Rangers Report Blog

John Tortorella:

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Thoughts:

1) I gotta tell you, I’m really torn on the whole sitting Marian Gaborik thing. He was ineffective on the wall, pushed off the puck a couple of times in front, failed to clear and did the unforgiveable flamingo on the game-tying goal, on a team that sacrifices everything all the time. That said, sitting him, down by a goal, for a power play in the third period, then sitting him at the end with the goalie pulled, smells like Mike Keenan sitting Brian Leetch in Game 4 of the ECF in ‘94. John Tortorella has said that playoffs are not time for sending messages, yet he sent a message while his team needed a goal. Again, I’m torn on this. Nobody is above the team or the commitment. I understand that totally. But maybe the point could have been made verbally between periods?

2) This whole shot-blocking issue being made by people who don’t like how the Rangers play, or who didn’t like the Washington-Rangers series, is really beyond stupid. It reeks of people who don’t know what the hell they’re watching. And to even suggest that shot-blocking could be removed from the game is beyond moronic. Go watch another sport.

3) Who would figure that the Rangers have twice scored two PPGs in a game (Game 4 vs. Ottawa) and lost. How does that happen?

4) Speaking of Gaborik … Ilya Kovalchuk was very, very dangerous with the puck, but he also coughed it up a bunch of times and was a nightmare away from it.

5) The rests of the Devils forwards were much better in Game 2, though. This is going to be a very difficult series for ya boys. But then, that’s what they expected. And they don’t mind playing difficult series or difficult games.

6) The kid, Chris Kreider, had another big game. The post, the goal, bunch of chances, some hits. He made one bad play, when Kovalchuk got in behind him and Henrik Lundqvist made that glove save that had Kovalchuk shaking his head. Kreider knew it, though. Put it right in the memory bank, I imagine. Good that he didn’t get burned by it this time.

7) The ice was woeful, even by World’s Most Famous Arena standards, and how about that whole scene when the penalty box door wouldn’t open? Why they didn’t just put Travis Zajac in the other box immediately and worry later about what would happen if a Ranger took a penalty during Zajac’s two minutes, is beyond me. How about some thought, Mr. Officials?

8) Gotta tell you, the more people ask stupid questions, the less I mind Tortorella being curt during his pressers. I expected him to be short last night after some of the crap he endured after Game 1. I still think he’s being a jackwagon sometimes, though. Like, why not answer a couple of questions after a tough loss? What about that accountability? What about being a professional?

9) I’m really having trouble picking out forwards who played well in this game. Carl Hagelin was good in spots. Kreider, obviously. I didn’t think Brad Richards or Gaborik did much. Callahan did his usual bashing, but I’ve seen him play better. Derek Stepan, too.

10) Martin Brodeur played well again, but certainly not unbeatable. Kreider beat him and hit the post, Ryan McDonagh beat him on the Matteau/Graves wrap-around and hit the post. There were some rebounds. He knocked one into his own net. The Rangers have to find more pressure on him.

11) Told ya. I thought this series would be 1-1 after two. And I expect it will be 2-2 after four. And I don’t necessarily think the winner of Game 5 will win the series, but it will sure be a gigantic opportunity. How’s that for top-notch analysis? Getting way ahead of ourselves, though.

12) Boy oh boy do some of you show that you don’t even have a remedial understanding of what you’re watching when they lose.

13) Special thanks for NBC for this unnecessary two-day break. Guess with all the travel the teams need an extra day.

***********************************************
My Three Rangers Stars:
1) Chris Kreider.
2) Ryan McDonagh.
3) Marc Staal.
***********************************************
Mitch Beck’s Three Rangers Stars:
1) Chris Kreider, “Monster-worthy” game.
2) Marc Staal, solid defense and a bounce goal.
3) Artem Anisimov, created and assist on Kreider’s goal.
***********************************************
Alec Berg’s Three Rangers Stars:
1) Kid Chris Kreider.
2) Henrik Lundqvist.
3) Marc Staal (for the hit on Clarkson).
***********************************************
Josh (age 26) Thomson’s Three Rangers Stars:
1) Chris Kreider.
2) Ryan McDonagh.
3) Henrik Lundqvist.
***********************************************

AP photos, above.

 

 

Courtesy of the NYR:

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
Eastern Conference Final, Game 2
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
(Series tied 1-1)

Team Notes:

-        The Rangers were defeated by the New Jersey Devils, 3-2, tonight at Madison Square Garden in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.  The series is now tied at one game apiece.

-        New York is now 207-223-8 overall in postseason action, including a 116-87-2 mark at home.

-        Twelve of the Blueshirts’ 16 playoff games have been decided by one goal.

-        The Rangers tallied one power play goal in four attempts (7:02), and are now 2-8 (25.0%) with the man advantage in the series.

