Jan Levine: Rangers open 90th season with 5-3 win over the Islanders Solid victory over divisional rival

Nice blog Jan.

Great game last night...a lot to like. The chemistry the KZB line has is special. Some of the give and gos between Kreider and Zibby looked like they've been playing together for years.

McDonagh was an absolute monster both defensively and offensively. Girardi was really, really good. Skjei was good, Holden too.

And the rest of the offensive lines outside KZB were pretty damn good too. Nash was playing with intensity and using his mitts to generate offense which was nice to see.

blowing the 2 goal lead was a little annoying, but the way the Rangers outplayed the Islanders in the first two periods, you had to know the Isles would come out blazing in the 3rd and they sure did.

Difference between last night and the last couple of years from the Isles is that the Islanders would have usually put up 5 in the third period, Matt Martin would have injured someone the the score would have been opposite.

the Neil Smith thing really bothers me. Keenan is the one who bailed and Neil never wanted to leave.

I am sure they'll have a big 25th anniversary of the Cup thing in a few years, he better be invited for that.

Hopefully we'll have won another one by then

blowing the 2 goal lead was a little annoying, but the way the Rangers outplayed the Islanders in the first two periods, you had to know the Isles would come out blazing in the 3rd and they sure did.

Difference between last night and the last couple of years from the Isles is that the Islanders would have usually put up 5 in the third period, Matt Martin would have injured someone the the score would have been opposite.
- jimbro83

For sure. Islanders definitely took steps back this off season.

Holden was 2nd in TOI last night behind McDonagh

Great start to the season, the resiliency like you said Jan was good to see. No folding even after the 2 quick Isles goals. 1 very small step so far but it was a night to be excited for sure.

the Neil Smith thing really bothers me. Keenan is the one who bailed and Neil never wanted to leave.

I am sure they'll have a big 25th anniversary of the Cup thing in a few years, he better be invited for that.

Hopefully we'll have won another one by then
- jimbro83

Surprised we didn't see Neil during the "90s era" old Rangers introduced. There were some surprising guys introduced, Barry Beck, Tomas Sandstrom? Loved Tomas, but I don't think of him when I think of all time Rangers.

Did you tick the box - let a lead go but get back in front & win (for a (frank)ing change )? Check!

Thought when it got back to 2-2 you guys were going to roll over & start to decompose, but to my surprise you kicked some arse!!! Good start to the season (frank)ers!

Great start to the season, the resiliency like you said Jan was good to see. No folding even after the 2 quick Isles goals. 1 very small step so far but it was a night to be excited for sure.
- B2B76

Also was it me or it seemed like players like Stepan/Nash role was a lot smaller last night. I know only one game but usually that would have been Stepan double shifting like Zib was last night with the 4th line or Nash playing 5 plus mins on the powerplay like Kreider/Buch were.

Also was it me or it seemed like players like Stepan/Nash role was a lot smaller last night. I know only one game but usually that would have been Stepan double shifting like Zib was last night with the 4th line or Nash playing 5 plus mins on the powerplay like Kreider/Buch were.
- TPC

Seems all we saw was Zib, or Kreider out there late...I did not notice Nash much at all, no surprise.

Seems all we saw was Zib, or Kreider out there late...I did not notice Nash much at all, no surprise.
- B2B76

G was that Nick Holden logging the 2nd most ice time for Dman, #1 penalty kill, 2nd PP unit? Didn't you have him as an extra Jan, or was he going to be waived to be sent down?

the Neil Smith thing really bothers me. Keenan is the one who bailed and Neil never wanted to leave.

I am sure they'll have a big 25th anniversary of the Cup thing in a few years, he better be invited for that.

Hopefully we'll have won another one by then
- jimbro83

Not if they want Messier and Gretzky to show up.

Terrific 1st night win, good to see Speed becoming more of the focus. It's a long season, but a win on opening night against an arc rival always helps.

Great to hear Sam Rosen again.

Great to hear Sam Rosen again.
- evitageN

I dont even think his wife would say that

Great to hear Sam Rosen again.
- evitageN

- TPC

Joking, 1 game & we won, no way gonna rip any player yet, obviously I already have a pre disposition to not liking Rick Nash, hope he proves me wrong this yr.

Overall it was a good game last night and I will always take that outcome. I loved the big boy lineup with Nash - Hayes - Miller, even though Hayes seem late getting to the puck during the forecheck I will chalk it up to him being more defensively focused and joining at the last possible moment.

Girardi was overall in good positions all night either blocking shots, causing weaker attempts towards the net or not having any baffles with the puck. The one thing I did not like is his continued desire to lay flat out (I think it was the first goal but could be the second goal) rather than going to a knee and still trying to keep his stick active.

Staal, well the same cannot be said for him, I cannot speak to if he was out of position much but I did notice the several times he had the puck and he could have made a quick play and move the puck up the boards or to another player but he was slow in his read and circled back in his zone allowing the forecheck to attack him. One of those circle backs resulted in a turnover.

Vesey, did not notice him that much. I guess that is good for now.

Love the KZB line - amazing to see those guys have that chemistry this early. Brass was good while he was here but I do not believe he was as creative with the puck in his entire career in blue as ZBad was in that one game.

Feels good after a victory, especially against the Isles.

I dont even think his wife would say that
- YuenglingJagr

I dont even think his wife would say that
- YuenglingJagr

When he said "Those are not boos folks, they're ZUUUUUSSS" I turned to my brother & we cracked up, can't believe he is still saying that. EVERYBODY knows that Sam. Its the sign of an older gentlemen over stating the obvious. I just hope Sam does not turn into Ralph Kiner.

It was worth all the money to go to the game so I didn't have to hear sam

Overall it was a good game last night and I will always take that outcome. I loved the big boy lineup with Nash - Hayes - Miller, even though Hayes seem late getting to the puck during the forecheck I will chalk it up to him being more defensively focused and joining at the last possible moment.

Girardi was overall in good positions all night either blocking shots, causing weaker attempts towards the net or not having any baffles with the puck. The one thing I did not like is his continued desire to lay flat out (I think it was the first goal but could be the second goal) rather than going to a knee and still trying to keep his stick active.

Staal, well the same cannot be said for him, I cannot speak to if he was out of position much but I did notice the several times he had the puck and he could have made a quick play and move the puck up the boards or to another player but he was slow in his read and circled back in his zone allowing the forecheck to attack him. One of those circle backs resulted in a turnover.

Vesey, did not notice him that much. I guess that is good for now.

Love the KZB line - amazing to see those guys have that chemistry this early. Brass was good while he was here but I do not believe he was as creative with the puck in his entire career in blue as ZBad was in that one game.

Feels good after a victory, especially against the Isles.
- wolfpack2426

I keep saying it but the more I see of him, I really cannot believe Ottawa gave up on Zib so young still, guy has amazing talent. I like Brassard a lot, but this trade has the potential to go down as a real winner for the Rangers.

It was worth all the money to go to the game so I didn't have to hear sam
- MacT27

Nice.

I keep saying it but the more I see of him, I really cannot believe Ottawa gave up on Zib so young still, guy has amazing talent. I like Brassard a lot, but this trade has the potential to go down as a real winner for the Rangers.
- B2B76

I am hoping this early line chemistry is like that of the triplet line Tampa had 2 years ago with Kucherov - TJ - Palat.