Rangers Recap: Hockey Gods Not on the Rangers' Side in 4-3 Loss to Panthers
by Nick Montemagno on Jan 25, 2011 10:47 PM EST
in New York Rangers Recaps
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Luck has gone the Rangers' way, for the most part, all season long. Unfortunately that was not the case against the Florida Panthers tonight at Madison Square Garden. I am not looking for excuses here, but a few unfortunate bounces were the difference in this game, and those bounces were not in favor of the Blueshirts. Not being able to gain these two points was not how New York wanted to enter the weeklong All-Star break, that's for sure.
The bad luck began at 12:35 of the first period when Rostislav Olesz lasered a one-timer to the back of the net, giving the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Upon reviewing the play, it was evident that the shot barely ticked off Artem Anisimov's stick before reaching the net, which changed the flight path of the puck and threw Henrik Lundqvist off. That would be the only goal that was scored in the first period, despite the Rangers completely dominating play in the offensive zone.
Two minutes into the second period, Derek Stepan tied the game at one when he swatted in a rebound for his 14th goal of the season. The Panthers would strike back (twice) when they scored back-to-back goals just 46 seconds apart. The first came off a Keaton Ellerby point shot that sailed through traffic and past Lundqvist. Ellerby just barely kept the puck inside the zone right before that goal was scored - it was a close call but it counted nonetheless.
Mike Santorelli then snuck behind the defense on the following shift, planted himself in font of the crease and buried his own rebound to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead. Again, the Rangers dominated play in the offensive zone in this period, but Tomas Vokoun shut the door on most chances and Florida entered the intermission ahead on the scoreboard.
It only took three minutes for the Rangers to perform their usual third period rally, as Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle both scored early in the stanza to bring the game to a 3-3 tie. It remained that way until 11:41 when Mike Weaver's wrister went off the back of Anisimov, over Lundqvist and into the net. That turned out to be the dagger in New York's heart, as the Panthers went on to win 4-3.
Continue reading after the jump....
You could say Henrik Lundqvist looked a little shaky tonight, but I think he was unlucky more than anything. I mean, Anisimov scored on him twice, he had no support on the Santorelli goal and he did not even see Keaton Ellerby's shot in the second period. The fans were sarcastically cheering him when he made saves, and quite honestly I do not understand why.
Hank also had an interesting comment when John Giannone of MSG Network asked him to talk about Florida's only shot in the third period going in...
"They [Panthers] had more than one shot," said Lundqvist. "The guy counting the shots was probably drunk again"
I thought Sean Avery and Mats Zuccarello had great games offensively tonight. Avery did not get on the scoresheet, but he was very strong when skating with the puck and was creating scoring chances constantly. Zuccarello, on the other hand, recorded three assists and continues his incredible play.
Michael Del Zotto, in my opinion, was the best defensemen on the ice for the Rangers tonight. He made a few stellar outlet passes and was lights out on defense as well. Tortorella went on to say in his postgame presser that MDZ played "very well", which should certainly be a confidence boost for Del Zotto.
So the Rangers will remain in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 29-20-3. They will be off until February 1st when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in their first game following the All-Star break, which makes this loss that much more depressing - especially since they deserved to win.
Also, Del Zotto, Kolarik, Newbury, Grachev and Dupont have all been returned to Connecticut (AHL).
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I wouldnt say luck has been on the Rangers side all season with all the injuries theyve had. Last night’s goal was luck, but its mostly been the resolve and hard work of the team that has got them to where they are.
after 52 games the Rangers are 6 points better than they were last year and the injured guys should be coming back soon so they should be much better in february and march this year than they were last year. Use this break to rest up and get ready for the stretch run
Pray Sather does not make any stupid moves before or at the deadline
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 25, 2011 10:54 PM EST reply actions
AdamRotter Adam Rotter
Rangers announce that Vinny Prospal and Ryan Callahan have been activated from Injured Reserve
Surprised they are doing it with Vinny, maybe he will skate some full-contact drills with the team and make an effort to get back after the All-Star Break.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"In Prust we Trust."
I have my expectations tempered with Prospal, but this team could really reach another level if he can manage to get Gaborik going
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 25, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions
Yesterday they got 2 points thanks to a fluke goal, today they got 0 points thanks to a fluke goal.
It always evens out
“you know who you are?… Even Steven.” +100 to anybody that gets that reference
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 25, 2011 11:05 PM EST up reply actions
+100 to you. none of my idiot friends get my seinfeld references so i was starting to think it wasnt a part of culture anymore. guess i just need new friends
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 25, 2011 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
You know who else is a Larry David fan?
