NFT: NY Rangers 2023 - 2024 Season

[kartanoman]

What I noticed from the beginning of the season is that this Ranger team effectively keeps the opposition to the outside in their own zone. Of course there are some breakdowns, but they have a very effective checking structure. One of the faults of the Lundquist Rangers was their heavy reliance on him. Looking back the Brodeur Cup Devils employed a blanket checking(trap, left wing lock) defense BACKSTOPPED by an All-World goalie. This Ranger team has a strong checking system backstopped by an All-NHL if not All-World goalie, and the #2 is a 3x Cup champ. The goalie can be your best player without having to be so heavily relied upon. This Ranger team is taking on that personality. Not too long ago I felt Carolina had a noticeable edge in team speed. Not anymore. The additions of Wennberg, and Roslovic have added that speed ingredient. 1-0 on the road, in a playoff type atmosphere, in a race for first. I mentioned in a post two days ago that I liked their lockdown look, and that I see room for it to get tighter. Even after last night it still can get tighter. That's what wins. LGR. 

The irony of it all, as stated by Roslovic, is that he's still trying to adjust to the speed of the Rangers in order to help that lockdown effect, as well as create scoring chances. He still looked a half step off last night but Wennberg looked pretty good out there. Just smart, tactical acquisitions.

Good observation on what the defense is doing. They have been working on this for most of the season and had been getting burned inside when the good teams would sneak a player in front of Igor and Quickie for a fast one-touch pass, shoot, score; the Rangers have been much better with covering in front of the goalie, coupled with outstanding performances from both goalies, to truly lock down the fast teams. Even in the 4-2 loss to Florida, I thought they did a pretty good job locking them down until the Panthers went gangbusters and blew the game away in the third period. Look what Florida did last night in Dallas. They were down 3-1 in the third and then proceeded to blow the Stars out of their own building with three goals to run roughshod over the Central Division Leaders. They're not showing any signs of slowing down, either! So, if the Rangers have any chance of making it to the finals, they most certainly will have to get it much tighter than the impressive display last night.

Makes you froth at the mouth for the next time those two meet which will be next week.

Peace!

[kartanoman]

Where do Igor and Quickie rank among the all-time Ranger goalie tandems in team history? For those of you with a little more history under your belt than I do (NOTE: I started following the Rangers in 1978-79), the choice is obvious. But see who else made the top five in the following article:

New York Rangers Top Goalie Tandems Ranked

Enjoy!

Peace!

[coggs]

Where do Igor and Quickie rank among the all-time Ranger goalie tandems in team history? For those of you with a little more history under your belt than I do (NOTE: I started following the Rangers in 1978-79), the choice is obvious. But see who else made the top five in the following article:

New York Rangers Top Goalie Tandems Ranked

Enjoy!

Peace!

Without looking at it, they are by far the best.  However, they won't have the run that Beezer-Richter had together in terms of longevity (Igor and Quick are better than both of them).  People get nostalgic for Giacomin, so I am sure he and Gilles Villemeure (his autograph is like a work of art, btw).  However, have spoken to a few people whose opinion I trust that were watching back then and all have said Giacomin was a bit overrated and was outplayed by Cheevers in 72. 

edit: just looked.  In terms of pure talent, it is far and away Igor and Quick.  Again, longevity as Rangers will hurt them on these lists.

[coggs]

Thought last night was a huge win.  Igor with a 2nd straight shutout.  However, thought overall the team played very well defensively.  Had a few moments where the teams went back and forth and the defense was lost.  But, that was an exception. 

[DaveBrown74]

Thought last night was a huge win.  Igor with a 2nd straight shutout.  However, thought overall the team played very well defensively.  Had a few moments where the teams went back and forth and the defense was lost.  But, that was an exception. 

I agree. Shesty was superb, but so was the D. Great team effort.

And I would say despite only getting one goal, the offense did a pretty solid job in this game considering the opponent. Obviously you can never call a one goal game a great offensive game, but they created plenty of quality chances against a team that historically has given them fits and choked them up in the neutral zone etc.

The way this team is playing overall right now and the goaltending their getting really make me think sky is the limit. Obviously, there are other top notch teams out there (like the Canes), and you can never feel that confident going into the playoffs, no matter what your record is (see the Bruins last year), but if the Shesty we have been seeing for the past month or so is the Shesty we are going to have throughout the postseason, I would not put any cap on how far this team might be able to go.

