Blue Notes
Steve Zipay takes you inside the locker room, home and on the road, with the New York Rangers.
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Lundqvist looking forward to Olympics
Newsday spoke to Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist about helping Sweden defend its Olympic gold medal in Vancouver this month.
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist
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More gems from Denver: Del Zotto, Staal, stats
DENVER----Rookie Michael Del Zotto is wearing down, and needs a rest. But the Rangers coaching staff will try to guide the 19-year-old defenseman through to the Olympic break, which begins Feb. 14. That’s six more games.
“I think a break for him is going to be very important,” said coach John Tortorella, “along with a couple of other guys who aren’t used to playing as many games.” Although he didn’t name him, Tortorella was likely referring to Matt Gilroy, one year out of Boston University.
As for Del Zotto, Tortorella said that the coaching staff has been speaking with him daily, as well as during games.
“We’ve got to try to help him out here, to get him to the Olympic break,” Tortorella said. “It’s been a struggle for him, he was front and center on a couple of (goals) Saturday night. We don’t want him to lose his swagger, but we have to be careful. We did a pretty good job of trying to bit-and-piece him through the game until the third. We don’t want to keep putting him into a situation where it snowballs on him. So we are monitoring that.”
Del Zotto, who started strong and was rookie of the month in October, had just a goal and assist in the last 23 games. For the season, he is 6-18-24 and a minus-18.
“It’s not just short-term, it’s long-term. Young kids are going to slide during the season, but you don’t want to knock them down,” said Tortorella. “I think he’s got a great mind as far as seeing the game. I think he’s got a special kind of mental toughness. ”
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Chad Johnson made 17 saves in the third period...The penalty-kill was six for six and is 13-for-13 in the last two games....The power play (0-for-6 and six for 72) continues to struggle, although there were more scoring ops...With three goals, Marian Gaborik has 33, fourth-highest in the NHL...His first goal was his 250th and 500th point...Marc Staal, who had two assists, played a heckuva defensive game as well in 27:13. On the PK, Staal said, "I think we did a better job of pressuring them down low with our sticks. We were bang-on."....Lundqvist looked well and said he was feeling much better, and I assume he will be fine by Tuesday to face L.A...The Rangers (0-5) hadn't won here since Dec. 31, 1998 at McNichols Sports Arena....The road win was the Blueshirts' first since in Boston on Jan. 9....Tags: Michael Del Zotto, Marc Staal, Marian Gaborik, Chad Johnson, Henrik Lundqvist
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Pre-game quotes from Phoenix
Sorry for firing a blank on that last one, but as you know, Chad Johnson is in with Henrik Lundqvist down with the flu. Lundqvist looked fine after practice yesterday, and the coach told me he would start, but things changed here.
Johnson, 23 who has dressed as Lundqvist’s backup for 20 games this season and appeared in three (including two starts), is 0-1-1 with a 2.58 GAA and a .908 save percentage. Acquired from Pittsburgh for a fifth-round pick during the June 27 draft in Montreal, Johnson lost 2-1 in a shootout in Atlanta on Jan. 7 and 4-1 in St. Louis on Jan. 16. He also relieved Lundqvist in a 6-0 trouncing by Philadelphia on Dec. 30.
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This didn't change overnight. Erik Christensen, who was claimed off waivers from Anaheim on Dec. 2, was moved to right wing to play with center Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky, a line that skated together in practice.
"He might start on the wing, he's played both left and right, I think he feels more comfortable on the right. Dru feels more comfortable in the middle," said coach John Tortorella. "I want to get Christensen in a position where he can makes some plays, I don't want to put him down on the fourth line...I think Anisimov's line has been the most consistent. Higgins, he's had a helluva time scoring goals, but he's done a lot of good things on the walls. Him and Ryan Callahan are two of our best forecheckers, he helps those two guys get pucks and keep pucks, and those two guys (Lisin and Anisimov) seem to play very well together."
