Rangers blank Flyers to start the back-to-back series

Cam kisses are becoming the norm

The Rangers played the Thanksgiving Classic on a national broadcast yesterday as the first of their back-to-back afternoon home and home games against the Flyers. The national broadcast was on NBC, so we got the opportunity to listen to some fine pre- and postgame analysis from the Milbury-Jones outstanding duo. How lucky.

From 1pm unti the puck dropped around 1:20, the analysis focused on Henrik Lundqvist’s “not king-like” season, which apparently is why Cam Talbot started yesterday. I guess it has nothing to do with back-to-back games, but I’m not sure. Some things to actually note about this game are that Tanner Glass was out with the flu and Ryan McDonagh is back from his injury.

On to some points..

• The Flyers started this game looking pretty decent. Emphasis on started here, cause after about ten minutes, it became the Rangers’ game.
• It felt like the entire game was played with a team on either the power play or penalty kill. It was half light calls and half sloppy play. Each team committed six penalties.
• Speaking of penalties, Chris Kreider spent the most time in the box with 6 PIM off of two high sticking calls. I don’t want to beat a dead horse here but what’s up with Kreider?
• All four lines gelled so well yesterday that it’s going to be a damn shame when Glass makes it back to the lineup and a deserving player is stuck in the press box. I’m not a #fancystats gal (in practice, not in faith), but doing it’s pretty clear to the naked eye that Stempniak and Fast are better than the “grit” we would’ve had (and clearly didn’t need) from Glass yesterday.
• Speaking of scratches tomorrow, Kreider’s grandfather passed away yesterday, so he won’t be available to play this afternoon.
• Martin St. Louis scored his 1,000^th career point yesterday, scoring the 2^nd goal in the 2^nd period for the Rangers. St. Louis and Stepan playing together gives me roughly all the feels. Stepan – who had 3 assists – has such spectacular vision on the ice. When you remember how young he is, it’s straight up exciting.
• The first goal (on the first power play, and really the only exciting one) was a Dan Boyle wrister from Stepan. THAT is what we signed Boyle for. Completely beautiful to watch.
• While on special teams, Carl Hagelin, Dom Moore, and Rick Nash are all studs on the penalty kill. Moore allowed 3 shots against (that I counted) in about 4 minutes of penalty kill time, Hagelin had yet another shorthanded chance and Nash’s goal came shorthanded.
• Last point here, but with McDonagh back, WHY is Dan Girardi ANYWHERE near a power play? It’s similar to AV never calling a timeout last year in things that drive me absolutely nuts.
• Cam Talbot has gone 120 minutes of playing time now without letting up a goal. I’m a huge proponent of riding the hot goalie so… who’s in net today?
• Final point: NBC’s smartest comment today came after a stray puck nearly buzzed Hank’s head, leading to a comment glorifying Henrik’s hair. Pictures don’t lie:

Such glory. So hair commercial.

Rangers take on the Flyers today at 1pm at the Garden, where the Flyers have lost their last 9 in the regular season. Preview to come later.