-        Marc Staal recorded the Rangers’ first goal of the contest to increase New York’s league-leading total to 10 goals scored by defensemen in the playoffs.

Player Notes:

-        Chris Kreider notched a power play goal, registered three shots on goal and was credited with three hits in 18:14 of ice time to earn second star honors.  With the goal, he tied the NHL record for most playoff goals and points by a player who has never skated in a regular season game, with four goals and six points in postseason action.  Kreider has registered three points (two goals, one assist) in the last two games, and is now tied for the lead among league rookies (11th overall) in goals (four) and ranks third in points (six).

-        Marc Staal tallied the Rangers’ first goal at 2:23 of the second period, registered three shots on goal and two blocked shots in a game-high, 27:26 of ice time.  He has recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in the last six games, and is now tied with teammate Anton Stralman for first among NHL defensemen with three goals in postseason action.

-        Anton Stralman registered a power play assist, and was credited with two hits and two blocked shots in the contest.  He is now tied for the NHL lead among defensemen with four power play points (two goals, two assists) in the playoffs.

-        Artem Anisimov tallied a power play assist and was credited with two hits in the contest.  He has recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in the last six games, including three points (one goal, two assists) in the last two games.

-        Henrik Lundqvist made 24 saves and is now 24-27 overall in the playoffs, including a 14-12 mark at home.

-        Brad Richards tallied the primary assist on Staal’s goal and registered three shots on goal in 21:22 of ice time.  He leads the team and ranks sixth in the league in scoring with 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the playoffs.

-        Dan Girardi recorded an assist and was credited with two hits in 25:20 of ice time.  He has tallied six points (one goal, five assists) in the last seven games, and now leads all NHL defensemen in scoring with 10 points and eight assists in the playoffs.

-        Ryan McDonagh was credited with a game-high, eight blocked shots, and tied for the game-high with five hits in 24:33 of ice time.  The eight blocked shots tied his playoff career-high.

Post-Game Quotes:

-        Ryan Callahan on the team’s mentality heading into Game 3 … “We’ve been in this situation before.  We just have to go into Jersey and try to get that next game.  We can’t get down.  Like I said, we’ve been in this situation before, and we’ve come through.  We’ll get a day off tomorrow, and be ready to work on Friday.”

-        Carl Hagelin on the importance of the first goal of the game … “It seems to be like that in the playoffs, the team to get the first goal seems to play a bit more relaxed. They don’t have to take many chances to get chances. Then you just play well defensively.”

Team Schedule:                                                                                            

-        The Blueshirts do not have practice scheduled for tomorrow, May 17.  The Rangers’ next practice is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 18, at MSG Training Center.

-        The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, May 19, at Prudential Center (1:00 p.m.), in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final.  The game will be televised live on NBC, and can be heard on ESPN Radio 98.7FM.

John Tortorella:

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Henrik Lundqvist:

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Marian Gaborik:

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Marc Staal:

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Rangers-Devils Game 2.

I fully expect the Devils to be much, much, much better tonight, and obviously more desperate. And it will be up to the Rangers to be much, much, much better and try to match that desperation.

But as I’ve said, I expect this series to be 1-1 after two … only because most series between teams that are pretty even are 1-1 after two, and because there is no such thing as home-ice advantage in the playoffs. In fact, I truly believe it’s easier to be the road team, especially early in a series.

No changes for ya boys. Devils probably will move future Ranger Zach Parise up to Kovalchuk’s line, and insert D Peter Harrold in place of Adam Larsson.

Let’s Go Tony!

 

Here’s the story by Josh Thomson, 26, in today’s Journal News and on LoHud.com:

By Josh Thomson, 26

NEW YORK — Like every new pairing or line combination, tethering Ryan McDonagh to Dan Girardi required a leap of faith. John Tortorella only inserted McDonagh alongside Girardi on the Rangers’ top defensive pair out of necessity anyway.

Marc Staal began the season sidelined, suffering from post-concussion syndrome, and the club and Girardi were forced to start the season without him.

More than seven months and three playoff series later, fans have dubbed McDonagh “McMonster,” an ode to his development into one of the league’s top young shutdown defensemen. The pairing with Girardi now has their eyes on keeping Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise off the board in the conference finals, a daunting feat they accomplished in Game 1 on Monday.

“You never know how this works out,” Tortorella said. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever split those two guys up.”

McDonagh began the season as the unknown. The 22-year old joined the Rangers midway through the 2010-11 season after 38 games in the AHL. He skated in their last 40 regular-season games and posted a plus-16 rating, followed by playing all five playoff games against the Capitals.

The St. Paul, Minn., native came to the organization from Montreal the year prior in a swap for disappointing center Scott Gomez and others. He transformed what was once viewed as a contract dump into an outright pilfering. McDonagh skated in all 82 games with the Rangers this season, scored 32 points and posted a plus-25 rating.

