The Rangers came out strong Wednesday, taking an early 2-0 lead, only to see Boston tie the game in the second. A 3-2 lead went by the wayside in the third, but Marian Gaborik completed the hat trick with a brilliant OT goal to give the Blueshirts a 4-3 win, their first of the season. There is little time to revel in the win as the Rangers head down I-95 tonight to play a desperate Philly team who are 0-3.
Game Highlights:
The Blueshirts got back to what made them successful, forechecking, backchecking, better own zone coverage, cycling with the puck, driving to the net to result in the 2-0 lead. The first goal came as a result of a nice set play, set up by the breakout pass by Del Zotto, who had another solid overall game. That pass went to Brad Richards, who put it to an open spot for Rick Nash. Nash made a nice dish to Gaborik, who showed patience and hands in roofing the puck over Tuukka Rask. The second goal was another example of how strong forechecking leads to opportunities, as good work on the hash boards resulted in the puck swinging to MDZ, whose shot was deflected in Gaborik for his second of the game.
As good as the first period was as disappointing as the second was as the 2-0 lead was squandered. The Rangers did not play badly but Boston picked up their effort, led by Milan Lucic, who is a beast down low, and Tyler Seguin. Right after Boston tied, it was good to see a prompt response by the Rangers. Taylor Pyatt, who replaced Chris Kreider (more on him later) on the second line and has been one of the team's better players early in the year, scored a dirty goal off a Ryan Callahan shot.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Rangers-Boston game if there wasn't another comeback, this time, Nathan Horton beat Henrik Lundqvist to tie it at 3. Both sides had changes in the last 75 seconds, Nash with a brilliant move on Lucic to create a 2-on-1 opportunity was the Rangers best chance late, but he was stoned by Rask. Boston put on some late pressure as well, but it went to OT, where it ended dramatically.
Chris Kelly attempted to get the puck to Andrew Ference, but Gaborik stole the puck, came down on Rask, who made the first save, but Gabby showed unbelievable hand-eye coordination to bat the puck out of the air past Rask for the game-winner to complete the hat trick.
A few thoughts:
The uniting of the Gaborik, Nash and Richards (GNR line) obviously paid dividends. You know that the talent level on that trio is absurdly high, but much of the focus going forward will be on if it makes sense to keep them together, should they be split up to spread the wealth, and more important, can the Rangers get enough scoring from others to keep this line together? You never like to have scoring that top heavy, but in this case, I think you have to keep this trio together for a while and see how it plays out. Callahan and Stepan will provide offense, the question is who will the third member of that line be. Kreider hasn't showed much and neither has Hagelin early on. Pyatt has been the best on that line, but he doesn't profile to have the offensive talent to stick there. That said, given the struggles of those I just mentioned, you almost by default have to keep him with Cally and Stepan. In addition, getting production from the bottom six, along with the second line, will enable Torts to not burn out the top-six, and especially top-three, as he did yesterday when he shortened the bench. I would not be surprised to see Hagelin get a shot with Stepan and Callahan, but also would not be shocked if Torts left Pyatt there.
Kreider- so much has been written and said about him, no new ground really will be broken. The confidence he had in the playoffs last year looks to be broken. Part of that started when he struggled in the AHL and it has been exasperated the first three games of the season. As others said, he looks to be thinking too much rather than reacting, using his instincts and just playing. That can be seen in a pair of instances last night, when instead of dropping his shoulder and driving to the net, or going outside-in like Nash did late in the third, he drop passed the puck both times. Last year, he would have used his size and strength to create a scoring opportunity. That poor play along with his early penalty landed Kreider on the bench for most of the game. For the Rangers to be successful, given how this team is comprised and the lack of true depth, Kreider is a key component and they need to find a way to get him going. The AHL is one option, since Torts can use Kris Newbury, who was called up today, on the fourth line with Asham out, and play Hagelin and Pyatt on the second and third line. However, I do expect him to get a chance to play his way out of this slump. Maybe if he struggle another few games, you send him, but for now, try and put him in a position to have some success and maybe that will help restore his confidence to the point that he can build on small successes. If not, hope the AHL stint allows him to dominate a bit, which didn't happen earlier, and then bring him back up.
Faceoffs last night were abominable, but as Jimbo pointed it, much of them came against Patrice Bergeron, who is one of the better faceoff men in the league. That said, for Halpern to go 7 for 21 after finishing fifth in the league in Faceoff% is ridiculous. In addition, as good as Bergeron is, to win just 32% of your faceoffs seems like a misprint, yet it wasn't, and as we saw in the Pitt game, defensive zone draws have led to quick goals against, so this is an area that has to get shored up quickly.
Hank still has not been Hank yet. Maybe the shortened training camp or fact he didn't play overseas during the lockout are the reason, but that dominant shutdown goalie has not been on display - yet.
Chad Kolarik was traded to the Penguins today for Benn Ferriero. Kolarik had played well in the AHL but never really got a shot in NY and maybe he gets that in Pittsburgh. Ferriero is a depth forward, who could see fourth line duty at some point this year.
Philly tonight:
Bill Meltzer wrote the following: "Now the team, which was already without Danny Briere (fractured wrist), has to deal with the Rangers without the services of Scott Hartnell or Brayden Schenn. Hartnell sustained a foot injury in Tuesday's 3-0 loss in New Jersey when he got hit by a shot from teammate Kimmo Timonen. He is out of the lineup indefinitely. Schenn received a one-game suspension yesterday for leaving his feet to deliver a check to New Jersey's Anton Volchenkov. He was not initially penalized for the hit, although it happened directly in front of one of the referees." Briere might suit up today, though he is not expected back until the weekend.
The Flyers have scored just three goals on the year, but despite the 3-0 loss to NJ, I thought there were stretches of that game where they actually played well and can build off that effort. Just like the Rangers needed a win last night, Philly comes home 0-3 and has already said this is a must-win contest, which should add to the physical nature of an already physical rivalry. The Flyers have had similar issues to the Rangers, where defensive zone breakdowns and some spotty special teams play contributed to their losses.
If Brieire can't go, with Philly already missing Hartnell and Schenn, they will heap even more responsibility on Claude Giroux, who likely would skate with Simmons and Voracek. In addition, Matt Read and Sean Couturier should see more ice time, either with old friend Ruslan Fedotenko or maybe Max Talbot.
The Rangers will attempt to even their record tonight, then face Toronto on Saturday before getting two days and facing Philly at home Tuesday.
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