Our very own Ethan Werek
“Looking forward to season 8 of “curb”…. “You’re black and your last name is Black? That’s like if my name was Larry Jew.” -Larry David 4:10 PM Jan 17th via web"
you can follow him on twitter (werek25)
by The Blue Seats on Jan 26, 2011 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
tosses $20 out window
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Jan 25, 2011 11:56 PM EST up reply actions
you know u coulda threw a pencil out the window and saw if i got that back
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 26, 2011 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
Ha ha, can never go wrong with Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, Honeymooners, or All in the Family references with me
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 26, 2011 9:35 AM EST up reply actions
maybe anisimov will start carrying some lucky charm around from now on
i think really on the first goal that nicked off his stick is just a testament to the rangers trying to get in front of every shot, no? and the second one, you could take that shot 50 more times and you probably couldnt get that same sequence of events so just bad bad luck there. another thing that drove me crazy was sam continuing to announce how florida had barely any shots. i was yelling at the tv for him to stop cuz it only takes one shot to lose, andddd what do you know? lol just a lil superstition of mine i guess
Ron Dugay for President
So Why Did Hank Slam His Stick on the Ice on That First Goal?
‘Cause he thought he should’ve made the save? Or ‘cause he wishes AA hadn’t put his little stick there and deflected the puck a wee bit?
T
i think he felt he woulda made the save if it didnt deflect, it doesnt take much of a change in direction to throw a goalie off ya know
Ron Dugay for President
by ragsfan72291 on Jan 27, 2011 2:40 AM EST up reply actions
“The fans were sarcastically cheering him when he made saves, and quite honestly I do not understand why.”
Fans at the game often don’t see the details of how goals are scored unless they’re right on the ice. All they know is it went in, and in their mind, if it went in, it’s the goalie’s fault.
Forward
Just for the hell of it, I took a look back at last season’s Game 52, which was a 6-0 loss to Montreal in their place where Lundqvist was pulled and the team appeared to be just going through the motions, one of many games like that last year. After the game, Avery said to Larry Brooks that the team had “no compete.”
Yes, game 52 this season was a loss as well, but what a difference. The effort is always there, the team never says die, we unloaded a ton of dead wood and are playing the kids. We have 6 more points than we had last year at this time and our guys will be coming back within the next few weeks. Our goalie is rested and we have a more-than-capable backup.
In other words, I’m not really gonna get too bummed about tonight, these games happen, and I’ll take where we are right now in a New York minute.
question...
Around when should we see most of the injured back. When are we going to have a full healthy team again ?
by XxC17xX on Jan 26, 2011 12:10 AM EST via mobile reply actions
cally should be back right after the break, they activated prospal, so im guessing he could be back right after the break also if there are not setbacks. big IF. Dubi EC and Feds shouldnt be too far behind that.
my guess we would see a fully healthy Ranger team (barring any other injuries of course) by the 2nd or 3rd week of february at the latest
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 26, 2011 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
That’s exactly what I was looking for thanks :)
by XxC17xX on Jan 26, 2011 1:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
was anyone else really pulling for drury to put one in tonight? i know i was hard on him after the monday night game but he had a bit of jump in his step tonight it seemed and he had a couple really nice chances. not to mention the beautiful feed he gave avery at the side of the crease
Ron Dugay for President
personally i really was.. but what can we do…
interesting to see VP being activated huh?
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
oh totally, news on him is always out of the blue it seems. nothing for a while then all of a sudden you hear that his knee has made huge improvements and now here he is being activated. i trust that the management knows what theyre doing with him though
Ron Dugay for President
by ragsfan72291 on Jan 26, 2011 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
doesnt hurt to take a chance on him if there are still questions about his knee though. they guy is pretty old, injuring it worse is not that big of a deal to the team as bad as that sounds
by nyrangerfan521 on Jan 26, 2011 1:02 AM EST up reply actions
thats a good point. i doubt hes back next year regardless so its worth a shot.
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
beautiful pass to aves but honestly, dru should be shooting that
it either goes in or offers a rebound for aves in the same spot anyway
I don't comment here often because
I just started watching hockey towards the end of last year and don’t really know as much as the rest of you guys. Tonight I went to my first ever Rangers game at MSG with my girlfriend. I had the time of my life. The fans were great (sarcasm and all), you could feel the energy in your bones. The OoOhhh’s and Ahhhh’s when a puck just missed going in, the woahh’s when somebody landed a big hit, the rallying cries started by fans wanting to see their favorite team come back from a 2 goal deficit, and of course the satisfaction and enthusiasm everyone displayed once we scored. Even though the Rangers lost, I will always remember this game. I feel like I can truly consider myself a Rangers fan now.