“I don’t think about it too much. I’m just happy that I had the opportunity to play here and make the jump last year and help the team in the playoffs,” McDonagh said. “Going into this year, I just wanted to be that much more effective. I knew my role would increase a little bit and I just wanted to be prepared to help the team win.”

In Game 1 Monday night, the fleet McDonagh saved his stay-at-home partner Girardi, who struggled before scoring the eventual game-winning goal in the third period. Instead, it was McDonagh who recovered to help snuff out breakaways by Parise and Kovalchuk in the first and drew a penalty in the defensive zone after Girardi’s clearing attempt early in the second nearly ended up behind goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

“Sometimes it works between guys and sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s just seemed to gel,” Girardi said.

The absence of Staal not only forced McDonagh into this increased role, it accelerated the young defenseman’s learning curve. Tortorella calculated that McDonagh was probably a year ahead of where he’d be without the extra responsibilities.

In the meantime, McDonagh and Girardi have strengthened their bond away from the rink. They eat together on the road and McDonagh visits Girardi at home to play with his son, Landon.

“I think that’s kind of part of why we’re doing well,” Girardi said. “We’re good friends off the ice, and it makes our job on the ice easier.”

****************************************************

Also, here’s Josh’s story on Henrik Lundqvist from late Monday night.

 

From the NHL (LOL):

An Interview with:

       COACH TORTORELLA

Q. The guys you brought up, how do you use them, not in the series,

but what is the thought behind having them up here?

COACH TORTORELLA:  Just have players ready to play in case we run

into injuries.

Q.  What has been the key do you think of your strong recent third

periods?

COACH TORTORELLA:  Staying with it.

Q.  Being aggressive?

COACH TORTORELLA:  Staying with it.

Q.  John, if you’ve got a guy who is not going offensively that you

know can.  What has historically been your tactic?  Do you talk to him?  Do

you just ride it out?

COACH TORTORELLA:  Depends on the player.  Depends on the player,

depends on the situation.  It’s a question that I can’t answer because it

all depends on the situation.

Q.  So if I asked you about Ryan Callahan?

COACH TORTORELLA:  I won’t answer.

Pre-game notes courtesy of the Rangers:

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Eastern Conference Final, Game 1 (NYR lead 1-0)
Wednesday, May 16, 8:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Rangers (Regular Season): 51-24-7 (109 pts), 1st in East
Devils (Regular Season): 48-28-6 (102 pts), 6th in East

• All information through NHL games on May 14.

  TONIGHT’S GAME:
  The Rangers will face-off against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden (8:00 p.m.; TV: NBC Sports Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7FM), in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. The Blueshirts opened up their third round series with a 3-0 win over the Devils in Game 1 on Monday at Madison Square Garden. New York has now won six of their last nine opening games of playoff series dating back to the 2007 playoffs. The Rangers enter the contest with a 207-222-8 record all-time in 437 playoff contests (116-86-2 at home; 91-136-6 on the road). New York has posted a 45-48-2 record all-time in Game 2 of playoff series.

  New York entered the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference having posted a record of 51-24-7 overall (27-12-2 at home; 24-12-5 on the road) for 109 points. The Rangers’ 51 wins ranked second in franchise history, while their 109 points tied for second all-time. The Blueshirts finished second in the NHL overall, tied for first in wins and led the league with 47 wins in regulation and overtime. New York is one of four Eastern Conference teams to have posted 40 or more wins in at least six seasons since 2005-06, and one of four teams in the East to have advanced to the playoffs in six of the last seven years.

  ALL-TIME RANGERS PLAYOFF RECORDS:
  Overall — 207-222-8
  Home — 116-86-2
  Away — 91-136-6
  Goals for — 1,207
  Goals against — 1,198

  ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORDS — RANGERS vs. DEVILS
  The Rangers and Devils are meeting in the playoffs for the sixth time overall and the third time in seven years. Their last postseason encounter was in the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, a series won by the Rangers, 4-1. Overall, the Blueshirts have a 4-1 playoff series record vs. the Devils, posting a 17-12 mark in 29 postseason contests.

  (more…)

Hey, folks. I’m in for Carp.

Just a few quick updates from today’s skate at the Garden:

• Much of the discussion with John Tortorella, Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi focused on the team’s willingness to block shots. It toyed with the Devils in Game 1 and has obviously been a key part of the Rangers’ defensive philosophy under Tortorella.

Girardi said he never really blocked shots until he joined Hartford. His AHL coach there, Jim Schoenfeld, emphasized it. The defenseman has come to focus even more on the unenvious task the last few seasons under Tortorella.

• Talk also centered around the combination of McDonagh and Girardi, who have formed an ideal top defensive pair. No one knew if it would work. Now? “I’m not sure I’ll ever split them up,” Tortorella said.

