Blueshirt Banter

2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Rangers Vs. Devils - Game 2 Notes

2012-05-17T13:01:40Z

- What a strange game. That's probably the best way to put it. I've never seen so many broken sticks, fanned passes and shots, players falling down and bouncing pucks in my life. The ice was atrocious, and it hurt both teams Wednesday night.

- With that being said, the New York Rangers played just about as bad of a game as I can remember in these playoffs. They couldn't get more shots or traffic on Martin Brodeur (who looked a little rocky all game), couldn't clear the zone and got dominated in terms of possession when the New Jersey Devils got in the Rangers' zone. With that being said, the Rangers only lost 3-2. And if Chris Kreider doesn't hit the post and the Rangers go up 3-1, this might be a much different game.

Join me after the jump.

- Speaking of Kreider, what a hockey player he is. A pretty little deflection on the power play, coupled by the fact that he was actually screening Brodeur on the power play, earned him his first goal. Later in the game he smoked Brodeur again, but his beautiful low shot hit the pipe. The biggest thing about Kreider? He never gives up. His motor is always running. And Wednesday night we saw a fire in his game. Banging the glass after a mistake, getting upset after he couldn't negate an icing, stuff like that. I love that. Absolutely love it. He was one of the only players who had a fire in him.

- I thought Henrik Lundqvist played really well, he just had no support.

- Put me in the group of people who didn't think it was a good idea to bench Marian Gaborik in a one-goal game.

- Since this happened twice I figure I'll mention it. The Rangers' penalty kill left Ilya Kovalchuk alone twice. As in, all alone. On the first opportunity he roofed a beautiful shot for a goal after Derek Stepan decided he would rather cover Marek Zidlicky than Kovalchuk. Can't put too much blame on Stepan there though, since he was left alone with two Devils. The second chance was shut down by Lundqvist on a beautiful left-to-right save. The Rangers have to make sure they have a set of eyes on him at all times. He showed why Wednesday night.

- The officiating was horrifying again Wednesday, for both teams. My favorite non-call was Ryan McDonagh having his stick held by a Devil (I can't remember which) who was on the ground in the fetal position holding McDonagh's stick tighter than Brodeur holds his bucket of endless wings from KFC to the point where McDonagh was literally DRAGGING him as he tried to get back into the play. The best part? The official who was two feet from the play watched the whole thing and saw no issue. My word, guys, this stuff can't be happening on a national stage.

- Anyone think this series is over? If you answered yes, the exits are behind you. The sheer panic from some of you (although not many here) is insanity.

- how big will these two full days of rest be? Especially since the Rangers don't have to travel and can practice at home. They looked pretty tired Wednesday night, hopefully these two days off help.

2012 NHL Playoffs: After Energetic Second Period, Rangers Fall 3-2 To Devils

2012-05-17T03:09:41Z

The New York Rangers dropped Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, by a score of 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers were very sluggish in the opening period, and allowed a power play goal coming Ilya Kovalchuk. In the second period, the Rangers came out with some life, and took a 2-1 lead. The Devils never gave up and tied it up late in the second, and added another one early in the third period.

The Rangers got into some penalty trouble during the first period, and it wound up costing them the second time around. The Rangers were way too aggressive on the penalty kill, which left Ilya Kovalchuk wide open at the point. Marek Zidlicky slid the puck over the Kovalchuk, who slid it and sniped one over the glove of Henrik Lundqvist.

The Rangers were very lucky to get out of this period with just a 1-0 deficit. Whatever, was said in between periods definitely sparked the Rangers, and they came out flying in the second period.

Follow after the jump for more.

The Rangers would tie things up as Marc Staal would rip a shot off the back boards, and bounced back under Martin Brodeur, and into the net. The goal was originally credited to Derek Stepan, but was later changed back to Staal. Just ten minutes later, on their second power play of the period, the Rangers converted once again. This time it was Chris Kreider who wound up getting a foot on the initial shot from Anton Stralman.

Everyone was going fine and dandy for the Rangers as they known controlled the game with a 2-1 lead midway through the second. However, nearing the final two minutes of the period, the Rangers were pinned in their own end for some time, and it wound up costing them.

Ryan Carter would wind up tipping home a Bryce Salvador point shot, and the redirection completely fooled Henrik lundqvist. The Devils and Rangers would be all knotted up heading into the third period. Things started, just as they left of for the New Jersey Devils, and they came away with an early goal.

Again, a point shot which was redirected by David Clarkson, changed direction completely and fell in behind Henrik Lundqvist. This definitely wasn't the start the Rangers wanted to the third period, especially after their hard fought effort in the second.

The score would remain the same until the final buzzer, and the series would be all tied up at one, heading back to New Jersey. The Rangers are now 0-3 in Game 2's during these 2012 Playoffs, and have yet to hold a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 will be on Saturday at the Prudential Center starting at 1:00 PM.

Believe.

Game Two, Period Three

2012-05-17T01:52:54Z

Going into the third period, the Rangers and Devils are tied 2-2. The Rangers goal scorers are Marc Staal (3) and Chris Kreider (4), both goals for the Rangers came on the man advantage. A perfect deflection by Ryan Carter (2) with around two minutes left in the second period tied the game back back up .

Let's Go Rangers!!! Enjoy the third period gang.

Believe.

Game Two, Period Two

2012-05-17T00:48:33Z

An Ilya Kovalchuk (6) snipe on the powerplay has given the Devils their first lead in the series. The Devils have been all over the Rangers. They've been aggressive and their forecheck has been relentless, the Rangers are very fortunate to only be trailing by a single goal going into the second period.

Let's Go Rangers!!!

