Game 74: NYI 3 NYR 2, Penalty kill haunts Rangers again in loss
March 23, 2017, 8:06 AM ET [390 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The Rangers blew a 2-1 lead, falling the Islanders 3-2 on Wednesday. The defeat was the Blueshirts' second straight, but at least they get to go on the road, which is where they have had most of their success, for the next three. Following Wednesday's loss, it's now seven straight losses at MSG.
The Rangers lost to a more desperate team. After likely getting taken to task by coach Doug Weight in between the second and third periods, the Islanders came out with renewed purpose and an increased compete level and it showed. The Rangers failed to match that intensity in falling to the Islanders. You can argue the Islanders had to be more desperate, and I get that, but at home, against a divisional rival with a chance to deal a major blow to their playoff chances, you would expect better.
The penalty kill is a tire fire. Granted, the Islanders got some breaks, first off the double skate deflection and then on the game-winner when the shot seemed to hit Ryan McDonagh's hand, creating the scramble in front. But, the own zone coverage was poor, allowing those chances. In each instance, it wasn't a case where a forward was leaking out to get a short handed chance, as has been occurring lately, which is what coach Alain Vigneault said before the game. Thats what makes each goal even more disconcerting, because it reflects poor positioning and communication within your own zone while staying within the structure.
The Blueshirts, who yielded two goals in four shorthanded chances, have allowed nine goals on 22 disadvantages over the past seven games, and 10 on 27 over the past eight matches. Those numbers are staggeringly bad. The Rangers have dropped from around a top-10 penalty kill earlier in the year to the mid-20s and falling like a rock. If one area has to be cleaned up and quickly, this is it.
The power play wasn't great, as several missed opportunities. A great play by Mika Zibanejad to get the puck to Mats Zuccarello from his knees for the PPG in the second. But the other three man-advantages yielded nothing. The Rangers had a chance to grab a hold of this game and allowed the Islanders to stay in the contest. That was the case much of the first two frames. The Rangers pushed and pushed but had no finishing ability, as either Thomas Greiss stood on his head or they missed the net.
One player who has picked up his play is Rick Nash. Another power move, this one starting from the neutral zone, and then the skill to push the puck from skate to open space and stick followed by a hard drive to the net yielded the goal. Some interesting comments from Larry Brooks and a quote from Nash, who clearly realizes why he is in New York and what his role is.
Indeed, Nash regularly grimaces when complimented for his work on the defensive side of the puck or for having imposed his will against opposing defensemen for shifts at a time when the plaudits follow games in which he has been held off the sheet.
“Because that’s not good enough,” said Nash. “I take pride in my defensive game and in being a complete player, but I know why I’m here and that’s not it.”
“Getting to the inside,” is the mantra from No. 61 and the thing is, he getting to the inside, using spin moves against defenders, doing much of his best work with his back to the net much like a big man posting up in the blocks. But he hadn’t been finishing.
On the flip side, too many passengers again. Remember when New York scored goals by the bushel full the first quarter of the season? Well that was long ago and far away. Lately, it's been an absolute slog to tally markers, as even by the myriad of frittered away chances yesterday. Derek Stepan needs to get in shape and find his game, because he has not been good at all. If Mike Zibanejad, despite his fine play on the goal, wants a long term rather than bridge deal, he too needs to find the level he was at before he was injured. Tanner Glass dressed, possibly because Pavel Buchnevich was banged up after a collision with the boards the other day in practice. But that's speculation and without confirmation, so I am hoping it's true, or else sitting Buch, even though a more physical game was expected, made little sense. That move was exacerbated by Michael Grabner's continuing struggles - remember when he too was hot - and Jesper Fast miscast usage on the second line, leaving New York thin up front.
On the blue line, find me one defenseman who really didn't struggle last night? McDonagh was not particularly good again and neither was his pair mate, Marc Staal. Brady Skjei had a lousy game while Brendan Smith was either invisible or visible for the wrong reasons. I guess Nick Holden was meh, while Steven Kampfer got burned by Anthony Beauvillier shortly before Anders Lee tied the game 1-1. AV for some inexplicable reason benched Adam Clendening, even though he and Skjei was the team's best pairing the night before, resulting in Kampfer's inclusion in the lineup. Unless it was injury related, that move made no sense. But Dan Girardi will be back to cure all, maybe Kevin Klein too.
