Power Play Comes Alive

A lot of unlikely early season trends reversed themselves quickly in tonight's 3-1 Ranger win over Washington at the Garden. The Rangers went from a three-game o-fer on the power play to 3-for-5 in the first period alone. Jaromir Jagr went from an average of less than a point per game to an average of 1.25 points per game with three assists in the first period. Scott Gomez was no longer scoreless as a Ranger. And Marek Malik was no longer the Rangers' leading scorer. At the same time, the Caps went from having given up just two goals in nine periods to giving up three goals in the first period alone.

Things even out. The Rangers started to play better as a team, more accustomed to new dynamics on the ice. Most importantly, they are starting to understand where everyone is on the power play. Both Jagr and coach Tom Renney insisted that they didn't do anything new with the man advantage. "We just scored goals," Jagr said. "It just went in." Said Renney: "It's the same things we've been doing for two years."

Maybe. But as Brendan Shanahan said, practicing situational hockey since the 2-1 loss to the Islanders helped. "We worked on some specific things that win you hockey games," he said. "Part of that was our power play. Tonight our power play won us the game. It's obviously a results business, but we're really trying to look at other stats that we feel in the long run will get us lots of wins. And that's generating scoring chances and eliminating scoring chances from the other team."

They certainly succeeded in the latter department. They limited the Caps to just 15 shots on goal through seven-minute mark of the third period (the Caps had ten the rest of the way after they got desperate). But they also got a bushel of chances themselves. They outshot the Caps 20-7 in the first period and 39-15 before the Caps came on late. And they were more than just shots on goal -- they were good scoring chances. The only problem is that they couldn't convert any of their even strength chances, despite 20 shots on goal, and they couldn't score on any of their 22 shots on goal after building the 3-1 lead, one that was still too close for comfort despite their near-total domination of the game. That inability harkened back to the first three games, and left them with two good scoring periods in four games and only two goals in the other ten periods.

It was a relief for Gomez to get his first goal and first point as a Ranger. "It's not easy when you change teams," Jagr said on his behalf. "I've been through this and it took me a year just to get used to it. But when he skates he's a great player." Gomez didn't want to take too much credit for his goal, the opening goal on a power play awarded to the Rangers off the opening face-off. "Jags started it all off making that pass to Shanny," he said. "What can you say about that guy? The 'Big Smooth' just passed it right down and I just threw on net. I was nervous that they wouldn't give me the puck because of last game," he said, laughing about his inability to finish a couple of chances from the same spot vs. the Isles.

The unsung heroes of the game were Dan Girardi, Blair Betts, and Marcel Hossa. Girardi was a revelation late last season for his simple, smart, smooth defensive play. Now he is doing it all -- still making the smart plays, but also hitting more and joining the play more often, even getting power play time. It helps that he has played regularly with Fedor Tyutin, who in his third season is making exactly the kind of step forward that he had to make as he approaches his prime. The pair played over twenty minutes in this game, bested only by Michal Rozsival. Betts had an outstanding game in all three zones, generating rushes with steals and drawing three Washington penalties. Girardi and Betts combined for a great play late in the game, Girardi clearing a rebound that was loose in the crease during a power play, Betts racing to his clear and chipping it off the boards for a shorthanded breakaway.

Hossa skated through a nagging groin strain and was strong down low in the offensive zone. He was guilty of intereference on Marty Straka's goal, but he was just doing what Renney wants his players to do. "It all culminates with the blue paint, getting there the same time as the puck, and not being in a good mood when you get there," Renney said.

The Rangers may have been the beneficiary of the atrocious officiating in this game (the Caps were called for too many men on the ice when they had only five skaters). But both sides were hit with trivial restraining fouls that weren't even restraining (although the Rangers were the team allowed to get away with a few in this game). Meanwhile, some vicious hits went unpunished -- Shaone Morrisonn catching Jagr high away from the play and shaking him up, and Brian Pothier slashing Ryan Hollweg hard after a missed Hollweg check. Jagr didn't make a big deal out of the Morrisonn hit. "I don't think he wanted to hit me," he said. "We didn't see each other. Stuff like that happens in a hockey game." Told that replays showed that it was no accident, Jagr stuck to his story, saying Morrisonn even apologized to him for the hit. He also said that it didn't serve as a wake-up call. "I felt pretty good before the hit," he said, smiling.

