Rangers Report Blog

From the Rangers:

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
New York Rangers 4, Frolunda Indians 2 (Preseason Game No. 5, Away No. 4)

-The Rangers defeated the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elite League, 4-2, tonight at Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, to improve to 3-1-1 in preseason action.
-Henrik Lundqvist stopped 32 of 34 shots in the win, while facing his former SEL team.
-Kris Newbury opened the game’s scoring at 2:24 of the first period, added an assist and posted a plus-two rating in the contest.
-Michael Del Zotto tallied two points (one goal, one assist), posted a plus-two rating and logged 23:35 of ice time.
-Erik Christensen notched the eventual game-winning goal at 11:43 of the second period, registered four shots on goal and posted a 79.0% face-off winning percentage.
-Mats Zuccarello registered two assists, including the primary assist on the game-winning goal, and posted a plus-two rating in the contest.
-Mike Rupp notched his first point as a Blueshirt with a goal and led the team with five shots on goal.
-Brian Boyle recorded an assist and led all skaters with four hits in the contest.
-Brendan Bell registered an assist in the contest, and is now tied for the Rangers preseason lead in scoring with three points (one goal, two assists).
-Stu Bickel and Ryan Bourque each collected their first point of the preseason with one assist apiece.
-Please note the Rangers have a scheduled off-day tomorrow, October 1.
-The New York Rangers will return to action on Sunday, October 2, when they will face-off against HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Extraliga in Bratislava, Slovakia (11:00 a.m. ET).  The contest will be televised live on MSG Network.

Henrik Lundqvist’s homecoming, against brother Joel. The game is on MSG Network at 1 p.m.

NHL.com’s Dan Rosen previews the game from Sweden, with the probable lineup.

The good news is that the Rangers crawl out of that dark chasm today and that, from today until the day they’re eliminated from the playoffs (or dancing with the Cup) the rest of the games will be televised. (how spoiled we’ve gotten).

MSG Network will do the three remaining preseason games, starting today at 1 p.m. in Henrik Lundqvist’s homecoming in Sweden. I will be able to catch that game, but probably not the games Sunday and Monday, so if anybody wants to review those, drop me an e-mail at rcarpini@lohud.com.

Then next week, we’ll do predictions, and I’ll have some preview stories late in the week. One week until the opener.

Not sure of the ramifications of this announcement, but just got this from the Rangers:

“Marc Staal will be reporting to Hartford and skating with the Connecticut Whale tomorrow.”

I imagine that John Tortorella or the team will have more explanation for this later on from Prague. Check the Twitter widget for details———>

UPDATE: I didn’t mean to imply that Staal to Connecticut means anything other than this: He’s not in Europe with the team, so he’s going to skate with the Whale.

But I’m guessing that they don’t feel he’s ready to play in games … or it’s possible they don’t want him on a long flight because of his symptoms.

Don’t know if an “It’s Go Time!” post is needed or appropriate for a game in Prague that, to my knowledge, is not being televised here.

Thoughts? If you want one, I’ll do one. You guys (who aren’t in Prague) are probably going to have to watch this game via the Twitter widget over there———>

After an absolutely crazy sick final regular-season night in baseball, I’m headed to the Yankees’ and Tigers’ workouts at Yankee Stadium this afternoon, and I’m going to be spending some, if not a lot, of the next few weeks or so with the Yankees.

Of course, I’ll be doing the usual double duty here, though I may not be able to review all the preseason games that are televised.

Just so you know.

Late next week I’ll have some season preview stuff here and in The Journal News and on LoHud.com.

Courtesy of Bodog:

Odds to win the 2012 Stanley Cup
Vancouver Canucks                   7/1
Washington Capitals                  7/1
Boston Bruins                            10/1
Pittsburgh Penguins                   10/1
Philadelphia Flyers                     11/1
San Jose Sharks                       11/1
Chicago Blackhawks                  12/1
Detroit Red Wings                      12/1
Los Angeles Kings                     14/1
Tampa Bay Lightning                  16/1
Buffalo Sabres                           18/1
Anaheim Ducks                         25/1
Montreal Canadiens                   25/1
Nashville Predators                    28/1
New Jersey Devils                      30/1
New York Rangers                     30/1
Phoenix Coyotes                       35/1
St. Louis Blues                          35/1
Calgary Flames                         40/1
Dallas Stars                              40/1
Carolina Hurricanes                    45/1
Toronto Maple Leafs                   50/1
Winnipeg Jets                            60/1
Colorado Avalanche                    65/1
Edmonton Oilers                        65/1
Ottawa Senators                        70/1
Columbus Blue Jackets              75/1
Florida Panthers                        75/1
Minnesota Wild                          75/1
New York Islanders                    80/1

