Drawing Conclusions, Deflecting Criticism

Steve Rucchin wears one of three A's for the Rangers. But he was nowhere to be found after last night's shocking come from ahead 3-2 OT loss to the Flyers. Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander were part of a massively blown line change that allowed Joni Pitkanen to score the game winner, but they didn't shy away from the media glare afterwards. Coach Tom Renney has no choice, he has to face the press after each game, but he did not shy away from taking personal blame for blowing the line change. Tom Poti does not wear an A, but he spoke to the press after the game even though he was the one who blew the coverage when Mike Richards scored the game tying goal in the final moments of regulation time.

But Rucchin made himself scarce -- no, non-existent. If only he was non-existent in the game, that would have been better than what he indeed accomplished. Two goals up with ten minutes to play against a team that hadn't scored in over 120 minutes with an unbeatable Henrik Lundqvist in net, there was no way the Rangers could lose this game. That's where Rucchin comes in. On his way to another dismal night on face-offs (a team-worst 3-7), Rucchin lost a defensive zone draw. As if that wasn't bad enough, he then stuck out his skate and deflected Pitkanen's point shot over Lundqvist, who was poised to make a routine save on the long unscreened shot. That gift goal put the Flyers back in the game, gave them a chance, brought them to life. Without that goal, the only question is whether the final score would be 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, or 3-0 Rangers.

So where was Rucchin after the game? He was there after the Buffalo game, crowing to the world that too many of his teammates failed to show up for the game, apparently oblivious to the fact that he was foremost among them. This time, everyone showed up and played a whale of a game -- except for him. He blew it. He lost it. And he wasn't there to face the music afterwards.

In a game in which both teams were throwing bodies around, at first in equal doses, but eventually in the Flyers' favor to the tune of a 40-25 edge in hits, Ryan Hollweg sat in street clothes. You wouldn't have wanted to bench the guys he normally goes in for -- Marcel Hossa played another strong game in limited ice time, using his body to throw checks, separate opponents from the puck, and get into shooting position, and Ville Nieminen rose to the challenge after several sub-par games by leading Ranger forwards in hits with four. But what about Rucchin? Hollweg could have helped the team in this game, where Rucchin only hurt.

The 6'3 215-pound Rucchin has been credited with 10 hits in 49 games -- that means only once every five games on average does he deign to even finish a check let alone hit someone. How can a coach abide that in a player of his size on a team desperate for toughness wherever they can find it? After earning a reputation in Anaheim as a good face-off man (he was 54% in his last two full seasons there), Rucchin is an abominable 46.6% as a Ranger, with some single-game performances that are simply awful, including this one. And it's not as if he has made up for with offense -- his 19 points in 49 games ranks him down with the defensemen and checking forwards despite his being second line center much of the season, and his five power play points in over 120 minutes of power play ice time is as counterproductive as just about everything else he has done. Factor in his salary, his age, and his negativity as an alternate captain, and you have to wonder what Rucchin has done for this team that has earned him immunity from the type of accountability that has effectively motivated some other players.

Jaromir Jagr didn't want to look at this game negatively -- he was satisfied with the team's overall performance. But he has to face facts -- the Rangers haven't been able to get over this hump against the best teams in the league, finding ways to lose against them even when they outplay them. And this was a seriously depleted Flyer team that has slumped badly of late. With Lundqvist playing as well as this, no less than a win is really acceptable. Someone noted that Kevin Weekes would have been roasted for allowing an overtime goal like this one, but the truth is that a) Lundqvist has earned some slack, b) the shot was a perfect top corner bullet, and c) it was a four on two rush.

It was four on two because no one was ready to replace Nylander when he came off the ice. Why he came off after only 20 seconds without having gotten the puck deep was perhaps a mistake. Renney blamed himself for not having someone ready to replace him. He was more worried about replacing Jagr, who was way behind the play, practically unable to skate after a hard 1:20 shift. Replacing Jagr wouldn't have made a difference -- a timely change for Nylander would have placed a defender right in Pitkanen's skating lane, as Renney noted. But as Jagr said, what was the use of dissecting the overtime goal when you should never have let the game get to that point?

Martin Rucinsky had his right shoulder massively wrapped after the game, but he said it was nothing important when asked about it afterwards... Lost in the shuffle was the clutch penalty kill by the Rangers late in regulation time... Also lost in the shuffle was Poti's positional blunder on the Richards goal... One of the cheapest shots we've seen in a long time was Donald Brashear hitting Rucchin high and hard while he had his head up from a high-stick. Three Rangers jumped him in retaliation, but no penalty was called other than the high-stick. In the new NHL, it seems that anything goes -- except even the most minor of hooks. The cross-checking, interference, elbows, and post-whistle roughness was all quite fine with the officials in this game, but we're still waiting to see what exactly was done wrong on some of the penalties that were called.

Rangercentric game reports from the News, Journal News, Post, Times, and Newsday. Philly-area game reports here, here, here, and here. AP report has some extra stuff. Ville Nieminen will give the Rangers an even ten Olympic participants, according to notes in the News and Journal News.

Comments

[Tino]

Get we get the HELL rid of Rucchin? He brings down EVERY line he is ON

[brooklyn toni]

tino, amen

[OHBABY81787]

Rumor has it that the Senators are interested in Rucchin, I'd deal him.

