Jan Levine: Game 11: NYR 5 TB 1, H-Squared, Hank and Hagelin With a few others tossed in for good measure...

Raaaaaangerrrrrrs

Nice job Jan. Rangers played terrific hockey last night; particularly in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Now that Hank is playing like Hank and they are getting the sceondary scoring out of Cally and Hags the team looks as dangerous as advertised.

Great blog as usual Jan. I just feel like this next game against Boston can be a major stepping stone towards the rest of our season.
We've built up some decent momentum over the last two games, and obviously with Cally nd Girardi re-inserted into the lineup our heart and soul are back with the team.
IMO if we win against Boston, we go on a serious run here. Look at our schedule for the rest of the month, including the Bruins game I foresee a serious change in our place in the standings; as we climb higher to where we believed at the beginning of the season we would belong.

You guys have an easy one on thursday

To continue to the Stepan conversation. From Tortorella last night:

"Steps game has really grown," Torts said, with a proud expression on his face, "on both sides of the puck. I think he feels much more confident in his playing."

"We chart our offensive scoring chances... Hags is right there with the top three as far as how much offense he has been involved in with Gabby, Richards, and Nasher. He's been right there, Step is right there."

I agree with coach.

Dubi scored his first as a blue jacket tonight.

Dubi scored his first as a blue jacket tonight.
- TrueBlue9182

And Tyuitin got an assist.

Dubi scored his first as a blue jacket tonight.
- TrueBlue9182

Win tonight and I really think it shows we are fine and back on track.

And Tyuitin got an assist.
- TheMessiah94

and Redden got into a fight!

Dubi scoring... Redden fighting... what is the world coming to.

On Boyle, I think that inserting him into the line up within a rotation can only be beneficial to the team. Boyle in for Powe... Powe in for Miller... Miller in for Asham...etc. However, the longer he goes without playing the more dynamic any change, good or bad, will be. I still think that he can be a productive player on this team especially if he is not playing every night. Kinda like that good utility player on a baseball team.

On Stepan, I think he is doing exactly what we want him to do. Being a consistent pivot on a line with dynamic wings. He's not a scoring center but his assist numbers will quietly increase and I would bet he ends up leading the team in assists. Good instincts, good vision and is smart on and off the puck.

To continue to the Stepan conversation. From Tortorella last night:

"Steps game has really grown," Torts said, with a proud expression on his face, "on both sides of the puck. I think he feels much more confident in his playing."

"We chart our offensive scoring chances... Hags is right there with the top three as far as how much offense he has been involved in with Gabby, Richards, and Nasher. He's been right there, Step is right there."

I agree with coach.
- Rags2Riches

Nice to see Torts giving props to his young players, a noticeable difference in his remaks since the "dumbass Hagelin" blurb. Although I continue to say, the only issue Stepan has going forward is his speed, I think it will be addressd this off season. I'm told he plans to visit Barbara Underhill this summer, a very good move for him.

Nice to see Torts giving props to his young players, a noticeable difference in his remaks since the "dumbass Hagelin" blurb. Although I continue to say, the only issue Stepan has going forward is his speed, I think it will be addressd this off season. I'm told he plans to visit Barbara Underhill this summer, a very good move for him.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

Yes it is. I hated those power skating clinics. I always got frustrated going on the ice with no pucks. But you do see noticeable results. Boyle should be going also.

Yes it is. I hated those power skating clinics. I always got frustrated going on the ice with no pucks. But you do see noticeable results. Boyle should be going also.
- climbdenali12

Boyle did go, his issuse is he hasn't followed up. He's lost a step since visiting with Underhill.

Dubi scoring... Redden fighting... what is the world coming to.

On Boyle, I think that inserting him into the line up within a rotation can only be beneficial to the team. Boyle in for Powe... Powe in for Miller... Miller in for Asham...etc. However, the longer he goes without playing the more dynamic any change, good or bad, will be. I still think that he can be a productive player on this team especially if he is not playing every night. Kinda like that good utility player on a baseball team.

On Stepan, I think he is doing exactly what we want him to do. Being a consistent pivot on a line with dynamic wings. He's not a scoring center but his assist numbers will quietly increase and I would bet he ends up leading the team in assists. Good instincts, good vision and is smart on and off the puck.
- climbdenali12

Boyle will only come in for Halpern at this point and I wouldn't screw with that tonight, we need all we can to beat Bergeron in the dot.

