfect pass up-ice ... just like McGuire said earlier, but didn't point out at the time of the goal.

*And another question for you: when you have a 4-on-3 power play with Crosby and Malkin in the penalty box, why wouldn't the Rangers have three forwards and a defenseman on the ice? Putting both Rozy and Redden out there is a piss-poor move by Renney, especially when you are being blown out 3-0. Redden has one power play point in his last 23 games, just what is he going to do out there?

*PHW Three Stars
3-Chris Minard - one goal.
2-Petr Sykora - one goal and one assist.
1-Marc-Andre Fleury - 33 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Tyler Kennedy - I have always liked this kid because he hustles and he did in this game. When he is on, like in this game, he is disruptive with his energy and relentlessness. And his release on the goal was purty.
2-Jordan Staal - Was there a shift when the Pens were deep in the Ranger zone when Staal wasn't on the ice? He was all over the place, on the power play, on the penalty kill ... for the first time in a while, he won the battle of the Staals.
1-Sykora - I never understood why the Rangers got rid of him. Sykora is a solid sniper who is a capable puck handler and is responsible defensively - exactly what the Rangers could use (among other things).

 27-16-4: Puttering Out In Pittsburgh - A Rangers' Rollercoaster Season

The New York Rangers' 2023-2024 NHL season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, marked by ups, downs, and unexpected twists. With a current record of 27-16-4, the Rangers find themselves in a position to make a playoff run, but their journey has been far from predictable. In this article, we will delve into the Rangers' season so far, examining the highs, lows, key players, and what the future might hold for the Blueshirts.

The Highs

Emergence of Young Talent: One of the most promising aspects of the Rangers' season has been the emergence of young stars. Players like Alexis Lafrenière, Kaapo Kakko, and Vitali Kravtsov have showcased their potential, providing hope for a bright future.

Goaltending Stability: Igor Shesterkin has been a rock in the Rangers' net. His exceptional play and consistency have been instrumental in the team's success, earning him consideration as one of the league's elite goaltenders.

Strong Power Play: The Rangers have boasted one of the league's most potent power-play units, capitalizing on their opportunities with skilled playmakers and sharpshooters.

Team Resilience: The Blueshirts have displayed resilience, bouncing back from tough losses and finding ways to win games, even when trailing.

The Lows

Inconsistent Performance: The Rangers have faced periods of inconsistency, struggling to maintain winning streaks and occasionally falling to teams they should beat.

Defensive Struggles: While the offense has been dynamic, the defense has had its share of challenges. Defensive breakdowns and lapses have led to costly goals against.

Injuries: Like many teams, the Rangers have dealt with injuries to key players, impacting their lineup and chemistry at times.

Tough Competition: The Metropolitan Division is one of the toughest in the NHL, with strong teams like the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins providing stiff competition.

Key Players

Igor Shesterkin: As mentioned earlier, Shesterkin has been the backbone of the team. His remarkable saves and ability to steal games have been invaluable.

Artemi Panarin: Panarin continues to be a scoring machine, providing both goals and assists. His creativity on the ice is a major asset.

Mika Zibanejad: Zibanejad has been a consistent offensive force, contributing crucial goals and maintaining a strong presence in the faceoff circle.

Adam Fox: Fox has been a standout defenseman, quarterbacking the power play and making key defensive plays.

What Lies Ahead

As the Rangers approach the latter part of the season, several questions loom large:

Playoff Aspirations: Can the Rangers secure a playoff spot in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division? If so, how will they fare in the postseason?

Trade Deadline: Will the team be active at the trade deadline, seeking to bolster their roster for a playoff run? Conversely, could they make moves to secure future assets?

Development of Young Talent: Can the young talent on the roster continue to grow and contribute at a high level?

Coaching Decisions: How will head coach Gerard Gallant manage the lineup and strategies to optimize the team's chances of success?

The Rangers' 27-16-4 season has been a rollercoaster filled with highs, lows, and the promise of a bright future. With a mix of established stars and emerging young talent, the team is poised to make noise in the NHL. As the season progresses, Rangers fans will be eagerly watching, hoping for a return to the playoffs and the possibility of another championship banner hanging in Madison Square Garden. One thing is certain: in the world of sports, nothing is ever predictable, and that's what makes every game worth watching.