Oh Captain, My Captain
There is no doubt that Henrik Lundqvist is the most important player on the Rangers; as he goes so goes the team. There is no question that Rick Nash is the Rangers most talented skater on the team; when he scores the Rangers often win.
However when the team needs a big play--a big hit, a courageous shot block or more importantly a momentum changing goal--there is no doubt that Ryan Callahan will often be that player to provide that lift for his Blueshirts.
The diminutive captain, with the heart of a lion, provided the spark that led to a crucial 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. His second period shorthanded goal was one for the highlight reel but more importantly helped swing the momentum back into the home team's favor as he, along with his fellow line mates Derek Stepan and the aforementioned Nash provided all the offense that was needed to secure the victory. The line combined for eight points in all and the impressive offensive display couldn't come at a better time.
Entering tonight's contest the Rangers, fresh off of being blanked in consecutive games, were determined to end the goalless drought in a hurry. That's where Stepan, just nineteen seconds, finished off a pretty passing play by Callahan and Nash. The Garden Faithful's celebration was brief though, as former Ranger and current tormentor Nik Antropov was left alone in front and stashed home a nice half wall feed from Kyle Wellwood, just 56 seconds later. The Jets continued to put a lot of pressure on the Rangers for the majority of the first period, culminating with a Zach Bogosian point shot that had eyes and found it's way to the back of the net past Lundqvist. Things could have been worse, as a few minutes prior to the Bogosian goal, Stepan bailed out Lundqvist with a great save on Wellwood; this isn't a typo.
Entering the second period, trailing 2-1, the Rangers came out strong and tested Jets netminder Ondrej Pavelec. Determined to make things harder on themselves, the Rangers took back to back penalties, giving the Jets a two-man advantage. With Mats Zuccarello and stalwart defenseman Dan Girardi, looking on from the sin bin, the Rangers not only killed off the 5-on-3 but scored the team's fourth shorthanded goal that ultimately turned the game around.
Ryan McDonagh cleared the puck to center ice, just as Zuccarello's penalty had expired. The Norwegian Hobbit forced Jets defenseman Tobias Enstrom to cough the puck up to an onrushing Callahan. Callahan and Zuccarello wound up with an odd man rush and with the puck on his stick, Callahan patiently waited and flipped a backhand over a fallen Pavelec. The game entirely changed complexion and the Rangers carried the play from there on in.
Stepan and Nash scored in the third period to cap off a brilliant night for the latest version of the Rangers top scoring line. As much credit deserved for the first line, other contributions were made throughout the lineup. The penalty killing unit, much maligned as of late, stepped up in a big way killing all five Jets power plays. Lundqvist, as he often does, allowed the team to settle down and play their game, as he finished off with a solid 26 save performance.
The often criticized underachieving/overpaid duo of Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards, despite not scoring(including a hysterical failed empty net attempt by Richards) were much more involved offensively, each getting a few solid chances to score. Since this part of the blog is a game recap and not an analysis of the season--on the whole--I will resist temptation of elaborating on just how disappointing these two have been for the Rangers. On the other hand, I will give them credit, they did play better than what we have been accustomed to. It is not a coincidence though that they have been more active and dangerous, around the opposing goal, now that Zuccarello has been teaming up with them. Dave Maloney pointed out in the Rangers post game that Zuccarello has been a nice breath of fresh air for the club and he couldn't be more right. He is a creative player who gives this team a much needed dimension of offensive creativity.
You win as a team and you lose as a team, but without significant contributions from key players, there will be more losses than wins. Lundqvist was a rock, Nash was dangerous as he often is and Stepan has emerged as the team's best center. But tonight belonged to the captain, the heart and soul of the New York Rangers.
Coach Tortorella
Despite the overall solid effort against the Jets, there were still some head scratching moments, mainly the distribution of ice time of specific players. Coach John Tortorella was asked about the lack of ice time given to rookies JT Miller and Chris Kreider, in the post game press conference. He actually admitted that he didn't trust them enough to play substantial minutes; especially since the game was close throughout.
That is a fair and honest answer and I can live with that. However what I can't live with is how he is all too often quick to bench the kids, especially Kreider. A player as flat out awful as Brian Boyle has been this season, is continually given every opportunity to try and right his season that has been often all too wrong. He didn't become an awful coach overnight though, there is something to be said for 401 career wins and a Stanley Cup to his credit.
He hasn't done as good a job he did last season but neither have a lot of vital players, up and down the lineup. It's never completely the coaches fault when things go wrong, conversely the coach doesn't garner all of the accolades when the team succeeds. This season has been an equal parts coach and personnel failure, for the most part.
The Trade Deadline & The Playoff Push
With the Trade Deadline fast approaching, many are wondering what the Rangers are going to do. We all have our druthers, wants and expectations come April 3rd. Is there a real chance that Gaborik gets dealt? Do the Rangers try and regain the first round pick they lost in the Nash deal? Is Dan Boyle still on the Blueshirt radar? We are only a day and a half from finding out.
The Rangers are not in a position to acquire more salary without exchanging a big ticket with any potential deals. The specter of anticipated salary increases for three key Rangers-McDonagh, Stepan and Carl Hagelin--this summer and a decreased salary cap next season make things extremely difficult for the Rangers to try and add another substantial salary.
The other issue at hand here are the teams that are "sellers", during this deadline, are expecting the world for players that just aren't worth it: See San Jose General Manager Doug Wilson's rumored demands for Ryane Clowe. The Rangers aren't in a position to sell the future and go all in to win this season. There just aren't enough expendable assets the Rangers can afford to part with at this moment.
The Rangers are currently holding onto the last playoff spot, tied in points with the rival New York Islanders and only trailing other local rival the New Jersey Devils by two. The Rangers win, combined with the Isles regulation win in NJ has put a spotlight on all three local teams playoff possibilities. The Rangers play the Isles one more time and the Devils twice more down the stretch. Needless to say, a lot will be decided with those head-to-head match ups.
Jan, thanks for allowing me to rant.
BA
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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