It’s THAT time for Rangers, Islanders and Devils fans to do some deep thinking. Grab your crystal balls, Ouija boards and other forecast devices because the Free Agent Frenzy begins on Monday at Noon, Eastern Standard Time. it’s time to guess who — or if — our local sextets capture any important quarry led by […]
Just when every Devils fan finished saluting Ray Shero‘s-nabbing-Jack Hughes, New Jersey’s General Manager made it a head-turning one-two punch. BAM-BAM; just like that, Newark’s hockey maestro then obtained dynamic, veteran defenseman P.K. Subban, thereby fortifying the one element that coach John Hynes needed fixing — defense. All things considered, the deal with Shero’s Nashville […]
The first New York Islanders star to congratulate the club’s first pick at the annual Entry Draft on Friday night in Vancouver was none other than Mathew Barzal. Which was rather appropriate since the top Isles pick — in 23rd position — was Simon Holmstrom who regards Barzal among his favorite National Hockey League players. […]
It’s a special day for our franchise — Devils General Manager Ray Shero That it is. With the overwhelming choice to go as the Number One pick, center Jack Hughes did just that and Shero — not to mention Devils fans — are doing cartwheels of joy. “Jack can be a star,” says Shero. “He […]
For the Rangers, this is a game-changer! — Blueshirts President John Davidson Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton flipped a two-headed coin and guess what — Heads! He won. Although selecting second in the 2019 NHL Draft, Gorton picked Kaapo Kakko, who many seasoned hockey critics — The Maven included — believed worthy of the first […]
Nobody could be sure at the time, but the Islanders struck gold when the Nassaumen drafted center Mathew Barzal 16th overall in the 2015 Entry Draft. It would be Lou Lamoriello‘s good fortune to be able to find a reasonable facsimile in the 23rd drafting position this time around. No question, even coach Barry Trotz […]
Picture yourself as Ray Shero. You have walked up to the National Hockey League podium on Friday night in Vancouver to make the first pick in 2019’s Entry Draft. Which would your selection be — the astonishingly talented American center Jack Hughes or the Finnish Flash Kaapo Kakko? Like a sage poker player, New Jersey’s […]
Question: How lucky can the Rangers be in the up and coming National Hockey League Entry Draft? Answer: Either very lucky or very-very lucky. Fresh off of trading for Winnipeg ace defenseman Jacob Trouba, the Blueshirts come into this year’s draft with an easy decision. Look at it this way: With the second overall pick […]
To Hughes or not to Hughes? That is the question? With the National Hockey League’s Annual Entry Draft just around the corner, the spotlight will center on Jack Hughes, the enormously talented American, and The Finnish Flash, Kaapo Kakko. Heading into the homestretch, my random poll clearly indicates that New Jersey Devils general manager Ray […]
The People Have Always Some Champion Whom They Set Over Them And Nurse Into Greatness — Plato’s Republic, Book VII Those 15 words were written by Plato, the legendary philosopher, and help explain why the Rangers welcome John Davidson back to New York as the club’s newly-minted president. “He’s the perfect fit,” says long-time NHL […]
If you still have the Islanders’ 2018-19 schedule around, check out Oct. 4 and remember what you were thinking about prospects for the new season. It was opening night and forecasts for new coach Barry Trotz‘s team were so dim that The Hockey News predicted an eighth (last) place finish in the Metro Division. “New […]
The New York Islanders know all about the “difficult” and the “impossible.” While constructing a 103-point regular season record, they surpassed weekly challenges throughout the 82-game marathon. Cynics waited for them to fold; but they never did. [MSG Networks To Air Extensive Coverage of Isles First Round Series] As coach Barry Trotz often said, “We […]
Give My Regards To Broadway —Ā George M. Cohan’s Hit N.Y. Tune Ā New York’s adopted hockey monarch, Glen Sather, is abandoning his presidential throne and will be moving into a new role with the Rangers. The full-time boss of the Blueshirts for almost two decades, Sather, 75, will transition from President to Senior Advisor. […]
How High The Moon — An all-time hit song. How high the Islanders? That’s the talk around the National Hockey League now that coach Barry Trotz‘s astonishing outfit did what — last Fall — nobody in the ice world thought they could accomplish. They have done what the Las Vegas Golden Knights did in the […]
In the Iffy League, you never win or lose. Like it or not, that’s the prognosis in Buffalo for the Sabres. Or, to put it another way, in terms of hockey in 2018-19 the “Ifs” outweigh the “Plus” and “Minuses” because — well — because there’s so much uncertainty about Western New York’s favorite hockey […]
Were it not for the metaphysical Vegas performance last season, everyone still would be raving about the New Jersey Devils‘ ascent to the 2018 playoffs. Okay, so we’re still doing cartwheels over Taylor Hall‘s Hart Trophy season and Nico Hischier‘s meteoric rise to center Hall’s first line. Keith KinkaidĀ demonstrated that, yes, he has the goods […]
Beyond The Blue Horizon Waits A Beautiful Day – Hit song written during the Great Depression) Led by legendary Lou Lamoriello and Cup champion Barry Trotz, the Islanders view the new season glowing like a rising sun. A housecleaning that removed an entire general staff with established winners and a group of young, skilled virtuosos […]
Nothing about me is gonna be the same, there’ll be some changes made. (Excerpt from hit tune). No musical lyrics could better fit the “new” New York Rangers than the above jazz tune’s theme. Ever since last February, and right up to the recent deal that brought Adam McQuaid to Seventh Avenue, the Blueshirts have […]
What can be said about Adam Graves that hasn’t been said before? Plenty, unless you happened to have seen him a few minutes ago. Fact is, the ex-Ranger-turned-Mister-Hockey-Everything is all over the place. When not helping develop the next generation of Rangers, he’s working with neighborhood hockey groups or involved in any number of many […]
Chatting with rookie Rangers coach David Quinn is as refreshing and stimulating as sipping a Mint Julep on a hot New York day. Naturally, it’s so good, you want some more, so in sunny Manhattan, I savored my one-on-one chat with the Blueshirts’ new bench boss. He’s fun, candid, excited and everything else that goes […]
Patience. Fortitude. Perseverance. Grim Determination. Take your pick. Put ’em all together and you have Josh Bailey‘s story, a slow climb to stardom. But eventually, he made it. And if you don’t believe me, check Josh’s arithmetic book. During the 2017-18 season, the 28-year-old delivered a career-high in goals (18), a career-high in assists (53) […]
What can be said about Barry Trotz that already hasn’t been said? Plenty. For one thing, he’ll revive the Islanders. For another, the Stanley Cup-winning coach won’t be shadow-boxing in the dark. He knows his onions, knows his hockey and relishes the idea of a good challenge. It happened in Nashville, where he turned the […]
John Hynes hasn’t forgotten. Just a year ago, The Hockey News‘ editors verbally interred his New Jersey Devils so far down the National Hockey League standings in a pre-season X-Ray that you’d have needed an electron microscope to find them. “The Devils’ rebuild has a long way to go,” The Game’s Bible concluded, which was […]
I’m Beginning To See The Light — Frank Sinatra hit tune After three years as Rangers‘ majordomo, Jeff Gorton is beginning to see the light — and loving it. Not that the Blueshirts’ general manager hasn’t relished his role since replacing Glen Sather in July 2015, but there’s something titillating about being the mastermind of […]
Haste Makes Waste — Proverb Not Coined By Ray Shero That’s right, the New Jersey DevilsĀ general manager didn’t originate the above bromide; he just follows that bit of advice to the letter as he builds an NHL contender. Which explains why New Jersey’s hockey boss doubled as Mister Cool during the recent Free Agent Frenzy […]
Pain And Progress — Title of Devils Book When Lou Lamoriello Became New Jersey GM In 1987 Nobody in the hockey world knows better than Lou Lamoriello that pain and progress are inseparable. The new Islanders boss applied that lesson orchestrating three Stanley Cup champions in the Garden State. More recently, he experienced that […]
Lou Lamoriello has plenty of experience with players who had been in his fold but bolted in search of greener pastures. Lamoriello just shook them off like a pitcher knowing the next one would be a strike out. Having covered the Islanders new hockey boss since Lamoriello’s Devils debut in 1987, I’ve admired the manner […]
