Rangers Vs. Flyers: Rangers Defeat Flyers; Move Into First In The Atlantic
by Bryan Winters on Dec 23, 2011 11:24 PM EST
in New York Rangers Recaps
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PrintThe New York Rangers took a very big win tonight at Madison Square Garden. It was their forth straight win, and they surpassed the Philadelphia Flyers for first place in the Atlantic Division. Henrik Lundqvist had a solid game between the pipes, and bailed the Rangers out at certain points during the game.
The first period was all Flyers as they held the possession in the Rangers end for basically the entire period. The Rangers need to come out with some jump in the second period, and did just that. Derek Stepan got the Rangers on the board with an unbelievable redirection that beat Ilya Bryzgalov. Stu Bickel received his third point in three games, getting the primary assist on the Stepan goal.
Just five minutes later, Ruslan Fedotenko scored off of another redirection in front. They would go up to Toronto to review the goal, and it was later revealed as a good goal. This goal was a huge goal for the Rangers, as it gave them a solid two goal cushion. Yet again, Stu Bickel received the primary assist and notched his fourth point of the season, in three games. The chants of "Stuuuuu" and "Duuuuub" came raining down, following the announcement of the goal.
Follow after the jump for more.
Just two minutes into the third period, Marian Gaborik received a sweet bank pass off the boards from Anton Stralman. Gaborik used his speed and broke in a partial breakaway and beat Bryzgalov over the blocker side, and gave the Rangers a secure 3-0 lead. A short time later, the Rangers got into some penalty trouble, and the Flyers converted. Andrej Meszaros cashed in with a bomb from the point that slipped past Lundqvist. That goal was the first Flyers goal at MSG in over nine periods.
The Rangers got a power play of their own just five minutes later, and also got on the board with a power play goal. This time it came from the Captain himself, Ryan Callahan. Dan Girardi put a hard shot on Bryzgalov that he kicked out right to Callahan waiting in front of the net. The Flyers didn't give up just there, James van Riemsdyk scored of a rebound in front of Lundqvist that would eventually be reviewed. It didn't take long for the review, and it was called a goal on the ice.
After some late pressure by the Flyers, the Rangers were able to fight it off and come away with a 4-2 victory. This win was the Rangers fourth straight victory, and they are now in position to contender for the first overall spot in the Eastern Conference. Right now the Rangers have one less game played than the Flyers, and also lead their division.
The Rangers will have some time off, until they take on the New York Islanders once again at MSG the day after Christmas. Here are tonight's three stars of the game, along with the recipient of the Broadway Hat.
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Three divisional games, six points taken and we go to the break 1st in the Atlantic…there’s a nice Christmas gift from the Rangers
"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
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A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
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by Kevin Power on Dec 23, 2011 11:35 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Fantastic win
Was at the game. Playoff intensity.
Watching Del Zotto work players over like a freaking gangster is a thing of beauty.
Anybody know offhand when was the last year we were 1st in the Atlantic this late in the season? Has to be at least 10 years.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
by Joe1969 on Dec 23, 2011 11:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
HOW SICK WAS STEPAN'S DEFLECTION!
When you see it live, you were wondering how the hell did the puck get thru Mr. Universe. But after all the replays, great hand to eye co-ordination and that is the second or third fantastic goal that Stepan has put in.
Derek Stepan has proven within almost a season and over a 1/4 of this season that he is going to be a big time player. With Hagelin, Kreider and hopefully Ryan Bourque. Add that to Cally, Dubi, McDonagh, Del Zotto, Girardi soon to come back Staal, this team is going to be dangerous.
But once again, when we saw Stepan with the WJC Gold Medal USA winning team two years ago, you had a feeling he was going to be something special. He’s proving it right now.
by NYR #35 Richter on Dec 23, 2011 11:43 PM EST reply actions
stepan and kreider were beast in that tornament i remmeber watching the games and just being excited over the prospects.
by tl656 on Dec 23, 2011 11:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Let 24/7 keep trying to predict the flyers as the good guys and suck on wins like this
I have been a bit pissed with the feeling that 24/7 has been depicting the Flyers as the better team and the good guys over us. This is the kind of week and win that I like, just to give a big FU to the people with the agenda against us. I bet they dont show the scum bag Mezsaros chop on Gaborik after the goal, low class dick head move. Of course it was on his previously injured shoulder. If he didnt come back from that I would have been wanting some retribution blood with the form of Giroux laid out.
Anyway had to get out the homerism and phobias about the mans agenda to put the rangers in the bad light always. That was a hard game played by both teams. Defense was great on both sides, Flyers were locking us down in the first but we were not giving up good chances and Hank was a beast not giving up rebounds.
