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)