Brandon Dubinsky, as per Renney's pre-game prediction, split time on the third line with Betts, and played well. Nevertheless, the team continues to look at veteran Dave Scatchard. "He'll skate again tomorrow," Renney said of 31-year-old center. "He'll skate Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We'll take a peek at him there, and come to some sort of conclusion whether to make him an offer, or not." Renney insisted, according to Blueshirts Blog, that looking at Scatchard had nothing to do with Dubinsky, who would get more than just a few games to prove himself and continue to develop. The idea, Renney said, was to develop depth at center.

Through four games, the Rangers have given up just seven goals, never more than two in any one contest. Asked about his defense, Renney quipped, "Henrik's a great defenseman." He went on to say, "My mantra is five in the picture in all three zones. The more we continue to work on that, the better we're going to be. We have improved compared to where we were a year ago at the start of the season."

Game reports: Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, Advance, AP, SNY, NYR.com, MSG.com, NY Sports Day, and Washington Times. Blueshirts Blog has more on Paul Mara and Dave Scatchard, Blue Notes has more on the return of Michael Nylander, which was an awfully quiet one. Game notes from USA Today. Ottawa game previews for tonight at their web site and from the Sun. Down on the farm, the Pack lost their second straight (see the Courant), and signed Clayton Barthel (see the WP web site). Barthel is currently in Charlotte, who won their exhibition opener (see their web site). Prospect Park has an update on Friday's prospect action.

Canada is up in arms over the 25-game suspension handed out to Jess Boulerice (here is one example). Going back to Chris Simon's attack on Ryan Hollweg, pundits routinely ask, "Will the players never learn?" This despite the ever increasing bans on guilty parties. No, the players will never learn. It's not their place. The league is at fault here. Who would have been surprised to see some sort of attack last night, after Shaone Morrisonn blindsided Jaromir Jagr and Brian Pothier viciously slashed Hollweg in the leg, both without penalty? Meanwhile, there was a parade to the box for trivial infractions that had no impact on the flow of play.

Simon was allowed to play against Hollweg in pre-season despite being under suspension, was allowed to chase him after whistles, was allowed to take a match penalty for intent to injure without suffering the mandatory one-game suspension. Andy Sutton was allowed to elbow Ryan Callahan in the head and get away with no more than a minor penalty, a fine, and a reprimand, despite being a repeat offender -- because, Colin Campbell said, Callahan was not hurt. No, it's not the players who have to learn -- it's the NHL.

Comments

[craigz]

Wow I get to go first... Godd game to watch but as a lifelong Ranger fan I just knew something bad was going to happen. It didn,t so I can go to bed happy. Hope we have the same jump tonight vs. Ottawa...Z

[Rob]

GIRADI IS THE MAN.

[craigz]

Started reading the Scatchard comments and got to Barons predicable rant. First off Renney doesn,t bring anyone in. Sather give the coach the players to work with. Renney does not make trades, plucks players off the waiver wire or sign them to contracts...He coaches the players he's given. You are entitled to feel anyway you like about him but your rants are really getting boring. Why don't you go over to Glen's house, sit down and tell him all the wonderful things you would do as Rangers head coach and maybe you'll get the job. Then someone on this site will rant about how you are doing such a lousy job and how you should be fired. Same as it ever was...Z

[cwgatti]

Puppy lovers die hard. . . . . . .

[cwgatti]

Great game last night. Even Dubinsky was relevant. I think the young guys are playing great. Girardi looks to be on the verge of something special. Out of nowhere. I bet we see a lot more of his jerseys on the street soon.

[cwgatti]

I also think tonight may be a reminder of why someone like Scatchard is getting a look. . . . .

