Game 16
Rangers vs. Blue Jackets – 7:00 PM MSG
First a big thank you to ilb, CCCP, James G, and others who have helped operate the blog while I’ve been swamped with work and baby diapers. I’d like very much for more people to help contribute and run this silly place for us to keep talking.
The Rangers come home after a very successful trip to Florida. Starting with the third period against Vegas (which, if it had gone the other way, may have been AV’s last as coach of the Rangers), the Rangers’ effort level has been markedly improved, as has their play on the ice, most notably in their season best performance against Tampa Bay.
So, of course, they are due for a let down, especially on the dreaded first game home after a road trip.
This is the first post I’ve put up since the home opener. Clearly, this isn’t even a HAV. QAV, at best.
Tonight’s lineup for the Rangers via Steve Zipay (@stevezipay):
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich
Rick Nash-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey-David Desharnais-J.T. Miller
Michael Grabner-Boo Nieves-Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh-Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal-Steven Kampfer
Yes, we live in a world where Nick Holden is playing on our first pair. I guess Ryan McDonagh isn’t happy unless he’s carrying a slug. Still, no surprises here given the winning. Honestly, look at that lineup. Is this anywhere near a Cup contender? Horrible. I’d say more about individual players (Brendan Smith, Kevin Shattenkirk) but the truth is, I haven’t seen enough of the team this year to be qualified to comment.
In other news, Alexei Bereglazov was loaned/returned to the KHL as per the out clause in his contract for staying in the AHL.
Henrik Lundqvist gets the start. He’s been better lately, but he is still nowhere near what this franchise needs him to be, given their salary/roster construction.
For the Blue Jackets, injuries to Matt Calvert and Cam Atkinson will keep them out of the lineup. Sergei Bobrovsky gets the start.
Don’t forget to tell everyone you know about our QAV and to follow us on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote for your three stars after the game!
[polldaddy poll=”9569860″]
344 responses to “Rangers vs. Blue Jackets… It’s Go Time!”
1st?
LGR!!
It is lonely on the top…
I’m just BANJing away…who’s the new post rookie?!
😉
Re-post
I don’t think all the moves he’s made were bad, quite the contrary actually.
I do however, think he made some miscalculations this past summer in regards to the current roster.
Regarding “rebuilding”
1). I do not think this team will rebuild in any long term sort of way. Imo it will “rebuild” as it has pretty much every year.
2). This team is mired in slightly above average so it’s tpugh to get the truly beneficial first rounders.
3). I’m ok with a tear it down Arizona Coyotes kind of rebuild as long as the guys that are playing show effort and emotion in the ice.
So with the kind of players the rangers have…maybe I wouldn’t be ok with it lol
4ever: – 🙂
On that note..
Welcome back rangers doodie report 2
LGR!
Puckball!
It is 11:00AM here in Sydney on Tuesday. Would be hard to watch the Rangers if I lived here.
TYM
It’s hard to watch them a lot of nights regardless where you live
😉
LGR(ick) !!!!
1,000 games for Rick Nash. Time flies.
If I was there I’d be saying kiss the early train good bye
Hard to concentrate on game after that. Very nice and classy.
It felt weird watching the rangers celebrate Nash’s 1000th game knowing he will be a goner at the deadline or at the end of the year.
boo still out with whatever ails him
maybe a boo-boo
So far Rangers are training Bobrovsky after warmup…
Nash for Dubinsky straight-up?
Dilly
Nash in a mellow mood…Very delicate to their goalie.
https://twitter.com/RickCarpiniello/status/927693810397827075
And a hearty Folkyerself greeting to you all!
PP is now much sharper, that’s for sure. But not sure why…
How are the Folks, Olga?
Skjeiarama
That last shift for Columbus, they looked like the Rangers trying to clear the D zone
It will be a miracle if they get one past Bob.
Grabber: “watch me perplex him with my slowball”
If every boss in the world was like Sam and Joe they’d be no need for unions.
Nash everywhere tonight.
Carp- the family is doing well. Mother sends her greetings to you.
It couldn’t be good not to score after so many A choices with that team. We know how it ends.
HZ is a biggest enigma for me, generating strange and somehow opposite feelings, nobody annoys me more sometimes and sometimes I just admire his natural and original hockey talent and smartness in a little things – moves, unexpected decisions, etc. If only he would posses some fire, good anger and size-corresponding physicality he will be…probably Lindros or Sundin.
Oh, and BTW, outside of hockey, based on interviews, he (HZ) doesn’t give an impression of being too smart…
Is the paint dry?
I know it sounds a little bit condescending and snobbish, but I just candidly expressing my feelings…
Did either goalie break a sweat?
