Rangers 1, Lightning 0 (OT)

HAV at it. If you missed yesterday’s post by George Grimm, I highly recommend that you go back and read it.

My quick take on the game: In the first 10 minutes or so, the Rangers were skating hard, competing for pucks and in 50/50 battles.  After that, they rolled over and got steamrolled by the Lightning, and but for Raanta’s heroics, they should have left the game without a point.

BTW, good thing Glass was in the lineup to deter Dumont from boarding Kampfer.

201 thoughts on “Rangers 1, Lightning 0 (OT)”

  6. The Camper got rear ended but no damage to the engine, just a broken headlight. He was much better than Clendening said nobody…
    .
    Auntie is my favorite relative; love him coming out to aggressively play the puck, esp in OT
    .
    These lines are obviously not working. Easy to blame the structure when results are not there but the mix on the Step and Zika lines is not really generating opportunities. Haze line much better last night, particularly VC who is skating hard. JT looks injured and Haze is very inconsistent, esp in Dzone.
    .
    Add Couch and Grabber to this mix along with another healthy RD and they score at least one goal in reg…

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  9. Damnit carp, it was cccp, not me! 😉
    –
    My big concern with buch is his health. I love the guy, but is he going to last through a playoff round?
    –
    Talking about a player being a deterrent or even trying to formulate a deterrent argument (for or against) is an exercise in futility because there is no such thing in the NHL so stop wasting your time talking about it people!

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  10. Kreider has 24 goals & 19 assists. Imagine how many assists he might have if he had somebody on his line who could put the puck in the net!

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  11. We are infinitely more tough now, not necessarily because Glass was called up, but in that Nick Mangold was released by the Jets and will be at the Garden as we gear up for the Playoffs.

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  12. This team can’t execute an offense right now either on the PP or 5 on 5. I don’t think the effort was that bad against MTL, just the execution and the result. Gerund tipped one in and Hank let in a couple of stinkers. Otherwise MTl didn’t get much until they opened it up when they got behind 3-0.

    It wasn’t much different last night. They gave up 38 shots and Raanta stole two points for them last night. The only games they win now is when the goalie steals it for them. Unless they make Papa John give away some shitty pizza soon this isn’t going to end well regardless of the occasional Tanner Glass dust up. I’m sure the players liked Bobby Granger too.

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  15. In the era of face-shields and refs protecting the perps, there is no deterrents whether you are Tanner Glass or Joey Kocur.
    .
    The team played together at the start of the game, won some board battles early and then not as much so they started to chase the puck again.
    .
    Between Zuuc and THE’s inability to play team D and Stepsoft’s slump; there are many an extended Dzone play when that line is on the ice.
    .
    Need to get Step off PP.

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  16. I agree with Carp – I didn’t see the “steamrolling.” Antti was awesome though as was Vasilevsky. That was a truly exciting goalie duel. I liked the way they played – way more energy and, dare I say it, grit. But it is concerning that both wins in the last 5 games were as a result of the goalies standing in their respective heads. We need some goals….

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  18. carped earlier this am: It would be utter insanity to plug Glass into the line-up more than every once in a while for his 5 in the box and 5 on the ice. AV loves the guy, but he’s not insane, and Glass can’t fight every night anyway. And I’m sure the guys love him–he’s been their teammate for a while–but he had ZERO impact on the game last night. I might argue that they lost a little momentum following the fight, but that would be to imply it had any effect at all other than to entertain fans who enjoy fighting. Keep him around, by all means, until the guys get healthy, but you don’t need to play him that much.

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  23. SEPARATE Kreider Step & Topo. The Hobbit sure makes a number of behind the back passes to the opposition or to no one. But hey they look good.

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  33. Step off the power play? The man had a number of great opportunities! He’s a gamer as much as anyone on the team, and he’s been snakebitten of late, as has been most of the team, for any number of reasons. The PP looked much better last night. They really moved the puck around and had some great shots. Once they get some to go in, they’ll get their confidence back. Same with their 5×5 play. The boys haven’t been getting the breaks. Which is why this is exactly the right time for out two goalies to be playing pretty damn good hockey.

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  34. Unlike most, I’m always happy to see Glass on the ice. I agree that he wouldn’t have that kind of effect if he played every game, but I also don’t see where VC and Shay would be getting that physically involved if it wasn’t for the precedent set by Glass. Absolutely not saying he’s a deterrent, but definitely energized his team (at the start) and demonstrates that’s its possible to make the D force passes and look over their shoulders when they know you will lay the body.
    .
    That’s my biggest problem with the team more generally (and AV’s coaching style)…guys like Haze and Step will burn their energy trying to cover a man and then pull up once the pass is gone. That forechecking is about as intimidating as Brad Richards.

