The Rangers coming off three straight wins could not overcome two horrific first period turnovers, falling to the Ducks 2-1 on Monday. The game was choppy and uneven in the first with several icings and stoppages, preventing any flow from occurring. New York played well in the second, but lost momentum early in the third, where should have taken it to a likely fatigued Anaheim squad, and were unable to get the equalizer.
Game Lowlights:
Was it great game by the Rangers? No. Was it as bad as every made it out to be? No. What I wrote last night is how I truly feel, but will get into more this AM. I said in the blog comments: Does Anaheim get any credit at all? Rangers had two bad turnovers, which led to goals. They played one of top teams out West to a virtual standstill, dominating sections of the game. Andersen has shown he is another in a long line of solid Ducks' goalies.
Yes, the offense struggled, but amazing how everyone is ready to write off the past few games. They took a step up in class and lost 2-1, not a blow out, not am embarrassment, just a hard fought loss in a game that came down to the last minute. The team has issues finishing, we know that, yet seven goals the past two games and 10 the past three contests.
Everyone is like a yo-yo each game. Patterns, consistency, that's the key here. You can't look at every game and make blanket judgments. Pouliot has a few good games in a row, then has a bad one tonight and he has to be thrown on the garbage pile, really? I agree with benching Pyatt and have said that for weeks. With Boyle, the 20 goals he had a few years ago were an aberration. He is a solid third/fourth line center who can get the occasional goal while solid on the PK, so as long as that's the baseline, you won't be disappointed.
I am not happy with the loss but happy with the effort and think the team is clearly on an upward trajectory. That said, check back with me Wednesday night at this time and I may have a different view.
Several very good comments by Old School and in the article posted by Cranford93, which I will cover here:
Column posted: On the first goal, Coach Vigneault built a checking unit comprised of Callahan, Brassard and Boyle to combat the high powered Anaheim trio of Perry-Getzlaf-Penner. But the Rangers newly contituted checking line gave up the game’s first goal when Brassard broke the first rule of hockey defense when he threw a terrible ill-advised pass through the crease and directly up the middle. The errant pass was snagged at the blue line by Lucas Sbisa who threw a shot on net. Brassard then broke the second rule of hockey defense when he failed to pick up his man in front and Perry was able to bang his own rebound home for the 1-0 lead. (two lousy turnovers on the same play, but what also occurred was the ignored too many men on the ice, which helped start the play as a pass from Callahan hit the skate of one of the extra players on the ice. Granted, the turnovers were egregious, but the missed call might have been just as bad)
Oldschool: As AV cited, D not jumping in nearly enough, especially McDonagh who seems to be slipping a bit this year. (I agree up to a point. For AV to point out Staal needing to step up, I can accept. To highlight Girardi is odd, because he is not a d-man. The Rangers desire to have the D step up hurt them on the second goal, as MDZ left to go from D to O and Richards tried to make a stupid backhand pass, which ended up being picked off by Francois Beauchemin and ended in a great shot by Kyle Palmieri, a LI kid who I would love on the Rangers)
Richards had a clunker last night, played better in the 3rd. (That hot start is a faded memory, though Richards was robbed by Andersen in the first, who made a great save flopping across the net. That said, Richards needs to re-find his game, especially with Nash out and the Rangers in desperate need for consistent offense. If not, the Yakupov rumors could come to fruition sooner rather than later)
Av clearly has trust in Pyatt, he doesn't make many mistakes, but does little to generate any offense. Miller sat because he turned the puck over, there's not enough upside by playing Pyatt over Miller. (which is why I think Miller needs to be back in there Wednesday, likely for Mashinter, who saw minimal action. In addition, AV made a horrible move, giving back momentum to Anaheim because Pyatt, Boyle and Dorsett started the period against the Getzlaf line).
Column: But more disturbing than Richards brainlessness and the game’s result, was that the Rangers continue their trend of being the softest team in the entire National Hockey League. Bryan Allen throws an unpenalized blind side shoulder/elbow to the head of Derek Stepan and gets away with it? (This is something we have discussed a lot. Years ago, it was Gaborik getting mugged against Philly and then Hank way too many times. I thought this had changed and the loss of Brandon Prust is huge here, as no way he would have stood for it. Maybe this is where and why McIlrath needs to be up. In addition, if Mashinter is in the lineup or Dorsett or anyone, a response needs to be sent or the liberties that have and continue to be taken way too often will continue. Maybe they have been told not to respond or are just failing to do so, but it must stop and now).
In addition, as mentioned by Mindnight and in my blog yesterday, mixing up the lines with the return of Callahan was a huge mistake. Granted, it changed again throughout the game, ala Torts, but he should have used Callahan on the third line Brassard and Pyatt to start the game. We will see what happens Wednesday when I expect Miller back in the game.
Yakupov
This is what I wrote on October 17: Let me say I believe he is going to be a superstar. Granted, he is having a rough time now but the talent level in my opinion is sublime. Would I love him as a top-six forward, heck yeah, but the question is the cost. Edmonton, if he is even is available, isn’t parting with him unless they get what they think is fair value.
I saw the proposals in the comments of Staal + Kreider + #1 for him. The Kreider and #1 pick is no question acceptable. Here's the issue with dealing Staal. First, he is a free agent after next year and would be want to stay in Edmonton. Plus, if he does, he will be costly for a team that just doled out a lot of big money deals. Second, and more important, can the Rangers afford to lose him now? With the questions surrounding MDZ, and can those saying the team because he didn't play just keep quiet already, and McIlrath not really ready, taking away a top-four defenseman without a true replacement is a big price to pay even for Yakupov.
Update: This is what Ranger Danger posted last night, and based on this, dealing a top-six d-man may be feasible… " "From reports coming out of Hartford, McIlrath has improved in all aspects of his game. From positioning to skating and now to scoring, the rugged defenseman is making a case that he might be ready for the NHL…..Early into the 2013-14 season, there is a noticeable difference. Paired with experienced veteran and team captain Aaron Johnson, McIlrath has played top-pairing minutes. His positioning has improved a great deal as has his heavy shot, which he is not afraid to use. When combined with his willingness to drop the gloves, McIlrath is beginning to look like the player the Rangers drafted him to be. He could get a look in New York later this season, but should be a regular in the NHL next season."
If this case, then MDZ could be dealt, though I feel he is still the best offensive d-man on the squad. The question is, why would Edmonton want him, knowing they need a solid defensive d-man and already have Schultz. In my opinion, as noted above, deal Staal is a non-starter for me, same with Girardi, despite his struggles. Edmonton will want a king's ransom for Yakupov, despite his struggles and fact he is in Eakins' doghouse, and unsure if MDZ+Kristo+1st rounded would be close to enough. Are you willing to deal Kreider? To me, not ready. Brassard, I could see, but he is an RFA after the season and does he solve Edmonton's issues? Would you add him in with MDZ and the #1 to get Yakupov? Yes, but doubt that's enough for Edmonton. Maybe MDZ+Miller+Lindberg and a #1 is enough, though that depends on the Oilers' view on Miller, as Lindberg would likely excel in an open style of play. I want no part of Hemsky, who for the most part is a career underachiever, making $5 million and is a UFA after the year.
Of course, lots of this depends on Nash's status. If he will be out long-term with the concussion, as looks to be the case, then getting a top-six forward who can be a sniper is paramount. If so, go get Yakupov, assuming the price is reasonable.