New York Rangers Continue To Prove Themselves
by Joe Fortunato on Dec 2, 2011 8:36 AM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
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The New York Rangers keep finding ways to win games. Sometimes it's not pretty, but the important part for the Rangers is that the two points keep rolling in.
I'm not going to go into depth on whether or not the Rangers of last year would have won this game. My gut tells me they would not have. This year's team, however, did. And it's becoming readily apparent that the Rangers are simply getting the job done when they are called upon.
Just because the team is on a four game winning streak, however, doesn't mean everything is perfect. The Rangers have a nasty habit of allowing opposing teams to score late goals to swing the momentum back in their favor. Against the Pittsburgh Penguins it was a goal with 6.1 seconds left to bring the Penguins to within two, against the Hurricanes it was a goal with nine seconds left to give Carolina a 2-1 lead.
If not dealt with, sooner or later that issue will come back to bite New York.
Join me after the jump for more.
Even though the Rangers gave up a bad late goal, it still proves their ability right now. Jeff Skinner's goal took all the wind out of the Rangers' sails, and the team needed to go into the locker room down a goal rather than tied at one. But the Rangers didn't let it get to them. New York roared back to score three unanswered goals to take control of the game. That shows a mental fortitude this team hasn't had in a long time, and it's helping the Rangers win games.
The best part? The Rangers are growing as they win.
Michael Del Zotto has two assists in the past two games, and is starting to make things happen both on the power play and at even strength, all while improving defensively. Brad Richards has a goal and three assists in the past two games, and he is showing more and more chemistry with his teammates as time goes on.
Both Ryan Callahan (two goals and an assist) and Marian Gaborik (two goals and two assists) have stepped up for the Rangers the past two games. Both were expected to be main sources of scoring this year and thus far Gaborik (12 goals) and Callahan (10 goals) have done just that.
Plus the power play is truly starting to fins its legs. After a two-goal effort against Pittsburgh the Rangers added another goal with the man advantage against the Hurricanes scored by, you guesses it, Ryan Callahan.
The Rangers are taking care of business and, in the end, that's really all that matters.
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Avery
How about some kudos for the different things that Avery has brought each night? A fight to begin the Penguins game followed by the game winning goal last night. By the way, Avery’s last two goals have been highlight reel goals. He is fulfilling a lot of different and valuable roles as a 4th liner.
I agree
It’s almost like you have to disrespect this guy in some way to light a fire under him. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t Torts plan when he demoted him but he is playing really hungry even in the limited minutes he gets. This verison of Avery is what made him a fan favorite.
The difference in Gaborik's skating this year and last is amazing
last year it seemed to be a ton of things going on at once for him, but this year he just seems back to the way he was his first year here.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Take note....
Plus, even though BR and MG are not line mates 5-on-5, BR is STILL helping Marian by relieving tons of pressure to have to be THE go-to guy.
A relaxed, healthy Gabby is a productive Gabby.
The positive effects BR is having on this team overall cannot be underestimated and go way beyond the stat sheet, not the least of which him being the B’Way Hat patentor. :)
Thoughts on Fans
Two thoughts—-
1) How is it possible that Dubinski is being mentioned by fans as trade bait? He has been one of the heart and soul Rangers for the last couple of years. OK, he’s having a tough year so far, but he’s certainly not hurting the team. Cut the guy some slack!!!! It’s early yet!
2) I’ve been a proponent for MDZ since I saw him play two years ago. I stated then that if he were traded he’d come back to haunt the Rangers for many years. I still believe that, and it now seems that MDZ is going to be a Ranger for a long while. He’s still a kid, and judging by his improvement from his play last year to this year, it looks like we’ll have a top flight defenseman in a very short time. Yeah, he makes stupid mistakes, but didn’t we all at his age? It’s part of growing up, in hockey as well as in life. Again, cut him some slack! The only thing I can see that’s going to limit his rise to super-stardom is that he lacks great speed. I can’t say if he’ll get any faster with coaching and strength, but it’s possible, and coupled with his God given talent, he can be among the very elite in hockey.
He is considered in potential trades because we all know he is a good player. you can’t get value in return without giving up something in a trade.
by Zuppa Di Pesce on Dec 2, 2011 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
Emotions
It certainly would be an emotional hit to Ranger fans and the team to see dubinsky go…but consider this: the goals of every organization are simple…to put fans in the stands and win a stanley cup. The Rangers have no trouble with the former, so they need to keep their focus on number two. The past several years, the blueshirts have done just that…raising the kids and adding talent without disturbing the core of this Rangers team. Emotions aside, ryan is a better player than dubinsky and would give the Rangers a more lethal one-two punch than they have now…cally-richards-ryan, anyone? Maybe even create a third line that competes with line two for minutes. Love dubinsky, love his grit, love his energy…producing or not…that trade brings them closer to a stanley cup. And lets face it, it isn’t just dubinsky playing his heart out this season. Like torts said…everyone is buying into the system because of the results they have been getting. So although they would definitely be losing a player that has been instrumental to the development of this teams identity, they will still have what dubinsky helped bring to this team. That being said, it prolly won’t happen…and I’m just as happy to see dubi stick around. No hard feelings for the slump. Whenever he finally comes out of it, true blueshirts fans will be waiting with open arms…ready to shower the him with the DOOOOOOOB call that we heard so often last season.
Watch hockey, brew beer!"