[Andrew]

Girardi is a horse. He and Tyutin are turning into that shutdown defensive pair that the Rangers have been lacking for more than 10 years. It's great to see these guys come up through the system and play so well.

[Ron Boesgaard]

We talked about Girardi on the way home from the Garden last night and what a solid game he played.

Moves up and takes the body. Rarely gets caught out of position. Gives a hit and takes a hit to make a play. Very heady for a 23 year old kid.

Great undrafted find for the Rangers scouting staff. This organization finally has eyes with a nose for talent. Hope the often injured kid just picked up from the Blackhawks can pan out like Bourret.

The top three lines have a ton of skill and speed. The talent will soon be spilling over to the fourth line and changes will have to be made in the short and long term as players with NHL ability develop in Hartford and push people out of jobs garnering the already loaded farm system with more prospects and picks.

Wait a few more games and see how the forwards and defensemen begin to adjust to Gomez's speed and learn how to fill the lanes after he carries the puck deep into the offensive zone and hits them skating in unchecked with deft passes.

The defense has two 23 year olds and a 20 year old among its top six with guys like Sauer and Sanguinetti on the way.

There is the possibility the organization could shed some 15 million in cap space next season should pending UFAs Shanahan, Straka, Mara, Malik and Strudwick retire or go elsewhere. Oh, the possibilities.....

The Rangers have taken a giant leap forward since the "lock-out". A former bereft of young talent and short on older talent team has made incredible strides in less than three short years.

Credit to commander Sather for bringing in Renney and his staff and making the mistakes of Muckler, Low and Trottier distant memories. The team has also built a scouting staff that is now among the best in the business.

It is still early but the all the signs are there. The Rangers have turned the corner sharply and put themselves in a position to contend for Lord Stanley's hardware for years to come.

Looking forward to Ottawa tonight. My son and his wife drove out from Indiana to go to the back to back home games and I am hoping we can all go home tonight happy again with a "W" against a team the Rangers have to find a way to beat.

It is a good time to be a Ranger fan.

[imitation]

From Sam W "Everything is magnified for the Rangers in this season of grandiose expectations, and last night was just an example. Here was a team just three games into its schedule and barely a week out of training camp, but already a sense of desperation permeated its dressing room.

Twenty minutes of hockey later, after a three-goal first-period outburst against the Washington Capitals, the lesson learned was that desperation has a place even in October...."We didn't want to get off on a bad roll to start the season," said Henrik Lundqvist, who finished with 24 saves in the win. "We played well the last two games, but tonight was all about the two points. And I think that's how you have to approach the game a lot of the times, to get more desperation in your game."..."It's nice," he ( Gomez) said. "We've all been around in the league enough when you're not getting chances, you're not getting it in, that's when guys start going at each other, guys start bickering. It's going to happen. The older you get the more you realize it's going to happen. You just have to stay positive."...."

[Godot]

Ron--nice comments. You always write with heart and head. And I agree we're looking at a good team for years to come. No need to rush all the youth when we have a Straka and a Shanny, etc; our current young players are learning many things from the elder statesmen of hockey, and they'll pass it on to the others.

Girardi and Tyutin are becoming my favorite D-men to watch, although Roszival is still a bull back there for us. He's a top flight Dman who often goes unnoticed.

Dubi, thanks for the updates, as always!

[NCSteve]

Staal looking more relaxed, too. Was it true the fans were booing Nylander? Hard to fathom that. And, as always, Lundqvist was stellar.

[Godot]

Steve, they were booing Poti.

[lennynyr]

Tyutin and Girardi should continue to get major minutes and be the #1 unit, I'd put Staal with Rosival and make that the second unit. I was impressed the way Staal played last night and expanded his game by covering up for Mara, who had an awful game. The third unit would be two of Strudwick, Malik, Mara and Pock. Be nice to get a stud defenseman but who wants the Ranger expendables? Nobody, too expensive.

Dubinsky got a little more time. Betts played a good defensive game and made a good rush after Girardi set him up but couldn't finish. Still think Prucha and Callahan would benefit with Dubinsky there instead of Betts. Hope Renney's thoughts are to break him in there slowly.

