On Tuesday night the New York Rangers played up to their opponents and Thursday night they played down to them. The players and the coaching staff harped upon "consistency" earlier this season, and the Rangers were consistent - for every big-time, heart-warming effort, they come right back and crush your soul with a disgusting disappointment. I guess we have to be thankful that Thursday's tilt was a 2-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators as it was the kind of letdown that happens against the Islanders on a seemingly regular basis - a younger, hungrier team outworked the more talented, complacent, overpaid clowns wearing Blueshirts.
Ottawa was desperate to break a five game losing streak and was filled with AHLers filling on for their injured top-end talent. New York was drunk on their recent success and staggered out onto the ice to be out-hustled buzzer to buzzer. The score was 2-0 and the shots were 33-32 but the game wasn't nearly as close. If the Senators had any skill, they would have gotten out of the first period ahead 4-0 with two posts and two blown empty nets. Instead, it took until the 18:46 mark of the third period for them to break onto the scoreboard and bust the hearts and hopes of the Garden crowd.
The coach clearly has no answers. The general manager/president doesn't care. The players are happy to collect their money and be coddled by one of the nicest over-spending organizations in our sport. So what do you expect? On some nights they will get by on talent alone, on others they will get by on the back of Henrik Lundqvist and on the rest they will fail ever so painfully. Like tonight.
Notes:
*Hank was furious when he was finally scored on and smashed his stick to pieces. Major kudos to one of the Garden ice guys who retrieved the stick and passed it through a photographer window after the game to a little kid. That is one awesome souvenir. *Chris Campoli? Really? Of all of the Senators, why did it have to be a former Islander that scored the game-winner?
*And why was Arty Anisimov out on the ice for it? The great Russian void spent most of the game ensuring all of Sean Avery's efforts were for naught and got clocked in the third period. And yet Tortorella puts him over the boards with a point in the standings on the line. You hope that giving kids big minutes in big situations pays off, but you do that when you are hopelessly out of the playoffs. Even with Vinny Prospal a winded shell of the player he was pre-injury, there still was no reason for Arty to be out there with the game on the line. This kid needs to be sent back to Hartford to gain 20 pounds of muscle and an understanding that he can't sit back and watch the plays around him.
*Avery, by the way, was the only Ranger actively going after the puck and pressing the action. The rest of his teammates showed the most emotion and effort pushing and shoving in after-whistle scrums.
*Donald Brashear apologists - did you folks enjoy his performance? Two fights for fighting's sake and two losses. The first tussle with Matt Carkner Brashear auditioned for the role of Huggy Bear in the Broadway version of Starsky & Hutch before being pulled to the ice. In the sequel, Brash landed a few punches before Carkner clocked him. Ruutu and Neil were running around, starting many of the aforementioned post-whistle scrums and Brash fights in two staged bouts and loses both. Neanderthal. *Now I know that the current Sens logo is ugly, but why did most Rangers feel they had to shoot the puck right at it? Mmmmiiiiikkkkkeeeee Brodeur made two, maybe three tough saves in the entire game as the Blueshirts kept throwing the puck at his chest from the middle of the circles.
*It is painful to say it but Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were both terrible, to the point where they were worse than Rozy. Ugh, I feel dirty for just typing that but it's true.
*Hobey Gilroy was barely there but he showed that he is capable of carrying the puck 200 feet with one impressive rush in the third period. It was just a shame that he couldn't finish it. As a friend mentioned the other day, if Hobey was the 19 year old and MDZ the 25 year old, things would make much more sense this season.
*Both Chris Drury and Marian Gaborik blew breakaways with barely a move. That is the captain who is supposed to be clutch and the superstar scorer who hasn't scored in four games. Sure both were slightly covered and Drury drew a power play but both should be able to score on those opportunities. Because lord knows the PP won't put the puck in.
*The power play was 0-2 and awful as usual but at least they didn't give up any shorthanded goals. I consider any Ranger man advantage a success when they don't allow any shorties. It's the little things in life, you know?
*During a break, the Garden had a thing about Haiti and Red Cross donations - which I find hilarious. The Rangers play above Penn Station where dozens of homeless and mentally ill sleep for a few hours every single night, but they aren't as sexy a cause as earthquake relief in a third world country.
*I couldn't bring my sign and risk my season tickets but I still held out some hope that the Sens would take Wade Redden back. They didn't. Dammit.
*Just threw on Ranger Rewind and am watching Dan Blackburn be interviewed by John Giannone. I always liked Blackburn and cringed when Giannone asked him how he wasn't bitter about being forced to retire at 25. That is just a horrible question. Still, the kid handled it with class so that was nice to see.