Is the Free Agent Frenzy (FAF) over, just three days after its frenetic John Tavares opener? If nothing else, JT’s headline-grabber has left a fallout of fan fury; at least in Islanders Country but that will diminish along with the free agent list. Still, there’s more FAF ahead but with diminishing returns and some compelling […]
Freshly-minted as a Maple Leaf, John Tavares faced-off with some of his critics — mainly me — late Sunday afternoon in a conference call. Whether the ex-Islanders captain won the draw — or lost it, as the case may be — depends on where your rooting interest lies. John took the third-degree well, even got […]
The Island Has Been Home, It’s What I Know; It’s Part Of Me. — Part of John Tavares’ FarewellĀ Message To Islanders Fans. Likewise, in a positive statement, Isles hockey boss Lou Lamoriello thanked Tavares “for everything he has done for the franchise,” wishing John and his family “all the best.” In addition, Lamoriello added, “John […]
The great Winston Churchill once said: A Pessimist Sees The Difficulty In Every Opportunity; An Optimist Sees The Opportunity In Every Difficulty England’s Churchill, the iconic hero of the Second World War, could have been talking about Lou Lamoriello today. Now that John Tavares has bid the Islanders adieu by signing with his hometown Toronto […]
With the Free Agent Frenzy just days away, it marks just about 365 days since the first question about a certain Islander was uttered: Where will John Tavares wind up on July 1, 2018? Egad-What-A-Cad. (And I don’t mean John either). The F-A Madness is just around the calendar with the chief protagonist none other […]
Now what — for the Rangers, Islanders and Devils? Secure in the knowledge that they obtained the best possible draftees, the three locals are looking ahead to the ever-heart-throbbing Free Agent Frenzy beginning on July 1. In a rather unique situation, our trio of teams are confronting dilemmas in the crease. All are solvable but […]
Now that the euphoria surrounding the Islanders hiring of Cup-winning coach Barry Trotz is subsiding, the club’s challenges next will be addressed by the new mentor. Having watched the Islanders play virtually every home game in person this past season — and by television for road games — The Maven will point out key areas […]
With Lou Lamoriello already in the fold and Barry Trotz the latest to sign a contract, the Islanders have completed two-thirds of their personnel hat-trick. Completion, of course, will depend on whether the new Lou-Barry duet can persuade John TavaresĀ to remain with the club as captain. That decision will likely come soon; around the July […]
His new-to-the-NHL Islanders were so bad that general manager Bill Torrey liked to joke that he began thinking the Nassaumen’s real name was Hapless. “Every time we lost,” Torrey explained, “some writer would refer to us as ‘The Hapless Islanders.'” But not for long. Bowtie Bill — with plenty of help from aide Jim Devellano […]
No team was more devastated by World War II armed forces enlistments than the New York Rangers. After finishing first in 1941-42, the Blueshirts missed the postseason for five straight years. Ever worse, many of the pre-war stars had lost their speed and were mere shades of their former selves. As a result, the Rangers […]
The magic of Lou Lamoriello can best be translated by examining his outstanding rookie collection, which began with center Kirk Muller, no Mario Lemieux but a solid citizen all the way, productive, too. Emperor of them all was Martin Brodeur, whose nonpareil puck-stopping caused double-takes in his freshman year and seasons after. Following Marty’s first […]
Barry Trotz has done a Mike Keenan. He’s walked out on a Stanley Cup-winner; the club he cultivated from first round-almost-loser- to Champs. Keenan did it to the Rangers in 1994, moving on to coach the Blues in St.Louis. Now Trotz is the ex-coach of the Caps who can stop celebrating and mourn the departure […]
With visions of landing another Mathew Barzal dancing in his head, Lou Lamoriello approaches the upcoming NHL Draft secure in the knowledge that he has chosen well in the past. Very well, as a matter of fact. The Islanders‘ spanking new director of hockey operations — not to mention general manager — constructed three New […]
As the Golden Knights have proven beyond all reasonable doubt, 2017-18 has been the inimitable anything-can-happen year. Ironically, the Vegas Story has been so sensational that it tended to push a New Jersey miracle off to Stage Left. That would be the Devils‘ unexpected — and very quick — development of their young players and, […]
Is there a Brian Leetch out there who’s draft-able for the Rangers in Dallas? Wishful thinking, of course, but the answer actually could be in the affirmative because the Vegas Golden Knights have taught us that nothing is impossible in the NHL anymore. History has proven it’s possible to find a Draft diamond buried way, […]
Cinderella has gone AWOL. The Capitals have Cindy’s Glass Slipper and the Silver Stanley Cup. Having vanquished the once fairy tale Golden Knights, 4-3 Thursday night at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, the Caps jet home to celebrate their third period comeback classic. Meanwhile, 30 other teams begin serious focus on the NHL Entry Draft (June 22-23) […]
Thirty-two Cup Final thoughts from The Maven: 1. The Maven has three reasons why Washington will triumph Thursday. 1) Vegas has lost the will to win; 2)Ā Braden Holtby has scored a goalie TKO over Marc-Andre Fleury; 3)Ā Evgeny Kuznetsov, T.J. Oshie and “The Great 8,”Ā Alex Ovechkin. 2. A D.C. Date to Remember: July 2, 2015. That’s […]
The fallout from the exits of Garth Snow and Doug Weight from the Islanders‘ high command — if nothing else — proves that Lou Lamoriello now has full power to rebuild the Islanders’ organization with his fingerprints all over it. Lou will hire a head coach, will personally pick the under-staff and, perhaps, the other […]
Lou Lamoriello‘s double-edged axe has fallen on Garth Snow and Doug Weight. The new Islanders boss waited a mere two weeks before ousting the club’s general manager and head coach. [Read Official Press Release] Guessing on the replacements begins now with Barry Trotz a possibility if — as rumored — his contract is not re-upped, […]
1. The only way Alex Ovechkin can be a better Caps captain is by being a twin. Since that’s impossible he’ll be welcomed on Saturday night in Washington for what he is; the most total forward in NHL history. 2. Never has there been a goal-king whose body checks are as hard as his shots. […]
Our resident hockey Maven, Stan Fischler, shares his thoughts on the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. To those who have just arrived from a Distant Planet, know this: THE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS WILL BE PLAYING THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS FOR THE STANLEY CUP. The Maven puts these in Caps not because the Capitals will win the Stanley […]
Our resident hockey Maven, Stan Fischler, shares his thoughts on the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 1. You have to be from Mars to bet against determined Washington in the Cup Final, and from Venus to bet against magical Vegas. Down here on Earth, Stanley predicts that the Caps will win their first Stanley. 2. Expect […]
“I’ll Do It My Way.” (Song By Frank Sinatra, 1969; Lou Lamoriello Theme, Always) Minutes after his New Jersey Devils were awarded their first Stanley Cup by Commissioner Gary Bettman in 1995, Lou Lamoriello raced past me down the corridor at the Meadowlands Arena. “What’s the rush?” I asked the general manager who — I […]
In the most dramatic move since taking control of the Islanders, owners Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky have dropped the gloves and started swinging. The one-two punch resulted in the most stabilizing individual force available in the game — Lou Lamoriello. For the second time in three years, Lamoriello bounced off the canvas right into […]
I was there on May 17, 1983 when the Islanders won their fourth straight Stanley Cup at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Now, 35 years later — and looking backward — I still cannot believe it happened. Beating the mighty Edmonton Oilers, 4-2, in that melodramatic match, the Isles became the only American team in history […]
Our resident hockey Maven, Stan Fischler, shares his thoughts on the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 1. Looking ahead to Game 4 of the Washington-Tampa Bay series on Thursday night in D.C., The Maven returns to the classroom. The subject is Basic Bolts 101: The lesson can be summarized thusly: The Lightning still has the best […]
