Game 28
Rangers at Blackhawks – 8:30 PM MSG+.
The Rangers continue to slump. Despite stealing some games, they have not been playing well, by any metric. Worse yet, the forwards are ravaged by injury.
I’m going to have my parents and in-laws over for a birthday celebration. Yes, my birthday was yesterday, but they are all coming today. Yes, there will be a second cake. No, I don’t really care for cake. No, I won’t be able to watch the game as closely as I’d like. Yes, this is an HAV. UPDATE: My in laws are a late scratch . No, I’m not upset.
Special thanks to James G for covering the review of tonight’s game.
Tonight’s possible lineup for the Rangers (17-9-1):
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
JT Miller-Kevin Hayes-Michael Grabner
Jimmy Vesey-Brandon Pirri-Nicklas Jensen
Marek Hrivik-Oscar Lindberg-Jesper Fast
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Kevin Klein
The big news, of course, is that Antti Raanta will start his second consecutive game. It’s the first time Lundqvist has been a healthy backup in back to back games in almost three years. It’s also one of the only times as Rangers coach that AV has gone with the same goaltender on both games of a back to back when the Rangers travel in between the two games. It might even be the only time this has happened when one of the team’s two goaltenders wasn’t hurt, but I am not looking that up (HAV). There’s no sugarcoating this: Lundqvist has been bad and AV is sending a pretty clear message that it won’t be tolerated.
Equally big are the return to the lineup of Jimmy Vesey after missing one game with a forearm injury caused by a slash taken during the Islanders game. And speaking of the Islanders, can we just laugh for a moment at the hilariously awful Clutterbuck and Cizikas contracts? Fantastic.
Still out of the lineup are Rick Nash, Matt Puempel, and Pavel Buchnevich, who it was revealed has a protruding disc that may eventually require season ending surgery. Still will probably finish with more goals and points than Anthony Duclair. Clendening and Jooris are Prucha’d.
The defense remains the same as it has for most of the season.
For the Blackhawks (17-8-3), the story is also about injuries. The Hawks have been without captain and star center Jonathan Toews (much to the chagrin of Sioux), as well as starting goaltender Corey Crawford, but tonight they will also be without Brent Seabrooke as well. Marian Hossa is having a career resurgence and it’s amazing to watch. I think he is possibly the most underrated player of his generation. Scott Darling gets the start.
The penalty kill for the Hawks has been a serious problem, and with the Rangers coming off a game with two PP goals, tonight would be a pretty good night for Pirri to get going.
Don’t forget to tell everyone you know and to follow me on Twitter @rangersreport2. And don’t forget to vote for your three stars after the game!
[polldaddy poll=”9569860″]
349 responses to “Rangers at Blackhawks … It’s Go Time!”
Fran Healy to Hank: “You know, King, when I was having a bit of a rough time of it catching for the Yankees, I used to…”
Hank: “Shut up, doofus.”
Stepan shoots right into the logo
Hank is the best groomed back up goalie, ever.
I’m with EVrock on this one. If the play was offside it was offside.
It was a training shot
Offsides has been a rule since the beginning of time.
Ask the 1980 Flyers. Now that play was affected by the offside, which was several feet offside.
Nothing stupid, boys. Good road game. Get the point.
Joe: “His skate may have been in the air.” Pathetic.
Again – someone needs to plant Mary Hartman
If your gripe is there shouldn’t be a review, I can understand that. But if you gave reviews, it’s not a goal
This wasn’t as bad as some, where a team enters the zone a half-hour before the goal is scored fifteen plays later and has it waved off. A lawyerly rule to me, but credit to the staff for catching it.
Also, betcha there were five other offside calls missed by a fraction of an inch in this game and none of those plays was reversed by replay.
Wow, AV puts these guys out there. Nice confidence in the youngsters.
It should’ve been. It’s just too bad video replay wasn’t around then. Technology has advanced and the game would be right to keep up with it.
Sam is impersonating a co-co clock.
I hate the automatic 2:00 penalty for clearing the puck over the glass. I hate that rule.
Wow!! Gribbit, Fast and Lindenberg!!
As I said, The Machine has his legs this period.
I wish there was a way to put sensors in the puck and in the line so the call is never wrong
Same with goal calls.