Odds to win the 2012 NHL Western Conference
Vancouver Canucks                   3/1
Detroit Red Wings                      11/2
San Jose Sharks                       11/2
Los Angeles Kings                     6/1
Chicago Blackhawks                  13/2
Anaheim Ducks                         12/1
Nashville Predators                    14/1
Phoenix Coyotes                       18/1
Calgary Flames                         20/1
Dallas Stars                              20/1
St. Louis Blues                          20/1
Colorado Avalanche                    35/1
Columbus Blue Jackets              35/1
Edmonton Oilers                        35/1
Minnesota Wild                          35/1

Odds to win the 2012 NHL Eastern Conference
Washington Capitals                  4/1
Pittsburgh Penguins                   9/2
Philadelphia Flyers                     5/1
Boston Bruins                            11/2
Tampa Bay Lightning                  8/1
Buffalo Sabres                           10/1
Montreal Canadiens                   14/1
New Jersey Devils                      15/1
New York Rangers                     16/1
Carolina Hurricanes                    24/1
Toronto Maple Leafs                   28/1
Winnipeg Jets                            35/1
Florida Panthers                        40/1
Ottawa Senators                        40/1
New York Islanders                    45/1

From the NHL (apologies for the spacing):

COLIN CAMPBELL STATEMENT REGARDING RANGERS-FLYERS ALTERCATION

TORONTO (September 27, 2011)—Colin Campbell, National Hockey League Senior

Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, today released the following statement

regarding an altercation during Monday night’s pre-season game between the New York

Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers:

“All Players, Coaches and Officials in the National Hockey League deserve the respect

of their peers, and have the absolute right to function in a work environment that is free from

racially or sexually-based innuendo or derision. This is the National Hockey League’s policy and

it will remain so going forward.

“It also is important to emphasize that the National Hockey League holds, and will continue

to hold, our Players to higher standards with respect to their conduct both on and off the ice.

While we recognize that the emotion involved in certain on-ice confrontations may lead to the use of highly charged and sometimes offensive language and commentary, certain lines cannot be crossed. Specifically, we have for many years emphasized to our Clubs and Players that

commentary directed at the race or ethnicity of other participants in the game (or even nonparticipants), or that is otherwise socially or morally inappropriate or potentially hurtful – including as it may relate to sexual orientation—is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“With that as background, we have looked into the allegations relating to the possible

use of a homophobic slur by a Flyers player in the Rangers/Flyers preseason game last night in

Philadelphia. Since there are conflicting accounts of what transpired on the ice, we have been

unable to substantiate with the necessary degree of certainty what was said and by whom.

Specifically, Flyers Player Wayne Simmonds has expressly denied using the homophobic slur

he is alleged to have said. Additionally, none of the on-ice officials close to the altercation in

question heard any inappropriate slurs uttered by either of the primary antagonists. In light of

this, we are unable at this time to take any disciplinary action with respect to last night’s events.

To the extent we become aware of additional information conclusively establishing that an

inappropriate slur was invoked, we are reserving the option to revisit the matter.”
—————————
Editor’s note: Imagine if they had these rules in the old days?

Thoughts:

1) From what I’ve seen, this preseason has been disjointed, undisciplined and inconclusive. The Rangers have not played particularly well in any of the three games, and their best players have certainly not stood out for the most part. Maybe that’s just me.

2) As far as Michael Del Zotto, the bubble defenseman with what I still believe is the most upside of any of the young D-men, here’s my two cents: The Rangers (a.k.a. John Tortorella and Mike Sullivan) need to figure out how to unleash him. He can’t be this afraid to make a mistake and still be effective. I think of when Mark Messier first arrived and convinced Brian Leetch (and later Sergei Zubov) to not be afraid to make a mistake, and how both careers took off. I’m not saying Del Zotto is Leetch or Zubov. I’m saying he will not even be an above-average player of he’s afraid to take a risk, afraid to let his instincts carry his game. He can’t play on one side of an imaginary line and be a factor on the other side. Maybe The Captain should have a chat with MDZ.

