New York Rangers Need A Win Tonight Against New Jersey
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 31, 2012 9:00 AM EST
in New York Rangers Analysis
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With the All-Star Break over --and Marian Gaborik even taking home some hardware -- the New York Rangers will now turn their attention to their next foe, the New Jersey Devils.
Maintenance days are a favorite of John Tortorella, and he had a whole week of them for most every player on his team. That means you can expect a healthy squad to take on the Devils tonight. The Rangers are still clinging to their Atlantic Division lead, although a few teams are close behind -- New Jersey being one of them.
That makes tonight's tilt even more important, regardless of the rivalry. Hopefully Gaborik, who notched three goals in the All-Star Game, can continue his hot streak and bring his game back into the regular season. Obviously the difference between the no-defense, no-hitting All-Star Game and a fierce regular season rivalry is significant; but Gaborik should still be a confidence hockey player going into the game.
Join me after the jump for more.
The rest should also have been good for guys like Henrik Lundqvist (even though he played in the All-Star Game), Brad Richards, Ryan McDonagh and even Michael Sauer. All of those players could really use the week off, and all of them got it at a crucial point in the season.
The Rangers' power play has had a week off, and the coaching staff almost assuredly worked on some of the kinks during the break. Hopefully we see an improved unit on the ice tonight. The rest should at least help in that regard.
The Rangers are coming off a 3-0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets from a week ago today, and are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Another win tonight will help the Rangers strengthen their strangle hold on the Atlantic Division.
Thoughts?
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Just continue the dominance over the Devils. They’re without Zajac and Henrique and their D doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence.
I’d like to see a change of script from the usual Rangers-Devils games where the Devils dominate early, Brodeur lets in a softy and the Rangers claw back to win. A nice “clean” win is a good start to the unofficial second half.
by MyFavBaseballSquadron on Jan 31, 2012 9:15 AM EST reply actions
really zajac and Henrique are both out? wow did not hear that… we def need a win to get back into the swing of winning….. big two days coming up…. hows in net tonight? im thinking it should be hank tonight and let marty play tomorrow in Buffalo….
Anyone else read this ?
http://hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1234#commentMessage
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Jan 31, 2012 9:57 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Yeah, it's an older article now
It’s nothing that Rob L and I haven’t covered to some degree, he just put a number to the amount of points they’d drop. I think he’s too pessimistic, because there’s too much concentration being put on the full season numbers, which do still look bad, but much better than they had been.
If they finish with 108 points instead of 104, however, they’d still be on top of that list, so it’s hard to complain much about it.
The counter to that was this one: http://hockeyprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=1238. I know some people questioned why nobody predicts an upswing, so there you go.
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by George E. Ays on Jan 31, 2012 10:06 AM EST up reply actions
or this.
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Jan 31, 2012 10:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Richards is on a pace for a career low in shots.
That’s what I think is holding him back right now. Right now though his shooting percentage is a career high and if he were to shoot more that’d likely drop. What i’m trying to say is though if Richards is going to keep playing with guys like prust and fedotenko then he’s going to have to shoot more to get any kind of offense he can’t be thinking pass first on a line like that.
He has to kind of be a puck hog and have his linemates crash the net. I think he’s going to turn it around this second half and hi 30 goals for the first time ever and that’s my prediction, even though the splits have him falling short at 27.
"Anson Carter is a highly skilled, versatile player who we feel will play a very significant role on our team this season. He is a very intelligent player who brings a strong presence and leadership qualities." - Sather
"He's the best first passer in the game. He moves the puck up exceptionally."- Sather on signing Wade Redden
"If you look through the NHL, there aren't many players with his type of ability; he has superstar ability."- Sather on signing Vladimir Malakhov
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Jan 31, 2012 10:26 AM EST reply actions
It has a lot to do with the teams spread on shots. At Dallas he was leaned heavily to provide the majority of the offense. The rangers offense is by far more spread out, and I think he is still adjusting. I just think the Rangers overall need to think shoot more often, especially MDZ and Stepan.
On the PP sure. Overall, it’s Anisimov and especially Dubinsky that aren’t looking shot enough.
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 31, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
Devils
Not sure if a team with no real number 1 goalie, injury problems, and is 11 points behind us with a game in hand, should be consider “close behind” the Rangers in the Atlantic.
Andrew Gross @AGrossRecord
Biron in net tonight vs. Devils. Otherwise same lineup for Rangers.
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
Bah. Rather Lundqvist start tonight and get one extra day rest before Sunday, and Marty play vs. his old team tomorrow, who he already beat once this season. But whatever.
Seriously I agree
"It's far from done, but we did get something accomplished."-#19 B.Richards
by -19-AgainstAll on Jan 31, 2012 12:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Go Rangers!!!
I hope that they win tonight and start second half on a good note..still a lot of games left,work on power play,it will be very,very important in play.offfs..Go my rangers!!!
i dont see this as a must win…id even entertain the idea of biron in net just because hes been off so long….it gives henrik a real break also…than he can take the sabres and flyers
Insert witty comeback here
by birdmansns on Jan 31, 2012 4:31 PM EST via Android app reply actions
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