Avery looks in good spirits rooting his guys on and even clowned around with Gomez on Trautwig's post game show. When he comes back, I think Hollweg will be odd man out unless Hossa falls into his previous patterns of playing good for 8-10 games and then gfading bad.

Regarding Hossa, if he continues to play as he did last night, he'll have that job all season. Would be great if he finally matured.

Tonight will be a good test to see just how much the Rangers are gaining that chemistry. Last night, they only had to contend with one solid Washington line (Ovechkin's) and a mediocre defense. Tonight it will be more than one line to contend with, plus that great defense they got. That's why it's important to get that 3rd line going offensively and give Dubi the job.

I know I'll hear it if Betts centers them and they score one or two (or more) but I won't mind. :)

[lennynyr]

Craig, nobody would dare go to Glen's house, not even Mitch. Did you see that video of the guy who tried to talk to Sather on the street? Imagine if you go to his house which you could easily find by following the cigar smoke.

Are you sure you find Baron's post boring or is it you just are not into reading any post that has a different opinion than yours? If Renney makes some moves that results in a successful season, will you hear that from Baron? YES!!

By the same token, if Renney makes moves that result in an unsuccessful season will we hear about it from you?? You can answer that.

[cwgatti]

Dubinsky is "awfully gangly" as Rodent has pointed out. I have noticed that he isn't that strong on his skates as well. I wonder if that has anything to do with him not being the #3 center full time. Orr and Hollweh are on this team for nothing more than gratuitous violence. You can't even pass the puck to Orr. Brashear is 10 times the player Orr is.

[lennynyr]

Steve, Nylander was sleeping on the ice, why wake him up. It was definitely Poti, especially after he slashed Dubinsky in the back when he was down.

[lennynyr]

Good point cwg. Love to see Renney give him some significant time with Prucha and Callahan and see how he holds up. Maybe Renney plans on doing that slowly, we'll see.

[craigz]

Renney makes his mistakes no doubt about it. I would like to see him match up more and I definately would love to see him get emotional every now and then. He may have some imput on what Ranger mng't does but Sather gives him the players to put on the ice. Going to Glen's house was a joke...I thought that was obvious. It's just reading the same negative comments day in and day out gets boring. I welcome and read all opinions and comments even though mine are the only ones that are correct (another joke :) ). P.S. I didn't think Mara played so bad..I thought his name wasn't called very often by Sam A Joe but no glaring mistakes by anyone really... Tonight should be interesting with Ottawa's speed and skill. We should see some mistakes tonight. Who sits tonight?????Z

[Cuch]

Was at the game last night. No one was booing Nylander (apparently Sam and Joe got that wrong on TV). But every time Poti touched the puck the Garden reminded him how much we miss him.

[angry]

"Brashear is 10 times the player Orr is."

That strikes me as gratuitous criticism. I'd say Brashear is about 3 times the player Orr is.

:)

That said, I respect his work ethic and dedication to improving his skills. He's made impressive strides.

[brian]

good game, nice to get the two points, i would have likd more finishng at even stregnth...prucha had another great game as he came close and had one taken away...i agreed with the call, it def was a high stick...but good game for pruchs, all in all i would have liked more finishing for all the hard work the team did, but in the end its 2 points and a win, gonna eed to finish more tonight vs the sens...but a win is a step in the right direction....good game last night..

if one day we have tyutin, girardi, staal, sangs, sauer all as 5 of our top 7 or 8 Dmen then ya plug in a UFA veteran for teaching skills our defense will be in a great position...

[lennynyr]

Craig, of course Sather was a joke (pun???), so was my response. I didn't think I'd need the smiley face to point that out. :))))))

[lennynyr]

cwg, my old friend Rodent knows his hockey (sometimes). I still try to read him when I can get to his site. His messageboard requires a top secret clearance and I can't get one for the immediate future!! :))

[BlueClue]

Great win last night!

