The Rangers opened their season the same way they played their preseason. Losing. While there were some good moments they were too few and they were overwhelmed by the bad stuff. Certainly there weren't as many good moments as Ron Dugay would have us believe in his wrap-up on TV.
Our one goal was scored by Marc Staal, a power play goal. However, the Rangers were 1-4 on the PP. The Yotes were 1-3 on the power play but they scored two goals after the expiration of their PPs. So the special teams killed the Rangers again.
So what has changed? Not much. The D couldn't keep the puck away from Lundqvist, hence the Radim Vrbata hat trick. The offense was the same. Lots of movement and rushes but just one goal and that by a defenseman, Marc Staal, who looked fine. Meanwhile at times the D looked confused and there was a time during the third period where Lundqvist kept the score reasonable. Mike Smith, the Coyotes goalie was very good. Then there was the spectacle of Rick Nash squaring off with Martin Hanzal after Hanzal decked Stepan. Good for sticking up for a teammate, but do we really want Nash fighting?
So maybe Monday we turn it around. Maybe Monday Callahan comes back and lights a fire against the LA Kings. Maybe Monday we see more of Ryan McDonagh and less of Michael Del Zotto. Maybe Monday we see more of JT Miller and Jesper Fast and less of Brian Boyle. Maybe Monday the brass rethinks and brings back Chris Kreider.
But let's not panic. It's only one game. See what happens Monday and we may rethink panic. This was the first of a nine game opening road trip. We can't make the hole so deep it becomes a chasm. Anyhow, hockey is officially back and that's good news.
The JV T/Birds of Connetquot/Sayville have opened the season 2-0 with wins over Sachem, 1-0, and Half Hollow Hills, 2-1. Grandson Nicholas has been moved from defense to left wing and is getting familiar to the nuances of playing offense. He was a +1 in the HHH game and his line was on ice for the game winning goal. Go T/Birds and Go Rangers!!
Yay Nicholas!! Tough transition but knowing both positions will help him in the long run, to be sure.
And thanks for the kind words Pundit. While probably very needed, this hiatus wasn't my idea but some things are sadly more important.
Very happy you're still soldiering on!
Keep up the good work Pundit!
while the ragners lost the game from some pp momentum and a bad turnover. the story of the game was mike smith. the rangers where the faster team the more aggressive team and the more physical team. brian boyle was not a problem at all while i agree less delzotto and more of mcdonagh make no mistake about it marc staal is this teams number 1 defender in every way. we wont be seeing miller or fast and thank god for that for they looked very lost out there. and callup up krieder ? i dont understand why everyone is so high on krieder hes been absolutely terrible in every area of the game. those are three kids that play like kids and arent ready for this level of hockey that is the nhl. to say the rangers good moments were few and fare is a crock if mike smith doesnt stand on his head rangers win that game. now ill admit it wasnt the best hockey we have seen this team play but they showed more good things then bad with the new system and coach. october is a wash month its a growing month once this team finds there game there going to be a very hard team to play against. and enough with the miller fast kreider crap boyle is better then all three of those players and gives us a better chance to win game in and game out then these rookies. thats just fact
abd ron D knows alot more about what hes watching then you do sir to say he was not being truthful is a crock aswell.
To anonymous. You guys kill me with the non descript monikers. To read your report its like a 7-1 Ranger win but however we gave up 4 goals we were so good.
Yeah we were all over the Coyotes who not only outscored us, they outshot us, We outplayed them so badly that we had one more blocked shot then them, four more hits than them and they won the faceoff derby 54-46. That's really outplaying them.
Did you watch the game in color or were the rose colored glasses good enough. A couple of more outstanding games like this and we'll have a new coach by Christmas.