The Rangers dropped their second straight contest, moving their home mark below .500 once again, falling 2-1 to the Blues on Thursday. A local product, Kevin Shattenkirk, who grew up in New Rochelle as a Rangers and Brian Leetch, fan blasted one past a screened Henrik Lundqvist on the man advantage at 3:09 of the third to give St. Louis a 2-1 lead they never relinquished. New York next plays Sunday against New Jersey as the road team in the Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium.
Game Lowlights:
You knew Ken Hitchcock would have St. Louis ready to play Blues' hockey coming off their 7-1 loss to New Jersey. They executed their game plan to a T. St. Louis clogs the middle of the ice, focing you wide, then their strong D and physical forwards converge, preventing any open ice. When you do get a shot on net, it's usually not from a quality scoring position, like many of the Rangers' 35 shots last night, and they clear the front of the net so there are no second chances.
I don't think the Rangers played a bad game, but I agree with Old School, I would love the Rangers to have a bit more size in order to be able to create space, rather than having it taken from them. In addition, I wonder if the second and third lines will be reconstituted? Hagelin-Richards-Callahan and Pouliot-Brassard-Zucc really haven’t generated many great chances lately. That brief bit in which the second and third lines were creating opportunities, forechecking like crazy and putting up points seems to have vanished and they have been invisible. Chief amongst those struggling are Pouliot and Callahan. Maybe shift Zucc up to use his creativity and Cally down to add some grit to that line and see if that works. If not, as said, maybe give JT Miller another shot or acquire a big winder, because right now, the Rangers are a one-trick pony, mainly Rick Nash, who was good again, save for the penalty on Shattenkirk that resulted in the goal.
The amazing stat, as written by TPC and said on the post-game: "the Blues have scored 15 goals in the first 10 seconds of a powerplay." The key is winning faceoffs, then David Backes plants himself in front of the net, creating a screen, enabling point shots to get through. Yesterday, the PP won the game for the Blues, while the Rangers couldn't really set up, even when they won draws. St. Louis was aggressive, blocked shots and prevented the Rangers from gaining control in the offensive zone. When they gained the zone, there was no traffic in front or shots were from bad angles. I don't think Jaroslav Halak was particularly good, as there were a ton of rebounds, but the Blues D, especially Bouwmeester, did a solid job limiting traffic.
In addition, the Blues are now 5-0-1 in their last six against the Rangers in New York, and 8-1-2 in their last 11 against the Rangers overall. They play like John Tortorella wanted the Rangers to play but have more offensive talent. Did they overwhelm me? No, but they are solid in lots of phases and can play multiple styles. New York had to be a lot better in terms of grit and generating chances, despite the way the Blues played, and also not make stupid turnovers, but they were a lot better yesterday than they were when they played earlier this season. I thought Kevin Klein played a solid game, but more important, John Moore rushed up ice with the puck a lot more than he done recently, likely because he shifted back to his usual side of the ice and knew that he had a stay-at-home defenseman there. If this continues, it will make the deal, at least for now, look like a win for the Rangers.
The one comment I will make on the goal was that besides the bad turnover by Dan Girardi, the team misplayed the coverage in the corner. First, they had four players on three Blues. Then Rick Nash peeled off, opening the lane and Chris Kreider, while he had point responsibility, has to move down low quicker. I understand that's not his spot, but I will give a basketball analogy. If there are two men open, one at the top of the key and one down low, always guard the man closest to the basket, because you can recover to go up high or there is more of a chance of a miss than closer in, that's what happened last night.
Sunday and Wednesday are big games. Division battles, major rivals, on a two-game losing streak, leading the playoff hunt by just a point, where every game will matter based on the new wild card and division structures. They have back to their winning ways now before a two-game streak morphs into a really dangerous one.
(Also, anyone from the south shore of Long Island going to the game Sunday and can offer me a ride? I was supposed to go with someone from Merrick, where I live, but just found out he had to get rid of his seats and wife needs the car. If I have to take the train into the city, shuttle to Grand Central and train up to Yankee Stadium, I will, but if someone is fairly close to me, going and can offer a ride, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to Cptmjl for the link to long island tailgate, which I may use, but if anyone driving nearby, would love to avail myself of that option)