Bleacher Report - Articles by Robby Krevat

NY Rangers Blasted For 13 Goals in 24 Hours Against Lightning and Pens

Robby Krevat — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:07:34 -0500

The Rangers blasted out of the gate again this year to the top spot in the league, and have now sunk out of playoff position and are tied with the Islanders for the lowest point total in the Atlantic division

I previously wrote that Rangers need to dismiss GM Glen Sather. This team has shown they can win, but need a spark. They look lifeless and heartless. There's only a 50 percent effort through most of their games.

On Friday in Tampa, the Rangers were hammered 5-1 and then 8-3 on Saturday in Pittsburgh. The Lightning came out and walked all over the Rangers for 60 minutes.

On Saturday, the Rangers scored first and remained in the game, trailing by one through the start of the third period, then the Penguins scored four straight in the final period.

This team doesn't look like it has any...well, any anything. At this point, I don't believe the Rangers have any chance of winning the Stanley Cup this year.

Considering that's the mission at hand, and the reason this game is played, they should stop playing for the remainder of the year and try for a high draft pick. Playing to get knocked out in the first round of the playoffs is not the goal of a player or team in this league.

There should be no trades, no signings, nothing. Maybe fire Sather, but even that won't make this team a contender.

Not this year at least.

Glen Sather Not Putting New York Rangers on Right Track

Robby Krevat — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:44:18 -0500

The hot-start Rangers are now injury plagued and sinking through the ranks.

The Rangers came back from the lockout with the hopes of a fresh start. The first three seasons did just that. They showed an improving team that was made from no-namers and the Rangers own system, and a gamble on Jaromir Jagr.

They appeared to have learned their lesson of going out and buying high price stars wasn't the way to win.

This all changed at the end of the 2007-2008 season when Shanahan, Straka, Jagr, Avery were all let go for the purpose of rebuilding.

Why?

This was a team that went to the second round of the playoffs two years in a row, and in the second year they were ousted by the team that represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup finals for the two following years. Why did they mess with a good thing?

In the 2008-09 season the Rangers had a blazing hot start rushing to the top of the league with their new team, then a dismal showing for the remainder of the season until John Tortorella was brought in and Sean Avery was brought back.

This year was hopes of rectifying mistakes from the previous years. However, it seems as if right now, the Rangers are the exact same team they were before the lockout.

But, instead of buying superstars, Glen Sather has tried to buy chemistry.

The Rangers are injury plagued which is not his fault, however, the Rangers don't appear to be on the right track.

Either Glen Sather needs to stop over-tinkering with the team, or they need a new general manager who will let the team develop and assist as necessary. Sometimes the best shot at a cup is to not fight for that eighth playoff spot by wheeling and dealing but instead get yourself some home grown, high choice draft picks by letting a year slide.

New York Rangers Fly High on Home Opener at MSG, Win 5-2 over Sens

Robby Krevat — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:31:46 -0400

The New York Rangers had their 2009-2010 home opener on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, which featured the Rangers showing off their new uptempo, in your face, John Tortorella style of play.

The Rangers looked like a new team, in so many ways.

The Rangers had three power play opportunities in the first period. Shots were flying at the net, and it was rather remarkable that Pascale LeClaire some how managed to keep them all out.

Shots were being taken from the point for the first time in years, shots from Gaborik, shots from everywhere. For the past several years I found myself yelling "SHOOT!" either at the TV or at the Rangers with the rest of Madison Square Garden.

This looks like the next generation team. Eleven of the Rangers 19 current skaters are 19-27 years of age, and they LOOK like a team tailored to play John Tortorella high flying hockey.

Brandon Dubinsky cashed in two goals, earning the contract he held out for. He almost had a third that bounced off the post, but Marian Gaborik managed to stuff in the puck anyway.

Marian Gaborik has been everything he was advertised to be: shooting a lot and scoring a lot. He scored two goals in the first two games in a Ranger uniform.

The first line of Prospal, Dubinsky, and Gaborik has gelled well in these first two games, combining for eight points.

19-year-old rookie Michael Del Zotto also scored his first NHL goal in his MSG debut.