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  37. Didn’t think Glass made a big difference. But he does play with energy, and I always enjoyed that about him. And I meant to say that Nash was just incredible. He may not be putting up All Star numbers anymore, Norm, but this man is a key to this team and he was all over the ice.

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  40. I’m not a big believer in making excuses for them, but I am going to. Boston, Tampa, and to a lesser extent Montreal, were desperate teams. Right now, with the Rangers comfortably in the playoffs, it’s hard to match those teams intensity. I am not as concerned as most about how they are playing. As far as the centers, and therefore all other forwards, being in a slump, it’s the perfect time for it. When they breakout out of it, and they will, it will right in time for the playoffs.

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  41. @Norm: I’ll take Glass on the 4th over Pirri and Puempel at this point. Those two have little to show (and in Pirri’s case, a lot of ice time) and Glass is better defensively for all his warts.

    Elsewhere, I don’t know why people want to break up the third line. Grabner goes back in when healthy. Why screw with the one line that has worked well almost the entire season? You have three other lines you can jumble to your hearts content.

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  43. Usually the more desperate teams wins at this point of the season and thru June …

    It doesn’t matter what we think, or what the chart-boys think, or what anybody thinks. If the players think they’re more brave with Glass in uniform. wrong or right, then he has value. And he’s replacing Puempel. Not like he’s replacing a real player. When Grabner comes back, Pirri comes out, IMO. When Fast comes back, then it’s decision time. Probably Buchnevich. but also unlikely they will be 100 percent healthy up front, and if they are, they can rest some guys for the four playoff games against Ottawa (s).

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  47. Why does it seem when the other team is on a power play they have the puck in the Rangers zone for at least 1:30 of the 2:00? When the Rangers have the power play it’s shoot it in, go back and get the cleared puck.

    I thought Tanner Glass set the tempo in the first period with his hitting. It was like they said, “Oh, taking the body looks like fun. I’ll try it.” By the second period they were back to their regular game.

    It was an up and down game. Good chances by both teams. Both teams had stretches where they dominated. It was a good game to watch except it was pretty nerve wracking knowing one goal against would probably mean a loss.

    Raanta needs to play more. He just does. Nothing against Hank.

    Staal must read this blog because he had his best game of the season last night.

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  52. Both goalies were excellent. I keep seeing the look of frustration on Pavel’s face after Vasilevskiy denied him early. Raanta wasn’t rusty at all, but you knew that.

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  63. Beezle, I would agree that at this point almost anyone from Hartford would be better than Puempel and Pirri, but I’m almost certain that Glass is not that body. If they’ve run out of moves, so be it, but here’s where I disagree with Carp’s “if the players think they’re more brave with Glass in uniform, wrong or right, then he has value.” Obviously they need to give Glass some more games since they’ve made the move, and if the players go beyond thinking they’re more brave with Glass on the ice to actually playingmore bravely, then they’ll have something. If all they are is happy he’s back and admiring of his fighting spirit, then who cares, other than Glass? Everyone here admires toughness, me included, but the toughness I want to see is guys fighting to get to the net (e.g. Nash) or taking a hit to make a play (e.g. Fast, but he’s not a particularly good playmaker) I don’t think that Glass can show that sort of leadership, though he will pop a guy if he can catch up to him, which has its place. And, of course, sacrifice himself to the staged fight so many enjoy–I hate that stuff, but I respect the guys who suffer through it, those who vomit before the game when the coach tells them it’s on.

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  64. They appreciate it later, sure. But it does nothing to stop it from happening.

    And while we continue to disagree on Carcillo (although my disagreement is more about Dorsett), he continues to do great things for retired players and mental health now that he’s retired.

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  73. Charlie – It isn’t just on the PP that the Rangers get pinned in their own zone as opposed to pinning the opposition in. Defensively, the Rangers forwards are told to clog the shooting lanes and slump off the points in favor of bodies below the top of the circles. The forwards are often reacting instead of acting as the points are open and the Rangers get running around in their own zone.

    As for the offensive zone, it seems like the three top plays when the Rangers have the puck in the offensive zone are (in no particular order :-)):
    1. Pass blocked
    2. Shot blocked
    3. Shot wide

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  78. Dear Fearless Leader – Even though this is a HAV, it is the best HAV on the Intanets (as Mike Francesser would say). Have fun on vacation – we all promise to be good (ha ha ha).