You can listen to plenty on those topics in the audio files below. Also, find out what led to Tortorella saying, “This isn’t golf.”

• The coach said the last two series was unrelated with this one, but both Ryan Callahan and McDonagh expressed a desire to play better in Game 2 tomorrow night. As you know, the Rangers lost Game 2 against Ottawa and Washington after posting solid wins in Game 1.

• Derek Stepan said he hurt his right foot blocking a shot late in the first period. He hobbled to the bench but never missed a shift. The big toe on his right foot was taped up today.

On the broadcast last night, Tortorella was seen yelling at Stepan on the bench prior to the blocked shot. I asked if there was any connection. “He thought I needed a spark,” Stepan said.

• Tortorella said his team’s defense played the same way during the 2004 Cup run in Tampa. Ruslan Fedotenko conceded there was truth to that, but said, “If you don’t adapt, you’ll be gone.”

So…clearly, not quite the same.

• Perhaps my favorite quote of the day came from Chris Kreider. Does he still live out of a suitcase? Yes. “But it’s a pretty big suitcase,” he said.

John Tortorella:

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Ryan McDonagh:

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Dan Girardi:

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Ryan Callahan:

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Derek Stepan:

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Chris Kreider:

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Thoughts:

1) Ya boys sure do stick with it, don’t they? And at 0-0 in the lockerroom after being pretty much pinned in the second, they sure must have felt that they would win this game. And then they did. Not surprised.

2) Dan (Block Ness Monster) Girardi had a couple of rough shifts, didn’t he? And he came out with another facial welt thanks to the boarding penalty in the third … on which he made them pay. Good for him, scoring the goal, getting the assist, having another shot that Marc Staal nearly buried (the D-man bailed out Martin Brodeur), and wearing the Broadway Hat.

3) It seems the Rangers, bad as their power play is most of the time, always score when one of their guys gets fouled hard, or hurt. Doesn’t it? Or is it just me?

4) Again, I have no idea what words to use about Henrik Lundqvist other than: best … goalie … in … the … game. Now he’s doing it on the big stage for the first time. Stand up and take notice all you non-Rangers fans and non-Sweden fans across the continent.

5) Speaking of outstanding, and of making big game-saving plays, how about Ryan McDonagh’s two plays to chase down Future Ranger Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk? Just to make you guys happy, I want to point out this: Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Michael Busto for Ryan McDonagh, Marian Gaborik, Brandon Prust, Pavel Valentenko and No Scott Gomez. I don’t even know why that makes me happy.

6) Future Ranger Parise looked good in spots. Kovalchuk looked good in spots, Patrik Elias looked good in spots. But I don’t think any of them played great at all. And in fact, Elias and future Ranger Parise were standing flat-footed when Girardi came off the bench and yelled to Chris Kreider for the puck on the 1-0 goal.

7) What is up with the dumb, dumb questions during post-game pressers with John Tortorella? And he hung in there through the dumb questions, the phone ringing, more dumb questions, a microphone that wasn’t working. And he answered questions. That’s twice in three games that somebody who’s been involved in hockey all their lives has asked about a timeout after an icing. HELLO? Unoffically, 90 percent of all timeouts in the NHL now are after icings, because you can’t change players.

8) Chris Kreider is really a special player. The kid is huge under that shirt, too. He was funny describing the Girardi goal, saying he thought Girardi was hollering for the puck, but allowing that he might have been hearing voices. Then, when asked about settling in, this is what he said: ““The last thing I want to do is settle in. I don’t want to be complacent, especially at this level. If I get complacent for a second, next thing you know I’m minus-2 and giving Ovechkin a one-timer in the slot. So, I’ve got to stay extremely focused, obviously.”

9) That Ron Duguay thing before the games is embarrassing. I mean, how does he then pretend to be an analyst?

10) Martin Brodeur was better than I thought he’d be.

11) Eight o’clock games suck.

12) They still show that stupid clip from “Network” you know, the one where the guy says, “I want you to all get on your feet …” And we in the pressbox were kind of updating it for today’s crowd: “I want you to all get off your Blackberries, stop texting, stop ordering food from waitresses, stop trying to catch T-shirts …”

13) Been thinking about this while watching this Rangers teams do the things it does and the way it does them: Glen Sather is going to have to be very careful when they make trades or sign free agents going forward because it’s going to take special types of players to come in here, accept the way this team plays, commit to playing that way, and do it selflessly. Because anybody who doesn’t fit, well, won’t fit.

14) I still expect this series to be 1-1 after two games. As I usually do.

***********************************************
My Three Rangers Stars:
1) Henrik Lundqvist.
2) Chris Kreider.
3) Dan Girardi.
***********************************************

AP photos, above and below.