Eight games to get their stuff (insert other word as you see fit) together. Right now, New York isn't playing well enough to beat whoever they meet in the playoffs. Plus, the magic number is still seven with a three game Cali trip upcoming and a pair of home games still against Pittsburgh, so nothing is set in stone. I am not predicting a complete collapse but better play would be nice. I know they controlled action for much of the last two games, but that's offset by the errors made and issues I highlighted above.
Horace Greeley said Go West, Young Man. For the Rangers, maybe the coast will be the elixir they need.
» utube 7/25/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar Update - IQD Revaluation-Key Indicators - Deposit Insurance -Arbitra
» utube 7/23/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar-Prime Minister Advisors-Saleh-Al-Nusairi-Facts bringng facts-Reforms
» MMK&C 7/21/24 Government Advisor: Adopting auditing of foreign transfers contributes
» MM&C 7/21/24 Proposed measures to address the rise of the dollar
» Iraq ranks high in income inequality among citizens
» Within months.. Al-Imar: The amount of loans disbursed amounted to about 750 billion dinars
» Parliamentary Integrity confirms the start of opening the files of former officials
» Iraq and the German Development Bank sign an amendment to the loan agreement to finance a number of
» Regional oil...between export ban and smuggling suspicions
» Economist: Faw Port is an important step towards sustainable economic development and a major gatewa
» Parliamentary Investment "Mocks" Solution to Housing Crisis in Complexes: "Joke" and Government Must
» Multi-million dollar agreement to support Iraqi agriculture
» From Chaos to Law.. The Crowd Breathes with the First Reading of “Service and Retirement”
» Oil Minister inaugurates first phase of associated water injection project in Rumaila field
» Water Resources: The reality of desertification in Iraq is better than before
» Disappearance of 50,000 Pakistani tourists in Iraq.. Government position: We will start the investig
» Iraq reveals the value of its agricultural exports: 400 thousand tons in 6 months
» Electricity directs the rapid implementation of the solar power plant project in Khanaqin
» Worth $20 billion.. Iraq is second in trade exchanges with Iran
» (56) megawatt card.. Opening of the gas power plant in Majnoon field
» Parliamentary Committee: Amending this law will address many problems
» Iraq and the German Development Bank (KFW) sign an amendment to the loan agreement to finance a numb
» Finance discusses regulating the work of government banks with international auditing firm Ernst & Y
» The Prime Minister receives the approval of the coalition of companies that won the investment oppor
» US Ambassador: We helped Iraq with $3.6 billion in the displaced file
» In two stages.. The Minister of Oil inaugurates the associated water injection project in the Rumail
» Who manipulated the budget settings? Adding 15 trillion dinars for the benefit of the people or for
» Statement of the Iraqi Communist Workers’ Party on the “Personal Status Law Amendment” Project
» The American arm has become short.. Iraq will eradicate the “SDF” from Syria
» The idea of the “Sunni region” is maturing again.. The insistence of Western politicians collides
» Iraq takes its share of negative development and faces “electronic blackmail”
» Education in Iraq: Between the lack of schools and the delay in providing supplies
» Economist lays out solutions to get rid of the dollar’s dominance: moving towards a currency baske
» The Presidency of the Republic issues a special pardon for a bank manager accused of embezzlement
» The Ministry of Agriculture reveals the volume of its exported products in numbers
» Transport reveals its latest steps towards lifting the European ban on Iraqi Airways
» "Doors are closed" in Parliament.. Will political pressures result in the election of a new presiden
» Prime Minister's Advisor: Kirkuk government formation will be decided within 20 days
» US dollar exchange rate stability in Baghdad
» Reconstruction: New applications for Housing Fund loans will be opened when liquidity is available
» The US Federal Reserve adopts a new strategy towards Iraq.. The dollar is threatened with rising to
» First government comment on the leakage of 50 thousand Pakistanis in Iraq
» Parliamentary Integrity Committee announces keeping the session hosting the Minister of Water Resour
» Parliamentarian reveals the reason for the recent talk about the Sunni region
» Secrets of the Coordination Framework meeting with the Sunni forces.. Three proposals to resolve the