Henrik Lundqvist was stellar. He made some terrific saves early on to keep the Rangers in it.

The Rangers were up 4-1 until the end of the game. Dubinsky put in an empty netter for the 5-1 lead. The Senators matched by putting in one last goal with five seconds left.

Let's Go Islanders! From a Life Long Ranger Fan

Robby Krevat — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:58:39 -0400

I grew up a Rangers fan, hearing "1940" from Islander fans until the Rangers won the Cup in 1994. It's been a long time since the Islanders have been the Islanders of the '80s. Being born in 1985, I have never witnessed Islander greatness.

The last success I remember witnessing the islanders have was when they made it to the second round in 1993, before the Rangers even won their Cup.

Otherwise, the Islanders have been a scuzzy team with no face, with no reputation other than one they earned before I existed. They were a team I really had no opinion on, other than a dislike that was created by Islander fans being in my face or just because they never did anything of value.

I went to college at Hofstra University and could literally see the Nassau Coliseum from the front steps of my college house. I was a valet before the 2005-06 season and while I was working one day, I saw a guy come in that I recognized. It was Charles Wang, the Islanders' owner.

No one else recognized him. I asked him if he owned the Isles and his response was "That's my team!" I told him I couldn't wait for play to resume.

Later on I started to valet at a steakhouse on the north shore when I was in college just after the lockout. The Islanders came in regularly and I would compliment them on their good games and BS with them a bit.

It was cool to see guys a few years older than me, hockey players like myself who had made it to the NHL and were playing for a team in NY. That was pretty cool.

Fast-forward to 2009. The Rangers attempts at becoming a successful team in the post lockout have had some success, and some failure. Glen Sather, in my opinion, has tried his best to put a winning team on the ice but hasn't let things develop properly, either changing too much or changing too little or changing in the wrong direction.

Yes, they have made the playoffs, but in my opinion they are, and will be a team treading water for the next few years unless management changes. I could be wrong, I hope I'm wrong. But looking at the pattern the Rangers have followed has not lead to a Championship.

The Islanders had to deal with the horror show that was Mike Milbury, wheeling and dealing horribly. But now they have a core of kids. Kids who are my age. Kids who are going to form a face of a franchise that hasn't seen success since I've existed.

Kids who are playing around the corner from my college house. Kids I can relate to. This is something I want to watch. This is a team from my home. This is a team I want to root for.

I, as a Ranger fan have become a fan of the Islanders because I can relate to them, because of what I think they are going to do for a sport that I love, around the corner from my house. I would love to see the Cup in my neighborhood and I believe the Islanders at this moment give New York it's best shot.

New York Rangers Make Few Moves, But Make the Right Moves

Robby Krevat — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:42:39 -0400

Last week, I wrote, and the day after draft day, the Rangers were pushed up against the cap with no moves imminent and the outlook looking grim.

The whole process started with shipping Gomez and his contract to Montreal for Chris Higgins, a "regular 20-goal scorer" who would have been one of the tops on the team if he just plays the way he continues to play.

Using the cap space, the Rangers signed the pure scorer in Marian Gaborik that the Rangers and I have been eyeing since last summer. In the past two seasons, the sniper scored 42 goals and 13 goals in 17 games while healthy.

Colton Orr has left, who I'll say was an excellent Ranger. He was a heavyweight who learned to avoid stupid penalties. Taking his place will be Donald Brashear, who I personally can't stand.

I think he is a dirty, almost vulgar player. His late hit on Blair Betts last year in the playoffs epitomizes his style. With that said, the Rangers needed to replace Orr, and they've found someone "effective" for this situation.

The only player who has been let go that I disagree with is Blair Betts. He has been a consistently-amazing fourth-line center. I think the fact that Detroit was trying to acquire him at the trade deadline says a lot.

Otherwise, I think the Rangers' top-12 forwards and defensive options for the year look amazing.

Gaborik, Drury, and Higgins on the first line, and Zherdev, Dubinsky, and Callahan on the second line. Then, the last two lines can fill in with Avery, Boyle, Korpikoski, Anisimov, Brashear, and Voros.