[kartanoman]

I agree. Shesty was superb, but so was the D. Great team effort.

And I would say despite only getting one goal, the offense did a pretty solid job in this game considering the opponent. Obviously you can never call a one goal game a great offensive game, but they created plenty of quality chances against a team that historically has given them fits and choked them up in the neutral zone etc.

The way this team is playing overall right now and the goaltending their getting really make me think sky is the limit. Obviously, there are other top notch teams out there (like the Canes), and you can never feel that confident going into the playoffs, no matter what your record is (see the Bruins last year), but if the Shesty we have been seeing for the past month or so is the Shesty we are going to have throughout the postseason, I would not put any cap on how far this team might be able to go.

The one thing I like is when the Rangers play out of division / out of conference teams to see how they measure up. In recent weeks, they more than acquitted themselves against a tough Toronto team on the road, even though they lost in a shootout. The Colorado OT win was a thing of beauty and we'll see their rubber match on the 28th.

Next week's schedule is a dream for measuring up with the best as it starts with all-world goalie Conner Hellebuyck, offensive threats Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers on their #1 line, their recent acquisition of Tyler Toffoli, who is reunited with former King Alex Iafallo, is expected to fit in the second line. This game is going to be nearly as ferocious as the Canes' game was and the Jets are flying high at the moment, with Dallas stunned last night, and have a chance to draw even for first place in the Central with a win tonight against Nashville.

Two nights later it's off to Bean-town for one final duel with the Bruins who will be looking for respect after losing two to the Rangers this season and, more importantly, to try and keep pace with Florida. Too bad this one couldn't have been pushed to a Saturday game!

Alas, the Rangers will have to console themselves with Florida on Saturday, March 23rd for one final crack at the seemingly invincible force, especially in third periods where they have just flexed their muscle and blown up their opponents, and try to make a statement before, perhaps, a semifinal series down the Road to the Stanley Cup.

The week following will involve their final road trip out to these here parts in the Mountain Time Zone but we'll cover them in due time.

The bottom line: Tampa is a good immediate threat; always a tough team which plays 60 full minutes, their goalie has had a down year post-surgery but he and the team haven't thrown the towel in and should present a stiff challenge to Laviolette's boys tomorrow night. Fortunately, now that Daylight Savings Time has pushed Arizona three hours back from Eastern Daylight Time, I'll get the game at 4 PM local (Mountain Standard Time). It's awesome to wrap up work early and get home to the ESPN+ stream that's an hour into the game. You can't beat it!

One final revenge game for 2021-22!

Peace!

[DaveBrown74]

Terrible loss tonight. Just a total collapse after a completely dominant first period. They got completely owned by Point. A painful game to watch. I hope they can shake that one off because that was pretty bad for the final 40 minutes.

[Messiah717]

Terrible loss tonight. Just a total collapse after a completely dominant first period. They got completely owned by Point. A painful game to watch. I hope they can shake that one off because that was pretty bad for the final 40 minutes.

It seems like they went to sleep yet again against Tampa.  There's a team you should hope the Rangers avoid in round one.

[kartanoman]

I'm gonna leave this one for files58 because the tone of the game changed once the Bolts went physical, got into the Rangers' heads once the "Duke" started taking over the game and, even after they grabbed the lead back at 3-2, Tampa out-worked them and beat Igor through crossing passes to Point and that one to Stamkos completely uncovered.

It was the re-enactment of the semifinal round 2021-22 all over again. What's worse is the Rangers come out of that one beat up a bit and missed a golden chance to pull within two of Florida for the President's Trophy as Carolina inexplicably blanked the Panthers 4-0 last night ... bizarre!

But the fact is that this loss pulls Carolina back within four and, if they manage to pull ahead of the Rangers to steal the division, guess who would be coming to the Garden for round one? Probably a good thing there's still nearly a month of hockey to play.

Another back-to-back weekend coming up with division rivals in the crosshairs. At Pitt Saturday matinee, Isles on Sunday.

Peace!

