New York Rangers Continue To Impress
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 19, 2012 9:00 AM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintThe New York Rangers continue to win big games. It's been a trademark this season, and one that has helped the Rangers earn one of the best records in the NHL.
This time it was the Nashville Predators, who were one of the hottest teams in the league walking into Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. But the Rangers handled them for most of the game and earned a 3-0 victory for the team's 29th victory of the season.
There are positives, as always, to take from the win. There are also some negatives.
The positives are the defense and goaltending, which seems to be another theme this year despite the injuries. Henrik Lundqvist earned his 4th shutout of the year with a 27-save performance and Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto and Ryan McDonagh all played more than 23 minutes in the win.
Join me after the jump for more.
Marc Staal played nearly 18 minutes, which was a huge step up for him as he continues his development. It's a great thing for the team that Staal is starting to see some bigger minutes, and he's obviously progressing just like the Rangers want his to.
He's obviously earned John Tortorella's trust, and is starting to play a bigger and bigger role in the Rangers' wins with him back. Once Staal gets back to full strength the Rangers will be able to roll four defenseman who can play upwards of 25 minutes a night; although the plan would be to hopefully limit players to less than 25 minutes a night.
Offensively, the Rangers got the job done, despite only scoring one goal the game before in the loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
The power play was quiet again, going 0-for-2 in the win, although it obviously wasn't the biggest sample size. The Rangers will want to do better as time goes on, and it's definitely something they need to improve on.
Tonight will be another chance to do that. The Penguins are another tough team, but the Rangers haven't shown an issue with that before.
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Love the way our defense can shut down other teams.
A healthy Staal and Sauer can only make the D better. But McD and Girardi are doing awesome at shutting down the other teams top line, MDZ is handling his competition well and his offense is also a big role in our play. Those guys are a huge reason why our 5v5 is great, puts less pressure on the PP because they’re as useful as a poopy flavored lollipop. Also the PK takes a lot of pressure off too, so happy the way this team plays. Besides that damned PP.
"You fucking loser!" - Sean Avery
"Just reload my weapon, you know?" - Artem Anisimov
The future is looking bright boys.
Posted this on other thread. HP midseason prospect update. Erixon #5, but no Kreider in top 25.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 19, 2012 9:39 AM EST via Android app reply actions
As George said, Kreider jumped from 70 to 32 on improved hockey sense:
http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1233
I like what I am reading
32. Chris Kreider, Left Wing, New York Rangers (Preseason Ranking: 70)
Kreider has looked significantly better this year in college and arguably could already be a notable player in the NHL. Says one NHL Head Scout, “any hockey sense concerns some may have had are gone” which has been my main issue with Kreider in the past and based on what I’ve seen I agree with that assessment. Now that doesn’t mean he’s making great passes or looks high-end in that aspect, but he doesn’t seem awful and that’s all he ever needed to do to skyrocket up my board due to some of his elite level physical tools. Kreider also has made a lot of physical progression and is a man amongst boys in the college ranks.
Stupid Droid App
This thing doesnt refresh and when you backout of a page it sometimes reloads a cached view. Meaning you dont always get updated comments.
Piece of doodie.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 19, 2012 9:48 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
These comments are also nice to read…. http://www.snyrangersblog.com/2011/12/22/note-chris-kreider-is-going-to-be-great/
Can you imagine Hagelin-like speed on a 6’3 225 physical player?
+1
I especially like the phrase " arguably could already be a notable player in the NHL." Maybe we can sign him in time for the last few games and the playoffs after the college season ends. While I wouldn’t expect him to be able to play a major role, if he can add a scary offensive dimension to one of the bottom two lines that can make a difference in a couple of playoff games.
Probably a better idea to sign him and have him play for the Whalers in the playoffs. Get him that experience. We would hope to not be in the position to need to add Kreider in June.
If BC doesnt make Frozen 4 he could be with Whale by late March. NCAA Regionals are March 23.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 19, 2012 11:50 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Perhaps
But I am more concerned with helping the Rangers playoff run than the Whale’s. And if he is able to be an improvement to the Ranger team, even though raw, I’d rather see him here – not because we need to but hopefully because he is good enough that we want to. Even though he will obviously be raw, he has good size to muck around the 3rd or 4th line, while having scary speed and good shooting skills that could add some additional scoring dimension to those lines (e.g., MDZ to Kreider home run passes).