1. Winnipeg at Nashville Thursday in torrid Tennessee is as good a seventh game matchup as Gary Bettman — or The Maven — could contrive. 2. But back in October, nobody expected the Jets to be so good. The Hockey News forecasted Winnipeg would be sixth in the Central Division with Cup-winning odds at 35-1. […]
The New York Islanders (1980-83) comprised the greatest hockey team ever put on ice. If you don’t believe me, all you had to do was ask its architect, Bill Torrey. Bowtie Bill, who died in West Palm Beach, Florida, at 83, had been saying it for decades and his point was irrefutable. “Not only did […]
Where Do We Go From Here, Boys? — World War II song The Devils know where they’re going — up, up, up and up. That’s the consensus of the New Jersey high command, headed by general manager Ray Shero and coach John Hynes. Coming off an unexpectedly positive season, the general staff is planning to […]
“I get no respect.” — Humorist Rodney Dangerfield The late Dangerfield of comedy fame would not belong on the New Jersey Devils; at least not the current club. Unlike Dangerfield, the self-demeaning, famed comic, John Hynes’ outfit is oozing with respect throughout the National Hockey League. “Our coach said it was our job to get […]
“Pain And Progress,” Title Of Early New Jersey Devils History, 1992 The temporary pain of spring 2018 soon will fade while the long-term progress is inevitable. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for a future playoff-team, the Devils were built at least two years ahead of time. At a point in the […]
This time, Goliath won. David — alias the amazing Cory Schneider & Co. — exits Stage Right filled with pride in their season and optimistic about their future. The 3-1 defeat (last goal an open-netter) Saturday afternoon at the Lightning’s Amalie Arena surprised few. Most observers thought the behemoth Bolts would sweep the series. Winning […]
It’s not about the guys out of your lineup. It’s about the performance of the guys in your lineup. — Devils coach John Hynes Since the Devils have made a season out of fooling the experts who tagged them as cellar-dwellers, the time has come for some more Hynes-variety tomfoolery. After all, the Lightning figure […]
If one of our players should get injured by illegal tactics of the enemy, I expect the players on our team to see that the man responsible doesn’t get away with it. — Conn Smythe, owner of the Maple Leafs, 1946. The Leafs listened to their boss, punched back and won an unprecedented three straight […]
Brinksmanship is now the game being played by the Devils and it’s not unlike the guy who said, “My name is Cliff, drop over some time!” Another loss on Saturday at Tampa Bay and the dream of advancing to the second playoff round will vanish faster than the last Zamboni at Prudential Center. [WATCH: Does […]
āFear is a reaction; courage is a decision.ā ā Winston Churchill The Devils have no fear, but a surplus of courage. And they’ll build off that intrepidity heading for Game 4 of their first-round series with Tampa Bay tonight at Prudential Center. [Coverage of Game 4 Begins at 7 PM on MSG, MSG+ &Ā MSG GO] […]
Over the decades, Madison Square Garden has been blessed with legendary musical personalities connected with the Rangers. At the old Garden, it was Gladys Goodding at the organ console who played for decades and also was an engaging, lovable personality. At the new Garden, John Amirante emerged as an anthem-singing favorite whose dynamic voice and […]
The mountain that the Devils were challenged to climb now looks more like a hill, thanks to their Monday night machinations at The Rock. A win will do that and turn Wednesday night’s collision with the Lightning even more enthralling for the boys from Newark. After all, they matched first-place Tampa, shot for shot, hit […]
Down two games to none against arguably the National Hockey League’s best team, the Devils are in a reality show that could get worse if they don’t shape up in a hurry. The reality in this opening playoff round is that the steamrolling Lightning, led by captain Steven Stamkos, is strong in all areas and […]
Florida vacations are no fun if you happen to come home with an excessive sunburn. Ditto for hockey trips to Tampa Bay if you happen to be the Devils and return to New Jersey down two games to nil with Game 3 coming up on Monday in Newark. [Watch Game 3 Monday at 7 PM […]
Enigma. Riddle. Puzzle. Conundrum. Mystery. Secret. Take your pick of descriptions — personally, I like conundrum — and you have an idea how perplexing the next Devils‘ goaltending decision must be. With Game 2 of the New Jersey-Tampa Bay series slated for 3 p.m. today’s afternoon matchup, the odds — at least in The Maven’s […]
In Tampa Bay, Land Of The Stogie, the Devils need a good cigar because as they ready for Game 2 on Saturday, right now they’re just close — but no cigar! The experienced first-place Lightning, playing at home Thursday night, beat the inexperienced bottom wild-card outfit, 5-2, pretty much as the critics expected. Ever valiant, […]
Really, when it comes to New Jersey’s playoff hockey fortunes, it’s all about Taylor Hall, the club’s one and only phenom. Sure, there are a ton of other factors but in the end, as Hall goes, so go the Devils. As for evaluating the precise outcome of the Devils-Lightning series, which opens tonight in Tampa […]
As absurd as it may have seemed when the Autumn leaves began falling last September, the New Jersey Devils survived the 82-game marathon as a playoff team in Spring. And I don’t mean maybe either. Neither does the NHL postseason schedule which lists the Garden Staters starting their playoff quest on Thursday in Tampa Bay. […]
Why wasĀ Alain VigneaultĀ relieved of his duties? For starters, let The Maven say that for weeks I have been asking assorted Rangers fans whether they wanted A.V. back behind the Blueshirts bench in 2018-19. About 75 percent asserted that he should be replaced — and for all the reasons you’ll find below. General Manager Jeff Gorton […]
Woe is the opponent destined to meet the magical Devils in the playoffs. Whether it’s Boston, Washington, Columbus, Tampa Bay or Pittsburgh, coach John Hynes‘ New Jersey sextet will be supreme underdogs. But this is one long-shot team that can pull an upset. “I’m excited,” said left wing Patrick Maroon, architect of both New Jersey […]
He came to camp in September 2016 as a nobody and today he’s the odds-on favorite to win the Calder Memorial Trophy. How does an afterthought one year become an NHL rookie sensation the next? On Tuesday night at Barclays Center against the Flyers, he led the Islanders to a 5-4 victory with two goals […]
At first look, Will Butcher doesn’t strike you as a defenseman who instills physical fear in an opponent’s heart. That’s because he doesn’t. Likewise, the lighthorse 5-foot-10, 190-pounder from Madison, WI never will be auditioning for the roles of Gulliver, Godzilla, Gargantua or your friendly local Giraffe. Monstrous, he’s not. But this New Jersey Devils […]
It’s a long way from Farmingville, Long Island to the National Hockey League. Or is it? When it comes to Keith Kinkaid, the answer is yes — and no. No, because nobody ever figured that the nice fellow next door from a Suffolk County hamlet ever could complete the trek from obscure hockey to The […]
Miles Wood got ahead of himself last season — by miles — and it didn’t do him a bit of good. Now that he’s slowed down, the Devils streamlined scorer is fast becoming a star who could help nudge New Jersey into the playoffs for the first time since 2012. A step in the right […]
It ain’t easy being Taylor Hall. Here’s a man who has totaled 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in his last 25 games with the New Jersey Devils. Hold on; that’s not all. He’s just the eighth different player in the last 30 years to record at least a point in 25 or more consecutive […]
The trade frenzy is over; blood pressure pills and aspirins can be put aside for the moment — unless, of course, post-deal sedatives still are needed. Rangers blockbuster moves such as Michael Grabner to the Devils and Rick Nash to the Bruins further fulfilled theĀ Glen Sather–Jeff GortonĀ promise to streamline their skaters and speed in the […]
Last September every so-called “expert” in hockey predicted that the Devils would wind up somewhere south of Tahiti and more likely in the subterranean depths of the National Hockey League. General manager Ray Shero sure fooled them. Wheeling and dealing from training camp through the Trade Deadline, Redoubtable Ray stunned the Figure Filberts with a […]
Still in playoff contention, the Islanders nevertheless announced weeks ago that they would not trade John Tavares, their captain and premier sharpshooter. Which meant that a potential blockbuster exchange essentially was removed from the table in Brooklyn while other plans were evaluated. Through Sunday, the Islanders’ high command was satisfied with the lone trade for […]
