Rangers Vs. Panthers: Rangers Return To First In The East With 4-1 Win Over Florida
by Bryan Winters on Dec 30, 2011 10:26 PM EST
in New York Rangers Recaps
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The New York Rangers didn't wait long to get back into the win column after being destroyed in Washington the other night. With this win, the Rangers return to first in the Eastern Conference, and potentially first in the NHL barring the outcome of the Detroit/Chicago game. It's also worth nothing that the Rangers hit the 50 point mark with this win, I'm not sure the last time the Rangers did that.
Just 35 seconds into the game Carl Hagelin got the Rangers on the board first with a nifty redirection in front. Ryan Callahan made a great pass over the Hagelin who got his stick on the puck, and deflected it short side on Scott Clemmensen. Just five minutes later, Brad Richards sniped for his first point in five games, and gave the Rangers an early 2-0 lead.
Follow after the jump for more.
Michael Del Zotto put in another goal for the Rangers with a big wrist shot from the point. According to the replay, the puck deflected off of the defenseman in front of Clemmensen and the puck beat him over the shoulder. Following the goal by Del Zotto, Scott Clemmensen was replaced by Jose Theodore to finish out the first period.
After the first period, the Rangers had completely dominated the Panthers in all aspects of the game, including the scoreboard. Seven minutes into the second period, Brandon Dubinsky made a fantastic individual effort and powered his way to the net. He would eventually weave his way into the middle of the slot where he would beat Jose Theodore just over the left pad.
Just two minutes later Matt Bradley broke Henrik Lundqvist's shutout and scored off of a weird bounce in front of Lundqvist. The centering pass from Erik Gudbranson deflected off of the skate of Ryan McDonagh and Bradley found the loose puck in front. The Rangers were as dominant in the second period, but still had great play throughout.
The third period was scoreless, but we had quite the hits, and even a dirty sucker punch coming from Tomas Kopecky. Del Zotto and Kopecky were battling in front, and Kopecky caught a stick up high from Del Zotto. Kopecky turned around a popped Del Zotto in the side of the head, and hell broke loose shortly after. Both Prust and Rupp immediately reacted to the incident, and stood up for their teammate, which was great to see.
Henrik Lundqvist had another solid game in net, and the Rangers got back into the winning column. The quick start by the Rangers got this game done early on, and it set the tone. This game was the last meeting before heading off to meet with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic.
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Probably the worst a team that won 4-1 could play.
Didnt like the line mixups late in the 2nd and throughout the entire 3rd period, no reason for that.
Leave the lineup the same for monday and next week vs florida. both games will be very physical, rupp will be needed to help prust out if things get chippy. put wolski back in vs pitt next friday.
Time to take this outside
by nyrangerfan521 on Dec 30, 2011 10:40 PM EST reply actions
I don’t believe Torts did that intentionally. That was more of not a full change when the Panthers had the puck in the Rangers Zone. I mean I saw Gaborik on the ice with Richards and Callahan at one point because he just couldn’t get off the ice and was forced to stay there.
by NYR #35 Richter on Dec 31, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Torts actively changed up Callahan and Mitchell in the 3rd to create a defensive line late.
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by George E. Ays on Dec 31, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions
Yup and he put Mitchell alongside Richards.
With a 3 goal lead it also gives you a opportunity to try a few things. I’m itching to see a Haggs-BR-Gabby line.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Dec 31, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Great overall effort
The response to the dismal loss against the Capitals was great to see. To observe how they rebounded from that performance and did all of the little things right that they didn’t do in the last game gives me a lot of confidence going into the Classic.
One thing I am mad about was the officiating during that scrum at the end. Explain to me how the Rangers wound up shorthanded; Kopecky didn’t receive any penalty for slugging MDZ in the side of the head!? I was glad to see Rupp go in there and give Kopecky a couple of slugs of his own. The rematch at MSG after the Classic should be interesting.
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
It shouldn’t have maddened you, the right calls were made. Kopecky and Rupp both got 5 min + game misconduct, and the extra 2 minutes was because Del Zotto accidentally crosschecked Kopecky in the head to start the scrum.
mmmmm, ya, accidentally. They were going at it pretty hard so I think any action there can be deemed more or less intentional. The sucker punch was dirty, but DZ clearly crossed him in the face.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 30, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
if you stand in the crease you take your chances. every defenseman in the league cross checks the opposing player when he plants himself in front of the goalie. Its not like he was cross checked at the blue line or along the boards.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Dec 31, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
Glad to be of service.
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by George E. Ays on Dec 30, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
Kevin Dineen
"That’s hockey. Some guy cross-checks you in the back and then follows through. He deserves a good smash in the face,‘’ Panthers coach Kevin Dineen said of Del Zotto. "He got what he deserved. Then guys who play five minutes a night, it’s typical that they would go and try and grab our skill players. We’ll see what the response is.’’
oh boy. gonna be quite an interesting game next thursday
by nyrangerfan521 on Dec 30, 2011 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
NYDNRangers Pat Leonard
Tortorella on Mike Rupp pummeling Tomas Kopecky after he hit Del Zotto: "It’s a sucker punch. He got what he deserved." #NYR
by nyrangerfan521 on Dec 30, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
I love how the two coaches have completely different takes on what happened. MDZ did catch Kopecky up high but it wasn’t intentional; it was the result of the jostling they were doing in front of the net. Kopecky’s reaction was uncalled for and probably a result of his frustration due to losing the game.