[files58]

They stopped skating. Extremely critical error by Bredzinski directly led to Tampa's first goal, and changed the game. It's been said the most important goal in a hockey game is the third goal. Bredzinski put the puck in the center of the ice instead of just along the boards, the safe play. You just can't make those mistakes. That's why I consider him not to be a good player, he's had brain farts before. That's why despite all his hard work he's really just a good Minor League player. Point like last night at times has All-World performances, he's a terrific player. Kutcherov is Kutcherov. However Tampa plays the game within the game. A number of Rangers seemed to get hit with shots last night, innocently looking, but none the less. You don't win cups without pushing things to the limit of what's allowed. That attitude comes hand in hand with winning. It's part of the cliché heart of a champion. They still have their championship core which makes them a tough, scary opponent in a seven game series. One mis-play changed the game, can't have it happen. It's always the little details. 

[kartanoman]

They stopped skating. <B>Extremely critical error by Bredzinski directly led to Tampa's first goal, and changed the game. It's been said the most important goal in a hockey game is the third goal. Bredzinski put the puck in the center of the ice instead of just along the boards, the safe play. You just can't make those mistakes. That's why I consider him not to be a good player, he's had brain farts before. That's why despite all his hard work he's really just a good Minor League player.</B> Point like last night at times has All-World performances, he's a terrific player. Kutcherov is Kutcherov. However Tampa plays the game within the game. A number of Rangers seemed to get hit with shots last night, innocently looking, but none the less. You don't win cups without pushing things to the limit of what's allowed. That attitude comes hand in hand with winning. It's part of the cliché heart of a champion. They still have their championship core which makes them a tough, scary opponent in a seven game series. One mis-play changed the game, can't have it happen. It's always the little details. 

You correctly called out what I unconsciously repressed because I screamed at my TV after Brodzinski inexplicably made two dumb plays with the second, as you summarized very well, completely changed the course of the game. Just an inexcusable play and what's ironic is that, as a soccer coach for a bunch of nine to eleven year old kids, I stress and train them on the same concept and, once in a while, they'll pull a "Brodzinski" (NOTE: not intended to be a Polish joke even though I'm pure-bred Polish) and, after the other team scores, I'll call them over to me, they're hanging their head, I'm smiling at them, I pat them on the back and ask them what happened. I'll then ask what could they have done to avoid that situation. Light bulb goes on, I send them back in, game goes on. Brodzinski probably got a lot worse from Laviolette.

They received a wake-up call last night. Now is the time to get it together. But it won't get any easier with the two division rivals coming up this weekend, and some of the best NHL teams waiting for them next week. As I said a couple of weeks ago, if they make it out of March in first place in the Metro, it will be well deserved.

Peace!

[kartanoman]

Well, the Rangers' defense struggled again today against Pittsburgh, but an all-out performance by Quickie should result in them picking his tab up tonight for yet another outstanding performance in goal. The offense, meanwhile, featured the Breadman on a five-point tear (two goals, three assists, and a near hat-trick completing open net shot which missed by inches) and a dominating Power Play in a 7-4 victory which sets up tomorrow's back-alley brawl against the Isles (who lost in OT to Ottawa and Patrick Roy looked like he was getting ready to put on a sweater and play tomorrow in his disgust!).

Following the victory, the battle of Florida commenced and it appears the Bolts have woke from the dead to put their in-state rivals on their back ends with a 4-0 first period lead with Vasilevskiy starting to look like that impenetrable goaltender from Tampa's glory years, making 47 saves in leading the Bolts to a 5-3 triumph over the Panthers which dropped them to second in the Atlantic as Boston edged Philadelphia today to jump ahead of them at 95 points but at 69 games played. Florida is at 94 points with 68 games played and the Rangers are tied with Vancouver for third in the NHL at 92 points with 67 games played apiece.

Looking ahead after the Islanders tomorrow, a critical game in the Garden against the high-flying Winnipeg Jets who are tied at the top of the Central Division along with Colorado, who have won five on the trot and whom the Rangers will visit on March 28th. Both these games are statement matchups with the Jets having one of the best #1 lines in the league and, arguably, the best goalie in the league with Connor Hellebuyck. The Avs, up in Mile High Denver, Colorado,  is a beautiful match-up of two teams with speed and scoring prowess who would make an ideal Stanley Cup Final (NOTE: in my humble opinion). Between these two games, however, lie two more games with the best two teams in the Atlantic: Boston in Beantown and Florida one more time at the Garden. The Rangers have taken two already from the Bruins and the final match will be huge for both teams. Two days later, the Panthers come to town a tad wounded after getting blanked by Carolina and punched in the jaw by Tampa. Will Trouba be back in time for this big game? Rempe certainly will and he's been missed the last couple of games. Getting both back will be crucial going into the post-season.

