The Rangers look to earn their sixth straight win Tuesday at home against Vancouver. The Canucks come in to tonight's game 4-8-1, having lost nine in a row (0-8-1) after opening the season with four straight wins. Vancouver is on the tail end of a back-to-back, falling 4-2 to the Islanders on Monday. In that loss, Ryan Miller made 28 saves, so look for Jacob Markstrom to be between the pipes. Following tonight's game, the Rangers head out on a four-game road trip, the first three of which are in Western Canada.
Not a ton new that can be discussed. In today's NY Post, Brett Cyrgalis highlighted some of the keys to the team's hot start and turnaround from a year ago. These items below were discussed by us last week and are clearly several of the main reasons for New York opening the year 10-3.
From coach Alain Vigneault down to each player, everyone around the team is quick to point out that the speed is a result of improved backchecking from the forwards and the defensemen making better decisions with the puck, and making them quicker. The backend has been reawakened with a rejuvenated Ryan McDonagh, an aggressive Marc Staal, and a more steady Dan Girardi. Their ability to defend, regain control of the puck and move to the forwards to break out has been the biggest improvement — and is the reason the Rangers look so darn fast.
The speed on his team is a major change from what we say last season. Michael Grabner has really helped in that regard while the new blood brought in - rookies Jimmy Vesey, Pavel Buchnevich and Brady Skjei coupled with veterans Mika Zibanejad, Brandon Pirri and Nick Holden - have revamped what was a slow and plodding team just last season. That speed is not only skating ability but in the decision making. The latter piece may be a result of the players better understanding the system, which looks to have been a bit streamlined in their own zone; an area of the ice that was a major failing a last season.
Cyrgalis' last point was one I highlighted last week in my blog titled: " own zone breakout, confidence and balance the keys" He noted: "their ability to defend, regain control of the puck and move to the forwards to break out has been the biggest improvement." Those three aspects, all of which are predicated on play in their own end, has been readily apparent night after night. More important, it's not just one player or one line but it's all four lines and three defensive pairings. If New York can maintain this, which will get more and more difficult as the season wears on as teams adjust to this, it could be a special season.
Tonight, look for Dan Girardi, who was rested for precautionary reasons Sunday, to be back in the lineup. Adam Clendening likely heads back to the bench. Girardi should be back with McDonagh while Holden slides back to play with Skjei and Kevin Klein is once again with Staal. Up front, nothing should change, meaning same lineup and lines with Oscar Lindberg scratched again. Henrik Lundqvist will be between the pipes. (Update at 10:40 AM, looks like Antti Raanta will be in net tonight)