This is the greatest Olympic hockey story never told — at least, until now. The tale begins in the tiny Upstate New York village of Clinton — next door to Utica — and ends at an outdoor rink in Nazi Germany, circa 1936. In case you never heard of Clinton, it deserves the title of, […]
Yes, there was a time when it appeared as if Jean Ratelle never would make it in the National Hockey League, let alone dream about being a Hall of Famer. It was the 1962-63 season and I had the Rangers’ beat for The Hockey News. A kid named Rod Gilbert had already made a hit […]
With the Islanders visiting The Rock on Saturday night for Patrik Elias Night, John Hynes‘ Devils will unveil a surprise present for The Honorable Patty. Michael Grabner. He was acquired from the Rangers in exchange for the Devils’ second-round pick in the 2018 Draft, and the rights to defenseman Yegor Rykov. [Press Release: Devils Acquire […]
Pardon me if I get personal — okay, really choked up — telling you about Patrik Elias and his #26 Retirement Ceremony on Saturday night at The Rock. I bring this up to you up front because the Elias comeback to this moment and the banner-raising of his #26 will be the one of the […]
Uncle Sam’s Men’s Olympic Hockey Team plays its opening game against Slovenia on Wednesday, Feb. 14. From the get-go, when the NHL announced it would not be sending players to The Winter Games, controversy has enveloped the decision to use the non-big leaguers. Nevertheless, the American players will go for the Gold in the South […]
Picking the Top 10Ā Rangers Moments in celebration of Madison Square Garden‘s 50th anniversary is the beauty part of this job. The challenge — and believe, you, me — it is a challenge, happens to be trimming down a ton of choices toĀ just 10. But The Maven is here for reason, so here goes. (And if […]
He’s almost too good to be true. Switzerland’s gift to the New Jersey Devils, Nico Hischier simply was not supposed to be a generational talent like recent No. 1 picks Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews. But who’s to say that the razzle-dazzle center from a hamlet you’ve never heard of — it’s called Naters — […]
This was not an accident. With the Islanders leading the sizzling Vegas Golden Knights by a slim goal in the third period last Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena, coach Doug Weight badly needed a cushion goal to protect the lead. It was the kind of clutch situation that first-year Islander Jordan Eberle relishes as do […]
It’s Christmas in January for Islanders fans who have clamored for a return of their favorite team to Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Granted that it will only be a partial — 12 game — plan for 2018-19 but, according to the details laid out Monday by Governor Andrew Cuomo, there will be at least 48 […]
He Shoots! He Scores! — Exciting! Yes!! Slogan accompanying a Table Hockey Advertisement. Take that Table Hockey ad and apply it to Taylor Hall and it fits as neatly as a pair of shinguards under the shooter’s stockings. Having swiftly surfaced as the battery that lights up the Devils, the Calgary native has quickly embraced […]
Let’s face it, in some ways Cory Schneider is experiencing the most difficult challenge in the history of National Hockey League goaltending. He’s following Martin Brodeur‘s act in Newark. Not that Schneider is complaining. He’s making big bucks, playing lots and winning as well. But it does come at a psychological price. After all, moving […]
And to think that, right now, Anders Lee, the Islanders leading goal-scorer, might have been starring in the NFL playoffs. I kid you not. The Minnesota native once was a hot-shot gridder in his home state with all signs suggesting that a pro career loomed in his football future. “Football came naturally to me,” the […]
Pinpointing the time and place of the very first hockey game is about as easy as skating in mud but this much is certain; it was played outdoors on natural ice. No Zamboni; no pipes crisscrossing under the arena floor; nothing but fresh air — preferably very cold — and a feeling of exuberance among […]
The Islanders are on the fast track to the race track. For that, they can thank many sources with the official announcement on Wednesday that the hockey club’s bid to build a state of the art arena next to Belmont Race Track has been approved. Now that ownership, led by Scott Malkin and Jon Ledecky, […]
Any similarity between Islanders rookie center Mathew Barzal and Hall of Famer Michael Bossy is purely coincidental. [Watch Islanders-Blue Jackets on MSG+ & Download Free onĀ MSG GO] In his freshman year, 1977-78, Bossy was named the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy-winner as rookie of the year. Now a first-year man himself, Barzal is hellbent toward the […]
Call them Foot Soldiers, call them Grunts or call them The Underrated. Whatever you choose to call the likes of Jesper Fast, Boo Nieves or Marc Staal, they respectively remain critical to the success of the New York RangersĀ and their uptick after a slow start to their season. Though Mats Zuccarello and Henrik Lundqvist are […]
Call them Foot Soldiers, call them Grunts or call them The Underrated. Whatever you choose to call the likes of Steven Santini, Blake Coleman orĀ Stefan Noesen, they respectively remain critical to the success of the New Jersey Devils. [Watch Devils-Blue Jackets Friday on MSG+ & Download Free on MSG GO] With the spotlight currently on […]
Call them Foot Soldiers, call them Grunts or call them The Underrated. Whatever you choose to call the likes ofĀ Casey Cizikas,Ā Jordan Eberle or Adam Pelech, they respectively remain critical to the success of theĀ New York Islanders. [Watch Islanders-Penguins Tonight on MSG Networks & Download Free on MSG GO] Cizikas, sidelined with an injury, was conspicuous […]
Poof! Just like that, the New Jersey Devils have established themselves as serious playoff contenders. And if there’s any doubt about that, well, forget about it. The trade General Manager Ray Shero pulled off, obtaining ace defenseman Sami Vatanen, 26, seals the deal. [Official Press Release: Devils Acquire Vatanen From Ducks] As one scout told […]
When the first puck was dropped to launch the 2017-18 training season, a small forward from Braintree, Massachusetts named Brian Gibbons was not even on the Devils‘ depth chart. And why should he have been? Undrafted, the New Englander previously had been discarded both by the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets. At age 29, […]
When the Devils greeted the new hockey season without two of their best centers — Travis Zajac and Brian Boyle — many felt the curtain had already dropped on New Jersey’s playoff hopes. It did not; in fact, that curtain still is going up as Newark’s favorite hockey team prepares to host the Boston Bruins […]
Like the obscured sun during an eclipse, for most of the 10-year career of Josh (Ace) Bailey has been virtually hidden from the glare of publicity. That is, until this season. Stealthily, yet steadily, Ace has moved to the sunny side of the NHL street where he’s become a balance wheel of the Islanders attack. […]
When is it too early to call a National Hockey League rookie a star? In Connor McDavid’s case, it was only a matter of seconds. Everyone knew that the Oilers’ center and captain had the goods shortly after he was out of diapers. In the case of the Islanders’ new ace, Mathew Barzal, a bit […]
You could be forgiven if you mistook the Islanders practice rink for a five-star hotel. Where else — in the middle of suburban East Meadow’s Eisenhower Park — would you find a world-class chef dishing out deluxe dishes? Remarkably, this has nothing to do with a restaurant-within-a-hostelry but rather a dining room inside Northwell Health […]
Check out a movie reel of the New-New Jersey Devils and you have to ask yourself, “Are these guys for real?” That’s what the Vancouver Canucks were thinking last Wednesday night after coach John Hynes‘ Garden Staters invaded Rogers Arena. Implausibly, the Devils were outshot, outplayed and even out-Corsied, yet exited laughing with a 2-0 […]
There’s only one word to describe the Islanders situation after the club’s first eleven games of the season — hopeful. Granted that the franchise is a work in progress, but Saturday night’s emphatic 6-2 victory over the Stanley Cup Finalist Nashville Predators offers more optimism for the club than there was at this time last […]
It’s a long way from Prague in the Czech Republic to Barclays Center in Downtown Brooklyn, but Petr Mika made the trip for a rather extraordinary reason. Although he played a grand total of only three NHL games, Mika was inspired to fly all the way to New York for some special days in his […]