I personally would like it if Betts was in the mix for those last two lines, but that's neither here nor there. Maybe they'll find someone from Hartford to use as a utility player.

On defense, the top-four look like Redden, Rozsival, Staal, and Girardi. The defensive prospects to fill the final two slots are almost endless with Del Zotto, Gilroy, Sauer, Sanguinetti, Potter, Fahey, and Heikkinen.

The Rangers have made a few quick acquisitions and have placed themselves in a better place, which I believe to be at least on par with the rest of the division, especially with John Tortorella behind the bench.

New York Rangers in Trouble Unless Something Changes

Robby Krevat — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:17:11 -0400

It's the day after the first day of the draft and an almost perfect storm of passing on Zdeno Chara as a free agent, a horrible blunder of signings last season, and Alexei Cherepanov dying have put the Rangers in a situation to be what i believe will be last place in the Atlantic Division.

The Rangers made it to the playoffs by the skin of their teeth this season, and i think their competition has only gotten better, but let's look at the rest of the division...

The Islanders now have Tavares, Okposo, Streit, DiPietro at the core of their team with much cap room. If they manage to snag the Sedins they have the ability to do some serious damage in the division.

The Devils are the Devils, they always find some way to be good and win the division out of nowhere or at least make the playoffs.

The Penguins just won the Stanley Cup.

The Flyers just dropped a mid-level forward, an up and coming D-Man for a blue line MONSTER in Chris Pronger. He's big, he can shoot, and he can hit. Along with Briere, Richards, etc. The Flyers have the ability to be a serious club.

The Rangers positives are Henrik Lundqvist, John Tortorella, and some good young talent. Redden has failed, Drury, Gomez and Rozsival have been mediocre. Naslund retired, and the Rangers are pushing up against the salary cap.

The Rangers power-play was horrible, they had an inability to score goals, and gave up lots of short handers.

Dany Heatley, Marian Gaborik, Marian Hossa, or some other player who puts the puck in the net would be greatly appreciated in NY. Otherwise it's going to be a long season with a high draft choice next year.

Yankees, and Maybe Even the MLB, in Need Of Serious Overhaul

Robby Krevat — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 22:11:34 -0400

The Yankees lost a miserable game today to the Cleveland Indians in the opening series of their New Yankee Stadium by the score of 22-4, with a 14 run second-inning put up by the Indians (the most ever given up by the Yankees in a single frame).

Normally, I'm not one to put down the Yankees in April considering for the past 5 years or so they've struggled in April and soared in the second half.

However, the new stadium epitomizes in every way that the New York Yankees are a business related franchise.

I, as a Yankee fan, have stood up for them, because they've shown that they produce a formula that works by winning 26 championships. Winning doesn't just come from "believing," it comes from putting the best team on the field.

With that said, this team has some of the best players in the league, however, they lack an intangible: heart.

I believe that could be said about most teams in baseball. Baseball salaries have become so astronomical, the players make as much annually as CEOs. Businessmen.

The expectation placed on the shoulders of players with contracts like these create a scenario in which egos become a factor, as stated in Joe Torre's book regarding Alex Rodriguez's arrival to the Yankees.

Further, these people are human. They are not machines. To shell out money, and expect a machine-like performance just isn't a realistic expectation.

You can shell out a billion dollars, and create the most beautiful baseball stadium ever. However, you can't shell out a billion dollars in player salaries over the course of four years and guarantee winning a championship.

The Yankee championship teams were filled with guys like Tino, Brosius, Paul O'Neil, and Bernie Williams, guys with heart.

I realistically believe that the Yankees current fillers in those slots were done mostly to prevent Boston from getting them, rather than because they best suited the Yankees. Regardless of the players being the best on the market (individually).

A firm salary cap could prevent this from happening, and maybe these talented players could go to a "losing" team with cap room who needs their talent to complement the heart they have and win a championship. These players could go from businessmen to legends.

I strongly believe that baseball should institute a firm salary cap such as the NHL, and maybe even add a round to the playoffs while cutting the regular season seven games shorter. This will only enhance competition.

