The first 59 minutes and 40 seconds, the Rangers played a near-perfect game. Bottling up Chicago through the neutral zone, using their forecheck to create opportunities and capitalizing on a pair of chances to have a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately, it almost all went for naught in the last 20 or so seconds in the game, as Chicago scored once and then nearly had tying-goal but Cam Talbot made a pair of point blank saves to preserve the victory for the Rangers
Part of the focus after the game was that both sides seemed a bit sluggish initially, possibly due to the Olympics break and re-adjustment back to the local time zones. A few commentators spoke after the game about how Chicago had nine Olympians, so that could have contributed to their slow start, but what's lost in the excuse is that the Rangers also had seven Olympians themselves. In addition, Chicago did pick it up after the second period, carrying play in the third, which is not the hallmark of a sluggish team but maybe one that took a while to get going. Both teams had several players who saw lots of action in six games, so each team was at a slight disadvantage, but did get a benefit by playing Thursday and not Wednesday.
Game Highlights:
A few quick items for today:
How appropriate is it that in a week where Harold Ramos passed away, a Ghostbuster got the win Thursday. We have said it before but it cannot be overstated just how much of a godsend Cam Talbot has been. Coming into the season, Martin Biron was supposed to fill the role of Henrik Lundqvist's caddy. His early struggles created a huge hole and no one knew what Talbot would bring to the table. To say he has exceeded doesn't do justice to just how good he has been. Talbot has been solid positionally, spectacular when needed, steadying the ship when Lundqvist struggles while giving a strong effort nightly. This was evident again on Thursday, as Talbot played a very steady game and then preserved the win late with those two saves, including one on Patrick Kane right on the doorstep.
With Girardi and McDonagh here in New York, sometimes we lose the fact is just how good Marc Staal is. In the past, he was paired with Girardi, but during his injury, G and Mack Truck became a shutdown pair, giving the Rangers a top-pair d-man on the second duo. He and Stralman have been extremely solid, but lately, Staal looks like the d-man that was ascending and a borderline Olympian before his concussions. Included within that is how his play seems to be ascending, using his stick effectively, playing strong position and physical hockey while shutting down opponents. With all the focus on extending Girardi, and rightly so, as we know Staal is a UFA after next year and I would love Sather to be proactive and try and lock him for several more seasons now.
I thought J.T. Miller played a solid game nothing spectacular nothing special but a good solid NHL game. He helped create the turnover on the first go by Derick Brassard and then was solid the rest of the way. That said, with games against Philly and Boston upcoming this weeking, as Carp said, it's possible that Alain Vineault turns to Derek Dorsett and put him back in the lineup along with Daniel Carcillo to provide a bit more beef against each lineup. Of course, that would require a re-configuration of the lines which could mean that Brian Boyle or Dominic Moore move up to the third line with the other centering Dorsett and Carcillo. Miller still should get a few games to prove he should remain with Mats Zuccarello out another 10 or so days, plus, who knows what will happen with Ryan Callahan, as that could create a need for Miller to remain.
Rick Nash doing with Nash things. The goal yesterday was initially set up on a brilliant behind the back no look pass by Derek Stepan. But it was all Nash afterwards, as after Niklas Hjalmarsson poked the puck away from Nash, he was able to use his size and speed to regain the puck, create space and curl towards the goal, which he was doing during his hot streak, and then bury a shot between the pad and the blocker to the stick side of Corey Crawford to raise the lead to 2-0. This was a goal scorers goal by pure goalscorer, who is also thriving with the additional responsibility heaped on him on the PK by Vigneault. Granted, I though he made a mistake not sticking with Peter Regin down the slot late, rather than sticking with the trailer, but overall, he had another good game.
A solid win in the first game back after the break. Ten of the next 22 against playoffs teams. A big weekend upcoming in the last game before the trading deadline. Keep the motor running…