Phil makes his own Kessel Run against Blueshirts

Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the New York Rangers by a score of 4-3 in Overtime.

Quick Hits:

• Tough game for the Rangers, having a rough 2nd period but found a way to tie it up in the 3rd and steal a point from Toronto.
• Good for Brian Boyle to emerge as the hero tonight, scoring 2 clutch 3rd period goals. It was his 2nd career 2-goal game. 
• Don't be surprised if Sean Avery gets some disiciplinary action for his nasty slash on Mike Komisarek's ankle...after that penalty was killed off Avery seemed to come alive.
• Both Marian Gaborik & Chris Drury left the 2nd period with injuries. Darren Dreger of TSN tweeted that Drury broke his finger & Gaborik injured his shoulder.
• Rangers missed the net on a good amount of scoring chances.
• Did anyone else enjoy Sam Rosen refer to Tyler Bozak as "Ryan" Bozak all night?
• Nice 3-point bounce back game for Phil Kessel, who was benched in Toronto's last game.
• Sort of disappointing Boogaard & Orr didn't drop the gloves tonight. 

Next Game: Monday 10/18 vs. Colorado

Final Thoughts:

The theme for this game is consistency. Playing with a consistent effort for a full 60 minute hockey game would have given the Rangers a better chance to win. Instead, New York completely fell apart defensively in the 2nd period and followed up with a furious 3rd period to tie the game.

Losing your captain and your #1 goal scorer can be devastating for any hockey club. However, the Rangers showed some moxie, rallying to tie the game with their 2 best players out with injuries. This team showed some resiliency during the preseason and they will need every bit of it depending on how long their important players are out for.

Henrik Lundqvist had his first show-stealing effort of the season, almost single-handedly stealing a point away from Toronto along with Brian Boyle's heroic 3rd period effort. Look for Lundqvist to do it more often this year: its the only way the Rangers will make the playoffs. 

Late PP Goals Propel Islanders over Rangers

The New York Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 6-4.

Quick Hits:

• An entertaining, Columbus day matinee game that displayed lots of end-to-end action and numerous lead changes.
• Rangers lost this game because they were simply out-worked by the Islanders. It never helps to take 2 penalties late in the 3rd.
• Del Zotto still needs some serious work in his own end. Him and Girardi got off to rough starts, although they both provided offense. 
• Rangers PP got it going and looked good in the 2nd period, scoring 2 goals. Rangers will live and die by their PP all season.
• Steve Eminger better be playing his way out of the lineup. Matt Gilroy now, please.
• Derek Stepan quiet in his 2nd ever NHL game.
• Artem Anisimov is taking strides at becoming an important piece to the Rangers puzzle. Scored in the 3rd to make it 4-3, could have ended up the game-winner.
• Lundqvist looked a bit average in this game.
• 2 games in and Sean Avery is in mid-season form, being chippy and making plays all over the ice. Plus, James Wisnewski showed everyone at the Coliseum how he feels about Sean Avery.

Final Thoughts:

It's only 2 games into the young season, so the judgment should be reserved. Yet, the Rangers displayed some issues that could plague their team all season long.

All of the positives from the type of win they had against Buffalo will go away with this tough loss. The Rangers D looked looser in this game, scrambling all too much and having difficulty with rebounds in front of Henrik Lundqvist and adequately taking people out of the play. There was no bigger culprit of this than Steve Eminger, who should be on borrowed time.

Despite not matching the Islanders effort stride for stride, the Rangers did show some carryover from the previous game. They fore checked hard again, and their power play showed some good signs as well.

Unfortunately, in today's NHL, referees more often than not can decide the outcome of games. Callahan's "tripping" penalty late in the 3rd could be a "phantom call." Yet, it cannot be used as an excuse and your team has to find a way to overcome them.

Next game: Friday Oct 15th vs Toronto (Home Opener)

Stepan Shines as Rangers Stampede past Buffalo

The New York Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres on opening night by a score of 6-3.

Quick Hits:

• Derek Stepan, the boy wonder of the pre-season, made a scintillating debut scoring a HAT TRICK for the Rangers. 
• Brandon Dubinsky had a tremendous game as well, scoring 2 goals of his own. His linemates Callahan and Anisimov both had assists and looked great together, skating hard and making plays.
• Sean Avery had an effective game tonight with 2 assists.
• Buffalo looked like a tired team as the game went along. They were probably in awe of Derek Stepan like the entire HSBC Arena was.
• Ruslan Fedotenko continued his great play from the preseason into opening night. A bargain signing at this point.
• Alex Frolov had a quiet game despite getting an assist.
• I was not impressed with Steve Eminger's debut tonight. Took 2 penalties and didn't stand out. Look for Gilroy to be in the lineup next game.
• Henrik Lundqvist was average tonight; made some saves when called upon but the goals he gave up were questionable. 

Final Thoughts:

The Rangers made an impressive debut, defeating a Sabres team that many feel will go far this season. Rookie Derek Stepan might have become an instant star with his hat-trick debut, becoming the first Ranger in franchise history to score a hat trick in his NHL debut. Time will tell how brightly he'll shine.

The biggest positive to take away from this game was how well the Rangers played AS A TEAM. All 4 lines showed hustle, with the Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan and Avery-Stepan-Fedotenko lines displaying good chemistry and play-making abilities.

The defensive play was just as impressive at times. Forwards were skating hard in the back check, clogging up the neutral zone and defensemen were breaking up plays. The Rangers will have to play this way consistently if they want to be successful this season.

Next Game: Monday 10/11 1:00 PM vs. Islanders

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40-36-6

(This picture has nothing to do with the article, but I had to post it.)

That's the record I believe the New York Rangers will end up with. I'm not bashing the team by any means. I'm not disregarding the great training camp they had. I'm not ignoring how rookie C Derek Stepan stepped up, showed amazing poise for a 20 year old rookie, and could potentially end up being the No. 1 Center in a few months. I'm not withholding how good the signing of Alexander Frolov has looked so far and could go down as the best bargain signing of the entire NHL offseason. I'm not forgetting that this team still has arguably the best goalie in Henrik Lundqvist, and best pure sniper in Marian Gaborik.  I'm not intentionally bypassing the young core of Dubinsky, Callahan, Staal, and Girardi, who may be the key to the Rangers season this year. 

But what I am concerned with is, despite the team's improvements, I don't see them THAT MUCH better than last year's squad. Is Steve Eminger the answer to our 7th defenseman prayers? No. If Christensen and Stepan struggle as the No. 1 centers, then  the Rangers will still be without one. Will the defense be more physical, and clear the crease more this year? I'm not sold on that. A lot of pieces will have to fall into place for the Rangers to be successful this season, however any team could make that argument. 

My biggest concern is how other teams in the Eastern Conference and the Atlantic Division have improved MORE, virtually across the board. If the Rangers find a way to get off to a hot start AND stay consistent through the middle part of the season, then their record will be much better. 

Until then, the numbers remain. 

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Move on the Horizon?

Jessie Spector tweets...

Glen Sather says White and Kennedy put on waivers to give #NYR flexibility if opportunity presents itself to acquire someone expensive.

less than a minute ago via HootSuiteJesse Spector
NYDNRangers

I'm interested as to what expensive contract the Rangers would want to take back? 


If the name is Sheldon Souray I will be disappointed. I do not think he is the answer for the Rangers and would completely go against the team's self-instituted "youth movement."