New York Rangers' Win Streak Ends in Philly, but Will They Bounce Back in NJ?

The New York Rangers took a strong two-game win streak into Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. During the win streak the Rangers were playing hard offensively (on the forecheck), defensively (on the backcheck), and their goaltending was outstanding. But the Flyers would end the Rangers win streak at two, while continuing their own which has now hit five straight games.

The Rangers first loss in three games was a combination of a lack of offense, defense, and a couple of weak goals scored by the Flyers. The referees could become part of the blame also, because they were terrible, but bad referees have been part of every game for the Rangers this season, and they still have six wins. Therefore, the referees cannot be blamed for the loss.

The first period was a weak period for both teams, with the period ending with a tied score of 0-0. The Rangers totaled two shots on goal in the first period, and missed out on a power–play opportunity late in the period. Rangers forward Erik Christensen would draw a hooking penalty in the last second of the first period, setting up the Rangers with a man-advantage to begin period number two.

Brandon Dubinsky continued his hot start to the season by scoring an early second period goal, and he did it on the power-play. This gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead, and they would start the period with the momentum on their side.

But the Flyers would bounce back with a power-play goal of their own about four minutes after Dubinsky gave the Rangers a lead. Flyers captain Mike Richards was left wide-open to the left of Henrik Lundqvist, and he put an easy one-timer passed Lundqvist to tie the game.

The Flyers would then take a 2-1 lead at about the half-way mark of the second period when Rangers sophomore defenseman, Michael Del Zotto, made a terrible defensive zone giveaway which was picked up by former New York Ranger, Blair Betts. Betts had a short breakaway chance, but he made the best of it. He moved his way around Henrik Lundqvist and slid the puck passed Lundqvist for a goal.

Another former New York Ranger would score in the second period, as Nikolai Zherdev scored to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead. Zherdev took a shot from the goal line which bounced over the left arm of Henrik Lundqvist and into the net for a soft goal, giving the Flyers a two-goal lead to bring into the third period.

Of all the missed calls by the excellent Philadelphia referees last night (I am being sarcastic with that last comment), the worst of them all came early in the third period. How the referees missed this call is beyond me.

It was crystal clear, an elbow to the head of Rangers forward Ruslan Fedotenko coming from Flyers “tough-guy” Daniel Carcillo. Big-man Dan Carcillo left his feet and landed an elbow in the face of Ruslan Fedotenko, who immediately dropped to the ice.

In the end, Fedotenko was okay, but the missed call did not go over well with Rangers head coach John Tortorella. Tortorella yapped away at the referees but, obviously, that did not change their minds on the non-call. At the end of the game, Fedotenko told media that he asked for an explanation for the non-call on the hit, and the referee replied, “Do not duck next time, take the hit.” Are you kidding me? Expect the NHL to look into this situation; I would very surprised if they do not.

Minutes after the hit on Fedotenko the Rangers took a frustration penalty, giving the Flyers a chance to put the game away on the power-play, and they did just that. Flyers defenseman Chris Pronger ripped a slap-shot passed everyone on the ice and into the back of the net, giving the Flyers a comfortable 4-1 lead.

Usually I do not recognize fights within my postgame wrap-ups, but this time I feel it is necessary to include this one. Yes, I am talking about the fight between Rangers tough-guy Brandon Prust, and Flyers “tough-guy” Daniel Carcillo. Prust rocked Carcillo with multiple right hand jabs to the face throughout the fight, and even though Carcillo came out with the take-down, the fight was won by Prust.

The Rangers could not get anything started in the third period, and would lose the game 4-1.

Positives for the Rangers:

Brandon Dubinsky continued his hot-streak with his team-leading eighth goal of the season.

Someone finally decided to stand-up against Dan Carcillo, and that someone was Brandon Prust. Prust is quickly becoming a fan-favorite, and that fight will only help his cause.

Negatives for the Rangers:

Ryan Callahan’s point streak was snapped at seven games.

The Rangers win streak snapped, and that may end the momentum the Rangers were riding through their two-game win streak.

Henrik Lundqvist played an okay game.

The Rangers power-play and penalty-kill were weak in the loss to the Flyers.

The Rangers had a season-low twenty-one shots in the game.

The Rangers defense went back to their weak low-coverage style of play.

Pregame

Friday night (tonight), the Rangers will play their cross-river rivals the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers defeated the Devils earlier this season, and hope to return to their winning ways in tonight’s game.

The Devils will be without one of their top forwards Zach Parise, eliminating one forward that the Rangers would have to worry about. But the Devils will also get their top-defender back for this game, as Anton Volchenkov is expected to return to the Devils line-up.

The Rangers will have to return to their excellent forechecking game to score goals and, obviously, the Rangers must fire more shots on goal. Two shots in the first period is not acceptable, and I’m sure they will get off to a better start in New Jersey.

The Rangers defense must play better and return to the shot-blocking, tough to play against style of defense. That is how they won their previous two games (before last night’s game), and they must return to that style of play. They were blocking every shot that came at them, removing players from the crease, and picking up the loose pucks in the corners. They must return to that style of play.

The Devils goaltender Martin Brodeu left the game Wednesday night with a bruised elbow, but he is expected to play in-goal tonight for the Devils. The Rangers are expected to start their super-star goalie Henrik Lundqvist in tonight’s game.

This will be a huge game for the Rangers, and a win would get the Rangers back to their winning ways. They are going to begin a four-game home stand beginning Sunday night against the St. Louis Blues. If the Rangers can enter the home stand with a victory over one of their bigger rivals, they may be able to begin a huge win-streak on their home-ice, and climb up in the standings.

Marian Gaborik

The Rangers super-star forward would like to return sometime during next weeks home stand. He told media that he has a “game in sight” but he still has ways to go before he returns. He also mentioned that he would like to begin practicing in contact-drills. Hopefully he returns very soon.

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