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Rangers lose both pre-season games over the weekend

September 22, 2019, 1:26 AM ET [182 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers dropped both of their games this weekend, falling to 0-3 in the pre-season. Friday, they fell 4-2 to New Jersey. Saturday, Philly beat New York 4-1. In both contests, porous defense was on full display.

Friday's lineup:
Lines announced this morning: (Howden not Chytil with Buchnevich)


David Quinn Post-Game Friday:


Cuts prior to Saturday's game:



David Quinn prior to Saturday's game:



Artemi Panarin returned to practice Saturday while Yegor Rykov made his debut in practice after getting injured at Traverse City.





NYR Stats and Info









Lineup Saturday:

David Quinn:


A few thoughts:

1) Henrik Lundqvist - at least he got some work in. Heck of a "pre-season has started, make a breakaway save 34 seconds in" moment. Didn't look good early, giving up three goals, but settled in thereafter. Not the start you want to see but even after his struggles the past two seasons, not ready to throw dirt on his grave and say he is done. Still in great shape and will need help from the defense rather than bailing out the team game after game. If his issues continues, Alexander Georgiev will see more time.

2) Igor Shesterkin - all you need to know is this: Via Natural Stat Trick, the #NYR were out-attempted 61-30 and out-shot 40-19 in all situations." Played the whole game and probably kept New York in it against Philly. Likely ticketed for Hartford to start the season but could see some action in the NHL this season.

3) Defense - woof bad. I believe we all don't get why Lindy Ruff was brought back. Seeing the D this pre-season hasn't changed that opinion. Granted. the pairs are building continuity and mixing and matching, but the number of 2 on 1 and off-man rushes and poor own zone play hasn't changed from the last few years.

Most of the questions on this team surround the defense. This pre-season hasn't answered any of those to questions, at least to date. Maybe we get more clarity the final week or so, as the pairings start to hopefully mesh together and create some chemistry. But even then, doubts about the competence of the blue line is one of the major concerns heading into the season.
Tony DeAngelo joined the team Saturday, undergoing his physical testing and should be taking part in the rest of camp in a matter of a day or two.

Ryan Lindgren had a solid game Friday. Saturday, wasn't as positive for him. He looks like a bottom pair, physical blue liner who will struggle against speedier and shifty forwards, but will dish it out in front of the net. Carp noted that Lindgren played the entire game Saturday on the right, because the lefty Matthew Robertson was in his first game. But Quinn said the Rangers see Lindgren as a lefty. Lindgren is likely ticketed for Hartford to start the season but should be up during the season.

Joey Keane had a rough game Friday and with ADA back, you kind of felt he would be heading down soon. He made tremendous strides the past year and there is clearly room for additional improvement. Keane showed enough that you could project him un the lineup down the road.

I like what I have seen from Libor Hajek and Adam Fox. That is the probable third pair this season. Both will have growing pains, as rookies, but each have the athleticism and upside potential to make up for any mistakes on the ice.

4) Jack Hughes had his welcome to the NHL moment on Lundqvist. Kaapo Kaako will get his chance.

5) Greg McKegg with another solid effort tonight. He could break camp as the 13th forward, if New York keeps an extra forward, which is probable. McKegg will skate on the fourth line when in the lineup.

6) Chris Kreider summed up the game and the effort fairly well. “Yeah, I mean, it’s not too different from football,” Kreider said, blaming himself for pulling up a few times. “It’s hard on your D if your offense can’t stay on the field. We didn’t tilt the ice. I don’t think my line (with Filip Chytil and Vitali Kravtsov) had an offensive zone possession. We had a couple of quick-strike opportunities, but that’s not NHL hockey. You’ve got to be able to play in their end. … You’re never happy with a result like that, but I’m pretty happy that it happened now because I’m definitely going to be better going forward.”

Remember, it's only the pre-season and the games don't count. But I would like to see some progress the last few games. Look for some additional cuts Sunday or Monday, as the team gets closer to the opening day lineup.

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