    Also, do not make fun of Boomer Esiason’s son-in-law to be eventually 🙂

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  88. It was a great scrap. And look, ultimately, I want to be entertained and fighting is fun. That 11-12 Rangers team was probably my favorite team since 94, but definitely since 97.

    But it works best when it flows organically from guys who can actually play, and Glass is not that.

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  90. Raise your hand if Prust-Neil is NOT one of your favorite Rangers fights of all time.
    Don’t let me see any hands out there!
    Prust earned Neil’s respect, so much so that they’ve fought 2-3 more times since then and I don’t think Prust ever came as close to winning

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  93. Pumps 35 games – 6-2-8 (-10); 3 PPG all in 1 game v Yotes, 2nd worst team in league (Avs with 37 pts – yikes!)
    Team record with him in lineup; 19-16; without; 23-6-2
    .
    Good riddance

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  97. You should ask Carter if Bickel lost that fight. Carter was the guy leaving the rink with a face full of blood while the cleaning crew scraped his blood off the ice. Don’t go off of Pee Area’s call. Bickel landed a clean right to his nose which dropped him to his knees and opened the faucet.
    .
    Rupp with a decision based upon multiple jabs to the face in clutch. Prust/Jansen in a wrestling/dancing draw.

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  99. The Bickel faceoff fight ruled. The Prust-Neil fight ruled. I loved the McIlrath-Simmonds fight, too. Was surprised Simmonds answered the bell and fared as well as he did.

    Many favorites: McPhee-Tocchet. McPhee-Brown. Beck-Baxter (Beck literally jumped from standing on the bench and over the boards after Baxter was giving it to Eddie Johnstone). James Patrick-Dave Poulin in that preseason brawl fest. (I still have the official scoresheet). Domi-Probert. Kocur-Probert.

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  106. no, no, the pom poms are right here. But I think Carter won that fight in the first 5 seconds (granted he ended up needing a nosectomy) and Prust lost. Rupp I think won, but it was closer than anyone would have bet

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  113. Nicky was such a feared counterpuncher that more than one thug squared-off, but wouldn’t approach him first. Zebras called some ‘Delay of Games’ instead of fighting penalties. 🙂

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  132. I tried to find video of my “favorite fight”, but I don’t think it exists. December 28, 1978 Phil Esposito vs Bobby Clarke. I loved that fight because it is the only time I ever remember that no Flyer jumped in to save/stop Clarke. I can’t even remember if it was much of a fight (which it probably wasn’t), but as a 14-year-old I remember being filled with glee seeing Clarke have to defend himself.

    Carp, you speak of Purinton. I remember a rookie game at Rye Playland when he came off the Rangers bench as they were bringing some Whalers rookie to the box after the Whaler guy fought a Swedish rookie (Ola Sanderg, I think). The penalty boxes at Rye were on the same side of the ice and Dale flew off the bench and beat the snot out of the Whalers guy.

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  133. Nicky Fotiu at his best was the night of the line brawl against the St. Louis Blues and former Rangers first round draft pick Steve Durbano (13th overall in 1971). Durbano, who was more than few fries short of a Happy Meal, never played for NY as he was dealt to the Blues by Emile Francis.

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  135. I think the Fotiu-Durbano fight was legendary because Durbano kicked down a metal door between the lockerrooms trying to escalate the proceedings in the hallway, my friend Dennis “Chief” Ryan, the great security man, broke it up.

    Chief also broke up an event in Buffalo, not sure which Rangers coach (maybe Low or Trottier, but more probably Campbell) trying to get at the Sabres coach (probably Nolan?). The TV guy for the Sabres said, “Oh, my God, there’s a guy down there the size of the Statue of Liberty breaking it up!”

    I called Chief “Lady Liberty” after that. He didn’t care for that. So I stopped.

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  141. I enjoyed just about every Barnaby fight… especially the ones where he went crazy with the laughing/crying.

    Beukeboom danced with just about everyone his last few years too. Those were always good.

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  142. Carp – I am sitting here laughing at you mention of Chief Ryan, not because of him, but because the first person I thought of when I read “Chief” was the old Garden/Rangers “mascot” The Chief – who in no way could ever be confused with Chief Ryan.