Hank better pitch a shut out or we come up short at home again!
Who is HZ
Hika Zibanejad?
Purple
No Doritos
Hazy Daze
Another good period. How long can they keep it up? Don’t know what vintage Hank we have tonight since he hasn’t had to do anything.
The Wolf
BC Banana
Peugeot
Prof Valley Cat pissing Troutface off
This bunch definitely leads the blogosphere is moniker generation.
Testing, Testing
.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Alex, HZ – Haze, Hayes, Hazever…
Here we go…Said so.
Camper Thunder Bay special
The Bread Man strikes first.
Testing, Testing
Roger Fox Dog.
Wow… someone is talking bad about Roger.
DD could earn himself some time in the press box with that kind of D zone coverage.
WTF was Shea doing?
LQ – Mis Q
0-2
And the clown show is back on the ice that pretty much takes care of this debacle.
Torts must have torn them a new one between periods. The streak of good periods is officially over. Maybe a while until they get another shot at 500 looking at the schedule.
Glad I could
Only watch the first period.
Just tuning in after end of dept. mtg.–how to teach gooder–and man, it’s night and day, Rangers road, Rangers away. Yeah, it’s 2-0 down, but you can hear the the snow melting on the ice the crowd is so dead. On the road, you have Rangers fans who are actually excited to see them and home fans who support their team. At MSG, unless things are going well, stare at your iphone. You hear it said the Rangers need to give fans something to cheer about. OK, I guess, but why don’t the fans give the Rangers something to feed on, try to get them going? You know, like they’re… fans?
Should they practice lifting the puck?
thanks 4ever
Lifting the puck would have been a good idea, yes. Great save? Well, great attempt at a save that should not have worked.
“You’re right, Joe.”
“I agree with you, Sam.”
“You’re right, Joe.”
Miller’s heroics continues.
Grabs on pace for 36+ goals
Heady play by Grabner pushing off
Sam: Good play by …..
Joe: this goalie is playing great
Sam: great job
Joe: Rick Nash tries hard
Also, somebody here was 100 present sure that Grabner would never be close to of the last season. So far he on pace to outperform.
If only JT Miller played this way in the postseason.
Sam: “Oh, a nice recovery by Hayes after hitting a rut in the ice. Almost went down, Joe. Great play.”
Joe: “Incredible athleticism, Sam.”
I’m confused … should I be trying to get on the ledge or back off?
Sam getting like John Sterling. “That ball is gone! Oh, wait…”
Bad call
Buch has a howitzer
those who like jd – he’ll be on radio this intermission with lagreca
Don La GrecaVerified account @DonLagreca
I’ll sit down with John Davidson after the 2nd period of @NYRangers game on @ESPNNY98_7FM
Loved Vinny Prospal as a Ranger.
Fast got chop blocked with that stick.
Better period than I had feared. Can’t disagree with double shifting JT. Did he sit Carey or DD?
Joe: “I love me some Rick Nash”
Sam: “that’s funny Joe, I was just gonna say that!”
Joe: “jinx”
Did we toss this coach in the garbage? We should wipe the floors with these clowns from Ohio. We said Non Grata to his talents. Why he’s up 2-1 is beyond me.
None of the Ohio clowns are from Ohio as far as I know. JT Miller, however, is from there.
Shattered gets that puck to the net
(singing) We’re back in the saddle again…
Great possession there, patience, passing, shot, screen, goal.
Schattzee!
Jackets announcers complaining Grabner got there first, should not have been icing.
Satten. That’s what you were paid for.
Now the real game starts.
Possible pieces of 2017-18 identity. They don’t give up, and they have a legit power-play. Have they tied it too early, though?
Yup.
Why not challenge there?
Plenty of Time…
Shatty giveth and taketh
The Shatty giveth and taketh.
That was quick
Cheeses Kreider!
Buch needs to keep shooting from point
Kreider hits it out of the air – wowza
kampfer big hit led to that pp
kreider as usual right in front
A little period of defensive solidity would be nice. Make these PP goals count.
Rangers fight back. I like that kinda Rangers.
whip it out – another PP
My goodness, are these Jackets stupid. They may still win, but they’re doing it the hard way.
Seen that look from Torts a time or two.
I like apoplexic Torts.
Vibin’ SN. No more giveth and taketh from me. It’s become a bonehead cliche.
PP MACHINE!!!!
Wow – Zika the freaka
What a pass!!!!
Where did this Power Play come from? Keep it up!
Dilly Dilly!
Perhaps the Jax will desist from their penalty-taking?
The Winter Soldier strikes!
So you gaveth but now leaveth?