Taking a deep breath after a four-game road trip that happily culminated with a win at The Garden, the Islanders return to Brooklyn on Saturday against San Jose with smiles on their faces. But the grins didn’t come easy; not after blowing a 3-1 lead on Thursday night in the third period; not to mention […]
The Devils may not possess all the goods when it comes to being a Stanley Cup contender, but after five games, the Garden Staters cannot be ruled out as a mere pretender either. Not by a long shot or a slap shot. As they move on to a Tuesday night meeting with the Lightning at […]
Prepping for their four-game road trip, the Islanders know that there’s work to be done offensively and defensively. Yet even after a shootout defeat on Monday afternoon at Barclays Center, they can feel proud of themselves. Seemingly down and out, 0-2, late in the third period, Doug Weight‘s skaters obtained goals from Andrew Ladd (13:04) […]
“Who needs John Tavares?” You won’t hear any Islanders fan uttering those sacrilegious words on Friday night when the Brooklynites open on the road against the Blue Jackets in Columbus. [Coverage of the Islanders Season-Opener Starts Friday at 6:30 PM on MSG-Plus andĀ MSG GO] That’s for sure because JT remains THE man — but he […]
From a purely medical viewpoint, this has been a devastating offseason for the New Jersey Devils. First, General Manager Ray Shero learned that his crack center, Travis Zajac, would lose at least a couple of months of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. And now the club has made the heartbreaking revelation that Brian […]
Ever since Hall of Fame, New Jersey legend Scott Niedermayer moved West to Anaheim and eventually retired, the Devils have sought a reasonable facsimile for their blue line corps. While finding needles in haystacks may be a lot easier than finding another Nieder-type, give the Garden State ice leaders marks for trying; and they just […]
It’s a long way from Edmonton, Alberta circa 2003 to Citi Field, Queens circa 2018. Those geographic and time measurements tell you how far — and how successful — NHL outdoor games have been — all 22 of them so far. Right in our own backyard, this latest open-air ice extravaganza — Rangers vs. Sabres […]
In this age of specialization in hockey, the RangersĀ under General Manager Jeff GortonĀ have been front and center at the apex. The Blueshirts boss underlined the point on Tuesday by hiring legendary RangerĀ Brian Leetch and former Blueshirts center Brad Richards, to further fortify the franchise. Taking on roles as Hockey Operations Advisors, their duties will encompass […]
A year ago, the New York Rangers plucked the prize free agent collegian on the market — Jimmy Vesey. This time around Ray Shero‘s New Jersey Devils did likewise, signing prime college free agent, puck-moving defenseman Will Butcher. For Shero this is a majorĀ coupĀ since the Hobey Baker Award-winner had been pursued — just like Vesey […]
When I was dispatched to Montreal for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, I had only one — and only one — name on my mind. Driving up the Thruway, then the Northway and into Canada with New York Times Islanders beat man, Allan Kreda, we spent several hours in debate. After all, there were several […]
Regarded as the heir apparent to Derek Stepan as the Rangers top center, Mika Zibanejad now will be preparing to prove he’s worth every dollar of his newly-minted contract. Celebrating a five-year, $5.35 million annual pact, the 24-year-old Swede virtually bubbled over the prospects of his second season as a Blueshirt. “I’m super-happy,” Zibanejad exulted […]
The assumption was that Bob Wolff would go on forever. That was reasonable enough since at the age of 95 — last February — he still was contributing essays for News 12 Long Island; a mere 78 years after he broke in behind a microphone. At times one suspected that there really were three Bob […]
By Leo Scaglione Jr., pinch-hitting for The Maven Kevin Klein is calling it a career. After totaling 154 points (38 goals, 116 assists) and a plus-22 rating in 627 regular-season games over parts of 12 NHL seasons with the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers, and 19 points (4 goals, 15 assists) with a plus-5 […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For The Maven The Rangers have been anything but off this offseason. The latest moves by New York include signing unrestricted free agent center David Desharnais and re-signing restricted free agent right wing Jesper Fast. In 453 career regular-season NHL contests, Desharnais has notched 254 points (81 goals, 173 assists). […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For The Maven The mantra in New Jersey since Ray Shero took over as general manager two years ago has been to trust the process. The Devilsā patient approach paid off again Sunday night when the club acquired 26-year-old, left-shooting forward Marcus Johansson from the salary-cap strapped Washington Capitals in […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For The Maven Kevin Shattenkirk dreamed aboutĀ playing for the Rangers as a kid. Two decades later, the 28-year-old defenseman turned those dreams into reality. Shattenkirk, a native of New Rochelle, NY, signed with the Blueshirts Saturday after becoming an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. “This […]
The biggest free agent signing in National Hockey League history took place 41 years ago; and when The Maven says “big”, that means LARGE. You may have heard of him since some folks believe he was — sorry, Sir Sidney — the greatest player of all-time. None other than Bobby Orr. Talk about “Free Agent […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For the Maven Brendan SmithĀ very muchĀ enjoyed his time with the Rangers after he was dealt to New York prior to the tradeĀ deadline this past season. āThis was arguably the best team Iāve been on,ā Smith, 28, said following the season. āI really enjoyed playing here. It was a lot of […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For the Maven The New York Islandersā headline move on day two of the 2017 NHL DraftĀ had nothing to do with a pick, at least none of which will be used this year. It was their trade with the Calgary Flames in which they dealt 26-year-old defenseman Travis Hamonic and […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For the Maven For weeks — if not months — the debate has raged. Nolan Patrick or Nico Hischier, with Gabe Vilardi galloping strong in third place. [Patrick vs. Hischier: Comparing The Important Stuff] This was all about DevilsĀ General Manager Ray Shero and his First Round pick in the Entry […]
By: Leo Scaglione Jr., Pinch-Hitting For the Maven In their chase to win their first Stanley Cup since 1994, the Rangers dealt each of their first-round selections in the past four National Hockey League drafts to acquire proven talent. This year was the exception, as the club added a second first-round pick and the seventh […]
If Garth Snow intends to rebuild the Islanders in a manner that entices captain John Tavares to re-sign with the club, he’s off to a solid start. By dealing Ryan Strome to the Edmonton Oilers for Tavares’ (Junior) Team Canada teammate Jordan Eberle, the Islanders’ GM has set off what could be a chain reaction […]
Poof! Like the shake of casino dice, big gambles were taken in the newest Hockey-land by The Strip. Naturally, the Rangers, Islanders, Devils and SabresĀ were all involved. Las Vegas welcomed the NHL Expansion Draft with all the hoopla one expected from the city, then got into the business of picking players. And as Islanders dynasty-maker […]
Although the Sabres have yet to win a Stanley Cup — they sure came close in the 1975 Final against Philadelphia — Buffalo has boasted some interesting and competitive teams. Fans can thank the Sabres’Ā birddogs who came up with a bunch of then-unknowns who were down low on the draftĀ totem pole. These are the details […]
They came out of nowhere — one from Minnesota, another from Michigan, two from Sweden, and of course a Canadian. Each ofĀ the five rank among the best longshot draft picks for theĀ Islanders. Four of them played during the Isles’ dynasty, and the final draft gem skates for the club now. Here’s why they made this […]
From their origins in Kansas City and later Denver, the franchise that was to become the New Jersey Devils was once the National Hockey League’s laughing stock. Struggling to find traction for his losing club, owner Dr. John McMullen finally shook up his high-command in 1987 and imported Providence College sports icon Lou Lamoriello to […]