The NHL's "watchability" factor between the pre- and post-lockout eras is phenomenal. The competition is intense, and there are no perennially bad teams.

The NHL has 30 teams who fight for 16 playoff spots. More than half of the teams in the league make it, and the competition in the 2008-09 season, has been as intense as I've seen in any league as far as making the playoffs.

Eight points (four wins) separated the fourth place team(home ice advantage) and the 10th place team (two seeds out of the playoffs). Baseball has eight teams that make it to the playoffs and it's barely as competitive.

I agree that some of the points I've brought up are a bit radical. However, between the "paint drying" pace of watching a 162-game season where only four teams per league see the post season, played by men who make eight-figure salaries and whine about it, to the teams that pay them the money, to the teams who are horrible year after year, to the steroids used by the players, something radical needs to happen to this game... I mean business.

If this business wants to continue to see success, they're going to have to remember that they're playing a game.

Rangers Squeak Out of Washington With 2-0 Series Lead

Robby Krevat — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:29:08 -0400

I've previously written about questionable refereeing in a game against the Penguins and I'll lead off this article by bringing it up again.

Both of the first games in Washington have had questionable refereeing, and it's not just in favor of the Capitals, but it's been in favor of the Rangers as well.

Although, the Rangers power play was ineffective in both games in Washington, some of the calls made to give the Rangers their power plays were on the edge, especially in the second game.

In game one it could be argued that the penalty on Dan Girardi in the first minute of the game was questionable, as well as some others.

The questionable refereeing evened out on both sides, however, at least the questionable refereeing was consistent for the most part, as to what was allowed and what wasn't.

Beyond the penalties, the Rangers have managed to leave Washington and return to MSG for Monday night's game with a 2-0 lead in the series. They have kept AO scoreless, with only two assists in the two games.

The clear advantage the Rangers have had has been goaltending.

Henrik Lundqvist has been stellar whereas the Capitals' two goalies have been mediocre considering the Rangers offensive zone presence has been minimal through the two games.

Defensively, the Rangers have been solid as a five-man defensive unit for almost 120-minutes played in Washington.

They've been blocking shots, making good passes, patient, and calm. This is the reason for the Rangers two road victories.

In game two, it was obvious that Alexander Ovechkin was trying to do everything himself. He tried through the legs dekes, and spin around moves, none of which worked because of the Rangers poise.

Game three will take place Monday night at Madison Square Garden.

Hopefully the Rangers will be able to take advantage of their home ice and put some pucks in the net. If not, this is going to be a long series.

Rangers—Flyers: New York Clinches Fourth Consecutive Playoff Berth

Robby Krevat — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:58:59 -0400

On Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers scored two goals in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers and Henrik Lundqvist made them stand up. This win yielded the Rangers fourth playoff appearance since the lockout of the '04-'05 season.

The Ranger's first goal was less than a minute in, in a situation where Flyers goalie Martin Biron thought he had the puck frozen, but had the puck shoved in, with the Referee on top of the play. It was reviewed, but the call on the ice stood.

The Rangers then took a 2-0 lead later in the first on a shot from the point by Derek Morris, which was credited to Ryan Callahan with a deflection on the shot.

The Flyer's only goal came on a power play in the second period on which Rangers defense-man Paul Mara was hit with a slap shot and injured, and Danny Briere took advantage of the virtual five on three by putting the puck into a wide open net.

In the third period, Henrik Lundqvist kept the score 2-1 with some pretty remarkable saves, through steady pressure from the Philadelphia offense.

The Rangers are currently tied with the Montreal Canadiens in points for the final playoff spot. However, the Rangers currently hold the tiebreaker having 42 wins to the Canadiens 41. The Rangers will remain in seventh place unless the Canadiens manage to get more points out of their last game on Saturday against the Penguins than the Rangers get against the Flyers on Sunday.

If the Rangers finish in seventh they will play the Washington Capitals who they are 1-2-1 against on the season, but haven't played since John Tortorella took over as coach.

