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Game 45: NYR-PHI, Rangers look to get back to winning ways |
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The Rangers look to snap a three-game skid tonight against the Flyers. A loss against Philadelphia will keep New York out of a wild card spot, as the Islanders slipped past the Blueshirts with their win yesterday but the Rangers have a game in hand. Depending on your view, that could be a good thing, as many feel a revamp is in order and holding onto a playoff berth just delays the inevitable.
Monday, Peter Holland was promoted from Hartford. Holland, who came over from Montreal for Adam Cracknell, had scored 33 points in 36 games. So I have no issue with the call up, especially since Kevin Hayes is expected to miss at least one more game with the contusion he suffered January 7 against Las Vegas. Where I have an issue is the demotion of Boo Nieves.
Nieves didn’t have a great game Sunday. He failed to pick up Sidney Crosby, allowing Crosby a clear lane and shot on his goal. But overall, Nieves had ably filled the role of fourth line center, making that trio the most consistent on the team. Whether he was joined by whichever two of Paul Carey, Jesper Fast and Pavel Buchnevich, that line did what they were supposed to do. Yet, Nieves is the one optioned down.
David Desharnais would need to pass through waivers to go down. It’s clear the view is that New York expects that he would get claimed and would rather try and deal him to acquire something for the future if they fall out of the race and/or become sellers. I can understand that thought process, so if you don’t want to lose him, then scratch him. New York could put Chris Kreider on LTIR if they truly need to free up cap room in the future. As such, holding onto Desh and keeping him active rather than just sitting him and playing Nieves makes no sense at all. Desh was fine when Zib was out, but since then, his play and production has leveled off.
With Holland up, Nieves sent down and Hayes plus Chris Kreider out, the lineup will be a jumble. Maybe AV should try Nash-Zibanejad-Zuccarello, Grabner-Miller-Buchnevich, Vesey-Desh-Fast and Lettieri-Holland-Carey. Having Fast as a top-six doesn’t maximize his skill set, plus, I want him on defensively against the Sean Couturier line. New York desperately needs offense. If Vigneault doesn’t want Buch on top line, the create a speed line with him and Grabner and have Zucc with Nash. The key issue is getting shots on goal, so if that’s the case, I would put Buch there or if not, and as crazy as this may be, try Lettieri, since you know that he at least is willing to shoot the puck.
On the blue line, Ryan McDonagh is likely to miss his second straight game with back spasms. Last game, New York went with Holden-Smith, returning from two games as a healthy scratch, Skjei-Shattenkirk and Staal-Kampfer. During the game, with the team struggling, Kampfer was moved up to the top line (let that sink in). As I wrote before the Pittsburgh game, I would go with Skjei or Shattenkirk with Smith, separating that duo, who have had issues defensively to put it mildly but are also the best puck-movers on the team, and play whoever isn’t on that pair with Staal. My third pair would be Holden-Kampfer. None of the options is that appealing, an indication that the defensive revampment this offseason has proven so far to be an utter failure.
Henrik Lundqvist will again be between the pipes trying again to be the emotional ballast and motivator of the team while serving as a target for shooting practice. Philly comes in red hot and games with the Flyers, regardless of the standings, always have a bit of an edge. If Wayne Simmonds is able to create space with his physical play, look for a long evening at MSG.
Post-script: Team Sweden named their Olympic team today. Henrik Lundqvist’s brother Joel is on the squad. Two spots remain to be named. Hans Andersson, a journalist in Sweden, tweeted the following: Lias Andersson, Robert Nilsson, Andreas Engqvist och André Petersson är i första hand spelarna som är med om de två sista platserna, säger Johan Garpenlöv. Google Translation: Lias Andersson, Robert Nilsson, Andreas Engqvist and André Petersson are primarily players involved in the last two places, says Johan Garpenlöv. @aj_ranger speculates Andersson’s delay is to make sure his shoulder is fully healthy before he earns the role. This would give us a reason to watch the games. In addition, speculation is that Igor Shestyorkin will be named to Team Russia’s Olympic squad.
Thanks
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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