Crazy game!!
Evrock, a missed call is a missed call. I just find it odd the offsides has suddenly been elevated to its all-important status. Meanwhile what a game!
Wow, some of these young home growns gonna be tough to send back. Jooris? Pirri? Could be a tough decision for Mr. Gorton at some point.
This has to be one of the best games of this season. Two excellent teams, playing good hard clean hockey.
Olga and his entire family should be proud.
If we make it to overtime, we will get rocked in overtime. I’ll take that point though.
Admiral I’m not a huge fan of that one either, but at least it speeds up the game.
Offsides should not be review-able after a goal. It’s way too late. Or should they also go back and reset the time between the offsides and the goal?
Fine officiating.
Both teams deserve a point. Raanta deserves a raise!
Love Holden
Teams have complained in the past a bunch about missed offsides goals and that’s why it’s now reviewable.
Auntie keeps playing like he will get a raise; ask Tam
Point well taken!
Great couple of plays by Holden on Hosea. Took the man on that loose puck in the paint, or Hosea wins it, but Zuccarello will get credit for clearing it.
Both teams deserved point at least – good hockey, considered depleted rosters for both.
They do reset the time, Olga.
Pirri and Jooris… hit the road
GREAT point, best of the year. Now let’s go to Overtime and win there.
One point in the bank. Now they have to deal with #88 3 on 3.
Jensen was a trade so not home grown
Holden some big hits this game
3 point game. I’m satisfied. Don’t care where the extra point goes. I just hope it’s exciting.
Root hard for me Boneheads. Gotta go to the airport.
What a game.
Holden’s been great tonight, Carp
Has Vescey seen the ice the last 10 minutes? I mean, has he played? I am sure from where he sits he can see it.
I hate to say this, but the Rangers don’t get this point if Hanka had gotten the start.
I agree on that play, Carp. Great play by Holden. Wish more players did that.
Yes, they do adjust time from offside to the goal.
3 out of 4 points on road with 1 more out there
Auntie is the man!
https://m.popkey.co/7df22c/zgJYe.gif
Holy sheeeeeet!!!!!!!
Holden!
HOLY HOLDEN LOL.
Great pass from Step!!
YAHHHHHHHTZZZZZEEEEEEEE!!!!
I love the fuggin Blues Brothers!!!!!
WOW!!!!!!!! Holden!!!!!! Unfreakenbelievable!!!! Catcher in the net!!!!
2 nice wins for a club with a depleted roster. Back to back. Very nice.
ANY OF YOUSE WANT TO TRADE HOLDEN NOW???
Holden played a tough game all the way tonight. Plenty of solid hits & several chances including the winner
THAT. WAS. AWESOME.
Don’t forget to vote.
Agreed, Noble. nice game from him even if he didn’t score.
LOVE HOLDEN!
.
HOLDEN IS GOLDEN!!!!
Way to go Opie setting that up
Wow what a gutty win
Wowza! Instant classic
https://m.popkey.co/b07c72/4M6M1.gif
🙂
Full on Yahtzee!
Vote
It’s time to crack a Fosters mate!
LMAO SN. The tall one wants…white toast..dry with nutin’ on it
Wow. That was one of the most well played, and entertaining 0-0 games I’ve seen. Great to get a win too. Holden deserves it too with his great defensive play, on Hossa especially
Terrific game …have to stay with Ranta for a bit here…..Lindbergh looks like he’s back in the mix even when all forwards healthy
Doodie you want to take a guess at who my three stars are?
Let’s not forget for a minute the multiple excellent, and some, perhaps fortunate saves by our backup goalie. Kept us in game big time.
Raanta was rooting for the Hawks to lose again 🙂
4 out of 4 points,SN
SPANKY!!!!
Good for Auntie getting win in Chitown
Holden played well
2 swedes and a Slovak were on fire
.
Derbils on Sunday back at home
Lmmfao Carp!
#1 – Raanta (undoubtedly), #2 – Holden (undoubtedly), #3 – McD (?)
A classic game by 2 classic Original 6 teams.
Ranta, Holden & Lindberg
They need to ride Raanta. No two ways about it.