The expression “Genius will out” fits Phil Housley‘s appointment as new Sabres head coach like a bowling ball making a perfect strike. Arguably the greatest American-born defenseman in history, Phil now joins an impressive list of Uncle Sam’s ice geniuses populating major league hockey. Try Mike Sullivan and Peter Laviolette for starters. And for Buffalonians, […]
There may have been better Rangers defensemen than Dan Girardi, but never a backliner who gave more of mind and body to the Blueshirts’ franchise than this ultimate competitor out of Welland, Ontario. That explains why the club’s buy out on Wednesday of Dan’s contract marks a meaningful turning point in the franchise’s history. A […]
As the cheering for the champs reverberates throughout Pittsburgh, deep-thinkers on 30 teams — including the Vegas Golden Knights — are studying the Penguins fabulous formula. It happens every year — the copycat technique for mimicking a Cup-winner. Only this June, the Penguins only had to mimic themselves. To win two straight Stanley Cups required […]
Scotty Gomez‘s arrival as the Islanders‘ latest assistant coach hire did not come easily — thanks to his new boss Head Coach Doug Weight. [Fischler: Isles Welcome Luke Richardson to Coaching Staff] “Doug and I talked a good hour-and-a-half before we came to any agreement,” Gomez told me in a phone interview yesterday (Tuesday). “We […]
This spring was to be the open season for winning The Stanley Cup. And why not? Washington’s Capitals emerged as much a “favorite” as anyone. But, we all know that the Caps always find trouble in the playoffs, especially against Pittsburgh. As for the defending champions, theĀ Penguins, recent history has told us that no team […]
Protection. That’s the issue as the Rangers, Islanders and Devils respective high commands prepare for a unique NHL Expansion Draft followed by the annual Entry Draft. On June 21, the Expansion Draft will take place in Las Vegas and two days later, the 2017 NHL Entry Draft will be held in Chicago over the usual […]
With their long-range target already in sight — a playoff berth next Spring — the Islanders have started what figures to be a chain reaction of positive moves from here to training camp. The opening decision was the naming of Luke Richardson as Assistant Coach under Head Coach Doug Weight. #Isles News: Luke Richardson has […]
The immediate and long-range quest to improve the Rangers for the 2017-18 National Hockey League season has begun. Where it stops, only the Blueshirts’ high command — Glen Sather, Jeff Gorton, Alain Vigneault — will know after the Expansion Draft (June 21), Entry Draft (June 23-24) and Free Agent Frenzy play out their scripts. But […]
Where do we go from here, boys? That was the theme of Blueshirt goodbyes Thursday at their Westchester training base in Greenburgh. Whether it was superstars such as Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonaghĀ or Rick Nash, the team knows that there will be a different Rangers sextet than the current one when the 2017-18 season begins. Who […]
Senators 4, Rangers 2 At this point in Rangers time, there can be only one post-playoff theme: WAIT ‘TIL NEXT YEAR. Battling last night to stay alive in the playoff race, the Blueshirts — despite a valiant third period — came up short, 4-2, against an Ottawa sextet that proved, at least once in this […]
Senators 5, Rangers 4 (OT) Well, nobody said it would be easy. In the case of Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, taking the second series has now become a most dangerous challenge for the Rangers. Returning to New York for Game 6Ā on Tuesday night, the Blueshirts sit on the edge of elimination following […]
Rangers 4, Senators 1 It’s even-Steven and on to Ottawa Saturday for Game 5 of the Second Round. Rallying from a two-game deficit inflicted in Canada, the Rangers held serve last night at The Garden and have turned this second round series into a genuine thriller-diller. With Game 5 coming up at Canadian Tire Centre […]
RANGERS 4, SENATORS 1 “Hockey is a funny game — it’s played on ice.” Those deathless words were uttered by former Rangers goalie-coach-and-general manager Emile (The Cat) Francis. As far as the current Blueshirts are concerned, the bromide could be amended to read, “Hockey is a fun game — when it’s played on our home […]
Senators 6, Rangers 5 (2 OT) The Ottawa Senators can be beaten in the playoffs as proven by two first-round losses to Boston. It’s just that the Rangers haven’t found the formula so far. Although, as the late, great Yogi Berra would have observed, “It’s getting late early.” For the Blueshirts, that is, they return […]
SENATORS 2, RANGERS 1 Playing the Ottawa Senators in the second playoff round is giving the Rangers a distinctly differentĀ ambiance than playing the Montreal Canadiens in the opening tourney. Unlike the Habs home, Bell Centre, in the center of Montreal’s metropolis, the Senators’ rink — Canadian Tire Centre — is situated in the town of […]
It’s easy — perhaps too easy — to forecast a relatively comfortable Rangers romp through their second round playoff series with the Senators, which begins Thursday in Ottawa. But overall, the facts are more on the Blueshirts side, whether you’re talking goaltending, defense or offense. Not to put the smack on the Senators because they […]
RANGERS 3, CANADIENS 1 As sightseeing cities go, Montreal is near the top, featuring such sites as The Old Town, Mount Royal and Bell Centre. But after two separate visits, the Rangers had seen enough of Habtown and had no desire to return for a Game 7Ā on Monday night. Avoiding such a fate, the Rangers […]
RANGERS 3, CANADIENS 2 (OT) Several games within the game ultimately will decide the Rangers-Canadiens melodrama now heading to Act 6 tomorrow night at The Garden. Many already have taken place now that the Rangers are one victory away from a series win. The most obvious drama has headlined the respective keys to conquest — […]
Rangers 2, Canadiens 1 With the Rangers and Canadiens jetting to Montreal for Game 5 Thursday night at Bell Centre, two evenly matched teams have created heebie-jeebies on both sides of the border. The Blueshirts’ rebound victory last night at The Garden not only revived the spirits of Rangerville, but also restored confidence in a […]
Canadiens 3, Rangers 1 It was easy to dismiss the Rangers‘ home-ice strugglesĀ during the homestretch as a mere aberration caused by the marathon schedule‘s Dog Days. However, it’s not simple — nor worthwhile — to dismiss losses at The Garden during the postseason because they could be playoff-fatal. When the Canadiens exited The World’s Most […]
CANADIENS 4, RANGERS 3 (OT) There are certain things in hockey that are nice; and others that are very nice. As far as the Rangers are concerned in their first round playoff with Montreal, it would have been very nice to return home with two wins out of two tries. Then again, one out of […]
RANGERS 2, CANADIENS 0 One down, three to go. [Rangers-Canadiens Channel Listings] With Game 2 of the New York-Montreal playoff slated for Friday night in Beautiful Downtown Montreal, the Rangers are secure in the knowledge that any Bell Centre House of Horrors jinx is as mythical as Mickey Mouse. But there was nothing mythical about […]
For starters, they don’t like each other. Call it a grudge series; call it a chance for retribution, call it a war game on ice. Call it what you will. When it comes to the playoffs, for three years the Canadiens have been aching to get back at the Rangers. Not that the Blueshirts have […]
RANGERS 3, PENGUINS 2 Concentrating on Game 82 of the season was equally difficult last night at The Garden for both the Blueshirts and visiting Penguins. They had nothing much to gain except another notch on the Win Tree and, at this point in time, neither wanted to exit with an injury. As a result, […]
SENATORS 3, RANGERS 1 Rare is the evening when the Penguins invade The Garden for a game that does not affect the standings. But that is the case tonight as both Pittsburgh and New York skate on the ice in Game 82 before preparing for the serious season — the playoffs for The Stanley Cup. […]
CAPITALS 2, RANGERS 0 Braden Holtby is regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League while playing for the best sextet in hockey. That was the double-dip challenge the Rangers encountered last night at Verizon Center in the Nation’s Capital and — in the end — it was too much to […]
RANGERS 4, FLYERS 3 Considering that the Flyers boasted one of the season’s longest winning streaks, it’s hard to believe that Philadelphia will miss the playoffs. Then again, that simple fact will cause enormous delight for the Rangers Faithful since there is no known Love The Flyers fan club within view of Seventh Avenue. Still, […]