McD with the goalcam selfie
We need 7 minutes of LQ magic. Is there any left?
PP is working… Extenze Arniel
Still lousy play in own zone, pulling last nerves from me…
As Olga would say-plenty of time…to lose.
Something we haven’t seen yet from the Rangers this season and not seeing it now. The ability to put the game to sleep with a late lead. Make poised plays, not jam it up the boards to nobody, keep it simple, pucks to the outside, all that.
McD get dressed down by a 19yo
And NOT icing the puck looking for a stretcher. A time and a place.
Does your dog bite?
Better, though, overall, clearing the zone.
I was thinking that Norm as that home run pass attempt became an icing.
McD game seriously worries me.. Too much below his normal ability, with a plenty different mistakes.
Holden and Caitlyn getting testy
Not sure why Buch is on the ice for this phase. Not his thing.
Grabnber on pace for 40+
Empty netter seals the deal.
Ain’t catching Grabs “. Nice def there boys
V I C T O R Y ! ! !
Put it in the books
Those are exactly the guys you want out there. Nothing got to the crease, and Grabners’s on a pace to 100 goals.
Damn good win
Great win!!
BJs can suck it!
Now THAT was a character win. Rangers need more of these.
Gotta stop vibin’ SN.
Don’t forget to VOTE.
BeepBeep the alpha and omega of nyr scoring
Didn’t see enough of the game to have three nominees, but I’m guessing one of them is not Carey.
Tell me more about how Buchnevich isn’t ever going to be a top six forward in the NHL and is an overhyped late round pick. Anyone?
Fire Arniel
One of them is also not Desharnais and Vesey, Norman.
Then there’s Grabner with 6 in 6. Surprised I’m not eating crow yet
mika
miller
kreider
hm
my boy grabner
AV’s wife calling AV after the game: “Honey, should I still keep the car running?”
Valetetiquette: “A power play is good when it scores”
Scrabble dream name
The Cavity Driller
BC Bi-linguist
I asked earlier which team will we see tonight true grit or cotton candy. True Grit shows up great win. Let’s shoot for 10 straight. I can’t believe it a home victory!
Grateful for the dumb Jacket penalties.
VC MIA
We still need a center Jeffy get crackin!
If they play the exact same game, don’t get the PPG for the lead, and lose in a shootout, you are all saying they suck, fire everybody, rebuild.
need 6 wins in next 10 again
Ziba made serious claim for being a real 1st line center, was very serious on his preparation to this season, elevated his game in all aspects and after a while will earn “A” on his jersey. That’s a bright spot.
more
facebook
twitter
tumblr
embed poem
add to anthology
print
If—
Rudyard Kipling, 1865 – 1936
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run—
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Extenze Grabby
93, 89, 20
Nash with the participation award before game
Do you enjoy Kipling?
I dunno. I never kippled.
i know i was in minority in saying Grabner gets at least a 2nd at deadline. the return will be more like a 2 and a 3 if we’re in sell mode.
Grabby might get more than Nasher
AV has moved to a different shelf.
AV opens his presser with a wedgie.
Torts’ presser lasted less than a minute.
NYR scoring by period first eight games: 8-7-5; last eight: 6-9-15
w/ Jesper: 6-3-2. Shotblocker.
This supposedly worst team ever just scored 4 goals on one of top 3 goalies in the entire world. And they outplayed the Columbus for most of the game.
14 out of possible 20 points last 10 games.
Tereible team.
They suck. Fire everyone. Rebuild.
🙂
Ca-a-reful, Green Nuns. A little too counterculture. 🙂
Eric was in rare, rare form on twitter tonight. Game was over at 0-0 after one.
in all seriousness, the Rangers D and their keeper still give up too much per match.
Is Eric still with us? 2-0 -> 17th in the Metro.
…agree.
This is a really determined team. They don’t quit. That being said, CBJ lost that one due to sheer stupidity. Poor Bob…
Carp, I agree but I think (well maybe hope) that that is an early season factor which tightens up as the season wears on. Correct me if I’m wrong but I think goal scoring goes down as the season progresses. There are a lot of really high scoring games going on around the league and a lot of top goalies (and yes I count Hank in that group) with inflated GAAs and below average save percentages. Guessing that evens out for most of them.
https://twitter.com/GlobeFluto/status/927741674205405184
Sittoo, I think 27 and 76 will get better, and Smith will come back with a vengeance, so the D has room for some improvement. I don’t think 18 will get better than he’s been so far, 22 is a nightmare in his own end and I doubt that will change, but maybe he can make enough good “exits” to atone. … 55 and 47 are what they are.
But what is 30?