*Blair Betts was -4 in Philly's 4-0 blanking by Toronto. That has nothing to do with the Ranger game, just something else to depress me tonight.
*PHW Three Stars3-Chris Campoli - one goal.
2-Henrik Lundqvist - 32 saves.
1-Mike Brodeur - 32 saves.
Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Chris Phillips/Anton Volchenkov - Why couldn't we get Phillips instead of Redden? Phillips is quiet but consistently solid and skates alongside Volchenkov as one outstanding shutdown pairing. Of course the Rangers didn't test them too often but I won't take anything away from them.
2-Hank - The Rangers don't support him offensively. The Rangers don't support him defensively. And yet he still gives them a chance to win. Long live the King.
1-Cory Clouston - Clouston had his team ready to play. John Tortorella did not. Clouston's team skated off the ice with two points. Tortorella's didn't. That simple.
22-18-7: Analyzing the New York Rangers' Season Midway
The NHL season is a grueling and relentless journey, a marathon rather than a sprint. At the midway point of the season, the New York Rangers find themselves in a familiar position, battling for playoff contention. With a record of 22-18-7, the team's performance has had its highs and lows, and now is an ideal time to analyze their season thus far.
The Roller Coaster Ride
The Rangers' season has been a roller coaster of emotions for both players and fans. It's a season that has seen winning streaks followed by frustrating losses. While consistency has been elusive, there are many positive aspects to consider.
Analyzing the Strengths
1. The Panarin Effect:
Artemi Panarin continues to be the driving force behind the Rangers' offense. His playmaking abilities and scoring prowess make him one of the most exciting players to watch in the NHL.
2. Emerging Stars:
The Rangers have seen the emergence of young talent like Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafrenière, and Igor Shesterkin. These players represent the future of the franchise and have shown glimpses of their potential.
3. Special Teams:
The power play has been a significant asset for the Rangers, ranking among the league's best. Effective special teams play can often be the difference-maker in tight games.
Addressing the Challenges
1. Defensive Struggles:
The Rangers have faced challenges on the defensive end, including issues with turnovers and maintaining consistent coverage in their own zone. Improvements are needed to reduce the number of goals allowed.
2. Goaltending Situation:
While Igor Shesterkin has been solid, the backup goaltending position has been a concern. A reliable backup is essential to provide rest for Shesterkin and maintain performance consistency.
3. Inconsistent Scoring:
Beyond Panarin, the Rangers have struggled with secondary scoring. Depth scoring is crucial for long-term success, and finding consistent contributions from multiple lines is a priority.
Strategies Moving Forward
To improve their position in the standings and secure a playoff spot, the Rangers need to focus on several key strategies:
1. Defensive Responsibility:
Addressing defensive lapses and turnovers should be a priority. Improved defensive play will relieve pressure on the goaltenders.
2. Secondary Scoring:
Coach Gerard Gallant must find ways to spark secondary scoring. Line combinations and player utilization should be optimized to generate offense throughout the lineup.
3. Goaltending Depth:
Acquiring a reliable backup goaltender before the trade deadline could provide Shesterkin with the necessary rest and stability in net.
4. Special Teams Consistency:
Maintaining the effectiveness of the power play and shoring up the penalty kill will be critical in close games.
5. Mental Toughness:
The Rangers need to develop mental resilience to bounce back from losses and stay focused during challenging stretches of the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Rangers' recent playoff history?
The Rangers have made several playoff appearances in recent years, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014.
2. How has Gerard Gallant performed as the Rangers' head coach?
Gerard Gallant has brought an aggressive and offensive-minded approach to coaching. His impact on the team's style of play has been noticeable.
3. Which young players should fans watch for in the second half of the season?
Keep an eye on Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafrenière, and Vitali Kravtsov, as they continue to develop and contribute.
4. What are the Rangers' playoff prospects this season?
The Rangers are in a competitive division, but with the right adjustments and improvements, they have a strong chance of making the playoffs.
5. How important is the trade deadline for the Rangers?
The trade deadline presents an opportunity for the Rangers to address their needs, especially in goaltending and defensive depth.
In conclusion, the New York Rangers' season at the midway point is a mixture of promise and challenges. They have shown flashes of their potential, but addressing their weaknesses and maintaining consistency will be crucial in securing a playoff spot. As the season progresses, fans can expect an exciting and unpredictable journey as the Rangers continue to pursue success in the NHL.
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