Believe.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Rangers Look To Extend Series To 2-0 Tonight

2012-05-16T23:30:18Z

Next Game

New Jersey Devils
@ New York Rangers

Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 8:00 PM EDT
Madison Square Garden

Opponent's Blog: In Lou We Trust

Devils vs Rangers preview

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2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Rangers Vs. Devils - Rangers Looking For First 2-0 Lead This Postseason

posted by Joe Fortunato about 9 hours ago

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2012 NHL Playoffs: Shot Blocking Makes The Rangers Bad For Hockey?

posted by Bryan Winters about 24 hours ago

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2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Rangers Vs. Devils - Game 1 Notes

posted by Joe Fortunato 1 day ago

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Complete Coverage >

The New York Rangers are looking to take their first 2-0 series lead against the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers have not led in a series 2-0 since the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vancouver Canucks, back in 1994.

Player To Watch:

Chris Kreider

#20 / Left Wing / New York Rangers

Height: 6-3

Weight: 230

Born: Apr 30, 1991

Chris Kreider had a big game against the Devils in Game One, recording a goal and an assist. Kreider will have another opportunity tonight, and I think he shines again.

Enjoy the game and thread everyone! Let's Go Rangers!

Believe.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Devils Release Statement: Brodeur Wasn't Urging Teammates to Head-Hunt with Shots

2012-05-16T19:29:33Z

"They are willing to pay the price to win," Brodeur said.

He also added with a laugh:

"Hopefully we'll be able to hurt a few guys (by) getting one-timers in the foot or their head or something."

For the rest of the article from the NYDN click here.

Obviously this statement raised a few eyebrows and had some of the New York media buzzing about whether or not Martin Brodeur was serious. Brodeur has a policy of not talking to the media before a game so he couldn't be reached for comment but the Devils GM Lou Lamoriello's statement and some more on Shot-blockgate can be found after the jump...

"He would never say that," Devils president and GM Lou Lamoriello said. "I've known Marty since, I don't even know how long now, and he would never say that.

"Obviously it was an off-the-cuff comment that was taken the wrong way. He was just saying that we need to get more pucks on net."

We've already heard from Bryan about what Ken Campbell from the Hockey News thinks about the Rangers blocking shots and we've already spent plenty of time scratching our heads and wondering why all of this is being brought up now when the Rangers have played this way for 82 regular season games and 15 playoff games.

It should be noted that Brodeur was "chuckling" when he made the comment and must have been frustrated that Henrik Lundqvist only had to stop 21 pucks because the Rangers skaters blocked the other 26 shots that were fired towards the net. That being said, I've heard one too many comments about how the Devils should simply just "shoot to hurt" as a response to the Rangers shot-blocking. The Ranger players are already risking serious injury by stepping in front of shots, I sincerely doubt that "shooting to hurt" is necessary and I am very glad, for the most part, those people who suggest it aren't always being serious. Apparently Martin Brodeur was confused about other teams playing defensive hockey, he must have thought that the Devils had exclusive rights to it.

I'd be frustrated if I was Brodeur too, but one would hope Brodeur had his wits about him enough to not say something so controversial and stupid. Hopefully this Shot-blockgate (patent pending) stuff will die down as the series moves forward. The Capitals were finding some success countering the collapsing Rangers defense by being patient with the puck, exhausting the Rangers, and trying to run the offense from the blueline. I'm not sure the Devils have the same talent and firepower that Washington had on their blueline, with the exception of Marek Zidlicky who is a talented at moving the puck.

It should be interesting to see if all of this continues to be a story as the rest of the series unfolds. What are your thoughts on this gang?

By the way, is it 8:00 PM yet?

2012 Eastern Conference Finals: Rangers Vs. Devils - Rangers Looking For First 2-0 Lead This Postseason

2012-05-16T12:00:49Z

The New York Rangers have had a negative trend the past two playoff series; they have lost the second game after taking a 1-0 series lead. Not only has it killed momentum, but it's also helped force both series to a seventh and final game.

So it's critical that the Rangers make an effort to continue to harness the momentum they've gained from back-to-back playoff victories (a Game 7 win over the Washington Capitals and Monday night's 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils) and use it to their advantage in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Easier said than done.

Join me after the jump for more.

The Rangers used an immense third period -- coupled with fantastic goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist, jaw-dropping defense from Ryan McDonagh and another brilliant performance from Chris Kreider -- to walk out of Madison Square Garden with a 3-0 victory and a 1-0 series lead.

But the Devils got their chances during the game, and had even one of them gone the other way in the first or second period it would have been a completely different result. Then again, apparently the Rangers don't win games the right way, because they're ruining the NHL -- or, Ken Campbell enjoys hearing himself speak even if he's talking about a subject (hockey) that he obviously knows nothing about. One or the other.

Anyway, that's not the point.

The point is that the Rangers have an opportunity (again) to take a commanding lead in a playoff series; something they haven't been able to do this postseason. Wednesday is as good of a time as any, it's just a matter of getting the fundamentals down.

The Rangers did a fantastic job of clogging the shooting lanes, yes, but they also did a masterful job of keeping the Devils to the outside. In the second and third periods the Devils had about four sequences in which they held the puck in the Rangers' zone for an extended period of time and seemed to be on a power play despite both teams playing 5-on-5. And while that's not an ideal situation for the Rangers at all, their defense kept the Devils to the outside and generally limited the scoring chances.

The defense has been a big part of the Rangers' success this postseason, but the offense came alive in the third period Monday, something John Tortorella wants to see happen again tonight.

In the end, it doesn't matter how they win just so long as try get the job done.

Thoughts.

NHL Numbers podcast

2012-05-15T22:46:43Z

NHL Numbers podcast

The guys from Driving Play and now NHL Numbers had me on again to talk about the Rangers-Devils series.