Game 80: OTT 4 NYR 1, Flat effort in loss, Sather to step down? (rangers)

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Game 80: OTT 4 NYR 1, Flat effort in loss, Sather to step down?

By Jan Levine

Apr 4, 2019 • 5:49 am

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The Rangers, to quote coach David Quinn, came out "flat" against the Senators, falling 4-1 on Wednesday. Special teams made the difference, as Ottawa. led by Brady Tkachuk's 22nd tally of the season and assist, notched a pair of power play goals and one shorthanded tally in the win. The effort was lacking throughout the contest with Lias Andersson's shorthanded goal preventing the Blueshirts from getting shutout by the Senators. New York closes the season with back-to-back contests Friday against the Blue Jackets and Saturday versus the Penguins.

Game recap:

David Quinn Post-Game:

Lines:

Pavel Buchnevich, who missed Monday's game while in concussion protocol, was able to play while Filip Chytil sat as expected due to his shoulder injury. Ryan Strome shifted from first line to second line wing with Brett Howden moving up to center the second unit. Lias Andersson slid up to the third line while Boo Nieves did shift from wing to center with Brendan Smith opting back into the lineup as the fourth line left wing. John Gilmour, playing for the first time since March 27 against Boston, was paired with Neal Pionk with Fredrik Cleasson a healthy scratch.

Henrik Lundqvist, who has only two wins since Feb. 1st, was denied his 450th NHL victory for the sixth consecutive game. Lundqvist didn't play a bad game, beaten wide side by Bobby Ryan, who had all day to shoot and pick a spot to open the scoring. The second goal was on a 2-on-1 where Buchnevich didn't pick up Zack Smith. Ottawa made it on Tkachuk's goal from in front, as he picked up a loose puck after an initial save. The fourth goal was following a Mika Zibanejad give away, where Brain Gibbons converted on a 2-on-1. Lundqvist wasn't great but the team left him out to dry on several occasions.

Zibanejad wins the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, Lundqvist won the award last season while Mats Zuccarello won for the third time in 2016-17. Zib was a worthy choice for the award due to the fine season he had.

Could Glen Sather be stepping down?

The role is a premier job, despite having to deal with Dolan. Though the Rangers, unlike the Knicks, are somewhat left alone by Garden management. You wonder if Dolan will reach out to find a big name to fill the spot. Could John Davidson be enticed to come back? Maybe Mark Messier gets the position in management that he has always wanted. Adam Graves, who has been part of the organization for years, might also be a candidate. Is Steve Yzerman or a big name like that pursued?

I wrote the below paragraph earlier. As I said, I will note the results of each of the final 10 games here and if New York’s place in the standings has changed. The paragraph also reflects the current standings.

March 19 - Detroit 3 New York 2. Still sixth. Tied with Anaheim, one game in hand. Edmonton lost, so no change March 20 - Sabres lost (Buffalo has two more points than New York), Ducks lost (team has same number of points as Rangers but New York has two games in hand) March 21 - Oilers won, so they are four points north of NY with the Rangers having a game in hand March 22 - Anaheim wins, putting the Rangers for the time-being in fifth place in the lottery March 23 - New York 2 Toronto 1, OT. Devils win, Oilers lose, Sabres lose March 24 - No games impacted the bottom of the standings March 25 - Pitt 5 NYR 2, Devils beat Sabres 3-1 March 26 - Sabres lost, Ducks beat Canucks, Oilers won March 27 - Boston 6 New York 3 March 28 – Detroit 5-4 in overtime over Buffalo, so the Sabres earn a point, Oilers lose 3-2 in shootout, but gain a point. Vancouver 3-2 over LA in a shootout. Chicago 5-4 over San Jose. March 29 – Rangers 4 Blues 2, Red Wings defeated the Devils, Flames defeated the Ducks March 30 – Blues defeated the Devils in overtime, Sabres lost, Canucks won in a shootout, Ducks defeated the Oilers, Kings beat the Blackhawks in overtime March 31 – Rangers 3 Flyers 0, Sabres lost April 1 - Devils 4 Rangers 2, Jets beat Blackhawks in overtime, Oilers lose, Flames beat Kings April 2 – Sabres lose, Red Wings win, Flyers lose, Oilers lose, Canucks win, Kings win April 3 - Senators 4 Rangers 1, Blackhawks win, and as of press time, Ducks won 3-1 over Calgary

The Rangers may stay in sixth, as they are now, but their two straight wins last weekend and number of games remaining makes that somewhat questionable. Chicago has seven more points than New York with both teams having two games remaining while Vancouver is five points north of the Rangers, with each team having played 80 games. In addition, Anaheim has three points more than New York, who have a game in hand, as the Ducks played Game 81 against the Flames. Edmonton has two more points than New York while also playing one more game while Detroit has 74 points with 80 games played, while Buffalo is at 72 points with two games remaining. New Jersey, who has the third pick as of now, has played one more game and has five fewer points than New York. Those two wins this past weekend by New York sure look like they will a material impact on the ping-pong ball race. If the Blueshirts had lost both, right now, they would be in fourth, one point ahead of the Devils with a handful of games remaining. New York has faced Detroit, Toronto. Pittsburgh, Boston, St. Louis, Philly, New Jersey and Ottawa with Columbus and Pittsburgh still to be played.

The Rangers finish the season on a back-to-back (home against Columbus April 5 and in Pittsburgh on April 6).

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