Sorry for the rant, enjoy the break everyone.
by Nnamdi Asomugha on Jan 26, 2011 1:53 AM EST reply actions
oh and just a little excerpt from what I saw.
- Marc Staal had a couple bad passes tonight and looked a bit tired, he could use a break I think.
- Derek Stepan needs to practice his receiving skills a little bit. He also needs to keep his stick down more.
- It could be that he just had a good night but, Mats Zuccarello (whom my girlfriend loves, along with Brian Boyle) looks like the best playmaker on the team. I could see him putting up a 40 assist season one day.
- Ryan McDonagh is an excellent skater. Could we be seeing the next Marc Staal?
by Nnamdi Asomugha on Jan 26, 2011 1:59 AM EST up reply actions
“The fans were sarcastically cheering him when he made saves, and quite honestly I do not understand why.”
I was there last night and I was DISGUSTED by that jeer by 10% of the fans. YOU DON’T JEER THE KING. Granted he was shaky (you were right the first time Nick) and the Rangers were unlucky. But even on the saves he did make, the King was not fluid in his movements. He was very jittery so he was not himself for whatever reason. BUT YOU DON’T JEER HIM. As for the team, they played ok, not terrible. It was just a weird game, IMO. MZA is the real deal and is not going anywhere. PROSPAL? Please… You mean we can’t do better than that? (No personal offense to Vinny).
by Richter1994 on Jan 26, 2011 5:55 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Maybe "The King" Was Jittery . . .
. . . ’cause he was, like, upset that Biron got the Washington assignment and he got the lowly Florida gig?
Just askin’.
T
Disagree on thing Nick
MDZ was not close to the best defenseman on the ice. He was better than he had been…his first instinct is still the home run pass. He was jittery as anything running the PP, almost like he was saying to himself “I need to do something this PP to stay.” He did block a few passes and was his typical physical self, I didn’t see much from him that I haven’t see already this year.
I think my favorite thing about actually attending the game yesterday was getting a full tracer of Eminger, who I’d describe as “effectively chaotic.” For most of the game he was literally just throwing his body into everything, passes, shots, players, didn’t matter.
There were two very interesting situations that I noticed where there were loose pucks just above the crease. Staal was near one, and calmly collected the puck (despite some pressure), and took it behind the net, and slowed down the action so the Rangers could control. The second Eminger was near, similar pressure, and he batted the thing in to the corner like it was on fire, which Florida collected and kept the action going. I’m not normally a fan of picking on minutia like that, but it was one of those things I happened to notice and thought was pretty telling.
The “ZUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKEEEEE” after each of his assists got progressively louder as the night went on. He was flying. His vision is more incredible in person, he made a couple passes where I can’t fathom how he even saw the guy open, let alone was able to get it through.
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I've been saying for awhile now
I don’t see any reason why Zuccarello can’t stay in the NHL right now, and make an impact.
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by Joe Fortunato on Jan 26, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions
He even plays well defensively. Tries to hit people. He made some other passes that could have been goals.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Jan 26, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah I noticed that, sometimes he’s actually too good…the younger skill guys don’t have the anticipation (yet) to be ready for some of his passes.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 26, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions
I was there too. The Zuke chants are great to hear.
Too bad there’s not a pet name for Stepan. I was at the Phoenix game where he scored late to tie it and then was in the SO, I tried getting a Der-ek Step-an cheer going like Yankees fans cheer Der-ek Jet-er, didn’t take with anyone else :(
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Jan 26, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
i remember the leafs game
I was at the game and the leafs had control in the rangers zone when i see zuke fly around the boards, behind henrik, cut to the middle, and force the puck out of the zone…i had to blink to see if i saw that correctly. It was really impressive to watch him live
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
by Kevin Power on Jan 26, 2011 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
I agree, MDZ wasn't necessarily our best defender out there tonight, he was just very much improved.
I was most surprised by Ryan mcDonagh, what a skater he is. I don’t know if he was our best defenseman, but he was definitely the most surprising to me.
by Nnamdi Asomugha on Jan 26, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
This is one of those games where this morning on my way to work I am still saying to myself “How the hell did they lose?”