Second period we found what the offensive zone was… Great play all around the fights were good. Prust was awesome with that decisive nose shot to the big ahl guy with the visor. Stu Bickel is the man so far, I doubt he keeps this up but I hope that I am wrong, even if his assists dont continue his defensive play and toughness are well needed since the Sauer injury. Bickel has looked so much more nhl ready then Erixon has this year, if he continues the defensive play I think he should stay up and replace Woywitka kid moves faster and plays with toughness.
Loving Gaborik great breakaway celebration being spoiled by a douche bag flyer is almost typical. Atleast the Flyers knew the game was done and they were outworked, though Meszaros, the dirtbag, got a reward after that shitty chop.
We played great for two periods, thanks to hank for keeping the rangers in it until they found their legs.
Awesome game playoff intensity cant wait for the winter classic, cant wait for 24/7 to try and spin this in a Flyers favorite way after the decisive loss to us also after we beat down most of the division this week.
Merry Christmas, the Rangers have given us a great gift lets pray they do not party to hard and are ready to smack the fishsticks around on Monday followed by the Crapitals and the pussycats.
on the gaborik slash
im actually marginally concerned about it. crazier things have happened than an injury prone player getting nicked and awakening an old injury. pretty sure that same shoulder screwed us all last year.
HBO is positioning the Rangers as “white collars” in oppose to “blue collars” flyers.
The Rangers drive Maseratti and play jam with John McEnroe, also a young rangers player drives sick audi (MDZ) while a poor black flyer (Simmonds) drives crapy infiniti and another young flyer lives at team veteran’s house and babysits his three kids.
When they show NY it’s always clean and sunny, when they show Philly, it’s always bad neghbourhood, graphiti on the walls and cloudy.
Just pay attention to the details, it’s not good or bad, it’s just a script they are following.
Exactly. The big, fancy NYC team versus the hard working, blue-collar Philadelphia team.
It will be interesting to see how they deal with last nights game.
"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!!!
Which is funny
Because I say it’s almost the opposite.
"You fucking loser!" - Sean Avery
"Just reload my weapon, you know?" - Artem Anisimov
The future is looking bright boys.
Rangers being in 1st is the best Christmas gift a guy could get
by nyrangerfan521 on Dec 23, 2011 11:48 PM EST reply actions
No mention of Meszaros' slash?
Also, how awesome is this?
by Free2beljg on Dec 23, 2011 11:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Your right. There was a slash and it’s disgusting how you couldn’t see that. This is what happens when a hockey player that leaves their old team and becomes a Flyer. They have to act all thugish.
Pieces of crap they are.
by NYR #35 Richter on Dec 23, 2011 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
And unless I am mistaken, those 21 goals come with only 2 multi-goal games this year. Meaning this guy is putting the puck in the net almost every night!
~R.I.P. Derek
~Those Caps fans sure think they can make some noise.... too bad their team can't.
That breakaway goal was vintage Gaborik
by AyuvirGreen on Dec 24, 2011 1:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Refs
Good win, but two things about the refs:
1. Some of the non-calls tonight were borderline egregious. I was baffled; it almost seemed intentional
2. How did the officials not see the 2nd goal go in? I was on the opposite side of the rink and it was obvious. No reason it should have gone to review in the first place
by mlamb on Dec 23, 2011 11:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Refs are people. They have influences from above they have to deal with, not to mention their own personal preferences towards certain teams and players. Also, its human nature to root for the team thats behind, and tonight they let the boys play, especially for the Flyers who were behind most of the game.
"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!!!
boyle and dubinsky worked so hard, had some great chances, played really well, i wish those guys would start getting some tallies.
Shoot the puck Barry!!!
they will
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
by feslenraster on Dec 24, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
Was at the game too, what a great win to witness! I was pretty frustrated by yet another slow start but when they got going towards the end of the first I had a feeling it was only a matter of time before they really got going.
Really impressed by Bickel, hadn’t heard much about him but those first 2 goals don’t happen without him.
Del Zotto’s and Stralman’s games really impressed me too, not as worried about the state of the Ranger’s d-corps anymore.
Just saying, if we ever see the following:
Staal-Girardi
Sauer-McD
MDZ-Stralman (?)
we’re gonna be pretty damn scary
"In the '60s I slept with many women, often outside in the mud and rain. It's possible a man may have slipped in there, there's no way of knowing."