The Rangers' fight for top seed in the Metro, the Eastern Conference and the President's Cup will look clearer in the next two weeks. But it is also worth watching the fight for the Wild Card slots as well. Tampa is pushing their chips to the center of the table and making their move now. Detroit is barely hanging on and finally won today to snap a seven-game losing streak. The Isles are just on the outside looking in and know tomorrow's Rangers' game would do them wonders for the fight. Washington is starting to wake out of its slumber right now. So, it's time to turn it up and flex some muscle. The Rangers will more than have their opportunity to do just that over the next two weeks, then reload and fire again with the division rivals making up the balance of their regular season. We're halfway through March and they're still at the top of the Metro and in the hunt for the President's Trophy. It's not the end-all, but it's been one entertaining season to date with the opportunity to do something this club hasn't done in a long time.

It starts tomorrow morning (NOTE: here in Arizona, anyway) with their backyard rivals.

Peace!

[EDjohnst1981]

joy your balance.

I think the Rangers really missed Trouba this week - for the first time since his injury. I'm looking forward to having him back.

The pass from Tro to bread across the crease was outstanding. I simply loved that. Fox took his goal very well too.

I agree that Rempe being back will add a bit of grit and hopefully he's learned to keep his elbows down.

Whilst the D looked shakey last night, I thought the offense, and the PP in particular looked good. This has been a hard run for the Rangers with 5 games in 7 days, so if they can get 2 pts this afternoon that's a great return.

One last thought - I think Roslovic has gotten better each game, he's a fast skater but I have to admit, I've hardly noticed Wennberg on the ice. I know his getting far fewer minutes than he was in Seattle and hopefully he's still adjusting but I'd expect a little more than 1 SOG and 3 hits from your 3rd line centre. Hopefully he picks up soon.

[kartanoman]

joy your balance.

I think the Rangers really missed Trouba this week - for the first time since his injury. I'm looking forward to having him back.

The pass from Tro to bread across the crease was outstanding. I simply loved that. Fox took his goal very well too.

I agree that Rempe being back will add a bit of grit and hopefully he's learned to keep his elbows down.

Whilst the D looked shakey last night, I thought the offense, and the PP in particular looked good. This has been a hard run for the Rangers with 5 games in 7 days, so if they can get 2 pts this afternoon that's a great return.

One last thought - I think Roslovic has gotten better each game, he's a fast skater but I have to admit, I've hardly noticed Wennberg on the ice. I know his getting far fewer minutes than he was in Seattle and hopefully he's still adjusting but I'd expect a little more than 1 SOG and 3 hits from your 3rd line centre. Hopefully he picks up soon.

Good morning and good inputs!

Yes, Trocheck's pass to Breadman was all-world, but I think the Z-mans power play goal may have even topped that one. When this team unleashes passes like that, and turns them into scores, it must be mind-blowing for the opponent.

Agree with you 100% given last weekend was a back-to-back as is this weekend. It's every other day from here-on out.

I've noticed that Laviolette has tried Wennberg in different matchups during the Tampa game, but he's still working penalty killing and third line. Once in a while, he'll get a turn with the first or second lines. He's a role player for now, but he's doing what we need him to do as a center, extra wingman, and special teams player. Roslovic, on the other hand, loves playing for this team and you can see it in his skating. It was nice to see the team gather around him for his first goal as a Ranger the other day in Tampa.

They'll get Rempe back for the Jets game. Trouba, not so sure yet.

Peace!

[DaveBrown74]

Lame move by the NHL to give Rempe four games instead of three. They should have wanted him back for the Isles game today. Ok, I'm biased, but this would be the perfect game for him to be coming back for.

I still don't even know what Trouba's injury even is, other than the usual vague "lower body" injury stuff. I have no idea when he's coming back, except that they're optimistic they'll have him for the playoffs, which is still several weeks away. I wish we had a bit more transparency.

I actually thought Quick played very well yesterday, despite allowing four goals. None of the goals were really on him, and he made some very nice saves. I do agree the D was a bit subpar in this game, but overall I thought we looked good. Both teams played well I thought.

Carolina continues to win and has a higher goal differential on the year than we do. Our win there was huge last week, but we have no room for complacency if we want to win this division. You know the Isles are going to show up today. We need another big effort. I know the schedule and lack of rest time is tough right now, but this is go time.