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Game 51: NYR 4 MIN 2, Miller/McDonagh/Brassard Lead the Way |
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The Rangers got back to their winning ways with a 4-2 win over the Wild on Thursday. Despite playing a fairly solid first period, New York trailed 2-0 thanks to a breakaway goal by Ryan Carter and power play marker by Matt Dumba. Marc Staal had a hand in each, taking the shot that was blocked by Carter leading to the breakaway and penalty, which resulted in Dumba's goal. At that point, judging by the blog comments and those on twitter, many Rangers' were ready to turn off the TV and ship their team out of town, never to return. But after that goal, New York dominated play, resulting in the win.
A few points:
The Blueshirts held the Wild's forwards without a shot after Carter's goal until nearly eight minutes into the third period. This is a continuation of the team's better play 5v5 the past several games, even though the end results haven't reflected that.
Ryan McDonagh was a McMonster. His goal and assist ended a three-game scoreless streak, but before that, he had notched points in six of seven games. The early-season struggles are long a thing of the past and he is back to being that elite, two-way defenseman we are used to seeing.
Derick Brassard had a goal and an assist, giving eight points his last three games, With 18 goals and 21 assists, he could exceed the 19 and 41 he tallied a year ago. The five-year, $25 million contract extension he signed with the Rangers in July of 2014 is looking like a major bargain, especially as we see the struggles Derek Stepan is going through this year.
Now onto J.T. Miller, who had a goal and an assist yesterday. He now has 17 points in 21 games, eight goals his last eight games and has set new career highs with 16 goals and 29 points through 51 games. Remember when AV was saying he was at a crossroads of his career?
Now he has developed into a force on both ends of the ice. The goals and points are great, but he also has become responsible and reliable in his own zone, while using his size to carve out open space. Just as important is he is now confident.
We have discussed a few days how confidence is a catch-22 situation. You don't have confidence unless you produce and you don't produce unless you have confidence. So which ones comes first and is one more important that the other? At this point, Miller has both, but he is an interesting case study seeing where he was and has become. His fine play and the growth he has shown is recognized within the locker room but especially by the coaching staff.
On Miller, AV said: “I see a young man that is definitely growing and understanding more every day what it is to be a pro, and going out there and working hard to become the best player he could be. He’s putting in a lot of time in his off-ice conditioning, works hard in practice, and he’s getting an opportunity right now and he’s definitely playing well for us.”
The interesting part will come once/if Rick Nash returns from his bone bruise (though I believe it's a fracture, just like Mark Teixeira had). Miller has made the most of his time on a line with Brassard, replacing Nash, When Nash returns, hopefully, AV leaves Miller with Brassard and Nash replaces Jesper Fast, even though Fast's grit was a big reason why the line had success yesterday.
The power play was better yesterday. Puck and player movement clearly was improved. The next step is to get shots on net and also traffic in front. Personally, I think Miller should be on the top unit with Chris Kreider on the second. In additional, I am curious to see who replaces Jayson Megna on the second unit. Beyond giving up the PPG against, I thought the PK was marginally better. I saw someone suggest that the formation liked more like a diamond and not a box, so that tweak is something to watch against Philly, who seem to kill NY on the PP, especially Wayne Simmonds.
Update: PP units at Friday practice: 93-16-10-13-24 (Yandle-Brassard-Miller-Hayes-Lindberg), 27-22-21-20-36 (McDonagh-Boyle-Stepan-Kreider-Zucc). Happy to see Miller on the first unit, surprised at Hayes and Lindberg. Hayes may be used in front of the net and I would swap Zucc and Lindberg.
Other than Staal, the defense was pretty good. As noted above McD was great, Girardi had a good game while McIlrath didn't look out of place. Of course, that may not be enough for him to play as it's that Kevin Klein - who was to be out indefinitely with his fractured thumb - could play tomorrow. I admire his grit and leadership and willingness to play plus cognizant of the doctor's view he can't be further injured, but unless you have a kevlar glove for him, why the heck would you rush him back? We saw what happened with G when he came back too soon, so one might hope the Rangers learned from that but we will see if thats the case tomorrow.
Megna, who was in the lineup yesterday for his speed, was sent back to Hartford. That means that Tanner Glass, scratched Thursday, will play Saturday against a physical Philly squad. I had hoped the presence of McIlrath would be enough to keep the lineup intact another game, but that will not be the case. As a result, the lineup will be, presuming Klein out again:
Miller-Brassard-Fast
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello
Lindberg-Hayes-Stalberg
Paille-Moore-Glass.
McD-G
Staal-Boyle
Yandle-McIlrath
Lundqvist
A good win Thursday. The challenge once again is to build on it, especially to reel off a string of wins. Philly, without Sean Courturier, tomorrow. New Jersey, who is without Michael Cammalleri and against whom the Rangers should be itching for revenge, Monday. Then Pittsburgh, possibly missing Evgeni Malkin, on Wednesday. All possibly winnable games but as we saw against NJ this week and have seen too often in the past, the Rangers' performance has been inconsistent, resulting in losses.
Get it done!!!
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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