» Iraqis' spending on tourism is equivalent to the electricity budget.. What is the number of traveler
» "Two Papers of the Tashah in Parliament"... Warnings against implicating the legislative institution
» Turkish Minister reveals details about the security corridor in Iraq and the development road projec
» Does it stipulate the marriage of minors? What does the paragraph amending the Personal Status Law i
» One of the motives of the "salary scale".. Iraq is ranked 87th globally in "income inequality"
» "Vigilant Guardian"... Harmonious Supervisory Cooperation to Guarantee Citizens' Deposits in Iraqi B
» Saleh: The Central Bank's dollar reserves are solid and the GDP rate is very optimistic
» Economist accuses political parties of controlling the exchange rate on the black market
» Minister calls for establishing centers for Turkish commercial agencies inside Iraq
» 98% increase in foreign remittance sales at the Central Bank of Iraq auction
» Important meeting between Al-Sudani and the "Arabs of Kirkuk" to decide on the formation of the prov
» Housing projects in the Kurdistan Region are expensive internally and suitable externally
» Slight decline in the "green paper" in Baghdad stock exchanges
» OPEC: Iraq, Russia to compensate for surplus oil production
» Economist: The Iraqi banking sector has achieved significant growth
» Does integrity interfere with the work of institutions when they conduct investigations into suspici
» Parliamentary Finance: The Central Bank agrees to increase the capital of the Real Estate Bank to ex
» The region lags behind "electronic systems".. Transactions are still paper-based and the authenticit
» Media Authority: We are working on strategic agreements with global companies to bridge cybersecurit
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of completing the formation of the Kirkuk government and reaching
» The region lags behind "electronic systems".. Transactions are still paper-based and the authenticit
» Iraq prepares to sign strategic agreements with global companies to bridge the digital divide in the
» Exporting (10) million liters of black oil daily.. Oil: Karbala has become an oil port that supplies
» Used as a gift and used for fraud.. The Central Bank warns against the circulation of commemorative
» Judge Faeq Zidane: International cooperation is important in the field of combating terrorism
» Al-Abbasi: Framing the relationship with Washington according to the Iraqi constitution
» Within 6 months.. The European ban on the green bird will be resolved
» Thwarting the smuggling of 21 million liters of petroleum derivatives
» Record
» Production of 24 thousand electric cars annually
» The second phase of the campaign (restricting weapons to the state) begins
» Inclusion of social protection beneficiaries in internal contracts
» The Prime Minister directs the rapid completion of Baghdad entrance projects
» Minister of Labor announces launch of health insurance service for social protection beneficiaries
» Via "Baghdad Today" .. Oil Minister announces increasing social benefits to 10 million dollars
» Joint Statement by the Iraqi and US Ministries of Defense
» Al-Sudani meets with a delegation from the American engineering consulting company KBR
» Kurdistan procrastinates to obtain the "lion's share".. Discontent over the delay in localizing empl
» Withdrawal is "Out of Reach"... Analysis of the Joint Iraqi-American Statement
» Al-Sudani stresses the importance of completing the formation of the Kirkuk government and reaching
» "Black Money" Fuels Investment Stock Exchange.. Countries That Prospered with Looted Iraqi Money
» Central Bank warns against circulation of $1 million commemorative notes
» Planning for “Al-Zawraa”: The five-year plan targets different sectors and does not include traditio
» “Unfair and deepens sectarianism”.. Why did the amendment to the Personal Status Law spark anger in
» Launching an electronic application for Iraqi retirees
» The crowd responds to Halbousi: A person convicted of forgery is not qualified to appoint himself as
» Al-Fayadh: We appreciate the Iraqi Parliament’s progress with the first reading of the service and r
» Nassif: The political process needs Al-Sadr and Al-Maliki to “rule” it
» Al-Mandlawi winks at Al-Halbousi: We reject insulting those who presented thousands of martyrs
» adhere to the rules of the Islamic religion and needs to be reformulated (tweet)
» Sarwa Abdul Wahid: The rivalry between Baghdad and Erbil is just "clacks"
» Parliamentary Finance: The Central Bank of Iraq’s measures to change the exchange rate did not achie
» Al-Sudani meets with Kirkuk Arabs to decide on the provincial government