The Rangers continue their five-game road trip Sunday in Tampa against the Lightning. New York is coming off a good effort, yet once again fell short, Friday in Washington. That theme of good effort, poor execution has unfortunately been one on the hallmarks of this team in 2013-14 and something that needs to change for the team to have any shot the second half of the season. Of course, asking for that means requesting offensive efficiency and capability, which for the Rangers is like asking for world peace, but hey, it's close to New Year's resolutions, so why not.
When Steven Stamkos was injured on November 11, many felt that the Lightning was sunk. However, as seen last season in Ottawa, something the overall sum is greater than that of the overall parts and Tampa has not only found a way to be relevant but stick around the top of the Atlantic Division. Beyond Martin St. Louis, Tampa has been led by Ben Bishop, who has made GM Steve Yzerman look brilliant for dealing Cory Conacher to acquire him even after taking lots of flack for that trade last year. More impressive has been the production by players such as Nikita Krucherov, JT Brown, Tyler Johnson, all of whom have provided offense to buffet a rebound season from Valtteri Filppula and step up to another level by Victor Hedman. If those players can stay hot, Tampa could be very dangerous when/if Stamkos returns.
I point out the production by those players to contrast it to the Rangers. Yesterday, I wrote that the Rangers do not have anyone over 27 points. Well, if you look at Tampa, only St. Louis and Filppula cross the 27 point boundary, but they are getting help from everywhere while Bishop has been a stalwart between the pipes. So it is feasible to make due without massive production from one, if others are contributing, which has not been the case this year. The Lightning have 107 goals as of Sunday, putting them fourth in the Atlantic and seventh in the East; the Rangers have just 90, sixth in the Metro and 14th in the East. We all know the offense is a major problem, but for those wondering why we have focused on the D so much, here is the next major stat. Tampa has allowed just 89 goals, third in the Atlantic and in the East; the Rangers, 105 goals allowed, third in the Metro (though just less than Philly and Columbus and four less than Carolina) and sixth in the East. On paper, not bad, but if Hank and the D had been up to the level we expected them to be at, the goals allowed would be closed to Tampa and all of a sudden, 18-19-2 might be 23-15-2. Much of the blame does belong on the offense, but I am just pointing out it can be shared amongst the entire team and coaching staff.
Tonight, the Rangers will be without Anton Stralman, who suffered what appears to be a sprained left wrist attempting to poke check Alexander Ovechkin, who followed through with his shot, likely jamming Stralman's wrist. Marc Staal is inching closer as he tries to return from his December 7 concussion, with both he and Stralman possibilities for New Years Eve against the Panthers. In addition, Ryan Callahan, recovering from a Grade 2 strained left MCL, skated again Sunday, but will not play. He said his timeframe to return from the injury, January 10, which is within the original 4-to-6 week predicted absence, "hans't changed," but the use of that language opens the possibility for it to occur possibly next weekend either against Pittsburgh or Toronto.
Without those three, Conor Allen makes his NHL debut. Larry Brooks wrote that Allen has been the Wolpack's best d-man this year, though I have seen others stating that if Dylan McIlrath, who has another knee injury, was healthy, he may have gotten the call. I think Allen has been Hartford's most consistent d-man and nothing wrong with rewarding for at least a brief stint with the Rangers. The combinations are in question, but I would expect McDonagh to be with Girardi, J. Moore to be with Del Zotto and Falk with Allen, though I would put MDZ with McDonagh and Girardi with Moore.
The key today is to see how Rick Nash and Henrik Lundqvist, who starts for the first time in four games, play. Of course, we can that every game, but as Nash and Lundqvist go, so go the Rangers. We have spoken long and often about Nash and Lundqvist need to be better. Granted, as noted above, it would be great if others stepped up and made up for their struggles like what's happened in Tampa with Stamkos out, but other that Zuccarello, that has not been the case. For the Rangers to have any shot, their best players have to play their best, but to date, that has been far from the case. The line combinations from Friday should be the same, but even if the effort is of the same ilk as against Washington, the execution, or lack thereof, could doom the Rangers again.