Crappy way to go into the break, but oh well. A well deserved rest for this team, and good news about Callahan and The Bond Villain Prospal
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 26, 2011 9:37 AM EST reply actions
Fortunately, there haven’t bee too many of these games. I can remember seasons of this. Actually not. I think they just lost and it was obvious why.
Let’s get the bounces in the spring.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Jan 26, 2011 9:40 AM EST up reply actions
The tan and just his look, to me he looks like he would make a great Bond Villain
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 26, 2011 10:08 AM EST up reply actions
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
"He may look like an idiot and talk like an idiot but don't let that fool you. He really is an idiot" Evgeny Nabakov on Garth Snow
In Prust We Trust
by Kevin Power on Jan 26, 2011 11:33 AM EST up reply actions
Leaves a bitter taste in the mouth because of the long break but thankfully there is an obvious silver lining- the team gets a chance to get healthy.
It is not often that we see Hank have a game with the numbers he had last night, but several of those goals, including the game winner, were wacky and tough ones to give up.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"In Prust we Trust."
You can really only blame Hank for the second goal. The first and fourth were awful bounces and the third goal it seemed like eight of the ten skaters on the ice were within two feet of Hank.
Tough one to lose, but this team has won so many back ends of back to backs that it had to start evening out somehow. I too am looking forward to having some actual Rangers return to the lineup and replace some of the overmatched guys from the Whale.
Crappy way to go into the break, but oh well.
On a singular basis, sure. 3-2 after losing your leading scorer is a pretty good result. Not as good as 4-1, but I’ll take it.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 26, 2011 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
Well yeah big picture wise, but games like last night just bum me out. I will recover in time for the show tonight.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jan 26, 2011 10:09 AM EST up reply actions
Well, was nice to see the team come back and tie it. Tough break with the last goal… but that’s how it goes sometimes. The zuke line was flying last night. Kid is incredible. Wolski deal looks better and better. Hopefully we get come out of the break playing the same hungry style. I’m looking forward to seeing prospal and cally coming back. Enjoy the break.
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Jan 26, 2011 10:07 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Has Wolski
Been the leading scorer since he was acquired?
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Jan 26, 2011 10:09 AM EST reply actions
Tied w/ Gaborik
Gaborik 5-2-7
Wolski 4-3-7
Boyle 4-1-5
Stepan 2-3-5
Zuccarello 2-3-5
Anisimov 0-4-4
Avery 0-4-4
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by George E. Ays on Jan 26, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
If you prefer though
- of games w/ a point since Wolski joined:
Wolski 6
Boyle 5
Zuccarello 4
Prust 4 (i accidentally left him out above, 2-2-4)
Stepan 3
Gaborik 3
Dubinsky 2 (in 4 games)
Avery 2
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by George E. Ays on Jan 26, 2011 10:46 AM EST up reply actions
Watching the replay now…random thoughts
Garden was dead.
Grachev doesn’t finish checks.
MDZ still can’t run the PP. Needs to learn from someone, doesn’t seem like there is anyone to teach him.
McD’s got some moves for a D-man
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 26, 2011 12:05 PM EST reply actions
REDDEN!
"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
LET'S GO RANGERS!!!
Yeah, Grachev is a bit of a glider and a reacher when he tries to defend. The coaching staff in Hartford will need to break those bad habits while he’s down.
I do like the way he shields the puck while he’s on the boards. And from what I saw in the preseason he is a slick passer. There is certainly a good base to build on, hopefully he keeps developing this year.
and he needs to learn how to forecheck. Needs to learn how to come out strong from the boards too.
But he does have the build to be dominate..
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 26, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
When I die, I want to come back as Graves.
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 26, 2011 1:21 PM EST reply actions
We can’t lose to a team like the Florida Panthers and expect to make the playoffs. We dominated the game and still lose. Even with all the injuries we are a better team then them
by The Last Shall Become First on Jan 26, 2011 3:12 PM EST reply actions
Lucky bounces sealed our fate...
2 of those goals deflected off of Anisimov (one being a fluke goal of the season), and one was a defensive breakdown where we left Santorelli with all the time in the world in the slot. Anyone know who was on the ice for that goal, Rangers D-wise?
I felt it was as well, Boyle however immediately grabbed McDonagh after the goal and was talking to him the entire way back to the bench. McDonagh, it seemed, was trying to point out why he thought it was Boyle’s guy.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 26, 2011 5:32 PM EST up reply actions
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