New York Rangers Noon Number: 24:48
by Joe Fortunato on Jan 6, 2012 12:02 PM EST
in New York Rangers Noon Number
Email
Print
In the New York Rangers' victory over the Florida Panthers last night, Dan Girardi only accumulated 24:48 worth of ice time. When Marc Staal went down with an injury before the season started John Tortorella made Girardi the No. 1 defenseman on the team. Girardi answered the call brilliantly, and has been one of the driving forces for the Rangers' success this year.
Girardi has averaged over 27 minutes of ice time this year, and that number has only crept away from 30 minutes recently.
John Tortorella has been able to do that by trusting players like Michael Del Zotto and Anton Stralman with more minutes on the ice. Del Zotto is currently averaging 23 minutes a game while Stralman's ice time has skyrocketed up to 19 minutes a night.
Join me after the jump for more.
This has also allowed Tortorella to let Staal progress slowly, as planned. Staal hasn't played more than 13 minutes in either of his two games this season, and it's highly unlikely he will eclipse that mark tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Once Staal gets back on even footing, both he and Girardi can carry the load at about 25 minutes a night. At the pace Girardi was going, he wasn't going to last to the postseason. Thankfully, however, Tortorella has options to keep Girardi's ice time down.
Hopefully that continues this season.
10 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Here are a few bullet points on staals game since he’s been back:
- its obvious he’s been out all season, he’s not the same player yet, but he’s also not hurting the team so that’s good
- he’s taken a few bumps here and there but it still makes me nervous when he gets into scrums in front of the net
- having him back shows our rediculous depth…I mean we have our allstar defensemen on the 3rd pairing
- so far I’m happy with the ice time hes been getting…I’m pretty sure he wasn’t even out their for OT last night
- also, just to put it out there, I don’t think its safe to assume hes 100% recovered already until the season ends, really. Seeing what happened to sid scares me. Hopefuly staals recovery will be more along the lines of bergeron’s who had a serious concussion, didn’t rush it back, played great, won a cup, and is doing just fine now
by polishBLUE on Jan 6, 2012 12:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Girardi will rest eventually..
And so will McD, whose numbers are pretty close. Staal will certainly start gaining minutes when the schedule is more conducive.
On a side note, congrats to Torts for clinching the ASG coaching berth. Kick ass work, Torts.
"Fart like a man! It's hockey!"
by Danz10 on Jan 6, 2012 1:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Del Zotto
He’s really impressed me in the absences on our blue line. His (short!) career has been up and down, quite literally.
Coming in this season and putting up a really respectable share of points as well as being a pretty mean, physical defender is terrific. It seems like every time they cut from the normal broadcast angle, he’s in the corner or out front giving somebody the business. I think I remember seeing during broadcasts that he’s among the team leaders in hits. He’s putting it together and deserving of the ice-time regardless of who’s available for Torts to choose from.
Glad to see Staal feeling good and rounding into form. It’s fantastic that they’re able to take a cautious approach.
Everyone knows my feeling about Del Zotto, but Stralman surprised me with his fantastic play. Great move by Sather and whoever scouted him.
Follow me on twitter @nyybrandonc
Co-Manager/Writer for Pinstripe Alley, Editor/Writer for Blueshirt Banter
"No matter what I talk about, I always get back to baseball."
"Every day is a great day for hockey."
Who the hell did the Devils choose to keep on their third pair over Stralman??
Also, any news on Sauer?
"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!!!
Who the hell did the Devils choose to keep on their third pair over Stralman??
don’t know but it is pretty safe to say whoever it was it was a mistake
Stralman right now would be their #1
by MasterOfPuppets on Jan 6, 2012 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
F the Devils and Canadiens.
Thank you for Stralman and McDonagh
R.I.P Derek
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Jan 6, 2012 5:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blueshirt Banter
Related FanShots on Blueshirt Banter
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Rangers Schedule
Next 5 Games
New Jersey
|
Sun 05/27 | TBA |
Last 5 Games
|
@
New Jersey
|
Fri 05/25 | OT - L 2 - 3 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/23 | L 3 - 5 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Mon 05/21 | L 1 - 4 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Sat 05/19 | W 3 - 0 |
|
New Jersey
|
Wed 05/16 | L 2 - 3 |
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Who are the Non-Smythe candidates for the Devils, Kings?
- End is near for Rick Nash, Blue Jackets as trade discussions set to resume
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
Latest stories and headlines from NHL.com
- Driven DeBoer delivers Devils back to NHL's elite
- Driven DeBoer, fired by Panthers, delivers Devils back to the land of elite in just one year
- Bruins acquire son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque
- Bruins add a Bourque: Chris Bourque, son of Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, acquired from Capitals
- Shinnimin named CHL's Player of the Year
