New York Rangers Analysis: Rangers Defense Needs To Be Ready For The New York Islanders
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 14, 2011 9:38 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
Email
PrintThe New York Rangers have a tough task ahead of them tomorrow, taking on a division rival who is flying high after a big win. Simply put, the Islanders decimated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 Thursday night, with John Tavares leading the way with two goals and two assists.
The Rangers' defense has been suspect their first two games of the year, and the matchup with the Islanders isn't going to be a cakewalk at all. Tavares is pretty adapt at putting the puck home around the net, and without Marc Staal the Rangers are going to have to lean on Ryan McDonagh to make sure he doesn't have any space around the crease.
The Islanders are a quick team, something the Rangers didn't deal with well against the Los Angeles Kings. Obviously, you can point to the European trip as an excuse, but there won't be any travel issues this week. The Rangers have been able to sleep in their own beds, and won't really be traveling to play on the Island.
So what are the defensive keys to the game? Join me after the jump to find out.
Aside from McDonagh playing down low, the Rangers are also going to lean on Dan Girardi. The two are both averaging over 27 minutes a game so far, and that's not really expected to change until Staal returns. While there should be no concern when McDonagh and Girardi are on the ice, it's the other two pairings that leave something to be desired.
Michael Del Zotto has been much better the past two games, but is still prone to the occasional turnover in both the defensive and neutral zone. Tim Erixon has also been solid as well, but the Rangers' brass still doesn't know how much the rookie can handle at this stage in the season.
If Mike Sauer plays, he can soak up some minutes himself, but the Rangers probably want to take it easy with him so he doesn't re-aggravate the injury.
In the end, tomorrow's matchup is one the Rangers should expect to win, but it's not going to be easy.
Thoughts on this guys?
40 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Gotta get off to a solid start defensively, really important to not let them score early
I think if we can do that and then play our game, we should take home our first W.
I’m predicting a 2 goal game for our friend Mr. Dubinsky.
Also, kinda random, but I just realized that without Prospal it becomes more difficult to use “It’s a celebration bitches!”
Ah well, I say screw it and use it whenever we score anyway
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 Oct 14, 2011 10:01 AM EDT reply actions
little off topic but
there was a pic posted on FB. The Garden ice is down! The logo at center ice has a blue ring around it, but it’s hard to make out what it says. Can anyone get a better shot, or know what it is?
"You show me a tropical fruit, I'll show you a cocksucker from Guatemala"
by James Caruso Jr. on Oct 14, 2011 10:37 AM EDT reply actions
someone needs to not be lazy and make new ones
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 14, 2011 10:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
thanks!
looks sweet
"You show me a tropical fruit, I'll show you a cocksucker from Guatemala"
by James Caruso Jr. on Oct 14, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I would think keeping the Islanders outside towards the outer hashes would bring success
Make them beat the D the long way, and hit them if they try to come in towards the inner hashes!
"Lopez wants it away, and it's hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance... home run!, Mike Piazza!, and the Mets lead 3 to 2!"
Tavares is lethal around the net
but he isn’t the greatest skater. So keeping him away from the crease at all costs has to be the number one priority
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 14, 2011 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Right, if you push him to the outside he has to cover more ground to get to the crease, thus making him a little more ineffective
I feel with a guy like him it’s just a game of angles.
"Lopez wants it away, and it's hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance... home run!, Mike Piazza!, and the Mets lead 3 to 2!"
I’m not sure you can call 4 goals allowed in 2 games ‘suspect’ defense. Yes, Hank has been awesome and we have had a lot of pressure in the defensive zone, but I think that has more to do with our forwards and neutral zone play then our defense. Considering we faced a Kings team that looks every bit the contender they are touted as being, and the best line in hockey in Anaheim, I would say 4 goals allowed is pretty decent, especially when you consider who we have skating on the back end right now, and how young they are.
Frankly, even without Staal, I think we are a better defensive team then Tampa. Tampa was the only team in the playoffs last year to allow more goals then they scored. They are a run-n-gun team who worries about defense later. Washington put up 5 against them as well so I don’t think you can consider Tampa a ‘defensive’ team so really it’s no surprise to me that the Isles put up 5 against them as well.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not looking over the Isles, they are actually my surprise team in the east this year as far as my predictions go and I have them battling for a playoff spot come March, but I don’t think it’s anything our defense can’t handle, especially if our offense gets going and holds onto the puck a bit more than we did in the last two games. John Tavares isn’t any different than a Kopitar or a Getzlaf/Perry/Ryan line so I think our defense will be fine.
~R.I.P. Derek
~Those Caps fans sure think they can make some noise.... too bad their team can't.
You can’t really call that goal Anaheim gets in a shootout cout as a goal against. So it’s 3 goals in 2 games. No big deal there. Those were against 2 playoff teams so I’m not quite worried. Only two teams in the East right now that should be worried are montreal and Tampa bay but for different reasons.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Oct 14, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s 4. 3 against the Kings, one against the Ducks
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 14, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Devils beat the kings. just saying
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Oct 14, 2011 11:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
when the hell is the god damn season gonna start?!!???
