Rangers Recap: Rangers Clip Flyers in SO to Take over 7th in East
by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2011 4:02 PM EDT
in New York Rangers Recaps
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PrintThis afternoon's tilt got off to an appropriate start when Brandon Prust and Sean O'Donnell dropped the gloves just forty-five seconds into the first period to get the juices flowing. In a game that promised to be an all out battle right from the opening face-off, it was almost inevitable that a scrap would be the best way to kick things off at the Well Fargo Center today in Philadelphia.
The intensity only escalated from that point on as both teams were throwing around the body and in the opening stanza, the game was pretty wide open with both teams getting odd-man chances. The first goal did not come until 12:25 of the first, though, as James vanRiemsdyk would find a loose puck in the crease and slide it past a sprawled Henrik Lundqvist to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead. On this particular play, both Bryan McCabe and Steve Eminger were caught standing around and watching instead of taking action.
It wasn't long until McCabe redeemed himself, because he would end up tying the game for the Rangers with under a second left on the clock in the first period. With Callahan being interfered with and Marc Staal being high-sticked within the final minutes, the Blueshirts were given a very important 5 on 3 advantage. Thankfully they took advantage with Derek Stepan feeding McCabe for a howitzer of a one-timer and the two teams went to the locker rooms tied at one.
As the second period progressed, the Flyers appeared to become fatigued after having played three games in four days. The Rangers picked up on this and began to take over the game by applying a persistent forecheck. They worked the corners well and, for the most part, kept Philadelphia pinned in their own zone. The hard work paid off at 13:30 of the second when Ruslan Fedotenko slammed home a rebound that squirted out into the slot for his tenth of the season.
In addition to really bringing it offensively, the Rangers also gave up very little in the defensive zone, keeping the Flyers' skilled forwards contained. This made it easier for Henrik Lundqvist in goal, who recently has gotten used to facing a barrage of shots from in close.
Continue reading after the jump....
Philadelphia grabbed some of the momentum back in the third period, responding after an alarmingly poor effort in the second. They were catching the Rangers off guard with long outlet passes to spring odd-man rushes. At 4:32, Nik Zherdev tied the game on a play where multiple factors came into play.
First off, prior to the goal, defenseman Ryan McDonagh blocked a shot with his leg and was in pain, barely being able to stand up. The puck was cleared out of his own zone, so he thought he was safe to make a change. Unfortunately the Flyers regrouped right outside the blue-line and Nik Zherdev (McDonagh's man) was left wide-open cutting through the slot. Claude Giroux found him with a beautiful pass for the tap-in.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net for the remainder of the third or in overtime, so just like it did last April, the shootout would decide this 2-2 tie. Henrik Lundqvist was perfect, fighting off Zherdev's quick wrister with the glove and poke-checking Giroux on his attempt. On the other end, the Ranger forwards were also perfect as Erik Christensen absolutely owned Sergei Bobrovsky with a series of moves and Wojtek Wolski's dipsy doodle just barely snuck past the goal line. So, as usual, the Rangers were able to obtain the full two points in dramatic fashion.
Henrik Lundqvist had to be the better goalie in this game and he was the better goalie in this game. Stopping 32 shots, plus the two he faced in the shootout, Henrik showed us all that he is in playoff mode. There were times in this game where Philly was scarily dominating the Rangers in the offensive zone and Hank had to handle things himself. The All-Star netminder was able to do so and stole another pair of key points for his club.
As the NBC broadcast did an excellent job of pointing out, the key to the Rangers' success this afternoon was sacrifice. They were dropping on the ice to block shots constantly, and it wasn't only your usual suspects; it was everyone. Marc Staal led the charge, and even after breaking his nose in the second period, he was still throwing himself in front of slap shots, showing his dedication to the team. Playing with a broken nose is unbelievable in itself, and then to continue to sacrifice the body despite that is just incredible.
All of the shot blocking aided the Rangers in killing all four of the Flyers' powerplay opportunities this afternoon. Philly has struggled with the man advantage, especially without Chris Pronger in the lineup, so the Rangers wisely took a high-pressure approach when down a man. I'd say it worked out pretty well, eh?
I'm happy John Tortorella elected not to go with the new offensive combinations he put together in practice on Saturday, because that Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan line played a major role in today's victory. How many times did the NBC guys compliment them? It felt like they were being talked about every other shift, and it's all recognition that they deserve.
Also, hats off to Marian Gaborik for playing a desperate hockey game today. His mentality and will have been questioned over the course of the season, but his efforts defensively in this game proved that he gets it. He knows it is do or die for his hockey club and that will go a long way on and off the ice.
New York has now surpassed the Buffalo Sabres for seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 89 points. That could change tonight when the Sabres and Hurricanes square off in Raleigh, but as long as the Rangers can win games like they did today (only three remaining on the schedule), then it really doesn't matter what the teams below them do.
