First Place Not Foremost for Rangers Right Now

When the Rangers were losing road games early this season, they rarely felt they played bad enough to lose, they merely felt that they couldn't score the goals they needed, something that would eventually happen. Now that they are scoring more, they are winning the exact same kind of road games they had been losing -- two of them close enough to go to a shootout. Even as that has vaulted them back to the top of the division and the upper reaches of the conference standings, they do not want to rest on their laurels -- not in November. "We're getting wins," coach Tom Renney said after last night's 4-3 shootout win in Philadelphia. "Not only do we have our season back and we think we can control our own destiny, but we do that within games [too]. At the end of the season is when we'll worry about where we finish. We have a lot of work to do -- we're not a finished product. We just want to win."

Sean Avery, who was back to jawing with the opposition during the game (but not during warm-up), said, "The way we're playing as a team, the first place thing -- first place, what? You're a point ahead of second place? That's for everyone else to talk about. We just want to keep winning -- that's our main focus. You can't think about first place -- we got five-game segments that Tom lays out for us and that's what we're focusing on. This is a tight group of guys that are genuinely upset after a loss. There's a group of angry guys after a loss. That's contagious. There's that pride where we want to win games for Hank, we want to win games for Jags. It goes through the room. We're really building a team here -- that's the important thing."

It helps to have enough players to form three good lines. Wednesday in New Jersey, Jaromir Jagr took control of the game, scoring two goals (only one counting) and setting up another. Last night, with Jagr fighting the puck all game long, the ex-Devil line of Avery with Scott Gomez and Brendan Shanahan took over. Shanahan scored the key goal during play and the only goal in the shootout while the other two combined to assist on his goal as well as Fedor Tyutin's. "I don't know who said you're washed up," Avery said to Shanahan (knowing full well who said it). "But not many guys can go in 100 miles per hour and absolutely shoot a laser top shelf."

But the power play, in a 1-for-17 slump after going 7-for-26 in scoring man advantage goals in five of six straight games, had to be reconfigured after it failed to give the Rangers the breathing room they needed to win this game in regulation. All sorts of combinations were used among the forwards (with Chris Drury moving up off the point) and on defense (with Tyutin and Marc Staal getting power play time). "We wanted to try a couple of different things," said Renney. "We believe there is a formula there. It may be going back to two units again. We wanted a couple of different combinations of people to look at. Not that we can sacrifice a game for that, but as a coach you do those things sometimes."

Henrik Lundqvist has given up uncharacteristic goals early in each of the last two games. "Obviously it's a bad goal," he said of Jim Dowd's bank shot from the corner, which Lundqvist gave him because he was concerned about a Flyer driving to the net down the slot. "That's how I play it now -- sometimes that's going to happen because I have to be aware of where the guys are in the middle. I don't think they will score that many from that angle, but I have to cheat a little and look where the rest of the guys are." He was happy that the Flyers kept trying to score on him from that angle after that.

In the shootout, Lundqvist got a little help from his friends. "I got a little inside tip from Drury," he explained. "I went up to him before we started and asked him about Briere. He said he likes to go up really close, almost like Nylander. I took a chance there and pokedchecked him. I think it surprised him a little bit, so he couldn't get it up there, and I got him with my pad. This was the first time actually I pokechecked and did something different -- otherwise, I do the same thing over and over... I just try to be ready for anything no matter what they do."

Eddie Mio, the one-time Ranger goalie who now works for Phoenix, scouted the Rangers in both New Jersey and Philadelphia. But it may not be any indication of a potential trade, as the Coyotes face the Rangers and other Atlantic Division teams next month. The injured Rangers -- Martin Straka, Marek Malik, and Ryan Callahan, sat in the press box last night, groaning whenever the Rangers had a good scoring chance they couldn't convert and laughing whenever one of their teammates got himself into trouble on the ice. I gave Callahan a bucket of popcorn that had previously belonged to the gentleman sitting to my right.

Game reports: Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post, Asbury Park Press, NY Sports Day, and NYR.com. Notes from USA Today. From the Philly side, if you're interested, go here, here, here, here, here, and here. Also from Philly, an article on Avery -- they can't accuse him of being a no-talent goon so they concede his abilities and question his ego, and (unlike Toronto) they can't accuse him of only going after players his own size, so they come up with another thing to challenge him on. Avery's ego is not going to get any smaller after being featured in People Magazine's sexiest man alive issue (but just for his scar). Hartford's weekend action gets under way tonight -- see previews in the Courant and Howlings, as well as Bruce Berlet's AHL column in the Courant. Jess takes a breather before the busy weekend at Prospect Park, but it's still worth a visit.

Comments

[SamM]

Hmm..

