Pluses and Minuses
With the Rangers just a couple of weeks away from the NHL trade deadline (March 4th), the players in the organization no longer just have to worry whether they’ll be dressing in Broadway Blue, but whether the new man behind the bench will make them be successful, or perhaps send their careers the wrong way. […]
Change As Good As A Holiday?
Reading the comments from many fans after yesterday’s firing of Tom Renney, and one might come away with the feeling that the season is suddenly saved, and the Rangers are once again a playoff contender. After spirally towards the bottom of the playoff picture with ten losses in the last twelve games, it’s clear that […]
Home Cooking
Before the lockout, the Rangers were known mostly for one thing: failure. Seven years of playoff futility was highlighted by a stream of aging, high priced veterans, who for the most part failed to perform in the bright spotlight of Broadway. Four and a half years on, and the Rangers have moved on with three […]
Leaving Henrik Out to Dry
by Mark Owens The Rangers are making an annual event out of blowing four-goal leads. Last season’s meltdown in Montreal was brutal, but it was a road game in one of the most intimidating buildings in the NHL. Wednesday night’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Capitals was more troubling. The Rangers hadn’t blown a four-goal […]
Hank and Team Defense Carrying the Team
by Mark Owens Only three NHL defensemen have a worse plus/minus than Dmitri Kalinin. At -10, Kalinin leads the team in this category. He also seems to bring the worst out of whichever defenseman he is paired with. Aside from Sunday’s team-wide malfunction, is it any surprise that Michal Rozsival‘s play improved immensely once he was reunited […]
A Game-Changing Power Play and Other Surprises
by Mark Owens Last season’s power play unit ranked 22nd in the NHL and continually failed to help the team win close games. This failure came to a head in the playoff loss to the Penguins, when the Rangers squandered one power play after another during the five games. In this season’s first 10 games, Brandon […]
Rissmiller On Waivers
The Rangers have placed Patrick Rissmiller on waivers, and if he is not claimed he’ll likely be reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack. The move would free up just under $1 million in cap room if he is indeed sent down. Rissmiller made just his second start for the Rangers last night, in their 2-1 loss to the visiting Dallas Stars. […]
Looking To Extend Streak
New York has gotten off to a fast start and will go for a franchise best 6-0 record tonight (7:00pm – MSG), hosting the Buffalo Sabres (also undefeated). The Sabres are already struggling with injuries at the center position, and will be without Jochen Hecht who underwent surgery on his finger yesterday. Winning streaks are nothing new for Chris Drury, who was part of […]
Some Things Never Change
by Mark Owens Let’s get one thing out of the way: Chris Drury will be the second-best captain the Rangers have had in the past 30 years. He is more than ready to lead this team, especially with seven new players and legends Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan out of the picture. The team’s average age is now 26, down from […]
Rangers Beat Senators
The Rangers evened up their preseason record with a 2-1 win over the Senators last night at MSG. Petr Nedved and Lauri Korpikoski scored the goals, as the Rangers dominated play, but were unable to convert many opportunities. Henrik Lundqvist was perfect through two periods, and played down stories about his knees, saying he’s fine. Matt Zaba came in, in the third period and […]