With the confidence that comes along with defeating the second place team in a gutsy effort, I think the Blueshirts have a good chance of winning out to finish the season. We'll see if I am right starting tomorrow night when they host the Boston Bruins at MSG.
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four games in 3 days :)
no wonder they were tired :)
great write up though.. im pumped!!!
"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!!!
Fixed. Thanks.
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by Nick Montemagno on Apr 3, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Great Game amd a Great Win
Unbelievable how the Rangers sacrificed themselves today. I just hope they are all healthy for tomorrow. Lundquist is at his best for a while now and right when it counts.
Atlanta on Thursday won’t be an easy game, and they shouldn’t overlook that one (hopefully they’ve clinched by then).
Tomorrow will be a war. Let’s hope the Bruins, who have less to play for, bring their B game (not counting on it), and let’s also hope Rask starts (not counting on that either).
Gutty win today, boys.
i have to say, the nbc announcers were actually really good today.
weird, right?
and gaborik put in the effort we’ve been asking for. he didn’t score, but he was a threat all game and was definitely noticeable. the few plays where he cut to the net, instead of the boards, really reminded me of last year.
it was great to see truthfully. hopefully next time he can rip one of the shots top shelf against bob.
great game. games like this make me love this team. im sure will bring it against boston, but im worried about atlanta. we might not show up.
go buffalo tonight right?
"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!!!
not to mention the numerous plays Gaborik made in the defensive zone
by nyrangerfan521 on Apr 3, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Just what the doctor ordered.
Solid performance defensively, offense has to get it going though, I feel like we’ve been on the 5 on 3 a lot as of recently. Lets get one in Boston without the shootout being needed, there’s no such thing as shootouts in the playoffs.
"Hey Petr, Smrdíš jako prase!" -Bobby Granger
Amazing game, I think what was really understated was how Marian Gaborik played today. Hes been using his legs and skating really hard(has been for the most part the last few or so weeks) but he blocked shots, finished checks, made a couple huge defensive plays, ect. He is a real team guy and understands the system and he even had a few offensive scoring opportunities as well. This might have been one of his best games of the season despite not scoring.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 3, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+10
"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!!!
I live out of market, so my exposure is limited to Versus/NBC and a stream if I’m lucky, but I’ve never seen him so involved. He was one of the best penalty killers. Solid effort.
by Larry Jenkins on Apr 4, 2011 3:22 AM EDT up reply actions
CRF, I'm with you in Gaborik.
I think it may have been more of a pride/ego thing as well as confidence for Gaborik. He’s not just “buying in” to Tortorella’s system now, he’s playing it. I think he threw 4-5 hits tonight and looked particularly strong going from the boards to the front of the net, making his presence felt. Teams have started to sleep on him because of his lack of production, and he’s gonna burn a couple of defenders before the season is over as a result.
He backchecked hard this game, probably harder than I’ve ever seen him backcheck in a Rangers sweater. With the lack of scoring and our playoff hopes still in question, he may feel the weight of the team on his shoulders again, and that may be exactly what he needs to get going. Maybe he can be the “Captain Clutch” we’re lacking heading into the postseason?
Missed today's game
Fun filled work emergency today. Happy with 2 points. What, if any, improvements did the Rangers make as compared to the last few games?
Much better defensive effort was the big thing...
Blocked a ton of shots. Even though he didn’t score a goal, some pretty big signs of life from Gaborik too.
How Pumped
were you when McCabe scored on the blast and yelled like he was Leonidis from 300… that pumped me up for sure… our 3rd pairing scares the hell out of me… but god damn that was a howitzer on the PP… just what McCabe was brought in for…
@clalicata17
I gave it my best primal roar…it was epic in its awesomeness
"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
"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
someone mentioned in the game thread that mccabes goal alone was worth the third round pick. i tend to agree :)
"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!!!
May have saved the playoffs for us
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 3, 2011 6:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nice rebound effort
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
Gabby showed well today.
Thought he should have put a couple more on net but he played with grit and determination today. Torts even had him on the ice during the last sixty seconds of the period on more than one occasion.
Great win, screamed like a little girl when Wolski buried it. We need two out of the final three and should be okay.
I don’t want Philly in 1st round. Consider todays game and throw in Pronger and Briere.. Rather take chance with Cap.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Apr 3, 2011 6:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Gabby has definitely been back the last few games. Now we need a couple of goals out of him tomorrow or maybe a hatty.
by nathansfamous on Apr 3, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Very nice turn around after the debacle on long island…I just knew if there was any justice in the universe going into the shootout in that building again with so much on the line we HAD to emerge victorious…and I didn’t get to the game thread I was behind on the dvr anybody else punch a hole thru their tv when carcillo like jumped at whoever that was to like scare em? Ugh I hate that douche..but anyways big 2 points let’s keep it up!