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Callahan, Tortorella said will remain on the No. 1 line as the right wing. "He tracks down pucks, he's been one of our better forwards, we're just trying to get something going with the other two guys, Vinny and Gabby, see if they get themselves going. Although they only scored one goal (last game), they had chances."
Left wing, Gaborik's off-wing "doesn't bother him," Tortorella said. "He's just got to remember to come back in the end zone on the left side, he very rarely stays on the wing the whole time, we allow him to try to find some areas of the ice to make and read plays. He feels better cutting to the middle from the left side, we'd like to see him do more of that. I thought he skated very well (last game), brought pucks to the net, he's till a little between in certain areas."
Well, Gabby hasn't scored in five games, that's one thing.
We'll be back when the puck drops in 45 minutes....
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Chad Johsnon, John Tortorella, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Erik Christensen
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Gameday Live: Penguins at Rangers
Good evening Rangers fans!
I'm Chris Mascaro, and I'll be bringing you all of tonight's live hockey action, as the Rangers (24-21-7, 55 points) play host to Sidney Crosby (pictured, right) and the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins (32-20-1, 65 points) at MSG.
The Penguins, the fourth-place team in the East, are coming off a 2-1 win in Philly yesterday in which Sergei Gonchar and Matt Cooke each scored power-play goals. Cooke's goal with 1:47 to play in the third period broke a 1-1 tie.
Pittsburgh has been a streaky team this season, with a five-game winning streak from Dec. 10-19, and a five-game losing streak from Dec. 27-Jan. 3. Since that streak ended, the Pens are 6-4.
They haven't played the Rangers since Nov. 30, when they earned a 5-2 win at the Garden behind three unanswered goals in the third period. Michael Rupp had his first career hat trick. Two days earlier, Pittsburgh earned an 8-3 win over the Rangers at home.
The Rangers are 0-3 against the Penguins this season with three more games to play against them. They are winless in their last seven games against Pittsburgh.
Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is 11-2-2 with a 2.04 goals against average in his last 15 games against the Rangers.
As many of you know, scoring has been a problem for the Rangers lately, as they've scored just 15 goals in their last seven games. Fourteen of those goals came in back-to-back wins over Tampa Bay and Montreal. They've been shut out four times during the stretch, including a 6-0 loss to the Canadiens on Saturday and a 2-0 defeat in Philly on Thursday.
Said Sean Avery after the loss in Montreal: "No compete. It's not about X's and O's. You've gotta play 60 minutes. We're not working hard enough, not being competitive, not representing your teammates."
Coach John Tortorella is most likely going to leave the top lines in tact this evening. Marian Gaborik, the team's leading scorer with 61 points (29 goals, 32 assists), has just one goal in the last nine games. The Rangers are 10-14-4 when Gaborik doesn't score.
The Rangers, who are just 3-8-2 against division opponents and 12-11-4 at home, haven't been shut out in three straight games since Oct. 20-24, 1999.
On a positive note, Henrik Lundqvist is 12-2-1 with a 1.83 goals against average in 15 home starts against the Penguins.
Okay, that's all for now. But there's plenty more to talk about in the chat box above, where I'll be keeping you updated on all of tonight's action. Be sure to vote on the poll questions!
We're about a half-hour from action on Versus!
Scoring
1st Period
2:47: Chris Conner (1), Asst.: Crosby (33), Letang (15). Penguins lead 1-0.
2nd Period
13:04: Artem Anisimov (8), Asst: Higgins (8), Lisin (7). Tied 1-1. *The goal snapped the Rangers' scoring drought at 156:32.
3rd Period
9:15: Anisimov (9), Unassisted. Rangers lead 2-1.
9:46: Evgeni Malkin (18), Asst.: Gonchar (24), Letang (16). Tied 2-2. It was Malkin's 10th PP goal.