Dubi, not sure if I am misreading what you said..."Through four games, the Rangers have given up just four goals, never more than two in any one contest."....But the team had given up 7 goals in the fisrt 4 games, never more than 2 per game.

[Bob Merchant]

Great stepping stone to build on but had the Caps have been more disciplined, this could have been a squeaker.
Over-all I'm happy with the 2 points and the tenacity of the boys. They were skating with meaning last night.

Still baffled about Scatchard. I have not read enough to figure out why he is here?

[Phill]

Bob,

"Potential depth at center".

[sid21]

This is a great site and I read it almost daily although I rarely post. However, I have to respond to a post from Paulf in response to Baron's criticism of Renney not playing the kids. Regarding Dawes, he had 60 points in 65 games which placed him 35th in scoring in the league. But he missed 15 Ahl games mostly because he was sitting on the bench with the big club. He surely would have had 10 more points in those games which would have tied him at 18th in scoring. Saying that the kids had nothing to do with the Rangers playoff run and that it was all on Henriks shoulders is not entirely correct. He does have a team in front of him and that includes Callahan and Girardi. Last spring in the playoff run Girardi was close to, if not the best defenseman on the team, he played flawlessly. He was an integral to the Rangers making the playoffs.
Girardi is now the best defensive defenseman on the team and if he gets a chance will be great offensively as well.

[czechthemout!!!!!]

scatchard is injury prone,and NOT that good.He had one good season in his career and parlayed that into a big contract.anytime a team pays someone not to play it is telling you something.

[czechthemout!!!!!]

just keep playing with the forwards currently their and let them get used to each other it will payoff big time later.I will say that hollweg and orr should never play in the same game unless it's against a team that plays more than one goon in the lineup.

I thought Staal played a very good game,his best so far.what especialy impressed me was how well he handled ovechkin,he totaly shut him down by taking the body.I was the first one yesterday to call for him to play with rozy,hopefully that will happen soon because malik was horrid again yesterday.I know i'll get some flak for this from the geritol brigade but may we will soon see sauer join the team with either mara or malik as his partner.pock unfortunatly will not be here for long.wih ever one renney desides to from malik or mara,should be paired with sauer.

[lennynyr]

How's Sauer doing in Hartford?

[Godot]

Sid21, I don't know who the other top 34 scorers in the AHL were last year, but can we assume that they spent time with their big clubs too considering how much they scored???? Just curious....

[czechthemout!!!!!]

I don't know lennynyr,i have not yet had a chance to watch them.I usually mitch beck writes up something about them every so often but i am not sure i trust much of what he has to say.He usaully says that none of the kids look ready yet.

[rangerbill94]

Pairing Staal with Rozsival may work out very well. Hadn't thought about that one! With Malik playing so poorly, maybe Strudwick and Pock could round out the defense. Only problem, there will be $5.3 million on the bench. I don't really care, if we are winning. Right now the defense is playing pretty well, from an overall point of view. Goals against and shots seem to be down and that a very good sign. I think I'd sit Malik tonight, just "give him a rest" for a game.

[lennynyr]

Czech, like minds think alike. Never saw your post about pairing Staal with Rozy, just thought of it on my own. Let's see if Renney recognizes that most nights, Malik is a liability and makes that move.

Good idea about Sauer. I was really looking forward to Liffiton stepping up and being the tough D we need. Why he didn't realize that and come to camp in a better position to take that job baffles me.

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

Im not even gonna tough that Orr comment.

Anyway, Staal looked pretty damn good last night, when he went one on one in the corner with OV, he looked confident, and he was all night long. I think he feels more comfy with Pauly. If it were me, i would to, because Strudwick would make me feel nervous, always barking at me, and telling me what i should and should not do, but thats just me. Hopefully Mara stays tonight but since its the Sens, who knows.

Also Tyuts, and Dany looked great once again. I dont know about all of you, but they were pretty damn good on the PP, to bad that Pruchs goal didnt count. But Girardi was ripping that puck any chance he can get, he really wants to get that first career goal bad. It was a damn good win, and hopefully we can get some revenge on the Sens.

