The Rangers went two games over .500 with a hard-fought, 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Tuesday in Chicago. There were several ebbs-and-flows in the game, including stretches in which the Rangers dominated play and others where they were on their heels and holding on for dear life. Overall, it was a solid team effort to pick up a much needed win to lead them into a key homestand.
Game Highlights:
One again, I will touch on several players, baking in certain plays in the write-up.
Mats Zuccarello and Carl Hagelin - so how many had Zucc and Hagelin tied for the team lead in goals (with Richards and Kreider) at 11 over halfway through the year? Zucc has been a godsend for the power play, credit for which has to go to Scott Arniel, as the system he had out in and combinations they are using have made a huge difference.
Hagelin's speed is critical for the Rangers attack, but it was his grit, fighting off the defenseman in front to get his stick on the puck and put in the net. His play on the third line has really helped balance the trios, providing offense with a solid dose of forecheck and defense.
The Rangers, when they go North-South are very dangerous. When they attempt to go East-west too often, they struggle. The team has for the most part, the foot speed to be dangerous, as they create chances off that speed. They utilize that speed effectively in the first and in the third periods, but got away from it in the second. Kevin DeLury wrote this in his nyrangersblog.com and it's very true, you have to wonder when teams will start using a more physical style against the Rangers, because they seem to struggle in that sort of game. In years past under Torts, they see built to play that type of game, now, except for a few players, like Callahan, Nash at times, they are more of a finesse than power squad, which part of the reason they acquired Daniel Carcillo.
Brad Richards - well we can't say anymore that he doesn't shoot. He continues to show a willingness to shoot, an area of concern previously. In addition, his wrist shot has shown surprising accuracy, which was a big factor on the first goal.
Rick Nash - another strong game. I still don't love when he takes the puck from the boards up high and then tries to cycle to beat the defenders, but he used that play to get room for his shot during the game. He has been much more engaged lately, not shying away but initiating contact. If he can build on this, he should see dividends as the year wears on.
Derek Stepan and Derick Brassard - I thought each had a pretty solid game. Stepan read plays really well, stepping into holes and pinching in the right place to keep pucks in, especially in the third, though unsure he has "really elevated his game," per Pierre McGuire. Brassard has been better the past few weeks and continued that solid play Wednesday, save for the bad penalty.
Carcillo - hard to make a call on someone who played just seven minutes. Four of those came in the first, two in the second and just 42 seconds - a single, solitary shift in the third. He did draw a penalty in the third, but against Chicago and next Dallas, would you rather see him or JT Miller on the ice?
Dan Girardi - the Block Ness Monster is back. Six more blocked shots yesterday, with unfortunately the one on on the PP in the second landing in front of him after he was hit in the stomach and getting out in by the quick stick of Jonathan Toews. The past two weeks, G has been the G of old and played very well with Ryan McDonagh. If Girardi plays like this, the Rangers will, be in very good shape. As I said yesterday, I not discussing right now if he should be traded and/or re-signed, I will worry about that sometime over the enxt two months before the deadline, right now, my only concern is how he plays on the ice.
Marc Staal - a flat out awesome game. Two assists, including the one on the game-winner after a good shot in net. Almost had the game-winner himself earlier in the period when he hit the post. The more you watch, the more you realize how good he is in his zone and underrated offensively. When he is not in the lineup, it's a massive dropoff in talent on the blue line. Having him back and now healthy has been a major catalyst to the team's better play of late.
Michael Del Zotto - I thought he had another strong game. Was very physical, made a gorgeous pass to spring Zucc up the left wing on the PP, helping lead to the goal. Interesting how Pierre McGuire talked about how the Rangers are getting more comfortable in AV's man-to-man system inside the blue line, then others say how the zone is not working. The lack of consistency in realizing what system they play amazes me.
Henrik Lundqvist - Boy did he need that win. A very, very strong first but a so-so second. You can't blame him for the first goal, as it hit Girardi and he never saw it, until Toews put it behind him. The second goal by Brandon Bollig reminded me of the one Mike Rupp scored for the Rangers in the Winter Classic; left dot, short-side, bad angle. At that point, every Rangers fan, there is the one weak goal a game and will Hank fold up, losing the game. He didn't, he got stronger and willed the Rangers to a win. He was tremendous late in the game preserving the one, aided by strong work in front of him by Ryan Callahan, Girardi etc. This could be a bridging off point for Lundqvist, as he was able to put a bad goal behind him and come out stronger and tougher to pick up the victory.
The Rangers have 14 road wins, first in the NHL, after the wing last night. As I wrote yesterday, now they need to take care of business at home, where they are just 8-10-3. The team kicks off a major homestand, where they play seven or eight contests at MSG, starting Friday against Dallas. This is the time to reel off a string of wins and even two of the upcoming road games, Stadium Series, are quasi-home contests based on location and expected split of the fan base. No more excuses, find a way to get it done on home ice.