Rangers/Jets/Yankees/Knicks/Barcelona/Tottenham fan
it’s a great thing to look forward too isn’t it? i have a feeling staal will be back midway point this season, i don’t know what is up with crosby’s concussion issue but it seems like staal is making strides a lot faster than crosby did.. that dubinsky-boyle-mitchell line has been the best line for the rangers these past few games in terms of getting things going in the offensive zone something i think the rangers have been lacking in the first periods of these games against opponents higher in the standings.. great game great win merry christmas fellas back at it monday night against the isles
That would be wonderful
But when you consider it, Eminger hasn’t exactly played himself out of a roster spot, and though he’s been a bit of a journeyman so far, he’s earning his contract with the blueshirts. Woywitka has been decent but not overwhelming. Then you have Bickel. I am definitely not one to jump on the bandwagon, and I don’t think we have the next Bobby Orr, but 4 assists in 3 games is nothing to ignore, and he’s been solid defensively to combine with that. Let’s consider our D corps at full health, with an (x) representing someone who, no questions asked, IS going to be at the NHL level if healthy.
Staal (x)
Girardi (x)
Sauer (x)
McDonaugh (x)
Del Zotto (x)
Eminger
Woywitka
Erixon
Bickel
Kundratek
Valentanko
Bell
Parlett
Eminger and Woywitka are NHL caliber defenseman now. Erixon will be soon enough. Bell and Bickel could go either way, and there’s the prospects. No matter how you look at it, we have a great depth in the defensive corps, but we also don’t have the roster spots to support the amount of NHL caliber defenseman we have. The decimation via injury has kept the pressure on the situation relatively low… I guess the point I’m getting at, is we are currently in a very strong point. The right decisions now could establish a long-term dominance. I’m not the GM, I don’t know the right moves. I think one way or another, a piece could be moved for a fair return. Could Erixon fetch a first rounder? Maybe with a bit more development, I don’t know. Are Staal/Sauer/McD/DG expendable? In my opinion, certainly not. Like I said, I don’t know what the right move would be, but I think we’re in a position to make a move that could significantly help.
Next season...
Eminger, Woywitka & Bell are Unrestricted Free Agents. I would think it’s unlikely all 3 will return. I would bet at most, 1 is resigned. Valentenko, MDZ, Stralman & Bickel are Restricted Free Agents. All 4 will probably re-sign with us, with MDZ filling out the starting 6. I would be shocked if at least 1 wasn’t part of Sather’s next deal, whenever and with whomever that is. It’s a nice place to be right now, I fully agree.
Traded to Capitals (Hershey Bears)
Scored in first game for them…against the CT Whale. Former Ranger jinx exists in AHL as well.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Dec 24, 2011 8:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Was at the game...
After the first 10 minutes of the 1st, the rangers looked faster and more physical than the flyers… the flyers had more shots, but most of their shots were from the perimeter… I attribute the lack of legs in the 1st to start due to the game last night and the flyers were fresh…
Dubi was awesome tonight… he was all over the place making moves, taking shots, pity one didn’t find the back of the net, but I’ll take the win…
It was great watching flyers fans try to slink out before the end of the game to avoid embarrassment and to see all the rangers fans point them out as they made their “walk of shame”…
@clalicata17
I’m excited to seee Dubi playing hard the l;ast few games. I have been pissed at him because he looked like he was just going through th emotions for the first part of the season. Now he is playing like the Dubi we know. Welcome back Brandon- we missed ya.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Dec 24, 2011 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
+1
"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!!!
Jagr's Return
Anybody else disappointed by the fact Jagr got boo-ed in his return to the garden? Flyer or not, the guy gave his heart and soul to the rangers for 3+ years and was one of the main reasons (him and hank) for the rangers turnaround following the lockout.
I can understand not cheering for him, but I would have expected more of an ovation than the booing he received. The guy was severely underappreciated during his time with the team.
His exit not agreeing to resign with us unless it was for major cash even though he was growing old and less productive might be one thing. The quote, “I didnt try my hardest this season to save myself for the playoffs” might be another thing. His inability to work up the courage to take shots in the shootout when he was team captain could be another.
Point being he did great things for us, but he didnt leave high and mighty. Also we didnt see him considering us to come back to this season doesnt show good loyalty to a team with a chance.
Other than that first year he was with us, he was very inconsistent and kind of lazy…..I didn’t like his attitude while he was here.
by CrazyRangerFan on Dec 24, 2011 2:45 AM EST up reply actions
+1
Jagr is a definite talent but when he was with the Rangers he was very selfish. It was always “me first” with him. Frankly, I wouldnt want him back on this team. His attitude wouldnt fit with the hard work this team puts forth every game.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Dec 24, 2011 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
he had to be, he was the whole team during those years. but he wasn’t “me first.” his performance in the playoffs, though in a losing effort, was Herculian as he was constantly clutched and grabbed but still dominated. it was one of the best playoff performances I have ever seen. and I have seen many.
By selfish I’m talking more about off-the-ice stuff. The demands he made in the clubhouse; what he would and wouldnt do; he was a prima donna who demanded “star” treatment. He was and still is an offensive force- great skills. However he still refuses to play defense- which I’m fine with as long as he’s not on my team.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Dec 24, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
I don't wanna jinx it but I think we can....
nah I’m not gonna jinx it
"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."