BTW - Avery is the man. Thats the second time he stormed onto the set of an interview with a Ranger and Trautwig, always funny. Lol and the thumb up he gave the cam during the game.

[lennynyr]

Malik heard you Bill, he says he's not tired!! :)

[Colton Orrrrrrr said Knock you Out, Your gonna get Knocked Ooooout]

I agree with pairing Staal and Rozi. I always pair them in NHL 08. Its just a game but i like that pair so eh. Hopefully they do it. Lol but do we want Malik and Mara together??

[czechthemout!!!!!]

GODOT-jason krog was one of the top scorers in the ahl last year,it means nothing unless the player is either a rookie or a second year guy.Those usually get the chance and do well.See Camalleri,O'sullivan,spezza,etc etc.Losers like Krog and Shitsbister and Brad Smyth are career ahlers and the stats they put up are misleading as far as wether their play translates well into the nhl game.Therefore When you here the geritol brigade talk about the necessity to "dominate"in the ahl,it means that they just espouse the compony line and don't know what they are talking about.I suggest that you occaisionaly watch a few of the games and judge for your self who is and is not ready,i did last year for the first time and it was a good learning expierience.

[lennynyr]

Plan on taking in some Wolfpack games both near me (Albany) and of course Hartford. On another board (proboards) we schedule brigade meetings every chance we get. Anybody here interested, let me know.

We also plan Ranger meetings too either at MSG or sportsbar depending on ticket availability.

[czechthemout!!!!!]

lennynyr-i sure hope he's tired and for at least the next eight months.He was simply horrid yesterday.

[czechthemout!!!!!]

lennynyr-I used to ho to many games when i was a kid.Now with a wife and two daughters and the fact that i live in N.J.,it is difficult to make the time to go.I usually get up to half a dozen games in the luxury suite my compony owns,there i can at least make a night out of it with muy family.Outside of that,my 8 yearold daughter has really taken to the rangers,especially after i took her to her first game last year,when shanny got hurt.She has now watched all of the games with me so far this year and is really into it,which makes me thrilled.maybe later on in the season i would be willing to meet before or during a game for a fan event.

[K]

Looks like Neil is expecting (and hoping) to be a target of the Rangers tonight:
http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Hockey/2007/10/13/4572458-sun.html

What do you think, should someone go after him for what happened last time? I think he'll probably do something THIS game that will warrant revenge.

[ant]

Orr how do you have Staal in 08 and i dont.Where was this interview with avery that everyone is talkin about

[lennynyr]

If anybody does, it has to be Orr. Renney has the last change and can put Orr out there whenever Neil is out there if he desires. If Orr can take Neil off the ice with him and both get game misconducts as early as possible, Orr is doing his job.

[LI Joe]

czech - was that comment about Mitch really necessary. Remember we are rooting for the same team.

Lenny - Liffiton passed through waivers with 29 other teams not biting. So evidently he is not the answer at this time.

[LI Joe]

czech - was that comment about Mitch really necessary. Remember we are rooting for the same team.

Lenny - Liffiton passed through waivers with 29 other teams not biting. So evidently he is not the answer at this time.

[lennynyr]

LI Joe - I know. Based on the way he looked when he was up for a short time, I thought we found our bruiser. Don't know what happened between then and now.

[laurie]

To the person who posted the comment re: Cherepanov in the last thread... A quick update: Cherepanov did go scoreless for two straight games, but has since picked up 2 points in each of his last two games, with a goal and assist on Thursday and two assists today. That gives him 4 goals and 3 assists in 10 games since he came back from the concussion.

[lennynyr]

ant - It was on MSG after the game. Wasn't really an interview, Avery just chimed in with amusing comments when Trautwig was interviewing Gomez.

czech - we'll touch base on that later in the season then.

[lennynyr]

ant - It was on MSG after the game. Wasn't really an interview, Avery just chimed in with amusing comments when Trautwig was interviewing Gomez.

czech - we'll touch base on that later in the season then.