10:46: Conner (2, his second of the night), Asst.: Crosby (34), Pascal Dupuis (12). Penguins lead 3-2.
19:20 Dupuis (12, empty net), Unassisted. Penguins lead 4-2.
That's the end of tonight's game, as the Penguins defeat the Rangers, 4-2, to extend New York's losing streak to three.
Penguins: 33-20-1
Rangers: 24-22-7
Scores by period for the Penguins: 1, 0, 3
Scores by period for the Rangers: 0, 1, 1
Here are the final stats:
Shots: 30-28 Rangers
Hits: 40-38 Penguins
Faceoffs won: 32-26 Rangers
Fleury: 28 saves, two goals allowed
Lundqvist: 24 saves, three goals allowed
And finally, here are tonight's three stars:
1. Conner: In his first game since being recalled from the AHL, the 26-year old from Michigan netted two goals — his first two of the season and eighth and ninth of his career — including the game-winner on a rebound of a Crosby shot with 9:14 to play.
2. Crosby: He assisted on the first and third Penguin goals, and now has 299 assists in his young career.
3. Dupuis: Assisted on the game-winner and added an empty-netter to seal the win.
The Rangers, who have lost seven straight to the Penguins, skate again on Wednesday, as they play host to Carolina at 7 p.m.
Okay, that's all for tonight's game. Thanks to all for coming out!
As always, it was my honor and pleasure to bring everyone all of tonight's live game action. Goodnight everybody!
Tags: New York Rangers, Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sergei Gonchar, Matt Cooke, Marc-Andre Fleury, Michael Rupp, Marian Gaborik, Sean Avery, Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Conner, Artem Anisimov
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Live game thread, Rangers-Canadiens
Bonjour from CentreBell...
Halak vs. Lundqvist....Halak was in net last night when the habs beat the Devs 3-1 in NJ....Donald Brashear, Ales Kotalik healthy scratches; Paul Mara (upper body) out for Canadiens....Philly and Ottawa already won this afternoon...Shameless plug: I'll be on 1050 AM after second period with Kenny and Dave....
Starters: Lundqvist, Avery, Boyle, Voros, Staal, Rozsival
The first scrum occurred 31 seconds in, when Sean Avery and Ian Lapierre were sent off for roughing behind the Habs’ net. Lundqvist needed to make a save on Tomas Pelekanec’s breakaway and another at the left post on a Wade Redden turnover. Erik Christenen, climbing out of the net after a check dumped him, missed a half-open cage, as the Rangers were outshooting the Canadiens 7-3.
CANADIENS 1, RANGERS 0, END OF 1
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Scott Gomez, Wade Redden, Erik Christensen
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Rangers-Lightning, Live Game Thread
FIRST PERIOD
OK, here we go.... Aaron Voros and Zenon Konopka square off at 10 second mark...Tanguay cuts in front but hits side of the net, with Lundqvist on belly..Dubinsky opens the scoring with his third in two games flipping puck over prone Niiittymaki on PP at 1:26 for a 1-0 lead...Rangers kill Lisin penalty, as Lundqvist blockers final Lecavalier shot into stands...Vinny Prospal comes down slot on 2-on-1 with Gaborik, dekes and backhander beat Niittymaki, 2-0...Lisin hits post on low shot from left circle....Alex Tanguay tumbles into Lundqvist and Lecavalier's pass from behind net ricochets off Higgins' skate and under Lundqvist and trickles in, with Tanguay huddled in net. Despite protest, goal counts. Chris Drury answers with his eighth goal, burying a rebound off a Callahan rush to restore the two-goal lead...Looks like a continuation of the Montreal game. Funny sport, huh? All of a sudden, Rangers look like Red Wings, but remember, Tampa played last night and seems a little weary...Three goals on nine shots and two posts....Nine goals in three periods.
RANGERS 3, LIGHTNING 1, END OF 1
Tags: Brandon Dubinsky, Vinny Prospal, Henrik Lundqvist, Chris Drury, Marian Gaborik
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The trap is set....