[Len Schlegel]

Dubi, you hit the nail on the head once again, this time with regard to Rucchin. It's unbelievable how his lack of productivity and culpability (as shown after the game last night) goes unnoticed in the eyes of the coaching staff.

It's really a shame, but we really missed the boat in picking up a guy like Mike Sillinger. He would have been a great fit in Rucchin's spot. Good faceoff guy, solid skater, veteran presence and smarts. No doubt his production would have been better.

[ivrydov]

Rucchin had a bad game but he hasn't played himself off the team, in my opinion, unless they can get someone better.

There are only four players who have gone the distance into the finals and he's one of them along with Jagr, Sykora, and Nieminen. (Weekes went along for the ride as well.) If the Rangers do make a marathon run, this is a good guy to have around.

Anyway Andreychuk is out there for faceoffs if Rucchin's considered that bad. And maybe Hossa could be pawned off in the deal.

Here's what Rucchin has contributed so far. From NHL.com

"Leads the team with 314 faceoffs won. * Is second on the team among forwards with 44 blocked shots. * Ranks seventh on the team with nine goals. * Has posted a plus or even rating in 22 of his last 25 games, registering a plus-five rating over the span."

[throwaway]

The problem with some of those Rucchin numbers, Ivrdov, is that they are, in part, a function of the extensive ice time he receives, often with quality linemates. Watching him day-in and day-out, I often sense he's not quick enough or involved enough to justify keeping him. Neither he nor Rucinsky seem particularly inclined to finish checks; they often peel away instead. If we're looking to add toughness or youth, these would be the 1st two I'd replace.

On the faceoff issue, I'm not so sure the answer is to bring in a veteran faceoff guy. I would like, though, to see some sort of technique-instruction going on with the guys we have. I've been watching Moore closely; he often seems to lunge and pull himself off-balance when he loses draws. On a couple last night, he maintained better control and balance, and won those faceoffs. Again, better to fix from within, if possible, before importing from without.

[OHBABY81787]

Immonen or Helminen would look good on Broadway right now.

[Jess]

Finally Throwaway you say something I can agree with.

Moore I believe is better suited to be a winger as his struggles on faceoffs have gotten worse.

What boggles my mind is why Hollweg is not put back to his natural position?

Want to guess what it is? Yep he is a center which makes me laugh every time the Shills are amazed when Hollweg wins a faceoff.

Ohbaby

Why doesn't Immonen get a look see right about now is something I really would like to know too.

[Bob Merchant]

I had to go to electroshock therapy today to get over last nights games.
I would like to give some credit to Hossa. Dubi had mentioned him in today's story and I'd like to add that I was quite pleased with his ambition and drive.
I criticized him before and will not hold a grudge from previous lacadazical play if he keeps up the good work. I was also amazed by Straka's stick-handling getting through the zone to set up Jagr. As I watched him go in between around and through the entire Flyer team I sat up in my chair. Wow, he looked like Bobby Orr on that rush.
This was a tough loss people. This game was as good as in the books before the last minute meltdown. A full day later and I'm still in a foul mood.

[Anthony]

Anyone have any idea why Prucha is only getting about 10 minutes of ice time? Against Buffalo and now against Philly he's only gotten 10 minutes. Against Pittsburgh he got 15.

[OHBABY81787]

anthony, rodent thinks he caught what jagr has...

[saget]

i am not ready to jump on the Hossa bandwagon just yet. He has responded well to this latest benching, and has at least put in some effort. But I have little faith that he is anything but another Rucinsky - a soft guy with good talent who can have a hot streak here or there, but over an entire season will frustrate you more often then not.

As far as Rucchin goes, I actually wasn't unhappy with his signing - I thought his leadership and solid-two way play would be a useful one or two-year guide to people like Moore and Lundmark. But I've seen very little to suggest that he's been a help on the ice, and I'll have to take Dubi's word for his lack of contributions off the ice. Very disappointing.

[Joe Ives]

rucchin's lack of hitting should be no surprise, he barely had a game in his ducks days. go to http://www.sportsguynorth.blogspot.com and look up the definition of "rucchin of the year" there and you'll see how us ducks fans remember him... no surprise at all... especialy if you expected a physical game. he cant touch a puck without getting a concussion, ha.

[Dubi]

Joe, great link -- do you mind if I rucchin it off you? What a hoot, and right on!

Having watched the Rangers every day this season, including training camp and practice, I have to make a couple of observations about the Rucchin of the Year award. First, Rucchin himself is not a candidate for the Rucchin of the Year award because even given the presence of stellar linemates all season, he has failed to rucchin off of them, that's how bad he's been.

I also think Straka has to be given immunity from Rucchin of the Year because Jagr asked to have him on his team and on his line. If you saw Straka set up Jagr the othe night, weaving through two Flyers and drawing another two before dishing off to Jagr for the goal, you might want to reconsider which one is the rucchin. There was another such goal recently where Straka set Jagr up for a gimme that had everyone agog at how he ever saw him. Jagr for Rucchin of the Year! (Just kidding)

To understand what all this means, check out http://sportsguynorth.blogspot.com/2006/01/soulcrusher-and-rucchin.html -- Rucchin of the Year is an award for the player who most thrives on the presence of talented linemates despite a distinct lack of talent of his own.