PENGUINS 4, RANGERS 3 (SO) Arriving on Seventh Avenue last night, losers of four consecutive contests, the Penguins looked more like a bottom-feeder team than defending Stanley Cup champions. That, however, was before the opening puck-drop at The Garden. The host Rangers had returned from a three-game West Coast expedition that left them with three […]
SHARKS 5, RANGERS 4 (OT) Hungry Sharks are a scary sight in any body of water. Ditto for skating Sharks starved for a victory. Defeated in their last six games, San Jose’s version of big, nasty ice fish turned on the Rangers last night at SAP Center, and the results were not pleasant for the […]
DUCKS 6, RANGERS 3 Talk to anyone connected with the Ducks’ high command and you’ll be told that the Anaheim sextet has been sick and tired of playoff failures. Chances are that Bruce Beaudreau would tell you the same thing. Matter of fact, that’s why he’s the ex-coach of the Ducks and Randy Carlyle is […]
RANGERS 3, KINGS 0 For a team that not long ago had won two Stanley Cups in three seasons, the Kings have plummeted to a more prosaic place in the National Hockey League race. As a matter of fact, it will take a Hollywood script — perhaps science fiction — to just get the Tinseltown […]
ISLANDERS 3, RANGERS 2 In what often seemed like a playoff atmosphere, the desperate Islanders invaded The Garden last night hoping eventually to catch either the Toronto Maple Leafs or Boston Bruins. Naturally, the Rangers had no intentions of cooperating. After all, the Blueshirts were determined to launch a long-awaited winning streak at home. This […]
DEVILS 3, RANGERS 2 Pride and motivation often blend to provide victories in the unlikeliest of places. One of them was Prudential Center in Newark last night when the significant underdog New Jersey Devils employed that storied formula to beat the Rangers. Virtually certain to miss the playoffs, coach John Hynes’ sextet also relied on […]
RANGERS 3, WILD 2 Wild and wooly is one way to describe the manner in which Minnesota’s sextet has rampaged through this season. Surprising would be another. Who would have figured that a club headed by a coach, who had been fired twice in the past decade, would sport one of the best records in […]
PANTHERS 4, RANGERS 3 (SO) For months, hockey analysts have been trying to determine whether the Panthers are a playoff team or not. The Florida stickhandlers haven’t been able to figure that out themselves over a zig-zag-fire-the-coach season, leaving them still groping for a postseason berth. In full view of a capacity Garden crowd last […]
LIGHTNING 3, RANGERS 2 With a little Bolt here and a big Bolt there, Tampa Bay’s enigmatic hockey club is desperately trying to re-find the formula that inspired many of hockey’s Learned Ones last fall to list them as Stanley Cup contenders. Then again, in order to contend for Lord Stanley’s mug, a team must […]
RANGERS 4, Ā RED WINGS Ā 1 Having emerged from a Hurricanes blasting in Carolina, the Rangers jetted to Michigan where they hoped to subdue Detroit’s all-but-out-of-the-playoffs Red Wings. Losing two straight to NHL basement-dwellers is not a game plan for confidence nor a high place in league standings. Hence, a victory over the Winged Wheelers at […]
Hurricanes 4, Rangers 3 In normal climate times, North Carolina is a pleasant place to visit … but not when the hurricanes hit Raleigh. The ice version of the Hurricanes sure hit the Rangers last night at PNC Arena and the result was not what oddsmakers would have figured; not by a long shot or […]
RANGERS 5, PANTHERS 2 Exhausted, but joyful, over Part One of their Florida Expedition in Tampa Bay, the Rangers hedgehopped over to Sunrise last night for Part Two. Facing them was a Panthers club not unlike the New Yorkers previous foe, the Lightning, in that each is desperately clawing for a playoff berth. As for […]
Rangers 1, Lightning 0 The reinforcements arrived in time to do battle and battle they did. For the Blueshirts, the beauty part was that both Hartford foot soldiers — Tanner Glass and Steven Kampfer — were part of a rejuvenated Rangers sextet in need of a fortune reversal after the Saturday night loss to Montreal. […]
CANADIENS 4, RANGERS 1 Neither a periscope nor radar is needed to realize that a Rangers-Canadiens playoff encounter could occur as early as the first postseason round. Should the current standings remain the same, it would happen. Which is a roundabout way of saying that last night’s Montreal visit to Manhattan could be a portent […]
Rangers 2, Bruins 1 Having disposed of Claude Julien as head coach, the Bruins opted for Bruce Cassidy as the man who would lead Boston back into playoff contention. With amazing sudden success, the Beantowners went from flubs to phenoms, winning seven out of eight games. That was before the Blueshirts invaded the home of […]
CAPITALS 4, RANGERS 1 Having completed the most-discussed deal of this week’s Trade Deadline Frenzy, the Washington Capitals next went about their bit of other business. In case you haven’t heard it out of D.C., that other business happens to be Washington’s very serious crusade to win a Stanley Cup. It’s one thing to make […]
BLUE JACKETS 5, RANGERS 2 Earlier in the season, after the Blue Jackets long winning streak had ended and they plummeted down toward the pack, it was thought that Columbus just might have enjoyed a lucky run and that was that. Turns out that wasn’t that. General John Tortorella’s troops have been fashioned into a […]
RANGERS 4, DEVILS 3 (OT) In a game billed yesterday as “Devils Desperation,” the Garden Staters were expected to play 100 percent hard as a means of keeping their dim playoff hopes alive. They did just that — and then some — but some bad luck and Antti Raanta‘s goaltending thwarted their chance for a […]
Rangers 2, Maple Leafs 1 When Toronto’s Kiddie Korps puts its mettle to the metal, the high-speed Maple Leafs offense is difficult to break. But not for the Rangers; at least not last night in Canada’s Queen City. As Professor Alain Vigneault would teach you in Winning Hockey 101, there’s more to hockey than one-way […]
Canadiens 3, Rangers 2 Normally, a hockey club that inherits a brand new coach exhibits an extra fizz that last for a couple of weeks. With Michel Therrien sacked in favor of Claude Julien, the Canadiens are hoping to solidify what once was a more secure hold on first place in the Atlantic Division. Exiled […]
RANGERS 2, CAPITALS 1 The Washington Capitals skated on to The Garden ice yesterday afternoon, secure in the knowledge that they have nailed down first place in the National Hockey League’s Metropolitan Division. By late afternoon they weren’t so sure about that. Rebounding from theirĀ loss in Brooklyn on Thursday, theĀ BlueshirtsĀ emphasized why they need not fear […]
ISLANDERS 4, RANGERS 2 Like a mountaineer desperately trying to hoist himself to the next ledge, last night the up-and-down Islanders encountered their biggest obstacle. Similar to a boulder blocking their path, coach Doug Weight’s skaters had to somehow surmount a roaring Rangers sextet seeking its seventh straight victory. Yet, somehow, the Brooklynites got their […]
RANGERS 3, COLUMBUS 2 It was not that long ago when the John Tortorella Marching and Chowder Society was touting his streaking Blue Jackets as a Stanley Cup Contender. That was before Tort’s team hit a wall — in hockey, commonly called a “Losing Streak” — and ever since, the Jackets have been bluer than […]
RANGERS 4, AVALANCHE 2 Any Rangers fan worthy of his or her Blue Shirt might see “Colorado” on the schedule and assume that another two points are in the bag. On the other hand, any coach worthy of his job will counter that not even an NHL bottom-feeder, such as the Avalanche, should be taken […]
RANGERS 4, PREDATORS 3 Plenty of good songs can be written about how hockey became a hit in The Music City that is Nashville. Then again, none of those tunes mean much to the Rangers who turned off another visitor from the Western Conference, this time the pesky Predators. Coached by the ever-popular — as […]
RANGERS 4, DUCKS Ā 1 When thinking about the Ducks, the terms ‘gritty,’ plus ‘tough,’ and ‘fast’ come to mind. As for the stars, who else to mention but Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. After that duet, often very little matters. The Rangers, however, know darn well that there’s a lot more to the Ducks with […]
RANGERS 4, CALGARY 3 It’s easy to take the Flames lightly. They come from a faraway place with some strange-sounding player names such as Jyrki Jokipakka. And, no matter how you shake it, Calgary does not have any Big-Apple pizazz. Yet this hockey team from Alberta commands respect. Coached by the relatively obscure Glen Gulutzan, […]
RANGERS 2, SABRES 1 (OT) “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” is the unofficial anthem for those who favor Western New York’s famed city. As for the Rangers, their shuffle up to First Niagara Center last night was a tourist’s delight in many ways. For starters, it dispatched the New Yorkers’ cobwebs left over from the All-Star […]
