The Rangers headed into Friday's game against the Penguins looking to erase the bad taste in their mouth from the disappointing 2-1 loss to Edmonton. Mission accomplished. The Rangers dominated a good part of the action and probably should have won the game in regulation, if not for some failures offensively, including Rick Nash close in. But as they say, a win, is a win, is a win regardless of the circumstances and New York ends the season series against Pittsburgh 2-1-1 (more great scheduling by the NHL).
Game Highlights:
I will give the good and the bad in the blog including the current line combinations and those headed into the break on a roll or struggling.
The good, you have to be impressed with the team's ability to control play a good portion of the game. Of course, to a certain extent, the bad is that it was offset by the failure to hold three, one-goal leads or expand the lead despite a myriad of chances throughout the contest. In addition, stupid, ill-timed and advised penalties surrendered the momentum they built and allowed Pittsburgh to get back in the lead. In addition, absolutely horrific own zone coverage on the game-tying goal, where once again a forward was wide open in the slot. Thursday, it was Nail Yakupov for the gam-winner, Friday, it was James Neal to knot it up.
The good, two power play goals after an inability to score on the man-advantage the past five games. The bad, allowing two markers on the penalty kill to Pittsburgh.
The good, Pouliot-Brassard and Zuccarello. While the Rangers have been rolling four lines, that trio has really been the team's top line lately. I know the convenient argument is that Pouliot and Brassard are nothing without Zuccarello. How the Hobbit, said most affectionately, is carrying the other two with Brassard the second most valuable member of the line because of his creativity. What that fails to consider is the chemistry beside the three of them. How they now seem to play off one another. How Pouliot, who was criticized earlier in the year, is going to the net. How at $1.3 million he has been somewhat of a bargain, with 11 goals and 12 assists while increasing his physical play and compete level. Of course, the counter argument is that he went three weeks without scoring from January 4 to January 29 with just four assists in 11 games and that five of his goals came in an eight-game span. So I am not overrating him, but given how bad his start, his relative rebound is still nice and been very beneficial to the team, even if partially due to playing with Zucc and Brassard enabling him to just go up and down the win hard and plant his body in the dirty areas, as he did on the first and third goals Friday. As Glen pointed out, that's similar to what Chris Kreider was doing when he was going well, especially when he was first called up for the playoffs. Brassard has tremendous talent, yet seems to fail to either recognize or utilize it or both all too infrequently. We saw how good his shot was on the goal Thursday and wish that type of release and willingness to let it go was the norm and not the exception. You all know my view on Zuccarello.
The bad. The erstwhile top line, which hasn't been the case recently. Kreider, for all the space he creates and physical style of play, has had several stupid penalties and poor coverage in his own zone. He now is scoreless in his last seven games, and other than a good game January 21 against the Devils, has been invisible for over a month offensively. Nash unfortunately seems to have reverted back to his prior form, which isn't a good thing, as is now playing on the perimeter rather than going hard to the net. He has always been streaky and I did expect some regression after that massive hot spell, but I could deal with not scoring if he was doing the same things, not failing to go hard to the net. Like Kreider and Nash, Stepan is scoreless in five, which is not that surprising since his linemates haven't tallied either. But given all the consternation and criticism of Stepan, maybe the Olympic break comes at the best time for him and especially Kreider, who clearly looks like he has hit the wall in this his first quasi-full season with the parent squad.
The good. The Rangers have won 16 of their last 23 overall, including 16 of their last 20 on the road and 7-3 on the second leg of the back-to-back. If not for the bobble against Edmonton, they would have won six in a row heading to the break.
The bad. The rest of the East, including the Metro Division, continues to win as well. Six points separate places 2-7 in the Metro. The Rangers lead Philly (no games in hand) by one point, Columbus (one in hand) and Washington (none in hand) by four, and Carolina (two games in hand) and New Jersey (no games in hand) by six.
The good. Henrik Lundqvist. 5-0-1 with a 1.77 GAA and .940 save percentage in his last five. In addition, his finally winning a shootout - how nice is it to say that - was big for the team's psyche going into the break. Lundqvist has also won 10 of his last 12 and not allowed more than three goals in a month. No bad here, at least as of right now.
That brings us to Callahan and Girardi. I get all the arguments, how the Rangers are not big enough, strong/physical enough and talented enough to compete with the Boston's and Pittsburgh's of the world. How they need to get something for both, especially Callahan, so they don't leave with the Rangers left holding the bag. How Chris Stewart is that big, scoring forward the Rangers need, though his compete level is nowhere near Callahan even though he is a better pure scorer whose light flickers intermittently. Also, Stewart would be on his third team and his best year came with Stastny. He had a good season last year but how would he deal with the New York media and scrutiny that comes with it if he struggled? The dollars work and Stewart would be going into a contract year next season, so he should be motivated. You can forget trying to get Jaden Schwartz either as part of a package or straight up, as I can't see St. Louis moving him.
To me, the bigger issue is how the team gets constructed moving forward if they can sign one or both due to the salary each will get and the cap. With the number of restricted and unrestricted free agents the team has, including Zuccarello, Brassard, Boyle, Pouliot, D. Moore, Carcillo, Stralman, the salaries given to Callahan and Girardi will drive who else can be brought back. In addition, the questions of if they should amnesty Brad Richards and try and extend Marc Staal also have to be factored into the equation. There are several tough decisions to be made, none of which will be easy. To me, re-sign Zuccarello ASAP, probably Brassard, possibly Stralman, though that may depend on what happens with Girardi and if they want to being back Staal. I could see Dorsett getting moved, especially if they retain Carcillo, then the others can be dealt with individually.
Enjoy the Olympic break. I likely will be handling some Team Switzerland updates for the site as well posting some info on the Rangers that are playing in Sochi. Plus, as an unabashed USA fan, you know where my heart is, so may have some posts there as well.