If they finish in eighth, they'll play the Boston Bruins, who they are 2-2 against with two 1-0 losses in Boston. The Rangers are 11-7-2 since John Tortorella's arrival at the end of February.

Just as a point of reference, the Rangers were 7-9-4 in Tom Renney's last 20 games as Rangers head coach.

Officials Blow Whistle On New York Rangers' Comeback in Pittsburgh

Robby Krevat — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 16:58:24 -0400

After watching the many games between the Rangers and Penguins since, and including last season's playoff series, it has become clear that the NHLPA's representative to the officials, Sidney Crosby has had his voice heard by the officials, and it makes me nauseous in more ways than one.

Initially it was just watching the officials watching Sean Avery like he's some serial killer. Sean Avery has served his time, and is still being watched. Do the words Chris Simon or Todd Bertuzzi mean anything? Avery has never done anything nearly as gruesome. Fortunately that hasn't cost the Rangers a game, yet.

However, on Saturday afternoon's game in which the Rangers were penalized nine times including a third period five minute major and game misconduct to Colton Orr the Rangers penalty kill was excellent killing off all of the penalties, but the momentum killer was that call, or more accurately, mis-call.

Colton Orr made a hit on a stopping/off balance Penguins player. The hit was shoulder to shoulder but as the player fell he clipped his face on the dasher and Orr was called for a five minute major, and ejected from the game.

The call was made by a linesman and was the momentum killer for the Rangers who came back from 2-0 and then 3-2 to tie the game. Almost the entire first half of the third period was played in the Rangers end due to the mis-call.

Not only that, the Referees didn't put anyone in the penalty box for the Rangers. After killing off the major, the Rangers had to remain shorthanded until a whistle. The next whistle was called an icing even though the Rangers had four players on the ice.

The tired penalty killers were forced to remain on, due to the rule which doesn't allow players to change after icing the puck. It was only a matter of time before the Penguins scored.

A minute and change after the Rangers got the proper players on the ice, Sidney Crosby put in the game winning goal.

For something like that to determine the outcome of a game with six remaining and this tight of a playoff picture is completely ridiculous. Playing against the Penguins disgusts me because of repetitive situations that mimic this one.

As John Tortorella said in his post game interview, and I'm paraphrasing, "Hopefully this isn't what determines the playoff pictures and the play(ers) are allowed to decide that".

New Look Rangers' Final Push, What To Expect?

Robby Krevat — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:03:22 -0400

If you asked a Rangers fan how they thought the playoff scenario would look with 10 games remaining, they probably wouldn't have said anything resembling the current Eastern Conference race.

This has been a "Jekyll and Hyde" season for the Rangers. They started off looking like a first place team, then looked like a group of incoherent peewee players. Currently they are somewhere in between, and despite all their ups and downs, have been successful...so far.

The Aaron Voros explosion came and went, Tom Renney's job went, John Tortorella came in and Sean Avery went...then came back.

The expectations on the Rangers at the start of the season were "third round or further". Anything less would have been considered a failure. As the season went abruptly downhill, the realistic expectation was that they were either a first round team, or a team who would completely miss the playoffs all together.

I personally thought the season was over. I was looking at the Rangers contracts, and who they could get rid of first over the summer. There was also speculation as to whether the current players could do better under a more offensive system.

Had Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, and company reached their peak?

When John Tortorella was hired, that question was answered quickly. The answer was "no", they hadn't reached their peak.

Sam Rosen's catchphrase "IT'S A POWERPLAY GOAL!" has been resurrected. The players have learned to take one-timers, and have had shot totals near 40 several times since Tortorella took over.

The new expectation on the Rangers is that no one knows what to expect. They're just playing hockey, and the fans are left not knowing exactly what their team is capable of. It's certainly been fun to watch at least.

As of this moment the Rangers are in a dead heat in an extremely tight conference. The Rangers are in sixth place with 82 points. The fourth seed has 84 points and the ninth seed has 78 points.

Six points separate home-ice advantage from golf, in April.

Either way, this final set of games will yield an accurate assessment of which players work under the new system. Who can stay, and who can go, that's what should be revealed in the last part of the season.