Shatty is as advertised. Trick or treat. Right after he scores he knocks Hank’s stick out of his hand and then loses his man in front of the net.
I assume Dejeuner sits next. He got lost on the bench again tonight. Seems AV doesn’t trust him defensively.
Another win against a good team. Have to hold off the rebuild for a while I guess. Not that there is anything wrong with it.
https://twitter.com/RickCarpiniello/status/927743570823565318
Carp, Agree on all the D, especially Smith which has to happen sooner rather than later. And as for #30, he is an aging star who hopefully has 1 or 2 more good runs in him. He is not going to give the team the night in, night out 1 or 2 goals against games like he did for so many years. But if he can keep it close, like he did tonight in the 3rd with some nice stops, then they are going to have a chance to win given their offensive firepower (which, of course, needs to be supplemented by another Center…).
For what it’s worth, Holden has been a more productive player, career, than Smith in slightly fewer games.
Sam: “We’re available…to consume…the pizza.”
A lot of good stuff boys but we still need a center!
Just watched the Nash tribute. Wow CBJ really broke the bank with that collage…
Norm – how are you rating the effectiveness of Dmen?
Effective enough so far. Plenty of depth, not a lot of quality, but as Carp likes to point out, not a lot of teams outside of Nashville have that. Ruff should be able to coach this gang up. And AV’s going sit the forwards (see Desharnais tonight) if they whiff on their slot coverage. It needs to get better.
Good ol Torts, he never sugar coats it. NYR PP1 at the moment is lethal, long may it continue – and taking cheap penalties was exactly what we needed to turn that around.
Out of interest, what is the record for most EN goals in a season?
If anyone is interested:
Bure – 99/00 – 9
Tkachuk – 96/97 – 8
Lemieux – 88/89 – 7
Gretzky had 3 seasons with 6
Team stats: Dallas had 22 in 2015/16 (although the team stats are 87/88 onwards and based on 4v6, 5v6 goals for)
Is this streak good, or bad? They are a good center away from being a threat. Does Gorton go get one and put the rebuild on the fly on hold? or does he leave them as is, and let the eventual mediocrity return? If he does that, then he can sell off at the deadline.
Rip Shatty all you want for his defensive play (which some of us knew was that of a borderline 3rd pair guy most the time) but his offensive numbers are up there this season with the likes of the Subbans, LeTangs and Pietrangelos of the league.
And clearly he’s doing on the PP what no ones been able to do since the Leetch days.
Idk BDL. I think the big picture is you still make the same organizational decisions after this season is over wit the Nash Grabner Hayes contracts etc.
But the two best centers available via trade were just traded for each other. That being said if there’s someone available that can help this team for the remainder of the season I’m for that but def not for some trade deadline rental that’s gonna cost us something significant
I think I agree with you James, but, who is the team in the East that is so good that you concede the season to them?
Love what we have been getting from Buchnevich. Kid was looked at by some as a spare part because he played so little last season and now that he’s healthy he’s showing what he’s got. He’s on pace for a 50 point season if he keeps this up
I think we need more time to see how things unfold BDL. Pittsburgh and Montreal will probably improve as we go on here. Devils could turn back into a pumpkin at some point.
Most importantly though, We need to see if this Rangers team is going to stay hot and keep getting better or if they regress. We’ve seen the up and down stuff from them the last two seasons.
Eventually you have to pick a path and start moving forward. If it’s a rebuild on the fly, then stop wasting time with the Paul Carey, and DDs of the world, and move forward with Chytil, and or Leterri. If it’s not a RBOTF, then you owe it to Hank, McD, Zucc, Staal, Nash, and Kreider, to go get them the help they need this year.
So two teams paid a lot for 1C- pivots; Gorton needs to get a ‘bridge’ replacement for Step who was playing at a 2C+ level depending on how much ‘fly’ we wants to build on.
.
This slots Haze down to 3C where he belongs because he has not been able to handle the 2C role. Softer than baby poop.
.
The HUGE gap in the system is top line D so or a rebuild approach you ignore the pivot and get by on current players and shore up the D. If serious, Deadline deals will bring back backline talent to begin to restore the cupboard system wide.
.
In related news: Bereglozov returning to KGB/KHL
“depends on how much fly he wants to build on…” LOL,
Me thinks the Pro-butch crowd is thumping their collective chests; but everyone loved the hands & head in the Ozone, the question was where to put him so he wouldn’t be complete waste in D-zone. Sneaky good on wall and makes a good outlet pass.
.
Zika playing at a 1C level, esp PP where all the top players in league get a ton of their points. His passing the last week has brought this team to another level.
Quite honestly, to my shame, I don’t understand meaning of this phrase. Anyone?…
Hank for Eli? Haze for Beckham Jr.?