There are a ton of Detroit prospects on here
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Jan 19, 2012 9:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I think the Wild actually have the most in the top 50 (6). I count 5 wings, 4 isles. DIdn’t see anyone else notably repeated.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 19, 2012 9:59 AM EST up reply actions
Let's build up some momentum tonight
And roll into Boston hot.
Hanks in net so Torts must feel same way.
I think Biron plays against Winnipeg next week and Hank will not start again until Devils on 1/31. Outside of All Star weekend festivities he should get 10 days of rest.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Jan 19, 2012 11:37 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
POO-POO PP
Yeah, I know I’m a negative kind of guy, but 72 years wears you down.LOL
Mark my words, if the Rangers don’t improve their PP substantially, it’s gonna come back to haunt them, big time! I’m fully aware that we’re winning consistantly without an NHL PP, but that just cannot last! Eventually we’re going to have to score on the PP at least as often as mediocre teams do, or we’ll be GONZO!!!
Just how long will it take for management to do something about this issue. They’ve been fiddleling around with mixing lines and changing personnel foir the last couple of years and there’s been NO improvement! I admit, I’m not an NHL coach, but if even I can see a major problem, why can’t they?
OK, we don’t have a Leetch on the point, but is it too much to ask for management to spend as much time as necessary working the Dmen on at least getting the shots from the point (when they take them) on goal? There are, of course, other problems to be sloved, but that seems pretty basic to me. Can’t get too many rebounds, even assuming we have someone in front of the net, if the shots arent getting to the net! I understand they like to work low, often with all three forwards behind the goal, but that leaves ONLY the defensmen to shoot on goal. They have to hit the net when they get an opportunity to shoot, plain and simple!
Boston won the cup last year with a terrible PP… just saying…
@clalicata17
by Clalicata17 on Jan 19, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Yup, they had a good PK and beat teams 5on5. Simple as that.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 19, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
The PP will NOT be the demise of this team in the playoffs. As long as the PK keeps up and no reason it shouldn’t, it will come down to 5on5. If the Rangers lose in the playoffs it will be because we got simply got outplayed 5on5.
The difference between a 15% PP and a 20% PP in a 7 game series is about 1.4 goals through the entire series.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 19, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
And just to add we are at 19% for home PP and 10% road PP which would equate to an overall 14% PP conversion.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 19, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, I didn’t realize that. Was their PP as bad as ours? And did management do something about it?
I’m just asking because I don’t know the answer, I’m NOT trying to be a smartass, I’d like to know.
Maybe I’m expecting too much from the coaching staff.
They went 17% at home and 5% on the road which was 11.5% overall.
Aucune clause de Mouvement
by Blueshirt in Paris on Jan 19, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
They tried, they brought in Kaberle, who did nothing. Much like we brought in McCabe last year to attempt to change a PP, didn’t change anything. Hell, McCabe got caught up in the pass the puck around game like everyone else.
That’s the thing that seems to get missed. One player is not going to turn our PP into a juggernaut. The other 4 guys are still the same guys who take a while to get set up and pass the puck around looking for the empty net goal when they do. More importantly, the people coaching them are the same, and have more of an influence than any player will have.
I mean, again, look at Boston’s PP unit last year. Chara, Kaberle, Krejci, Recchi, Bergeron, with Lucic and Horton if need be. Does that look like a unit that would go 16% reg season and 11% postseason? They have everything, a big shot, muckers in front, two! QBs….and nothing.
Just like you can’t build a team around the shootout, you can’t build it around a PP either. You build a 5v5 team that can win the battles that account for 80% of the game, and hope you have enough talent to not give it back on special teams.
One last point…PK+PP we’re still above 100%, which means we’re winning on special teams. If we had a shitty PK, then maybe worry about the PP. As long as that number is above 100%, 5v5 will be where our games are won.
Blueshirt Banter - Where Rangers' Fans Matter
Tracking the Rangers - Numbers don't lie. They just don't agree with you.
Twitter: RangerSmurf
"Oh, that sensible and sober* Rangers fan guy who is cool, actually" - Dominik, Lighthouse Hockey
*Statement has not been verified nor regressed
by George E. Ays on Jan 19, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
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