Hopefully that's a decision that wont have to be made until mid-June, after 16 playoff victories. It's an optimistic thought, but isn't that what we're all here for?

Henrik Lundqvist a Proven Backbone and Cornerstone for the New York Rangers

Robby Krevat — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:18:53 -0500

The Rangers have been known in the past decade as a team loaded with superstar marquee names up and down their roster. Coming back from the lockout in the 2005-06 season, the only recognizable name on the team was Jaromir Jagr.

In my book a superstar is a single player whose presence, successes, and slumps can determine whether the team wins or not, night in and night out. In the fall of 2005, another superstar was born.

The Rangers had experienced some inconsistencies in goal since the departure of Mike Richter. Dan Blackburn was supposed to be the Rangers ‘next’ starting goalie, but his career was cut short after experiencing nerve damage.

So in fall 2005, the two Rangers goalies were Kevin Weekes and little-known Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist got a start and caught everyone off-guard with how good he was. Each of the following three years, the no-namer from 2005 was nominated for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the top goaltender in the league.

Fall 2008 saw the Rangers first post-lockout refresh. Jagr, Straka, Shanahan, and Avery were all gone. Gomez and Drury remained, along with free-agent signing Markus Naslund. All great players, but none of "superstar" status. The lone remaining superstar was homegrown Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers to date have played 14 games, with 10 wins, three losses, and one overtime loss (to the defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings—a game that could have yielded a win for the Rangers barring a questionable penalty call).

They are off to the best start in team history, which I believe this is a product of every player on the team doing their job. The Rangers have played excellent as a team this year. There have been a few defensive lapses, but Lundqvist made some mind-blowing saves when called upon. In the eleven games he started, he has held opponents to two goals or less in all but two games.

Statistically, Lundqvist currently leads the league in games played (11), wins (eight), and minutes played. He is third in the league in saves and goals-against average (1.99). He’s sixth in save percentage (.928). There have been a few goals that slipped by that "the King" could have stopped, but none have been game breakers yet.

For the past few seasons, Lundqvist and the Rangers have slumped in the middle of the year, between starting and finishing strong. In Henrik’s first season, he was injured just after the Olympics. In '06-07, the Rangers slumped as a team, with Jagr’s production down until the arrival of Sean Avery. Last year, Lundqvist’s slump directly correlated to his father’s brain aneurysm.

At this point, with what is known about the Rangers based upon the games that have been played, Lundqvist’s game play and health will determine which seed the Rangers will get more so than whether they’ll make the playoffs.

In the event that he gets injured, backup Stephen Valiquette has shown he can stop his fair share of pucks too. However, Saturday night’s meltdown has shown that, although Valiquette has been solid for the most part, he can have bouts of flippancy—which Lundqvist has not had since a game against Toronto 23 months ago.

If Lundqvist stays on the same track, the Rangers have the potential to win the division, conference and go deep into the playoffs.

New York Rangers' Offseason Rebuild Yields Positive Intial Results

Robby Krevat — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:23:07 -0400

This offseason saw the departure of 25 percent of the Rangers' scoring production from 2007-08. This included Jaromir Jagr to Russia, Sean Avery to the Stars, Martin Straka to the Czech league, and Brendan Shanahan, who is still waiting in the wings for the Rangers.

Initially, I saw bringing back Brendan Shanahan as a necessity, rather than an option. Regardless of his age, the intangibles he brings to the ice were, in my mind, necessary to lead this team.

However, without him in the lineup through the first three games of the preseason, I like what I have seen.

There is a truly different dynamic to this team. The Rangers roster now only had six—yes, six—players who are or will be in their '30s this season. Two of those six have Stanley Cups.

Being relatively young, at 23, I have now realized with this change the majority of the Rangers roster are my peers, similar to the guys I play hockey with weekly at open hockey on Friday nights.

That revelation made me realize how different the Rangers are this season from any other in the last ten years.

The Rangers were NOTORIOUS for being old, and loaded with stars—or former stars—at every position on the first three lines. The concept of players my age—who have talent that my hockey-ridden mind can't even fathom sharing a rink with—all wearing Ranger jerseys sets a new tone.