Going back to two power play units. Not a bad idea.

Got to love the team effort each night.

[Chris]

Hey Renny-can we please do
PP1- Jagr/Shanny/Gomez/Prucha Rosival
PP2- Drury/Dubinsky/Dawes/Staal/Mara

and lets put Callahan on the 1st line with Jagr and Dubi when he comes back, Callahans grit and scoring ability should make that line amazing Hossa can 4th line it and we can swap orr and hollweg.

[Chris]

edit:
or maybe avery instead of dawes on pp2

[rangerbill94]

From the previous thread

joeymole

"my 2 cents on pp problems: the blue line is the weak link" Could not disagree more. Pass, Pass, Pass and Pass again. While all this passing is going on, noboby is heading for the front of the net. Why? The strategy has to be to shoot the puck directly into the net. Yes, Jagr and Shanny have the skill set to do that and have made a career out of doing it. However, defenses have gotten better, shot blocking is way better across the board, goaltending is generally better. Without shots you can't get goals. Need to screen goalies, need to establish a system that allows forwards and defensemen to have 2-3 options when they have the puck. The cross ice pass for the one-timer will work, but only if you provide enough of a screen to either: A) obstruct the view of the goalie as the pass is made or B) obstruct the view of the goalie as the one-timer is taken. On one PP last night we had all four corners taken and a man in the high slot. I'll defend against that all night long! I'm not sure if it was on a PP, but Shanahan (I think) got a quick centering pass about 20 feet out and simply re-directed it on net. Easy pickin's for a good goalie. Do that 10 feet out and only a missed re-direct or a great stop would prevent a goal. I agree with whoever it was that suggested Prucha on Jagrs left wing on the PP. I think he got 16 of his 30 goals that way. Gotta get in the paint, in their faces, muck it up. We have those players: Drury, Avery, Callahan, Shanahan, Gomez, Prucha and Straka, when he gets back. No excuses, just need to get down and dirty. BTW, I also agree that two PP units are the way to go. Different tactics for each might also be a good idea. One group in the paint and one group more a perimeter type PP.

[Godot]

Chris, Straka is going on the first line when he gets back, not Callahan. Hossa is just placeholding, and using his body, etc to get Jagr the puck.

[Chris QCT]

Godot - I hope so. It's not that I think Hossa should be gone. Just not on the top line.

[Ana]

I always find it amusing when the goons on the Philthy Flies team make any comments about Avery. Avery does have talent but these goons are both dirty and lacking talent. Avery is guilty no matter what in the eyes of other hockey players; doesn't say much about them. I hope Avery gets to prove his innocence one way or another.

Avery looks good in People....playing in NYC brought him a lot of attention. Good for him!

I am not happy with Henrik's letting go those first period goals past him. Very disconcerting.

Let's Go Rangers!

[Ruttster]

Gonna be some tough decisions when Straka, callahan and Malik come back!

[ant]

Lol Eager said Aves is untalented but hes the one that misses the shot on 3 on 1 lol

[ant]

Ducks announced that they have placed goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers as of 9 a.m. Friday morning. He has 24 hours from that point (9 a.m. on Saturday) to clear waivers

[Dunny]

Malik is easy, Strudwick sits.. What's so hard about that?

One of Dawes, Callahan and Prucha should sit every night, they can rotate, and Hossa goes to the 4th line for Orr or Hollweg.

Pretty simple

[Dunny]

Malik is easy, Strudwick sits.. What's so hard about that?

One of Dawes, Callahan and Prucha should sit every night, they can rotate, and Hossa goes to the 4th line for Orr or Hollweg.

Pretty simple

[oleosmirf]

Dunny

even though Prucha is highly underused you cannot sit him when in his first 2 seasons in the NHL he has averaged 26 goals.

Callahan goes to Hartford for 3-5 games comes back up and Hollweg, Orr, Hossa split time on the 4th line with either Callahan or Dawes

or the Rangers say Dawes isn't ready defensively and send him to Hartford, Callahan takes his spot and Orr, Hollweg and Hossa share the 4th line winger spots

[Colton Orr & Sean Avery !!! Errr !!! They Say "Vote for Hank, Jagr, Shanny, and Dru or Gomer"]

I voted for 4 NYR'ers 6 times for the all star game... I hope your all doing the same.

Vote, Vote, Vote !!!

[oleosmirf]

ant

i don't know if he affects the cap but i would definately pick up Bryzgalov as insurance because having to start Bryzgalov in a big game would not bother me at all or possible trade bait later on as someone's goalie is going to hurt

[joeymole]

ok,rangerbill i generally agree with all your points but all that can't happen without some good puck handling and decisions at the blue line. and it seems to me the pp play usually breaks down there and leads to break aways or pk clears. maybe over time tyutin, staal or giradi will develop more blue line qb skills...? but for now what i see is not much control and confidence in this area. of course, the tyutin and staal goals last few games were great! the d-men cutting down low works against some pk arrangements, and those were 2 excellent shots! rangers need to confidently control the blueline, just not seeing that yet. its still all good though - it will come over time.

