The Rangers completed their four-game homestand in fine fashion, defeating the Red Wings 1-0 in a wildly entertaining game Thursday. For those who say hockey is boring and will look at the final score and shrug their shoulders, show them the video of the game, as this was one of the better games played this season, especially at MSG. There is not a tom to break down in the game, given the one goal, but you have to tip your hat to both goalies, as Lundqvist and Howard were brilliant, living up to their status as Olympic netminders, while the back-and-forth action was extremely entertaining.
Game Highlights:
I thought the Rangers did a pretty good job of carrying play and generating chances. Howard made at least half-a-dozen brilliant saves, matched, especially in the first on the penalty kill, by Lundqvist. As the game wore on, you had the feeling a fluke goal would make the difference, and it did, fortunately for the home team side. Good defense begat good offense, with a backcheck by Benoit Pouliot resulting in the turnover, up ice rush by Zuccarello and give and go with Brassard ending in the goal off the defenseman's stick. Lady Luck shined on the Blueshirts late with Gustav Nyqvist's shot hitting the post and getting fallen on by Lundqvist before it went in.
Two things I wanted to touch on:
1) It would have been horrible if Detroit got their goal due to the icing goal made on the pass by McDonagh, which was ruled a hybrid icing. I know this is hard to keep an eye on, but if the pass is made before the extra skater or anyone comes off the bench, especially in the defensive zone, thereby having the territorial advantage, then the hybrid icing should be waived off. That was the case yesterday, when the d-man hadn't even left the bench before McDonagh tried to hit Zuccarello and the pass went long, resulting in the icing. Because the d-man came off the bench close to the dots, he was ruled as being ahead of Zucc - which was questionable - and icing was called.
2) Benching Stepan. I get the argument, Zuccarello, Del Zotto and Pouliot all have benefited from being benched, so maybe doing the same to Stepan will spur his game. However, each of those thee, while important pieces, weren't centering the top line, don't have the same history with the team and haven't been counted on the same manner. So if you bench Stepan, you must consider how he will react and if there is a better option, in addition, if the issue is his poor skating, then how will benching him solve that? Last, by sitting him, the other things he brings to the table are lost, which would adversely impact the squad. I am not adverse to sitting him if you feel that will spark his game, but based on what I said above, you had better be sure before doing so.
Be back late Saturday or Sunday with a blog. I figured Talbot would go Saturday and Hank on Sunday. Points are still at a premium and will remain so most of the year. Go on the road to Ottawa and get the win.