....for your Blueshirts tonight against Ottawa.
The coach said on Wednesday, "It’s not always going to be Jersey-Rangers at Madison Square Garden. We have an opponent coming in here that’s going to be chomping at the bit. It’s a matter of readiness. And we have no excuse no matter who we play not to be ready to play.”
As I wrote yesterday, Sens played dodgeball and skated in jeans in Central Park, trying to loosen up on an off-day after losing five straight, and remain without Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson.
Unclear whether Sean Avery (bruised left foot) will be well enough to skate, or who the two scratches will be until later. No morning skate again today, which is just as well, because I have the trusty Mountaineer in for servicing.
OK, quick poll time: If we venture out for some live music in St. Louis Friday night, there's some choices. I remember being at Blueberry Hill few years back (where Chuck Berry still duck-walks once a month I'm told), but I'm thinking BBs, the Broadway Oyster Bar or Schafly's.
Guitarist Leroy Pierson and then Rich McDonough and the Rough Grooves at BB's; Corey Saathoff and the Trophy Mules, Prairie Rehab and Boxwine Sirens at Schafly's, Aaron Kamm and One Drops at the Oyster. Blues, alt-country, reggae/rock jams. Friend said there's 311 and Chili Peppers tribute bands at Off Broadway.
IMO, ya can't go wrong with the blues, but...Suggestions? Maybe hit two?
FYI: NHL.com reports that Henrik Lundqvist's jersey is the fourth-highest seller behind AO, Crosby, Malkin...Prediction: The Olympic jerseys of the Rangers in Vancouver will get some run as well..
Will check in from the Garden with answers later...
Remember, for free real-time updates and news, nuggets, transgressions, odds and sods, follow me at twitter.com/stevezipay. Again, thanks so much for reading...
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The Wrap: 104 shots, one goal. Incredible.
We moan an awful lot, those of us in the press boxes and watching at home, about low-scoring games. And justifiably so. But I defy anyone to ask for a more exciting 1-0 game.
Save upon save upon save....The testimonials to Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist were plentiful after last night’s stunning performances.“He played phenomenal,” Brandon Dubinsky said of his teammate, who tied a career high with 45 saves, including 19 in the third period. “Marty is a great goalie and played well, but we just have to continue to work and find ways to bury a few of our chances and not let it get to these shootouts and overtimes.”Said coach John Tortorella: “It was a helluva game to watch. I don’t have any complaints for how we played.” Lundqvist, now 2-2 in shootouts this season, had held opponents to two or fewer goals in 15 of his last 18 games. This time, one was one too many.***Patrik Elias had one shot the entire night before the shootout, but made the second count"He (Elias) kind of faked the shot and I went down and froze a little bit and then he roofed it,” said Lundqvist. “It was a weird shot, but he is a good shooter. I will think about it tonight. I would have done it a little different.....I was hoping for a lucky bounce and a game winner in OT. Going into the shootout is fun, but it is a lottery sometimes."***The Rangers, 8-1-4 in their last 13 games, fired a season-high 51 shots on Brodeur; their highest since 51 against the Islanders on April 4, 2008….Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and Dubinsky each had five shots…Gaborik hasn’t scored in four of the last five games and is 1 for 5 in shootouts…Ales Kotalik. Vinny Prospal and P.A. Parenteau have the other shootout goals...The last time the Rangers and Devils finished regulation in a scoreless tie was on Dec. 9, 2007, when the Rangers won 1-0 in overtime here…Marc Staal played a game high 27:31…In his first game back after missing seven, Prospal (arthroscopic knee surgery) had just one shot in 21:14…Jay Pandolfo and Zach Parise each had six shots for the Devils.Next up: Ottawa arrives on Thursday....Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Brodeur
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Sunday soiree: Long December continues into January
Whenever the Rangers play the Bruins, according to coach John Tortorella, “we always put the word ‘grind’ up on the board.”
