The Rangers were able to rally from a 3-1 deficit to earn a point in their 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets on Monday but failed for the ninth straight time this year to go two games over .500. While I am happy that they rallied, this is the fifth time in New York's past 11 games that it had to overcome a third-period deficit to tie the game. I will focus on a combination of a few players and specific plays in the game.
Game Lowlights:
Rick Nash - more like the Nash we expected to see. Strong on the puck and a great shot for the first PP goal. On the second, took advantage of a great play deep and then screen by Callahan and wasted no time in blasting a shot on net. I thought Nash used his power a lot more than he has lately, initiating and not avoiding contact. We will find out later if he made the Canadian Olympic Team and not buying that his struggles were due to him trying to impress in order to earn a spot. Plus, if he doesn’t earn a spot, maybe he uses it as motivation, but not really buying that as well - unless you think he starts early to possibly set himself up for 2018.
Chris Kreider - a beast in the first. Hitting everything that moved, creating chances, using his body as a screen on Nash's goal. Then the penalty was called and the loss of Kreider was huge for New York, as it cost them a top-liner and resulted in JT Miller moving up to that trio.
The hit on Tyutin:
You know that I am pretty balanced in my view and call out the Rangers for a penalty or cheap shot when it's due. This is not the case. I watched the highlight multiple times, and look from about the 1:05 mark forward for better shots of the hit. First, it was not late. Second, it was to the side and not to the back. Third, Kreider's strength is apparent, though he didn't hit him full force and Tyutin just twisted into the boards after the hit. I can understand a boarding penalty getting called due to how far Tyutin was from the boards when he was hit but a major and game misconduct, not so much, though the officials likely were influenced by how Tyutin hit the boards and what looked like an injury due to the hit. I liked Glen's suggestion that " I think the need to allow the on-ice officials to utilize replay when determining whether to assess a game misconduct," especially given the impact a call like that has on a game. Hopefully, there will be no hearing or suspension, but since we all think the NHL has a 'screw the Rangers button' at the headquarters, you never know. Maybe they can review the lousy call on Derek Stepan, what a joke of a penalty.
JT Miller - moved up to the top line when Kreider was tossed. Failed to clear the puck leading to the first goal, though Boyle didn't help matters, as he probably should handled the pass even thought it was slightly behind him. Wasn’t really noticeable and is a possible scratch for Chicago, though given the skill the Blackhawks have, would rather he stays in as opposed to inserting Daniel Carcillo against his former team.
Brian Boyle - Another whipping boy for the Rangers' faithful but at $1.7 million as a third/fourth line center and penalty killer, he is worth the money. I would love to see him score more, but that really isn't his game, despite the goals in back-to-back contests. But if he can play like he has recently, goals will come, but more important, the effort has been there.
The blueline: A below-average game overall. I though McDonagh and Girardi were okay, not great, and struggled in the third when Columbus pinned New York in their zone for the rest of the period after the tying goal. The same can be said for Marc Staal but felt he pinched well and was aggressive when needed while also solid defensively.
Anton Stralman was horrific, continuing a pattern of struggling that has occurred the past month. At 1-1, Columbus took the lead while playing 4-on-4, as Cam Atkinson stole the puck at his blue line, outraced Stralman to the Rangers net and deked to his backhand, then back to his forehand before beating Lundqvist between his legs for his 11th goal. Poor pinch by Stralman led to the breakaway and I will get to Lundqvist later. With the score 2-1, Stralman got caught at the blue line, allowing Dubinsky to get the puck on the feed, ultimately resulting in a beautiful pass to James Wisniewski, who was thorn in the Rangers' side all night and beat Lundqvist up high. I had spoken about giving Stralman an extension, and think think one would be wise, but his recent play has me a bit concerned.
Michael Del Zotto - I felt he had a very solid game. He was strong on and off the puck, physical when he needed to be and was one of the team's best defenseman in the game. Of course, this morning, I read the latest from Elliotte Friedman, who wrote: As the Del Zotto saga crawls towards its conclusion, wonder if San Jose is a "stealth" team in all of this. Last year, the Sharks scouted him pretty closely as the two teams talked trade (Ryane Clowe was eventually dealt to Manhattan). Couldn't hurt for a young defenceman to learn under Larry Robinson." The Rangers scouted the Avs-Sharks game, and while most of us felt that Tyson Barrie or Ryan Wilson were the targets, neither of whom played, maybe someone on San Jose was who the Rangers liked. That said, with Logan Couture out 3-4 weeks and Thomas Hertl out for the year, a forward may make more sense for them
Henrik Lundqvist - Overall, a solid game. It's hard to blame him for the first goal but I felt he was too deep on the Atkinson breakout to make a play and thought he was off angle and could have stopped Wis' goal, but end result is three goals allowed again. In the third period and overtime, he stopped 19 shots, many of which were stellar saves and he was the main reason late why they earned the point. Of course, he used to be automatic on breakaways and shootouts, but lately that has not been the case. The Letestu goal I felt he could’ve possibly stopped but the Johansen goal was due to several slick and sick moves and then a backhand under the crossbar.
I understand why Brandon Dubinsky was dealt and will be the first to say for his own sake and career he had to go. But man, if he had been close to this in the year before he was traded and was still here, how different of a team would the Rangers be? They miss that type of player and his skills were on full display yesterday.
Congrats to Mats Zuccarello, who was officially named to the Norwegian Olympic hockey team today.
Nash makes Team Canada, partially because of his skill on open ice but also because he can play either wing. He was selected over St. Louis, Giroux and Neal, while Logan Couture, Eric Staal and Joe Thornton also not selected. Marc Staal does not make Canada's roster and he will be watching with Dan Boyle and Brent Seabrook while Dan Hamhuis heads to Sochi.
Henrik Lundqvist, no shock, and Carl Hagelin, was on bubble but good for him, named to Team Sweden.
The Rangers will take a major step up in class against Chicago. If they get off to the type of start that has become the norm recently, it could get ugly.