Great game! A confidence building win over a quality opponent won by a team playing the 2nd of a back to back.
Note: Hossa on the ice for game winning goal. Bitter!
Games like this make those stinkfests against bottom feeders so much harder to take.
I got : Raanta, Holden, Girardi
Stepan with a great pass and patience.
agreed. Hank will be seeing some pine.
Raanta definitely deserves another game.
That was the most difficult shutout I’ve ever seen.
Yeah seeedubb.
Like that loss against the Bottom-feeding Fishsticks.
If Sather was still the GM, he’d have to go out and find some 35 plus year old players. Far too many under 30 year olds on the ice for one of his Ranger teams. Roszival? Hosea? Perfect players for Sather to seek.
….Yet Roszival and Hossa were hardly to blame for the Hawks’ losing.
#1 Raanta – #2 Holden – #3 Hossa … oh hang on #3 – Hrivik
Both teams have injuries. Fun game to watch. But it’s only December. There are some good things to pull away from this game.
Holden, seems a cool guy that doesn’t often get interviewed. Good for him. Looks like he’s found a home.
AA, not saying anything about the play of Rosie or Hossa. They played fine. Just commenting that our old GM liked to bring in old FA’s. You know. Marty, D Boyle, and who was that guy from SJ that kept getting his bell rung that was signed by Lou for a 3 x 5 after us? Oh, man. Close was SO done before he got to us. How could any GM with eyes bring him over for serious draft picks?
Close = Clowe
Whew! Just….whew.
Big marks to Jeff Gorton for grabbing Holden and Grabner for cheap.
They showed some onions on this trip. I didn’t think they had it in them. Hank on Sunday? You put him in a tough spot. If he lets in a bad one we’ll be all over him. No margin of error.
Nyr2008.
Totally agree with you. SATHER has made some terrible moves regarding older past prime players.
I only take exception with your use of Rosy and Hossa as examples. Unfortunately, Hossa is the type of 30+ player Sather never really got.
Olga, ya got the 3 point game ya wanted.
Wow! What a game. I was just hoping for the point near the end.
Ranta, Holden, Lindberg
I would think you continue playing Auntie on Sunday. Give LQ more rest, time to work with Allaire, and ride Auntie’s play while he’s hot.
From the cell phone lot: woooot!
Kreider big move to drive the net in ot
Norm, you were right about the Kane high stick. Vicious.
Alex, can’t wait to see the replay. If Kreider drove the net more often, I’m convinced he’d be an all-star.
Love Kane as a player, evrock, but he’s a bit of an…
Shortest best road trip in a long time
.
He knows needs to sit some more
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AV should never break up JT-Haze-Grabber
. We found a 3/4 line – The Swedes were pushing it and Ribbit was up for battle
They should send that to the department of letting most things go without punishment (dolmtgwp).
I voted raaaaaannnnta, opie the victim, and know when to Holden…in no particular order
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Honourable mention to win kleiner who once again had to do the work of 2 D men every shift because beat wide is just not that good yet.
The bestest short road trip ever!
I called ilb2001 just had the wrong score!
2 tough, gritty, entertaining hockey games in a row! I’ll take this over the non contact all star game BS we had to suffer through at the beginning season any day.
Norm
https://www.nhl.com/rangers/video/holden-ot-game-winner/t-277437422/c-47229703
Thanks, man. Great play by all three guys!
That was as good a road game, & more I could ask for. Original 6, & Eddie O & Foley ain’t that bad for an opposing crew.
The pressure was on Raanta to shine, & he did. I think secretly Antti thinks Hank is Weekes. Good point about a tough start for LQ on Sunday.
That 4th line showed some moxie, motivated the others IMO.
I woulda been happy with 1 point, 2 was icing on the cinnabon.
And Zook looked like he may be sobering up.
All’s good…………………….for tonight
Actually Mcdonagh gets assist on the play too. He passes to Stepan and changes for Holden. Rare that the guy who comes off the ice gets assist on the goal by guy who replaces him
Please note: 347 comments and counting. ….
Not too shabby for a HAV!!
Thanks you, Artist Formerly Known As Doodie!!!
Wish had been Kane
EV finally saw replay on nasty Kane elbow that was done with intent and pissiness