The reminder has certainly been effective. The Blueshirts won their third of three games against the Bruins this season yesterday afternoon, as Brandon Dubinsky scored and added two assists in a 3-1 win that pushed their run to 8-1-3.
At 22-17-6, the Rangers seem to be emerging from the pack of mediocre teams in the mid to lower half of the East and find themselves in sixth place, a point out of fifth. And four of the next five games are at MSG.The Rangers will need to grind for the remainder of January, although they should have second-leading scorer Vinny Prospal (right knee surgery on Dec. 28) back in the mix this week.How that affects the No. 1 line of Brandon Dubinsky (center turned left wing), Erik Christensen (from waiver wire to part of team's resurgence) and Marian Gaborik (still on pace for 50 goals despite not scoring in three of the last four games) has yet to be detemined.Prospal could step back in as the top center, and Christensen could drop to a second, third or fourth line. Chris Drury could move to wing. Christensen could be on the fourth line, with Brian Boyle shifting to the outside. We'll see. Point is, Rangers have some depth at center again.There are 11 games in the 21 days remaining this month, including two back-to-backs, this coming weekend and the final weekend on the West Coast. First up is Tuesday's match against the Devils at the Garden, where a well-rested (no practice again today) Henrik Lundqvist will start, almost assuredly against Marty Brodeur. We'll have plenty more on that tomorrow....Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Vinny Prospal, Chris Drury, Erik Chirstensen, Brian Boyle, Marian Gaborik, John Tortorella
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Live from Boston: Rangers game thread (update)
Well, some of you will consider this one a lead-in to the Jets wild-card game, as the Rangers seek to bounce back from a 2-1 OT loss to Atlanta on Thursday and secure at least a point in 11 of their last 12....
The Rangers were 0-2 here at TDBankNorth last season and are 11-7-3 on the road. The Bs are 13-7-3 at home, but will skate without Marc Savard, who was helped off the ice Thursday against the Blackhawks and has been diagnosed with a partial ligament tear.
Henrik Lundqvist will return to the net after a nice break; Chad Johnson started Thursday and Lundqvist did not practice yesterday or Wednesday.
The pre-game scrum with head coach John Tortorella is set for about 10 minutes from now. Check back for a summary...
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Tortorella repeatedly declined to answer questions about why Marian Gaborik was benched for parts of the second and third period of Thursday's game. "It's none of your business....It's between me and the ----- player. He missed time, yes, I did take away ice time." Gaborik played just 15-plus minutes, his lowest total of the season, in regulation. After the game, Tortorella did say that "some of our top guys didn't play hard enough". Gaborik played more than half of overtime and scored in the shootout.
The coach said Lundvist "will be fine, he got some rest"---his longest such break this season--- and will stick with the same other 18 guys, so Aaron Voros will he a healthy scratch again. He said Vinny Prospal (knee) skated this morning and was fine, but wouldn't say whether he would practice with the team Sunday or Monday.
More when the puck drops...
As always, for real time updates and commentary, remember to follow yours truly on twitter.com/stevezipay
FIRST PERIOD
Michael Del Zotto, who hadn't scored in 21 games, goes around Chara at left point, through left circle and slides backhander under Tim Thomas for 1-0 lead....Lundqvist very sharp stopping 11 shots and penalty shot by Marco Sturm. Lundqvist is four for seven in PS in career.
SECOND PERIOD
Rangers fire season-high 21 shots at Thomas, with Brandon Dubinsky upping lead to 2-0 with his eighth of the season, putting in his own rebound at top of crease at 10:16. He also assisted on Del Zotto's goal. Bs had just 3 shots. Rangers are 0-4 on PP, although Gilroy clanged post with a slap shot from the left point during one man-advantage.
RANGERS 2, BRUINS, 0, END OF 2
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Chad Johnson, Marc Savard, John Tortorella