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
It was a bit more than just jostling. Kopecky is a tall guy; for DZ to have caught him in the face he must have been cross checking him pretty. I won’t say the sucker punch wasn’t deserved, but I think that’s only because I’m a ranger fan.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 30, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions
He def pushed upward to much but at least they were both involved in a struggle and aware of it. A blindside punch, gloved to the side of the head is just dangerous and cheap. If you’re gonna give him a deserved punch at least fight him face to face not sneak him.
by teknics on Dec 30, 2011 11:49 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
agreed there. He should have challenged him fairly instead of just side swiping him. I just didn’t like how it was made to seem like MDZ wasn’t in the wrong for what he did.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 31, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions
Kopecky is tall, but...
he was practically almost all the way bent over when he got hit in the head.
"You fucking loser!" - Sean Avery
"Just reload my weapon, you know?" - Artem Anisimov
The future is looking bright boys.
....
Coach sounds like Rex Ryan…shut up and let them play hockey.
Although I’m worried about DZ because that cheap swing caught him in a bad spot, we need him…he’s way too important to this team.
MDZ plays 5 minutes a night? those must be some pretty explosive shifts for him to be +25 this year
GET RIPPED
"We'll Win Tonight" - The Captain
"Let's go eat a &€% %¥#$ snack" - Rex
From Chris, associate editor of Florida Panthers SB Nation blog
I thin kKopecky will get (and deserve) a suspension. That was pure frustration. Barch was thrown out probably for flopping his lips.
http://www.litterboxcats.com/2011/12/30/2671566/rangers-panthers-game-recap#comments
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"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Only fines 2,500 each per the Shanahammer
RIP Derek Boogaard
"It's just pain" - Brandon Prust
Member of the Prustbyterians
by JustinL61184 on Dec 31, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I notice that Dineen classifies Kopecky as a “skill player”. I wouldn’t go that far…
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
I lol'd at that
"You fucking loser!" - Sean Avery
"Just reload my weapon, you know?" - Artem Anisimov
The future is looking bright boys.
Dineen had the nerve to say that?!
Am I wrong, but didn’t he play with Cunneyworth? The same buttwipe who went after a VERY young, non-fighter Naslund?
Got some balls…
Good thing we have…
THE PICKLE!
R.I.P Derek
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Dec 30, 2011 10:56 PM EST reply actions
stuuuuuuuuuu (does that work or is it cheesy?)
GET RIPPED
"We'll Win Tonight" - The Captain
"Let's go eat a &€% %¥#$ snack" - Rex
isn’t stu pickle on the rugrats? If he is then bickell should be nicknamed ‘rugrat’ from here on out
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 30, 2011 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
We won without Avery on the roster, surprise it’s not him making us win
by teknics on Dec 30, 2011 11:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions
We clearly don’t need him, but Avery’s a chill guy who at least seems to be motivated when he plays. EC, not so much, although I do understood that it was partly a money move.
Take it to the net and keep jamming and jamming until somebody comes on you.
- Eddie Olczyk
by Scratch and Snif on Dec 31, 2011 12:54 AM EST up reply actions
Rupp and Kopecky are probably gone for a few games. But, good on Prust and Rupp for sticking up for MDZ.
R.I.P Derek
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Dec 31, 2011 2:21 AM EST reply actions
No suspensions, only 2,500 fines for MDZ and Kopecky
RIP Derek Boogaard
"It's just pain" - Brandon Prust
Member of the Prustbyterians
by JustinL61184 on Dec 31, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Mr. Avery
I don’t know about you guys, but I’m gonna miss Sean. I always liked his moxie and competitiveness. He may not have super star skills, but he gave all he had when he played ( except when Torts chopped him off at the knees). I can accept that there was a mutual disike between Torts and Avery, and as in all of life the boss is always right, so I have to accept Avery being let go. I just hope he doesn’t come back to haunt the Rangers!
I wish Avery good luck wherever he winds up (except whe he plays the Rangers.
He’s not going anywhere else. He will be retiring. Probably continuing fashion. I highly doubt he will b picked up by anyone else. It’s almost as sad as McCabe. McCabe was one of my favorite hockey players. Where’s he now? Done.
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Dec 31, 2011 12:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Where do you get that from? Team’s don’t want to be responsible for that contract.
I’d bet that next year he signs a 2-way contract with a western conference team. Take emotions and opinions out of it, and he is an NHL caliber player.
Also, Avery is still one of the faster skaters in the league. McCabe can’t move.
"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 disciplinary action
I’ve heard that nobody will get suspended for the fracas last night. Del Zotto and Kopecky are both being fined ~$2500. I find it really interesting. I would think with all of the concussion talk going around that dangerous blindside punches like that would be looked at more closely. I also would’ve though Rupp would receive something as well because Kopecky wasn’t fighting back while Rupp was beating on him.
Homo homini lupus est - Human beings are wolves to each other
yup DZ and Kop fined: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=609079
I thought Rupp would get a slap from NHL for yanking Kop from the refs honestly
not unless they were in agreement with his actions… lol
RIP Derek Boogaard
"It's just pain" - Brandon Prust
Member of the Prustbyterians
by JustinL61184 on Dec 31, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
They prob decided rupps punches are similar to a 1 game suspension lol
by teknics on Dec 31, 2011 3:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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