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NYR 4 NJD 3, OT, Pionk's goal gives Rangers win in preseason opener |
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The Rangers rallied from three, one-goal deficits to defeat the Devils 4-3 in overtime in both teams' first pre-season game of the season. Neal Pionk scored 1:20 into overtime, following a great forecheck by Jesper Fast and dish from Pavel Buchnevich to give New York the victory. Lias Andersson tallied short-handed and on the man-advantage while Buchnevich added a PPG in the win,
Lines to start the game:
Kreider-Hayes-Buchnevich
Lindqvist-Andersson-Fast
Gettinger-Nieves-Meskanen
McLeod-Fogarty-Schneider.
Staal-DeAngelo
O'Gara-Cleasson
Lindgren-Pionk
Georgiev
Mazenec
A few quick thoughts:
1) If you listened to what coach David Quinn said before the game, it sure sounded like Andersson could start the season in the minors.
But Andersson took what Quinn said to heart, doing what he does best and it resulted in a pair of goals. On the first, a solid read on an attempted pass by Taylor Hall created the turnover. What was most impressive on the goal was that Andersson displayed much better speed, see below, as well as the hands to lift the puck in tight over Kinkaid's shoulder. On the second, he went to the front of the net and cleaned up the rebound left when the puck hit Chris Kreider's chest.
Andersson post-game :
2) Buch baby. A howitzer of a shot for the PPG, following a great win off the draw by Kevin Hayes. Later on the overtime winner, nice patience to create a lane and feed to Pionk. Tremendous skill overall. I think we all believe he could take a major step forward this season.
3) Lindqvist vs. Meskanen. Neither had a great game, but Meskanen was a bit more noticeable. This could be due to Meskanen playing almost twice as much, 13:20, including 2:09 on the PP, as compared to 6:59 for Lindqvist. Right now, both have an uphill battle to make the team out of camp.
4) Boo Nieves: Have to hope he didn't suffer a concussion on the hit by Eric Gryba, but sure looked like he might have. Point of primary and initial contact appeared to be the head, though it's possible first contact was to the upper chest and then the heads hit. Not happy with the lack of response by the team overall.
5) Fast. All Quickie does is make smart plays. On the GWG, his forecheck created the chance. Play him anywhere in the lineup and he produces.
6) Sloppy game overall. Lots of choppiness, little flow. The high volume of power plays for both sides didn't help the flow and cut down on the 5x5 play. New York's PK needs some work and it will be a work-in-progress early on. With just two practices before game action, no surprise little flow existed. Maybe the league should have 4-5 days of practice before games begin?
7) If Brendan Smith breaks camp with the team, which is the expectation right now. Pionk and Tony DeAngelo may be battling for one spot. Pionk played 23:19, including 2:22 on the PP and 7:19 on PK while ADA skated for 18:48, including 5:19 on the PP and just 0:36 on the PK. Pionk was on the ice in all formats while DeAngelo was used on the man-advantage, which is his strength. Both had solid games, but after Game 1, Pionk may have the advantage due to his usage in all situations, though DeAngelo had a good game. Keep in mind, DeAngelo would need to pass through waivers to go down and he is unlikely to make it through unclaimed. The possibly still exists that Smith could be exposed again to waivers, on the hope his contract would be a precluding factor to claiming him.
8) Alexandar Georgiev was solid in net, stopping 16 of 18 shots in 36:48 of action. Marek Mazanec stoned 8-of-9 in 24:32 of playing time. Early edge in battle to back up Henrik Lundqvist may go to Georgiev, but Quinn and management will have to decide who is better served to playing rarely in NY as compared to almost daily in Hartford.
9) As reported in the NY Post, Quinn said on Monday that the team was planning on cutting down the training camp roster from three groups to two sometime in the “next day or two.” Figure that means the return of players to juniors, narrowing the list of 52 in camp to a somewhat more manageable amount.
As as reminder, I am out of pocket beginning late tomorrow afternoon until Wednesday night.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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