Archive for Game Thread
Preseason Game 5: Closer to NHL talent levels
Posted by: | Comments
Photo: Jim McIsaac
The Rangers host the Flyers tonight in their fifth preseason game of the year. The club is getting close to their NHL roster, although there are still a good amount of question marks on the bottom six and the bottom pairing. This is the first time we get to see McDonagh and Shatty on the same pairing though.
I’m still amazed that Kampfer is part of the discussion. Considering all the options, he really shouldn’t be. But what do I know. The guys to watch tonight are Chytil, Andersson, Nieves, and Lettieri. Also keep an eye on DeAngelo.
Preseason Game 4: Competition breeds improvement
Posted by: | Comments
Ed Mulholland/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
The Rangers were handed their first preseason loss last night in Bridgeport, and now will have a lineup of mostly veterans on the back end in New Jersey tonight. All eyes will be on Marc Staal and Nick Holden, to see if they can keep pace with the kids that may be taking their spots. Boo Nieves and Lias Anderson will also have some pressure on them to keep up with Filip Chytil.
I’m also intrigued by Brandon Halverson, who had a poor season last year. I’m willing to write off last year for basically every prospect, but with so many solid prospects in the pipe, this could be a make or break season for Halverson and his future with the Rangers.
Preseason Game 3: Youngsters earning their keep
Posted by: | Comments
The Rangers are in Bridgeport tonight to take on the Isles, which seems a little weird to say. The Isles seem to be having trouble finding a spot to play, which even as a Ranger fan, makes me a little sad. But hopefully that gets worked out. I love the rivalry, so I don’t want them to move.
As for the Rangers, they are letting their youngsters play. Filip Chytil will play again, as will Neal Pionk and Anthony DeAngelo. We will also get our first look at Alexei Bereglazov. With Hartford camp starting over the weekend, expect more cuts after tonight’s game.
Preseason Game 2: Jersey smells weird
Posted by: | Comments
AP Photo/Bill Kostroun
The Rangers are back at it tonight against the Devils after beating the Isles in overtime on Monday. Filip Chytil will get his first look at preseason hockey, skating between Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. That will be a fun line to watch. Kevin Shattenkirk is also making his Rangers debut.
Lias Andersson will play again, as will Ryan Gropp. That’s a good sign for both guys. Brady Skjei will skate with Shatty, so….drool. I’m expecting a round of cuts after this game or tomorrow.
Preseason Game 1: Fishsticks
Posted by: | Comments
Hockey has arrived, and boy am I happy to say that. The Rangers begin their preseason tonight at home against the Islanders. There are a bunch of roster battles taking place this preseason, with the focus primarily on the bottom six and the bottom pairing. We get to see Lias Andersson tonight with Pavel Buchnevich and Michael Grabner flanking him, something we could see in the preseason. We also get to see Anthony DeAngelo tonight as the 3RD, a role he might get with Nick Holden, his partner.
Also playing tonight are Neal Pionk, Ryan Graves, and Boo Nieves. All three have an outside chance of making the club. We may see Graves-Kampfer, a pairing tonight, as the top pairing in Hartford this season, so paying attention to that chemistry will help us figure out what we have in the AHL this season.
Atlantic Division Final, Game 6: Just win
Posted by: | Comments
Photo: AP / Fred Chartrand
The Rangers are in a do-or-die situation tonight. Win and continue. Lose and go home. Experience has been thrown around a lot lately, saying that the Rangers have the guys who have been there before. You know what? I’m sick of that crap. If they have this “experience” then this series would’ve been over by now. No more leaning on experience. Play with desperation. Just win, I don’t care how.
Series Breakdown
We wrote a whole bunch of posts breaking down this matchup. Be sure to check them out:
Atlantic Division Final, Game 5: Destroy their morale in their own building
Posted by: | Comments
Photo Credit: Getty Images / Bruce Bennett
The Rangers have stormed back in this series, completely dominating the Senators in back-to-back 4-1 wins to even the series. It wasn’t just the score, it was the manner in which the Rangers played. They dominated every facet of each game, frustrating the Senators to a point of trying to “set the tone” at the end of Game 4. It didn’t work. Now the Rangers have a chance to destroy their morale in their own building.
Perhaps lost in some of the Tanner Glass craze over the last few days is that the Rangers have scored 13 goals in the past three games. They have begun pressuring the Ottawa defensemen at the blue line, which is forcing turnovers and odd man rushes the other way. They’ve been putting Craig Anderson in a position to exploit his weaknesses, and it’s been working. Need to keep doing that.
Atlantic Division Final, Game 4: Tie it up
Posted by: | Comments
The Rangers dominated Game 3, and now have a chance to tie the series and swing momentum back to them before heading to Ottawa. This is another huge game for the Rangers, as falling being 3-1 would be as close to disastrous as it gets. Luckily they appeared to have figured it out on Tuesday, so it’s a matter of continuing to play that way.
Guy Boucher is making a few changes to his lineup tonight. Chris Wideman is in for Brandon Claesson. Tom Pyatt is also expected to play, but it’s unknown for who. Zack Smith is a game time decision, so that’s the logical choice. But if Smith does play, it’s anyone’s guess who comes out for Pyatt.
Atlantic Division Final, Game 3: A must win
Posted by: | CommentsPhoto: AP / Fred Chartrand
There is no way to slice it, this is a must win for the Rangers. Down in an 0-2 hole is bad enough, but coming back from 0-3 would be virtually impossible. The good news is there is still plenty to be optimistic about. This is a very tight series, with both games decided late. Poor roster management has plagued throughout the playoffs though, so if the coaches can get out of their own way, then the series is still winnable.
That said, we have history to say they won’t. So this needs to fall on the players, specifically the goaltender now. Henrik Lundqvist had a weak Game 2, but has been outstanding aside from that. He’s been the only consistent player up and down the lineup. Perhaps with goals on Saturday, Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan wake up. The Rangers certainly need it. The blue line isn’t going to help much.
Atlantic Division Final Game 2: Come home with a split
Posted by: | Comments
Credit: AP / Fred Chartrand
The Rangers dropped Game 1 in Ottawa, and are now looking to salvage the split and prevent going in an 0-2 hole. The Senators are not the Habs, and you can argue are better than the Habs. Trade deadline acquisitions strengthened the bottom-six, and Clarke MacCarthur’s return added extra scoring bite. The Rangers, used to the slow Habs, looked sluggish in Game 1, and that will need to change in Game 2.
What won’t need to change is how well Henrik Lundqvist has been playing. As long as the Rangers can score two, he will ensure they at least have a chance to win. He’s been near perfect these playoffs so far, forced to make some spectacular saves regularly. His counterpart, Craig Anderson, wasn’t tested much in Game 1. The Rangers will look to change that today, as they will need to get back to their speed game and break through that 1-1-3 neutral zone trap the Senators use.