It's been coming as the Rangers continue to play sub par hockey. It finally happened last night when goalie Steve Mason, with 34 saves turned back the Rangers, 4-2 last night. Mason was particularly sharp in the third period making 16 saves and a spectacular sequence when in rapid fire he stopped five shots. To add insult to injury, ex-Ranger, Del Zotto scored the game winner.
John Moore, another Ranger along with Zuccarello, under the trading gun, had given the Rangers a 2-1 lead, with his first goal of the year. But the Flyers, Raffl, tied it and set it up for Del Zotto's 8th of the year. You remember him. The Rangers were 0-3 on the power play, which has resurfaced as a problem.
But, the big story to me is the overall play of the team. Yes, this was only their second loss since Lundqvist went down but the wins haven't been pretty. Haven't been solid. Oh I know. never critique a win. But I thought the team would play a more solid defense. A more disciplined game with Talbot in goal. He did make 30 saves. The final goal was an empty netter. But something is missing.
By five o'clock tomorrow night something else may be missing, Mats Zuccarello and possibly John Moore. Zuccs is asking for a contract, in the area of $5.5 mil for three years. The cap can't take it. It's no more hockey and performance anymore. It's the dough and the cap. Look, Zuccs hasn't been tearing it up. In 59 games he has 12 goals, 23 assists and no power play goals.
So we are still behind the Islanders with three games in hand and the top team in the NHL, the Nashville Predators, come in tomorrow night. One game at a time baby. One shift, one period and one game.
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Good call on J.Moore. What do you think of the deal?
I like the trade. Yandle is a power play specialist. Strong offensive player and a decent defender.
The Stealth went bold and has his eyes on the Cup.
Good move.