3) When the Rangers have six healthy defensemen, their D’s not bad. In fact it has a chance to be pretty good. Without Marc Staal, and now maybe without Mike Sauer, and this year without a third pair, that D looks pretty questionable at best. And when do you remember Ryan McMonster making a play like he made last night, trying to stick-handle around Jaromir Jagr, of all people?

4) And on top of that, there should be prayers that neither McMonster or Sauer has a Del Zotto-like sophomore slump.

5) That game is why Sean Avery is worth keeping around … if he can play fourth-line minutes and accept being scratched sometimes and not be a distraction or a ticking time bomb.

6) Credit where it’s due: Larry Brooks tweeted in the first period, and I paraphrase, “Why would anybody agree to play a preseason game against the Flyers?” Great question. Why would you? What can be possibly gained?

7) Thought the president/GM was pretty funny at the podium at Citizens Bank Park, didn’t you? He’s always been better when he lets his real personality out. He’s a sharp, sarcastic, quick-witted guy.

8) Good to see NHL Network going the same-old, same-old route with Barry Melrose. God, how many lives does this clown have? And Kevin Weekes, man, he’s a good guy and I think potentially a very good analyst. But like almost every other former athlete, he should never be allowed to conduct an interview. I can’t think of one former athlete in any sport who can.

9) I first-guessed not having Dylan McIlrath in the lineup in that funhouse. I mean, what’s he going to get out of a game in Europe? This game would have been better for him, and better for the Rangers.

10) They should stick a mic on Brian Boyle every night.

11) Everybody’s chirping about how tough Brendan Shanahan’s going to be as NHL sheriff, and I agree. But I’m not giving him any credit for suspending guys for preseason games. Let’s see how tough he’ll be when he starts taking away paychecks.
———————————
AP Photo, above.

from the Rangers:

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
New York Rangers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 5 (Preseason Game No. 3, Away No. 2)

-The Rangers were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers, 5-3, tonight at Wells Fargo Center, and are now 1-1-1 in preseason action.
-New York notched two power play goals in the second period, from John Mitchell at 10:09 of the period and Brian Boyle at 15:02.
-The Blueshirts out-hit the Flyers, 17-11, in the contest.
-Andreas Thuresson opened the game’s scoring with an even strength goal at 2:36 of the first period, while making his first appearance with the Rangers.  He also tied for the team-high with three shots on goal in 9:27 of ice time.
-Brian Boyle registered a team-high, two points, including a power play goal, and also tied for the team-high with three shots on goal in 16:25 of ice time.  Boyle has now registered two points (one goal, one assist) in two preseason contests.
-John Mitchell notched a power play goal and logged 20:13 of ice time.  He has now recorded one point (goal) in two preseason games.
-Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 of 30 shots in 59:39 of ice time, and has now turned aside 44 of 49 shots in preseason action.
-Mats Zuccarello and Ryan McDonagh each tallied an assist on John Mitchell’s power play goal, and Dan Girardi recorded an assist on Brian Boyle’s power play goal.  McDonagh also led all skaters with 26:27 of ice time, and Dan Girardi logged 25:21 of ice time.
-The Rangers practice schedule for tomorrow, September 27, is 4:15 p.m. (local time) at Tesla Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.
————————————
From twitter reports:

Sauer out a week with a sprained shoulder. Thuresson and Deveaux were assigned to Connecticut.

Here is the Rangers’ roster headed to Europe:

PLAYERS ASSIGNED TO CONNECTICUT (AHL) ON 9/26/11:
Forward (2):  Andre Deveaux, Andreas Thuresson

NEW YORK RANGERS ACTIVE ROSTER:
Goal (3):  Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist, Scott Stajcer
Defense (11):  Brendan Bell, Stu Bickel, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger, Tim Erixon, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Dylan McIlrath, Blake Parlett, Michael Sauer, Marc Staal
Forward (19):  Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery, Ryan Bourque, Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Erik Christensen, Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, Marian Gaborik, Carl Hagelin, John Mitchell, Kris Newbury, Brandon Prust, Brad Richards, Mike Rupp, Derek Stepan, Dale Weise, Wojtek Wolski, Mats Zuccarello

Last chance to see your boys before they jet over the ocean for a couple of weeks.

I imagine there will be a fair amount of stuff to discuss during and after this game for a lot of reasons, most of them fairly obvious.

NHL.com did an analysis on the Rangers today in its 30-in-15 series.