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 3, 2011 6:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
amazing how 60 minutes of good hockey can change the entire mood of this place
after two bad losses everyone is tying the noose, dialing 911, finalizing their wills and saying goodbye to the cruel world. Now everyone’s got their blood pumping and are smelling the sweet nectar of victory and are planning their playoff victory dances.
As for the game, if the rangers can put together an effort like this for the next two weeks then people better watch out. While there were some red flags, Staal could barely skate by the time the OT came around and I don’t know if he can keep that kind of pace up over a short series. Also we need to get more jerseys close to the net and bury those offensive rebounds. Other than that it was a solid defensive and team effort with Hank being Hank. Let’s hope things can continue this way for the next three games
"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
"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
well.. it is an insane asylum.
"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!!!
yep i know
"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
"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
I always try my best to stay well grounded and I never call for trades or firings like alotta people if I ever come across like I need suicide watch its just cuz the best place to vent immediately following a bad loss is on here with you guys and I’m still emotional…I always calm down after a few minutes!
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 3, 2011 9:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
still doing my buddhist breathing exercises. any combination between us and CAR equalling 5 points, or 1 more win than BUF, or 3 more points than MTL … my head hurts. Any idea of the tiebreakers is ROW’s are equal?
"There are some people who, if they don't already know, you can't tell 'em." - Yogi
please
we need to have luck for it to be shit
"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
"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
This kid Enroth is a stud
Stood on his head and crapped wooden nickels against Canes. I’ll give my right nut for 8th spot and a match up with the Capitals.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Apr 3, 2011 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
What can you do, but if we would have gotten a win vs Isles or Buff, we would not even be in this situation . Watched a good part of Buf and Canes, ans as everyone could predict, it was a three point game. MNFER. Only makes the game against Boston tomorrow that much more important. Just hope we can show up, and we are not too beat up. The Rangers sacrificed their bodies today. Staal had 34 minutes!
Girardi had 32 minutes. Maybe sit someone and have Gilroy play tomorrow?
by nathansfamous on Apr 3, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions
ehh not at this point. each game is too crucial.
we cant afford to be missing staal, girardi, mcd, or sauer.
and we need mccabe back there too, so i guess eminger but i doubt he needs a break..
"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!!!
They'll have to run entirely on adrenaline
Tomorrow’s game is extremely important since the Canes got that damn point.
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Apr 4, 2011 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions
so with 89 games played..
montreal has 91 points
buffalo has 90 points
rangers have 89 points
carolina has 87 points.
woah. must-wins from this point forward boys. im hoping for a 1st round matchup vs. the caps!
"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!!!
*79 games.
"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!!!
Magic number is 5. Carolina still plays Detroit and Tampa. 1-1-1 probably gets us in at this point, but I’d prefer 2-0-1 or 3-0 for sanity’s sake.
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by George E. Ays on Apr 3, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions
we play the bruins.
buffalo plays the lightning.
montreal plays the blackhawks.
all three times have a tough match-up. lts just take some points away from the bruins game. i’ll feel much better if we do..
"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!!!
clutch win.
the king had another clutch game big win now we got to take care of the bruins thomas will be in net for that one no rask i would think.
lohaus #54
Disagree on the first goal. That was all Eminger
On this particular play, both Bryan McCabe and Steve Eminger were caught standing around and watching instead of taking action.
I think McCabe played that as well as he could have. He didn’t chase behind the net early. He stayed with Zherdev until he saw him go behind, and then turned back to the puck. Eminger, on the other hand, got out muscled in front early, never got back into good position, and JVR just kept ramming it home. Here’s the link if anyone wants to check it out.
I only bring it up because I just praised McCabe for doing exactly what he did there in Joe’s post. McCabe played smart hockey, and did what HE was supposed to. Eminger, on the other hand, was a pretty good example of how our young guys let themselves get caught in bad positions, and because of that, can’t make the play on the puck when they have to.
It was all Eminger. He was all by himself, which is bad when you’re defending. McCabe looked locked up with a guy.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
Ryan Callahan: running on Vengeance and Tiger Blood since 2006.
McCabe shows discipline and doesn’t chase, going post to post until the play moves out, and then he picks up Zherdev. When Zherdev goes past the net, and heads behind, McCabe, releases, goes back in front and tries to help, but it’s too late. From the time Eminger absorbs that contact infront, he’s out of position. Getting some of these guys to on D to muscle up and be able to hold their ground would be a big help. Stuff like that kills us.
Good win. Great response after that mess they made on the Island. 4 points this week should get the job done, but 6 would make it easy on all of us.
Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York!
For the empty net, Mark Messier... do you believe it?! Do you believe it?! He said we will win game 6 - he has just picked up the hat trick!
ugh
why isn’t carolina going away
"I only wanted a few things out of life -- a wife, children, to play baseball and to hunt deer." - Turk Wendell
cam ward?
"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!!!
ding ding ding
"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
"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
Gotta say...
I went down to Philly for this one, and it was SO worth it!
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