The Rangers put an end to their two-game losing streak with a comeback 3-2 win over the Jets on Tuesday. While the team was not great throughout, they were markedly better than they were against Boston and Washington. J.T. Miller was the Blueshirts' best forward while the contest was a return to form of Henrik Lundqvist, who looked closer to the Hank of old than the one scraping off the rust of inactivity Saturday.
The game however will be remembered for the unpenalized cross-check to the back of Miller's neck by Dustin Byfuglien. That was not the only key play Buff was involved in, as he was torched later by Chris Kreider and took a dumb penalty late to end any chances the Jets had at tying the contest. But that ugly incident is the lasting memory from the game and one that all the officials on the answer should answer to as to why no call was made by any of them. Coach Alain Vigneault was pretty vociferous, and rightly so, in his post-game comments.
“Vicious, deliberate, he could have broken his neck,” Vigneault said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen [regarding supplementary discipline] but it was one of the most vicious cross-checks I’ve seen this year.”
Let's see if the NHL Department of Player Safety actually does something here rather than just pass it off as part of the game or give a token penalty. You want to send a message, give Buff at least three games. Don't take into account where Winnipeg is in the standings, but punish the act. For those who say Marc Staal's checks against Sidney Crosby were similar. I agree to a point but this was eons more vicious and made to defensiveness player on the ice.
As noted above, New York was better but not great. They upped their compete level compared to the weekend, matching desperate Winnipeg's physical play, taking hits to create chances and/or clear the puck. More work still needs to be done, as the Blueshirts were dominated at times, seen in the 69-33 disadvantage in shot attempts. When they didn't have the puck, New York resorted to what they use to do best - block shots. Dan Girardi had 10 of them in the game, which is a staggering number.
Other than a so-so first goal allowed on a second chance to Jim Slater on an opportunity create when Keith Yandle lost his stick, Lundqvist was very good. He bailed the defense out on several times, gaining confidence as the game wore on. With about two weeks to the playoffs, Hank has a chance to fully get back his prior form without the concern of having to carry the team. The win was his first since making 33 saves in a 6-3 win over the Panthers on Feb. 2, before he was sidelined with a partially torn blood vessel in his neck.
Miller has times where you scratch your head and wonder if he will ever put it together. But those times are more than outweighed by the good plays he makes. All the injuries this year has given him the chance to become a regular; a chance he has made the most of. Plus, you know there is a lot more to his game and growth in him, which bodes well for the playoffs. While everyone focuses on the pass to Kreider, to me, it's the patience to wait that extra beat and then make the pass. If you watch the replay, he was going to pass it a second earlier but waited until Kreider had more of a lane, then hit him on the tape. I would expect his newly created line with Kreider, who made a brilliant move to score his 21st goal, and Derek Stepan to remain together a bit to see if they can build on this game.
It's amazing what happens when you have some puck and player movement on the power play. Ryan McDonagh made a good play to help create the chance, Rick Nash used his big body in front of Ondrej Pavelec and Derick Brassard had a perfect shot off the inside of the post/crossbar for the goal. Shots like that is why we all get on Brassy to shoot more, but the movement and screen helped make that play.
The team is slowly getting healthier. Martin St. Louis, who missed his eighth straight game Tuesday against the Jets because of the MCL sprain he suffered late in the March 15, skated in practice yesterday morning. Unless he has a major setback on next day, look for him to play Thursday in Minnesota. Because so much of MSL's game is predicated on his legs, he should have some jump from the time off, boding well for the playoffs. With Miller now with Kreider and Stepan, AV should put St. Louis with Kevin Hayes-Carl Hagelin, which is something we have suggested for a while. That allows Jesper Fast to go back to fourth line; the end result of which is James Sheppard probably sitting with Tanner Glass skating with Dominic Moore.
Kevin Klein, out since his broken left arm since March 11, looks unlikely to return for the regular season. Originally, we thought he would be out 2-3 weeks, which now has gotten revised to 4-6 weeks. The hope is that Klein will be back for the playoff opener, which looks to be April 16 at MSG, presuming the Rangers don't fail to win the division. Larry Brooks reported this news, the big nugget being when the team would open the playoffs. The extra few days off from the end of the regular season on April 12, gives Klein more time to come back. If he does return then, it will be about five weeks from the injury.
The Rangers have six games left with a major number of four to clinch the division. In Minnesota tomorrow, New Jersey, then a hot Columbus team and New Jersey again followed by games against Ottawa and Washington. The win yesterday moved New York one point ahead of Montreal for first in the conference with a game in hand. They are two points behind Anaheim for the President's Trophy with two games in hand and tied with Nashville with those same two games in hand.
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