+1
My thoughts exactly. Dubi is the MAN. But, we play for the Cup. As much as I love him, bringing in Ryan would make us a major threat. We’re already developing into a team with a lot of depth, which is our strongest asset — keeping the 3rd and 4th lines rotating lets our 1st and 2nd lines stay fresh and wears down other teams. Adding Ryan would give us even more depth. May not happen right now, but I don’t think Sather is done yet(!). I’m really eager to continue watching Sather build this club up. Can you say DYNASTY?
Del Zotto has improved much in his own zone and he is not being beaten as regularly. Having Sauer there protecting certainly helps as well.
Not to harp on this, but anyone who plays as much time as he does on the PP is going to get points and at least assists. He’s still not really doing much there to warrant his time with some pretty mediocre points per minute of PP time compared to other defensemen on his own team and especially around the league [he’s currently 35th among defensemen who have played at least 20 games behind Girardi (5th) and McDonagh (23rd)].
http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=8&s=20&f1=2011_s&f2=5v4&f4=D&f7=20-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+17+18+19+20#snip=f
Speed
Overall, the team looks faster than in years past. The recent additions of Haglin, Mitchell and Avery certainly has helped. The speed helps the forecheck, which is where it all starts for the Rangers.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Dec 2, 2011 10:48 AM EST reply actions
speed also backs the defensemen into the defensive zone instead of allowing them to stand up at the blue line. Hagelin’s goal the other night was the perfect example of speed forcing the defensive to chase him wide and leaving the middle of the ice open for Mitchell. With Dubinski / Cally and Boyle / Prust, they always try to enter the offensive zone along the boards. The refreshing thing is Richards and Hagelin (the new blood this year) have the ability and speed to enter the offensive zone through the middle of the ice, which will open up space on the wings!!!
In an effort to belabor a happy point...
Remember, we had the same nasty habit back in the Spring of ’94 vs. NJD and VAN….
and look what happened anyway….
just sayin’. :)
This team...
This team is extremely different than last year. Last year our team struggled at times glaringly and now every night they play they have a chance to win. Last year we saw flashes of this team but now it seems they are playing with the same intensity regularly. Also having hank play some of his best hockey doesn’t hurt either.
We are going to go to Philadelphia... and we are going to win.- Glen Sather
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Dec 2, 2011 11:04 AM EST reply actions
I think we’re now something like 10-0-1 when we score a PP goal. Might have heard it wrong though.
Also anyone out there notice Hagelin moves on the boards in the offensive zone? He sets up like he’s waiting for the D to tie him up on the boards, then just as the D rolls in he turns and sprints along the boards with the puck normally getting about a step or 2 away from the D? That was doing wonders for his linemates last night.
by teknics on Dec 2, 2011 11:35 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I have to admit I was one these guys that were getting worried a month ago about the play of the blueshirts. I was also against breaking up Gabby and Richards but wow what a turn around. I’d say they have proved themselves with wins over the flyers,caps and pens I am a little worried about what’s gonna happen when Wolski,Rupp and EC come back. Avery has been awesome and has played smart hockey and provided a spark to the players and fans, and hagelin has been great registering a point in every game. I hope they keep it up because this team is really fun to watch.
by The Richards-Gaborik Connection on Dec 2, 2011 11:48 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Don't Worry
Torts will not shuffle the line-up of a streaking team just for the sake of doing it. If someone heals-up and is ready, they will be reinserted when the team cools off (yes it could happen) or when another injury hits (sadly, they always hit). He’s never done it another way, so do not fret.
by Blueshirts Rock on Dec 2, 2011 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
Thing’s couldn’t be better for us right now. Other than the fact that we have a tremendously ugly logo on our Winter Classic jersey instead of our iconic traditional shield, I could not be happier with the way the team has played thus far
by Guess Who's Back? on Dec 2, 2011 12:35 PM EST reply actions
Adding the speed of Hagelin, Mitchell, and Avery has worked wonders for this team. Would look faster than everyone, and to compliment that we have the grit from most of the roster as well.
Who make the pass to Anisimov that led to the 2-1 goal for Gabby? Whoever it was, that was a gorgeous pass, and AA’s move was just as nice.
Great team production once again. Everything’s clicking right now, and whats most proving to me is that we have been able to win without stellar goaltending.
"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!!!
The pass
Was made by Jeff woywitka (sp?). Not to take anything away from that perfect stick to tape pass by him but it was a terrible line change by the canes that allowed him to make said pass to spring Artie and gabby on that 2-1. Again beautiful pass but the whole play was a byproduct of that bad change. So I guess great pass and a heads-up play seeing the canes out of position. Two thumbs up
by thepeon on Dec 2, 2011 3:09 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I am very happy with the current situation..
Rangers are doing great this year..so far!..we should go deeper into play- offs!.Hagelin,Mitchel,both a plus for Rangers,quick intelligent,hard working,skillful and very promisng players!! Happy to have them on the team and hope that they will stay and keep contributing…Rangers needed a solid center and they found it in Brad,..he is doing just fine,and Gabby is back ,healthy and ready to score more.! Hope he break his record of 42 goals this year.!! Go rangers! Tomorrow Tampa.should be a win! ,By the way,today I read about Philadelphia fans ,and their hatred..they hate Rangers like nobody else..,Go to their
news column and read what they are writing,its sickenning!!
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