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Apparently it did already
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers the only NHL team with three home arenas.
"We can trade Lisin for a gun, then hold it to Drury’s head and make him waive the no-movement clause" - XLII
"Tortorelli sounds like a kind of pasta… an unforgiving, stubborn, chewy, flavorless pasta that demands ‘jam’ from other pastas." - Dig Deep
by Joe Fortunato on Oct 14, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
this has been another installment of
Comments from Two Weeks Ago
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Oct 14, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Rangers defense...
I think yu guys will like this one, from the guys at SNY who I think do a great job with their Rangers coverage:
http://www.snyrangersblog.com/2011/10/14/watch-dylan-mcilrath-fight-causes-announcer-to-go-nuts/
This again?
It’s a bit early to be making statements like that. Even if others were NHL-ready, that doesn’t mean 3 years from now they will end up being the better players. The development of McIlrath from last summer to this summer was encouraging, in 2 years when he makes the team he may very well be beastly.
Well I get your "nobody can see the future" argument. It's a good straw man
but… McIlrath wasn’t as well rated as the guys drafted after him when he was drafted and he’s still not as well rated as those guys. And many of them are more NHL ready. But he has non-NHL skills that some people value, like bashing faces in. So in that regard, he will make the Rangers “beastly” if not “better”
I think he will be ready by next season, and will make a smooth transition. He has more skill than just bashing faces in. About taking him over Cam F., you can’t change history.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
I am gonna F-n kill Giroux!
by nathansfamous on Oct 14, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Not just Cam Fowler
There were better players available at every position. And they’re still rated as better players. Time isn’t necessarily going to change that.
Dude, Mcilrath was ranked 15th overall. We picked 10th. It’s not that big of a deal. Check your stats.
"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!!!
he will need a full season in the AHL
we picked a project. We knew we were picking a project. The dude fights, but we got him to be a crease clearer who makes teams timid when they cross the blueline. He will be a great compliment to Erixon or McD one day.
Regardless, its beneficial to have a guy players are actually scared of.
"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!!!
No, the Red Wings are good every year because they have arguably the best scouting and developing programs in the league.
But yeah, nice job trying to be a smart ass.
I never said it was necessary to win, but having intimidating players always helps. It helps with every sport. Now, if all the player can do is hit, it’s a waste.
But if he’s a solid defensemen who can also intimidate, its a nice catch.
"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!!!
yes, speaking of defense
Tough game on Saturday. Islanders have the best overall dman in New York (Streit) and best young dman (Hamonic). Just saying..
Staal > Streit.
"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!!!
Redden is more accomplished than Staal at the NHL level at this point.
So, who’s better?
"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!!!
then who is?
Watch Streit playing d tonight…very underrated in his own zone. Yes, very good offensively, but also good playing d. He is always on his man. And yes, Staal may be better on the d side, but not on the O side. Slight edge, I think, to Streit.
Surprised the Hamonic comment was not challenged.
Didn’t catch it.
Would you argue that Hamonic is better than McDonagh?
"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!!!
Same deal as the Streit/Staal argument really. The Islander’s player is definitely more talented offensively, defensively the spread isn’t as a great but the edge is on the Rangers’ player.
Ideally, you’d probably want either Streit/McDonagh, or Staal/Hamonic.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
by George E. Ays on Oct 15, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
No Sauer tomorrow
@JimCernyJim Cerny
Torts says Michael Sauer (shoulder) will not play tomorrow, but not concerned about long-term health of Sauer
pretty big loss against a very dynamic offensive team. I know Tort said he doesn’t think Sauer will miss much time, but it is a shoulder injury and that can linger.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blueshirt Banter
Related FanShots on Blueshirt Banter
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/23 | 8:00 PM EDT |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Fri 05/25 | TBA |
|
New Jersey
|
Sun 05/27 | TBA |
Last 5 Games
|
@
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/21 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 05/19 | W 3 - 0 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/16 | L 2 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/14 | W 3 - 0 |
|
Washington
|
Sat 05/12 | W 2 - 1 |
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Monday’s Three Stars: Parise scores, Brodeur saves in Game 4 Devils win
- Zach Parise, Devils respond after a quiet Game 3 to even series with Rangers in Game 4
- Mike Rupp shoves Brodeur, sparks Game 4 chaos as Devils, Rangers coaches squabble (VIDEO)
- Devils try to even series with Rangers; watch the ‘Sandley Cup’ get built (Playoff Puck Previews)
- Sean Avery: Not in NHL playoffs, getting a handle on semi-nude modeling (PHOTO)
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Brodeur, Parise lead Devils to 4-1 win over rattled Rangers; East final tied 2-2
- Brodeur, Parise lead Devils to 4-1 win over rattled Rangers; East final tied 2-2
- Wild prospects lead Saint John past Edmonton
- Labrie stars in Admirals 1-0 overtime win over IceCaps; Norfolk leads series 3-0
- Frattin scores twice, including winner, as Marlies defeat Barons 5-3 in Game 3
