Top Rangers Play Tournament: (6) Dan Carcillo vs. (11) Hank’s 35 saves in Game 7 against Pittsburgh
August 19, 2018, by · Comments
The next matchup in this tournament pits Dan Carcillo against one of Henrik Lundqvist’s masterpieces. It’s funny, because I don’t even need to mention what Carcillo did, and you all know what I’m referring to. Carcillo had a great series against the Flyers in 2014, scoring pivotal goals in games 3 and 7, sending a message to Flyers fans as well.
As for Hank, well he always showed up in Game 7, and this was one of his best performances. Hank made 35 saves on the road in Pittsburgh, including a late barrage in the third –and one that deflected off a stray stick in the crease– as the Penguins tried to tie the game up. It was one of many jaw dropping performances from The King. It was also the capper to a 3-1 series comeback.
(6) Carcillo scores two against Flyers
Top Rangers Play Tournament: (4) Marc Staal OT winner vs. (13) Hagelin SHG sets tone in Game 4
August 18, 2018, by · Comments
As expected, the Derick Brassard/Benoit Pouliot OT winner took out Jimmy Vesey’s diving tying goal yesterday. Today is another OT winner, Marc Staal’s in Game 5 against the Caps, taking on Carl Hagelin’s shorthanded goal to start the scoring in Game 4 against Montreal.
Staal’s goal in Game 5 against Washington was the cap to the unlikeliest of comebacks, as the a pair of powerplay goals courtesy of Joel Ward’s high sticking penalty catapulted the Rangers into the next round. The Hagelin goal gave the Rangers an early lead while shorthanded in Game 4 against Montreal, a game the Rangers would win to but a stranglehold on the series.
(4) Marc Staal OT Winner
Top Rangers Play Bracket: (5) Brassard/Pouliot OT winner vs. (12) Vesey diving goal
August 17, 2018, by · Comments
The next matchup for the top Rangers play bracket pits an OT winner against an all-out effort for a goal. Derick Brassard scored the OT winner against Pittsburgh in Game 1 during the 2014 playoff run. It wasn’t actually called a goal initially, and Benoit Pouliot later buried an insurance tally 30 seconds later. After review, the goal was given back to Brassard.
The Jimmy Vesey goal against Ottawa in 2017 was another goal that wasn’t called right away. This one had Vesey in front of the net in the third period, diving to chip in a loose puck to give the Rangers a lead in the third period. Unfortunately, the Rangers coughed up the lead and the game in overtime.
(5) Derick Brassard/Kevin Hayes win it in OT at Pittsburgh
5 Things to Watch™ for the 2018-2019 Season
August 17, 2018, by · Comments
www.nhl.com
For the first time since Lockout II, we as Rangers’ fans embark on a season in which we have no realistic expectation of contention. Last year, many of us could see leaks in the ship, but there was still talent in the lineup and a generational goaltender to keep our delusions intact. Twelve months, an open letter to fans and a massive roster shake up later, we know that our beloved Blueshirts are rebuilding.
This is a transitional year in more ways than one. While the team did a nice job in turning veterans into young assets and re-loading through the Draft, many of the organizations’ tippy top prospects aren’t ready for the bigs, just yet. A couple are over in Russia and a few are in the NCAA/Junior ranks for the 2018-2019 season. As we wade into this unfamiliar territory where we know the team isn’t going to contend, but we aren’t really watching the full potential of the future either, I’ve been thinking about what are productive takeaways to be watching for next season. Read More→
Top Rangers Play Bracket: (8) Can You Hear Us vs. (9) Kreider ties it against Montreal
August 16, 2018, by · Comments
As expected, Henrik Lundqvist’s acrobatic windmill save took out Chris Kreider exploding onto the scene in 2012. Now we have a tough one, with the epic “Can You Hear Us” chant taking on Kreider (again), this time his tying goal in Game 3 against Montreal. Both were amazing moments, but both preceded defeat in their games.
I was at the Can You Hear Us game, and it was one of the best moments I’ve had at a game. Of course it ended in the 2OT loss, and then the night ended for me by being the last person at MSG, and security coming up to me (and Becky) and saying we need to leave. I just kinda sat there, stunned. Kudos to Becky for leaving me alone and letting me sulk.
(8) Can You Hear Us
Revisiting the expansion draft
August 16, 2018, by · Comments
A little over a year ago, we were all experiencing our first expansion draft in the digital age. We were able to discuss, speculate, and predict everything from protection lists to mock drafts with strangers across the internet. The rules were made public, and the protection lists were eventually made public as well. We had conversations for months.
In the end, the Rangers lost Oscar Lindberg to expansion. Based on who was made available, it was really only a decision between him and Michael Grabner. There was a possibility that Vegas would have taken Jesper Fast, but Lindberg –the center– was always the more logical choice. In the end, it was between the young center and the speedy winger.
But let’s play a game here. What if Vegas took Michael Grabner instead?
Top Rangers Play Bracket: (1) Hank windmill save vs. (16) Kreider vs Caps in 2012
August 15, 2018, by · Comments
With the first round of the left side completed, it’s time to start the first round of the right side. First up is Henrik Lundqvist’s windmill save against Montreal in 2014 going up against Chris Kreider bursting on the scene with his goal against the Caps in 2012.
(1) Lundqvist’s windmill save
Looking at PTO options for camp
August 15, 2018, by · Comments
We are halfway through August, which means hockey is about one month away. This is around the time when guys who haven’t signed yet are looking for any chance they can get. That means professional tryouts (PTOs) are going to start hitting the news pretty soon. The Rangers have a lot of question marks at camp, and should one or a few of the kids not be ready for prime time, the Blueshirts will need bodies to fill roster holes.
Troy Brouwer (RW)
Brouwer is the first name that jumps out on the list, not because of effectiveness, but because he has name pedigree –for better or for worse– and players that get bought out usually wind up finding a home pretty quickly. Brouwer’s contract paid his $4.5 million per year before he was bought out, and it’s safe to say he wasn’t worth that contract.
Top Rangers Play Bracket: (2) McDonagh keeps Rangers alive vs. (15) Rupp scores twice in Winter Classic
August 14, 2018, by · Comments
We have the last matchup in the first round of the left half of the bracket, and it might be a runaway. We have the #2 seed, which is Ryan McDonagh’s OT winner in Game 5 in 2015 against Washington taking on Mike Rupp scoring twice in the 2012 Winter Classic. Rupp is a forgotten hero of that 2012 Winter Classic, giving a Jaromir Jagr salute after one of his goals as well. As for the McDonagh goal, it’s self explanatory.
(2) Ryan McDonagh wins it in overtime in Game 5 against Washington
Checking in on the free agent class of 2019
August 14, 2018, by · Comments
Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Like most Rangers fans, we here are not really expecting the Rangers to be legitimate contenders in the 2018-2019 season. They won’t be tanking, and in fact their forward group –and Henrik Lundqvist– has the ability to carry them to a surprise playoff appearance. That said, it’s not expected, so there’s already an eye on next year, the trades that can be made, and the free agents available.
Unlike this past offseason, where the prize free agents weren’t really prizes at all, next year’s crop of free agents is a big budget team’s dream. Artemi Panarin, at just 27 is just one of the many headliners of a class poised to make boatloads of money. The Rangers have been directly connected to Panarin already, or at least we want to think that. But any team looking to add elite talent will have the ability to do so without surrendering assets.