New York Rangers: Martin Biron, Defense Lead the Team To a Big Win

Last night the New York Rangers took on the Toronto Maple Leafs in their second meeting of the season. Martin Biron made his New York Rangers debut against Toronto, and played extremely well.

Biron took a shut-out into the third period before Colby Armstrong scored a goal on the Rangers back-up goaltender, but Biron did not give up. Minutes after Toronto broke the shut-out Biron was forced to make an outstanding save on a Maple Leaf breakaway. Kris Versteeg of Toronto took a lead pass and turned into a breakaway with a chance to tie the game. But Biron held his ground and made an outstanding first save and a second save on the small rebound chance. Without a doubt Biron earned his win tonight with a total of 24 saves.

Biron did not win this game alone, though. The Rangers defense was fantastic last night, blocking 30 shots. Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, and Brandon Dubinsky were huge shot-blockers in the game, and were key players in the New York Rangers big win.

The Penalty Kill was another huge factor in last night’s victory. The Rangers killed all five penalties taken in the game, and were solid at taking away the passing routes, and blocking shots frequently.

The forecheck was another huge part of the Rangers win. Though they only scored two goals in the game, they kept the puck out of their own end on defense, and continuously put pressure on the Leafs through their tough for-check. Ryan Callahan played a huge role on the for-check, as did his line-mates Artem Anisimov, and Brandon Dubinsky. The third line of Derek Stepan, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Sean Avery also played a key role in the Rangers win. Young Derek Stepan played very well, and created multiple chances on offense. He assisted on the Rangers first goal which was scored by Ruslan Fedotenko. The second goal was scored by Artem Anisimov.

Derek Boogaard finally fought for the first time as a New York Ranger, as he took on former Rangers Colton Orr. The fight began with a couple of “cheap” shots thrown by Orr, but Boogaard got a handful of punches afterward. It seemed like a pretty even fight, though Orr took the “Boogey Man” to the ice. Shockingly that was the lone fight of the game, but both teams played physical.

So, are the Rangers back? Can this win propel them?

If they can somehow play this style of defense consistently and continue the hard for-check, they may be okay. Two goals will not win every game for them, though. Superstar winger Alexander Frolov played a decent game last night, and created many opportunities.  He has played well in Marian Gaborik’s absence, two games, but he must step up and score a few goals for the Rangers.

Overall the Rangers played very, very well last night. If they can keep it up they may be alright.

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