That being said, the Rangers looked out-manned, out-skilled, and outplayed in Ottawa Saturday night. The only noteworthy player in the lineup that night was Chris Drury. The Senators were rolling with an almost fully-dressed roster—including Spezza and Heatley who both had goals that night.

Dubinsky showed both his talent, and what he learned from Jagr, by scoring both goals for the Rangers. Considering the rosters, a 3-2 loss was pretty good, I thought.

Monday night was a different story, and featured very different lineups from Saturday. The Rangers were clicking, scoring chances were coming regularly, and Henrik was solid through the two periods—not letting a single shot in.

The Rangers outshot the Sens 30-12 through the first two periods. Fritsche, Voros, Weise, Anisimov, Nedved, and Korpikoski all turned in noteworthy performances.

However, although 2006 first-round Pick Bobby Sanguinetti was hitting hard, he made a few mistakes, turning the puck over a few times in his own end.

Redden also managed to let his man slip to the slot to score Ottawa's only goal. But it was really nice to see a New Yorj defenseman finally take a shot from the point!

Tuesday, the Rangers looked good as well. They lost 3-2, but definitely played on par with the night before. Tampa Bay goaltender Mike Smith turned in a really nice performance. I believe he made the difference in the game.

Through the three games, the biggest difference I notice from the last three years is that the Rangers are really playing like a five-man unit. Previously, there was a clear difference when Jagr or Shanahan had the puck, as opposed to anyone else.

These young players have played together in Hartford and you can tell they are peers in the way they play together. The chemistry of these big, talented, young players, combined with solid veterans in Drury, Naslund, Gomez, Redden, can prove to be a very powerful squad adept in the style of the "new" NHL—if they keep moving in the right direction.

Even though Shanahan isn't currently signed, he might not be necessary. He could just throw off the balance that has been seen in the start of the preseason. So far, I like what I see!

Rangers Open Against Pens: Series Prediction.

Robby Krevat — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:30:57 -0400

Tonight the Rangers face-off against the Pittsburgh Penguins for game 1 of the eastern conference semifinals at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. To determine which team has the edge going into the series, you need to break down the individual weapons of each team.

Pittsburgh obviously has the potent scoring power of Crosby, Malkin, Hossa, Sykora, and Dupuis who tends to score 'the big goal' against his former team. The question is whether the defense plus Lundqvist have the ability to shut these guys down. If the Rangers find a way to do this, they will be at a HUGE advantage. If the Rangers fail to do so, i would call the series for the Penguins in 6.

If the Rangers find a way to shut these guys down, then the Rangers depth and stars need to shine. If Jagr, Gomez, and Drury continue on their pace, along with Dubinsky, Avery, Callahan and other youngsters stepping up, the Rangers should be able to pull out the series win.

I believe the Rangers have the defensive and goal-tending advantage. Fleury and Conklin are both excellent goaltenders, but if the Three time Vezina finalist Lundqvist plays like he did against the devils, that puts the Rangers at a huge advantage.

Defensively both teams are potent, but I'm going to give the nod to Tom Renney's 5 Man defensive system which in my opinion (if functioning properly) should be able to reduce Pittsburgh's firepower.

If all things are functioning properly on both teams (Offense, defense, and goal-tending). I'm going to call the series for the Rangers in 7. Pittsburgh's firepower is definitely greater than the Rangers, but i believe the rangers are stronger in other areas. Pittsburgh also came off a sweep against a team that was already on a downward slide. The Rangers polished off a team in only 5 games that was higher ranked, in a series that was expected to go to 6 or 7 games. The Rangers are in a very similar situation as they were going into Buffalo last year at this time. The Sabres were the higher seed and out matched on paper, but once the Rangers got their head of steam, they looked as if they had control of the series until Chris Drury's goal with 7 seconds left in the 3rd period. I think the Rangers can do it this year. Whoever wins this series, I firmly believe will advance to the Stanley Cup finals. This will be the toughest series of the playoffs for both teams to win.