    For those who do not know of The Chief, he was a guy who used to run around the Garden wearing an Indian headdress. Think of him as a less annoying Dancing Larry. The Chief, Robert Comas in real life, would call up the sports talk shows (especially Art Rust, Jr.) and say “Never fear, the Chief is here.”

    I couldn’t find a picture, but I did find this article on him from when he ran for the NY State senate back in 1998. I am sure carp must have some stories about The Chief

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  143. Frank Beaton – Fred Shero’s attempt to find a protector for Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. The WHA is full of Beaton stories, like the one when the police wanted to arrest him and his team snuck him out of the dressing room and onto the bus in an equipment bag.

    Shero didn’t too well trying to bring in toughness. He traded for Cam Connor thinking he was acquiring Colin Campbell. Just one of the reasons why they called Shero “The Fog”.

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  144. Great job George!! I remember meeting Dave Balon (RIP) in Cosby’s & getting him to sign a stick that I bought. Can’t wait for the book to come out. Those were the years I lived, breathed & slept Rangers hockey. Great times!!

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  148. I’m so hyped for tonight! I’m in the 7th row behind the offensive goal for 2 periods. Look for me! Lol
    I’ll be wearing the Rangers 3rd jersey. The one with “New York” in the front.
    Maybe a hat…maybe not. Lol

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  154. Loved Nicky, he was the man on many beat downs. What I remembered most about Fotiu is every time I would watch him skate towards the corner boards towards a oppenent and the camera would change angles, you didn’t see what Fotiu hit but you can here the boards rattle, of course the garden crowd would go wild.

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  156. Also never forget that brawl the rangers had against the kings on the road and two king players were ready to attack a ranger player 2 on 1 along the boards and the next thing you see are people on the other side of the boards clearing out and a guy grabbing one of the king players and rag dolling him, it was Fotiu in street close. Fotiu wasn’t dressed to play in that game.

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  160. Anyone who has the illusion that Glass’ presence in the lineup is to be a “deterrent” misses the point.

    Glass adds a bit of sandpaper into what is a very talented yet vanilla group of players. It becomes a little bit tougher to play against the Rangers or anyone else when there is some sandpaper.

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  163. You can’t have all vanilla and no “jam”…

    We would all love to have a player like Milan Lucic in his prime, but those players are far and few between. For every Gretzky there has to be a McSorley.

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  167. I still think it’s necessary to have a guy like Glass in the lineup. Doesn’t produce on the scoresheet, but also forces opposition to play with their heads up.

    His teammates, JT Miller notably included, seem to prefer Glass’ presence.

    I think the Rangers are better team with Glass in the lineup over Peumpel/Pirri, especially at this time of year and into the spring.

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  172. I love Buchnevich’s talent level and bright future; but (1) I don’t think Buch is going to give you much during the NHL playoffs at this point in his career over what Glass can bring, (2) there is nobody else currently in the lineup to bring the necessary “jam” that unfortunately only Glass can bring.

    So I think with the roster as currently constructed, you have to use Tanner Glass at least part time over guys like Buchnevich.

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  175. Coos, Chief was telling us about playing catcher on the NYPD softball team. I asked him if anybody ever bowled him over at the plate.

    “There were eff-its,” he said.

    That guy ruled. I miss him all the time. His son Bernie is one of the Rangers off-ice officials. You see him o TV all the time, like 6-foot-4, map of Ireland face, red-ish hair. Tremendous guy.

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  178. Butch is not a 4th liner, talking apples to hand grenades here. Would rather have a Glass like player on 4th line in POs. VC is above Butch from a PO ready game now. Both might sit in POs if Fast and Grabber are back and healthy.
    Just really don’t understand or agree with the top 12 approach AV took and stayed with. It would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in the meetings between Gorton/AV around personnel decisions. My hope is Gorton does not feel Pumps and Puree are the answer.

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  180. Buch looked great last night….was tenacious on D…despite being a tad skinnier never seems to get hit…so skilled on the puck…he was a pest on the forecheck…I think as long as he keeps playing like last night he isn’t coming out of the lineup.

    Carp, you remember so many moments!!! Would love to hear the story of you vs. Brooks!!! Never heard that mentioned here before!

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  187. I’ll leave it to you to form your own conclusion but this writer has determined that the game to be played this evening is clearly and unquestionably a must win.

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  194. Pretty comical, this discussion about Glass, and I’m as guilty as anyone. The guy played 5 minutes last night. I hope he does well, but really he’s a body that’s needed in an injury crisis, the less time the better. Having Puempel waiting in the wings for the next injury is… is… anyone?

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