Step is a smart player, always in position, great 2 way forward but he has to put some sort of muscle on, his shot isn't strong enough and he telegraphs every shot with a shoulder tuck and holds it until he's forced into a bad shot, I think he has to improve himself before he ends up like Dubi.

Boyle will only come in for Halpern at this point and I wouldn't screw with that tonight, we need all we can to beat Bergeron in the dot.

Step is a smart player, always in position, great 2 way forward but he has to put some sort of muscle on, his shot isn't strong enough and he telegraphs every shot with a shoulder tuck and holds it until he's forced into a bad shot, I think he has to improve himself before he ends up like Dubi.
- cranford93

From a investment to return ratio, Stepan is gold right now. Sure, he isn't a big time center, but his production for a guy making less than 900K a year is really good. I envision that Stepan will probably sign a deal this summer around what Del Zotto got, or maybe even a little less, which will still keep him the bargain range.

The moment of truth will come with this 3rd NHL contract, in much the same way it came with Dubi. If you sign a $4 million deal, you need to produce. Dubi was always a bargain, and was never a liability, until he signed his $4 million + deal.

From a investment to return ratio, Stepan is gold right now. Sure, he isn't a big time center, but his production for a guy making less than 900K a year is really good. I envision that Stepan will probably sign a deal this summer around what Del Zotto got, or maybe even a little less, which will still keep him the bargain range.

The moment of truth will come with this 3rd NHL contract, in much the same way it came with Dubi. If you sign a $4 million deal, you need to produce. Dubi was always a bargain, and was never a liability, until he signed his $4 million + deal.
- Pete V

Exactly, stepan needs to be a 60 plus point player when he's ready to sign his 3rd NHL contract. I say over and over that comparables for Stepan are guys like Pavelski and Plekanec.

If I could guarantee you guys right now that the Rangers would get the overtime loss point tonight, would you take it? I think I would.

If I could guarantee you guys right now that the Rangers would get the overtime loss point tonight, would you take it? I think I would.
- Pete V

No. I am having good vibes right now. Best I've felt all year even opening night. I now love the bottom 6 rather than dreading it. Gaborik couldn't be stopped last time. And Hank seems to be rounding into form. I feel that roll coming. Even if we lose I think we are gonna see a 6-2 kinda run right about now.

No. I am having good vibes right now. Best I've felt all year even opening night. I now love the bottom 6 rather than dreading it. Gaborik couldn't be stopped last time. And Hank seems to be rounding into form. I feel that roll coming. Even if we lose I think we are gonna see a 6-2 kinda run right about now.
- mrhattrick27

I feel a roll coming as well, but I really don't want to drop to 6-6. Maybe its just the psychological barrier of wanting to break away from that .500 mark. Boston is a tough place to play against an excellent team. I am hoping for a point, but obviously I would love the win.

If I could guarantee you guys right now that the Rangers would get the overtime loss point tonight, would you take it? I think I would.
- Pete V

As good as we have been of late, the Bruins have been better. 8-1-1 record.

I will take a point. I won't be happy about it, but I would take it right now.

As good as we have been of late, the Bruins have been better. 8-1-1 record.

I will take a point. I won't be happy about it, but I would take it right now.
- Rags2Riches

I actually think the Rangers have a better shot now at beating the Bruins than they did on opening night and when Gabby had his trick. Powe and Miller now allow Torts either grind out or skate with faster teams. Rangers have younger and quick legs.

I know this sounds awful, but i really hope the flames just nose dive with Kipper out with the MCL sprain. Babchuk would a nice rental for this team. Right handed shot and has good size at 6'5.

I feel a roll coming as well, but I really don't want to drop to 6-6. Maybe its just the psychological barrier of wanting to break away from that .500 mark. Boston is a tough place to play against an excellent team. I am hoping for a point, but obviously I would love the win.
- Pete V

Pete what's Hank's record against the Bruins in Boston since he has come into the league? I know he plays extremely well there. I think we are looking at a close game 2-1 or even 1-0 game tonight. I think Hank is going to be tough to beat tonight. Just my gut feeling.