Wow, the Flyers are a really skilled team. The first 10 minutes were all them as Bryan correctly points out (good job Bryan for telling it like it was). Brooks says it was a “complete game win.” Oh really? If not for the King the Flyers could have easily been up 2-0 after 10 minutes. Simply, we have the best goalie in the world who keeps the Rangers in games when he needs to. Dubi deserved a goal. That was by far his best 60 minute game of the year. He was dominate and had a slew of scoring chances which is good to see. That move at the blue line to undress the Flyer D was sick but just couldn’t finish. Time to praise Stralman. What a game he had. The hip check on Read, the pass to Gaby for the goal, and great all around play. He was great again. Bickel, who I wanted to stick at the beginning of the year is solid and his physical play is a sight to see against the division rivals. He’s played really well. The bad: the PP. This is what will kill the Rangers if they do not advance in the playoffs. Teams will not hesitate to take liberties because there will be no fear to take penalties. I still say it’s Sullivan and they need to get a new coach to run the PP with Sullivan coaching the D. Otherwise, a big week as I predicted the Rangers would get at least 2 out of 3 but did as well as they could. Merry Christmas Ranger fans.
They were without Briere..
Rangers short Staal/Sauer..you put all those guys in the mix it would be a tremendous 7 game series.
Considering they are getting nothing from Schenn so far..Holmgren looks pretty smart right now.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Dec 24, 2011 8:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Teams will not hesitate to take liberties because there will be no fear to take penalties.
Wait, I thought that’s why we needed enforcer/heavyweight types?
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by George E. Ays on Dec 24, 2011 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
lol George. we do for these type games, IMO. For the Flyers and Bees it doesn’t hurt to have a “neutralizer” in the line-up. I truly believe that but I am talking about the little liberties like clutching and grabbing that would be called as penalties. “Liberties” do not have to be intimidation. Gutless, that was a great game to be at. I was at both games (Isles and Flyers) and the intensity at MSG was like night and day. last night was a playoff game. Giroux is a fabulous player that we could have drafted instead of Sangs. Top 5 player IMO.
by Richter1994 on Dec 24, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
WHY????
Smorch9,
I’m NOT trying to start any controversy, but I wonder why you picked MDZ as a 3rd line Dman? Do the stats for both him and Saur show that Saur should be the 2nd line dman?
I don’t keep stats, I’m just a fan, and I’m curious as to your reasoning. PLEASE don’t take this personally, I really would like to know.
If I were setting up lines, I’d have no problem putting MDZ 2nd, but , then again, I’m a BIG MDZ fan. I think Saur has a big edge in fighting ability, but I think that MDZ is becoming tough as nails on the boards, and makes up for not fighting on stage. He does his battling during the plays in the defensive zones. Saur is,IMO, a very good Dman, but I also think MDZ is just as good and probably has more raw potential than Saur.
What a great position to be in——-too many really good Dmen on a Ranger team!!! Who’d have thought we’d have this problem three years ago??
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
Sauer is a better defender. I suppose MDZ has the potential to be better, but at this point Sauer is just more solid. When they were playing together Sauer bailed him out quite a few times.
Also, when Staal and Sauer come back, Staal plays with Girardi, and Sauer plays with McD, as those guys have the best chemistry with each other. MDZ plays third pair (as well as getting minutes on the PP) along with Stralman or Eminger.
"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!!!
with those two D-men especially, you have to separate offensive and defensive potential. MDZ is never gonna be a shut down guy, Sauer can be. But Sauer does not have the offensive skill/potential as MDZ. They’re very different defenders. Sauer will get the tougher competition, but MDZ will get the PP time. 3rd pairing will generally be in terms of toughness of competition they face. MDZ will never be a shutdown d-man against other teams top lines, thats why he’d be more of a 3rd pairing. But if he’s solid defensively and excellent offensively, that’s just as valuable!
Stu “Black Ace” Bickel.
Very pleased with his hunger for the game, his physicality, the way he defends teammates, and his ability to just throw it at the fucking net. When I was at the Garden for the Islander game I was not pleased with his passing ability, he had a few terrible turnovers. Still, he is a great depth guy, considering he is what… the 9th man down on the depth chart?
Staal
Girardi
McDonagh
Sauer
MDZ
Emmy/Stralman
Woywitka
Bickel
Erixon
Makes me wonder who is next on the depth chart should we have another blueliner go down to injury. My gut reaction is Valentenko but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is someone else.
@DigDeepNYR
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Blueshirt Banter
great win
I minor complaint though. Why was MacDounagh pinching in behind the net late in the game when we were up by two? I saw it at least twice. It was time to play D. Otherwise a great game
by PureBlue on Dec 25, 2011 3:09 AM EST via mobile reply actions
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