[lennynyr]

When I put up my first post yesterday, I neglected to include Jess, an oversight: I said:

Final word from me on the incident. After re-reading my words, someone who doesn't know me well could easily come to the conclusion that I was personally demeaning them. Since that was not my intention, I owed Dubi an apology and he got it privately

I also owe Jess and also the BB readers the same apology but couldn't tell Jess privately so I'm putting it here. He's a big credit to BB and hope he continues his strong efforts reporting on the prospects and his other tasks.

It's up to Mr Dubi if he will allow me to keep posting here. If not, it was fun and keep the good posts coming. I'll be posting regularly if I'm allowed to stay.

[Rob]

How about the homer-reporter who states in his article that Cote got the best of Orr? tpanaccio@phillynews.com (3rd Philly link)

[rangerbill94]

Goon hockey is played in TOR and PHI, so what do you expect?

[Dunny]

His 26 goal average is based on what he did for 3 months, 2 years ago.. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of his, but there is no reason why the 3 young snipers (Pru,Callahan,Dawes) and the 3 young grinders (Hollweg,Hossa,Orr) can't stay within their ROLES in a platoon situation. Plenty of time for everyone, much like Buffalo last year.

[stevek]

adding to what ant said,
Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers Friday, Another one bites the dust...
Is it my imagination or is it just rough out there for goalies this year. I mean how many good goalies have been waived this year?? this guy Bryzgalov played in 11 games during the 2005-06 playoffs, going 6-4 with a 1.46 goals-against average...and is he 2-3-1 with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage this year...not bad numbers...
I can't believe how lucky the Rangers are to have Lundquist...wow...

[ANT]

steve Amen

[MAKO]

Dunny,

Its because Renney doesnt use them correctly. Remember last year Cullen was known for playing the point on the PP in Carolina, Renney played him twice at the point and the two times he scored, for some reason why he never played him at the point again is beyond me. Just like situation you just mentioned. If it were me; at the 10 min mark of the 3rd, I would have put out Dubi, Dawes and Prucha to see how they would play; Hollweg, Hossa and Avery would make a good crash line too with some offense. If we are thinking of these things... Why cant Renney? I like the guy, think he's a solid coach, but some of his line combinations during game situations make me scratch my head...

Again, dont worry about Prucha, his time will come, he went into a slump last year but finished with 26 goals. The kid is always getting pummled...

[Bob Merchant]

I can't wait to see Straka back on the number one line. Please do not take this the wrong way. The kids are great and they have a long bright future but JJ needs to be out there with some seasoned vets. For all intent and purpose the Gomez line is number one till JJ gets reunited with Straka.

I think JJ has a great attitude be blended with every imaginable player. Did I not see JJ out there during the Philly game for one shift with Betts and Holly? I'm going huh?

[oleosmirf]

Bob

Whether its Drury or Dubinsky centering Jagr I don't mind as long as it isn't Scott Gomez but Dubinsky has been fine there.

Also Jagr's days of a 40+ goal scorer are over. Jagr's shot has never been the same since he hurt his shoulder but will still get his 30-35 goals and wind up with around 90-100 points so thats good enough for me but he is not the same player he was 2 years ago.

Drury is on the point b/c there is noone else who can do the job. Tyutin and Girardi are not powerplay guys and unless you want to put Shanahan on the point the only other option would be to go after someone come the deadline as noone on our team is an ideal guy to play the point besides Rozsival when he shoots.

Right now IMHO the Rangers are the 2nd best team in the east and besides a #1 defenseman our team has no other real needs

[I]

good to see Renney dealing with the obvious , the PP needs to score more and go back to 2 units as much as possible. I'm not sure putting 2 Dmen on each is the best way. I'd rather see Prucha on with Jagr, & Dawes on with Gomez , but it's worth a try. It will get the D shooting & involved in the offense. When the PP really starts clicking, they'll be able to dominate most teams.

[brian]

winn tonight would b huge...really blow the road winning confidence off the roof...

[ant]

Mara has a good shot from a point

[rangerbill94]

ant

Rennet's problem with Mara at the point isn't his shot. It'is his ability, or lack thereof, to keep the puck in. When he gets pressure he tends to panic. If the puck does get past him he doesn't do a good job of putting his man up to prevent a breakaway. Renney is all about trust and I don't think he has that much trust in Mara.