BDL – Not a huge fan of play the young ones because we won’t finish in top 3 and the kids are young and the future. Habits are hard to develop and harder to break. AHL provides a sandbox for the kid to learn the pro game.
.
Remember, they had him with Nash and Zucc when he played up here so not sure if that was the best line makeup. Grabner and Miller as his wings would give him the best chance to succeed.
‘on the fly,’ 4ever? Slang for doing something while you’re thinking of something else. Or, like trying to fix a problem with your car while driving it.
I would like to see Leterri, but Boo was scary good prior to mystery illness. Need to stay away from those dirty water dogs on street corners.
4ever – Gorton was quoted as saying the brass was going to ‘rebuild on the fly”; not a total tear down (Carp thinks everyone would stop tweeting if this happened) but not a bandaid approach to roster management.
.
Following the Rangers second pick on Friday, Bob McKenzie said on NBCSN that the Rangers were trying to “rebuild on the fly.”
Minutes later, Jeff Gorton spoke with NBCSN and said “we need to move forward, a little rebuild on the fly and change the look of our team.”
Gorton said that the moves the Rangers made earlier in the day were “tough” but said that they hope it’s a step in the right direction.
When Gorton says he’s rebuilding on the fly, he means he’s winging it. 🙂
coos I can’t stop a beach ball at my age that’s a bad trade! Haze for Beckham Jr has potential!
You don’t ‘ tear down everything’ 15 games into the season unless you are an imbecile looking to gamble your entire career on an odds-on train wreck.
I know we’re winning and stuff…but they still aren’t a great hockey team. And maybe AV can start by saying “Lesson learned” to Smith and getting him back in for Kampfer van Beethoven. Nice 7th dman who can move into the lineup in a pinch. NOT a regular.
Bdl
I have been saying for weeks we need to up grade DD and the P. Carey types. DD is serviceable but not the center needed for the Miller line. Smith might be the guy to move the Leafs & Oilers need D?
Maybe our best #2 offensive center is playing right D. 🙂
I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate on Paul Carey:
The guy had a great camp and deserved to make the team. If they sent him down afterwards, essentially saying “You had a great camp and earned a spot…but…you’re Paul Carey” then you’re essentially telling everybody working their way through the system that the game is rigged. Top prospects, don’t worry, you got this. Journeymen and tier II prospects and below…don’t even bother.
I’ll also say that a guy like Chytil should play top line minutes every single night, adapting to the game in North America . Carey’s situation, as a 13th forward who rarely gets into games unless there’s illness or a late injury, is best served by a guy who doesn’t exactly need development time that could be better used on a kid.
The same goes for Lettieri – I’d rather he spend his first pro season playing big minutes in the minors than sitting for 10 game stretches.
Now…if a semi-permanent spot opens up on the 4th line due to trade or injury, I’d give Carey a shot. If he doesn’t make the most of it (and lets face it…he likely won’t), then it’s Vinni Lettieri-time.
coos can he win a face-off?
Thanks, coos and SN, I got it. Knew an idiom, but didn’t understand it use in a contest of the particular post.
Man, I love to learn on the fly – so much to learn, so little time left…
So, so many mediocre borderline NHLers all over the place.
Rangers send Nash and his family to the West Coast so he can play golf and they can wait for him to finish.
An ego boost would be a round of golf at Winged Foot using Trump’s caddie who won’t report you cheating and get you in a round of 68 which you can put on your tombstone.
SN you’re damn right I’m “thumping my chest” about Buchnevich. The kid wasn’t given a chance by some fans when he signed his pro contract and with a very small sample piece they passed judgement and criticism.
Don’t mean to be a raa raa raa guy for any individual player but I think it’s obvious now that he’s gotta be given room to grow and not relegated to spare part duty so guys like Grabner or Carey can play more.
Bdl
Your 6:56 is what I was asking yesterday.
I still think (basing this on moves made and not made over the past 6 months) gortons “little rebuild on the fly comment” is nothing more than a buzz phrase like “we had some good looks” and all this team is doing is retooling (and what gorton was saying) like it normally does.
I think gorton used the word rebuild in a statement and folks ran with it.
As many have pointed out in this thread, if this was a rebuild, a few players would not and should not be playing.
Nash: “Oh great, a golf outing in California like I couldn’t afford that myself on my 8 million a year.”
James
that means i s/b thumping my chest over Grabners play last year and this year. Still want him traded at deadline because I’ve seen how many in our fanbase can turn on a guy. Thing is he’s not even old. Same age as Zucc.
Question to Giants’ defensive backs coach: “Can he core a Apple?