BLUE JACKETS 6, RANGERS 4 John (General Glare) Tortorella’s primary lesson in Hockey 101 remains simple; play hard, play smart, block shots, score goals and win by one if necessary. Two, is even better, as was the case last night. Returning to his once favorite haunt, General Glare managed a smile at The Garden if […]
FLYERS 2, RANGERS 0 Hockey games often can be decided by motivation — along with superb goaltending, plus an extra goal or two over the foe. If any team invading The Garden had motivation on its mind, it was the Flyers who have been more erratic than the Jersey Transit in a record-breaking blizzard. As […]
RANGERS 3, KINGS 2 Ever since that fateful day — June 13, 2014 — when the Los Angeles Kings booted the Blueshirts out of the Stanley Cup Final, an extra special delight accompanies every Rangers victory over the Tinseltowners. That exhilarating feeling was perpetuated last night at The Garden when New York’s King of the […]
RANGERS 1, RED WINGS 0 (OT) Over the last pair of games, the Rangers are batting a thousand with their two wins. Now there’s a chance for three-out-of-three Monday at The Garden with the Kings in town. The catapult for the Blueshirts’ streak was provided Sunday afternoon in Detroit during a game that proves a […]
RANGERS 5, MAPLE LEAFS 2 Attention, Rangers Fans: You can exhale now. No longer is there a goaltending “crisis,” as if there was one in the first place. Yes-sir-ee, the three-loss slump is over and happy days are here again. Even Henrik Lundqvist is Smiling Hank once more after he handily defeated the Maple Leafs […]
The stars at night may be big and bright in Texas but, for one evening at least, the Dallas Stars glistened last night at The Garden. Henrik Lundqvist did not. Allowing seven goals over the first two periods — as Henrik did — was a prescription for defeat and a challenge to halt a disturbing […]
CANADIENS 5, RANGERS 4 The Rangers stood at attention during the pre-game anthem rendition of “O Canada” but by the end of the evening the tune title could have been re-written, “Oy-Vey, Canada.” Two straight Rangers losses to Canadian teams will do that, especially last night’s defeat at Montreal’s Bell Centre where a seemingly secure […]
MAPLE LEAFS 4, RANGERS 2 Lou Lamoriello never liked the Rangers. The feeling is rooted in his Devils background when the Blueshirts and Jerseyites had their regular Battles Of The Hudson. Now that Larrupin’ Lou is Toronto’sĀ major domo the urge to have his club rip the Rangers on ice remains as keen as ever. Whether […]
RANGERS 5, BLUE JACKETS 4 Maybe the Rangers Expeditionary Force that invaded Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Saturday night was in the mood for revenge against John Tortorella’s once-unbeatable horde. Then again, maybe not. Right now, the reasons matter not but the result does as the New Yorkers enjoy their five-day league-imposed sabbatical. Primary in […]
Talk about turnabout being fair play, how about those Rangers exiting Seventh Avenue on Tuesday evening after bowing to Buffalo and then invading Philadelphia and coming away with a 5-2 triumph last night. Then again, that’s hockey — where 180-degree turnarounds are as possible as Michael Grabner breakaways or Chris Kreider‘s net-crashing. Whatever the issue […]
If it’s not too late to squeeze in a New Year’s resolution, then this is it: The Rangers should resolve to take the Sabres as seriously as they would the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins. For reasons that only can be explained by say, Buffalo coach Dan Bylsma or his skating shotgun Jack Eichel, the under-.500 […]
RANGERS 6, COLORADO 2 Once upon a time, Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog turned the Avalanche into a team to be feared. That was in the 2013-14 campaign when everything seemed to click and the City of Denver raved about the team that finished the season with 112 points. But viewed today — […]
Rangers 6, Coyotes 3 As the late, great Yogi Berra liked to say, “Nothing’s in the bag until it’s in the bag.” Translated to hockey terms, when the upscale Rangers visit downscale teams such as the Coyotes in Glendale and (on Saturday) the Avalanche in Denver, there’s a strong tendency to believe that four points […]
By PATRICK MCCORMACK, PINCH-HITTING FOR THE MAVEN RANGERS 4, SENATORS 3 Coming back from the holiday break, the Rangers needed to respond from consecutive losses to the Penguins and Wild, where they gave up seven goals in each tilt. The team — already without Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Buchnevich, and Rick Nash — found out Henrik […]
BY PATRICK MCCORMACK, PINCH-HITTING FOR THE MAVEN WILD 7, RANGERS 4 After surrendering seven goals in a loss on Tuesday to the defending Stanley Cup Champion, Pittsburgh Penguins, the Rangers had a chance to enter the holiday break on a high note. But New Yorkās holiday blues continued as they fell to the scorching Minnesota […]
BY SAM STERN, PINCH-HITTING FOR THE MAVEN PENGUINS 7, RANGERS 2 The race in the Metropolitan Division is beginning to look more like a game of leap-frog. It was an important game for both teams Tuesday night. The New York Rangers were atop the Metro heading into the divisional matchup, two points above the Pittsburgh […]
RANGERS 3, DEVILS 2 In the old days, they called it “Fire Wagon Hockey,” which meant playing the game at the fastest possible pace. This season “Fire Wagon Hockey,” — Rangers-style — has been given a contemporary m.p.h. that sometimes appears to exceed any reasonable speed limits. Whatever you want to call it, what the […]
RANGERS 2, DALLAS 0Ā All is well in the realm of The King, Henrik Lundqvist. Having endured a four-game sabbatical, theĀ Rangers franchise player took center stage last night at American Airlines Center in Dallas with the spotlight unusually bright on his visage. There were good reasons for the pregame headlines and better reasons for concern […]
CHICAGO 2, RANGERS 1 Nobody wins forever; not even Antti Raanta. After Henrik Lundqvist‘sĀ back-up had won three games in a row — two straight shutouts — the hope at The Garden last night was that the Fabulous Finn’s good times would roll on — and on. But Antti’s alma mater, the Chicago Blackhawks, intervened to […]
RANGERS 5, DEVILS 0 There’s a hoary bromide to the effect “Let the Devil take the hindmost.” Not that the Rangers particularly care about bromides or hindmost, but they certainly do care about the New Jersey varietyĀ Devils, and they took good care to blanket them with an assortment of goals on Sunday night at The […]
RANGERS 1, BLACKHAWKS 0 (OT) In the song, “Chicago,” which is all about the “Second City,” it’s described as a “Toddlin’ Town,” which it is. But, as far as the visiting Rangers are concerned, it also could be termed a terrific village for victories. At least that was the case Friday night at United Center. […]
RANGERS 2,Ā WINNIPEG 1 Any trip to Winnipeg could be chilly for Wintry visitors, even though Jack Frost doesn’t officially arrive until December 21st. But the Rangers have a warm feeling today as they head to Chicago for a Friday night encounter with the Blackhawks, having emerged with a 2-1 victory last night over the […]
ISLANDERS 4, RANGERS 2 Having accumulated nine out of a possible 10 points in their last five games, the Islanders are rapidly emerging as a team serious about gaining a playoff berth. This stunning revelation became more reality than dream on Flatbush Avenue as they topped the roller coaster Rangers 4-2 Tuesday night at the […]
RANGERS 4, HURRICANES 2 The Carolina Hurricanes have become a very likable team. Their skaters are young, dynamic and very speedy. They also are a tonic for the Rangers since — for the second time in a week — they invaded The Garden and exited minus two points while the Blueshirts got the W. New […]
BUFFALO 4, RANGERS 3 When theĀ Rangers were breezing along with the breeze at the National Hockey League summit, there were skeptics who waited for the Blueshirts bubble to burst. Yes, Alain Vigneault‘s skaters still are comfortably above the .500 mark (16-8-1) but, no, this is not the same easy-to-win sextet that so arrested attention and […]
Rangers 3, Hurricanes 2 Since winning lately had become more of a chore than a chuckle for the New YorkĀ Rangers on their home ice, it was no surprise Tuesday night that the Blueshirts had to grapple for a 3-2 comeback win over Carolina. Whether it was the absence of Mika Zibanajad or a case of […]
Senators 2, Rangers 0 Following a heartening victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, the Blueshirts were poised to launch another winning streak last night at The Garden. After all, this New York club has all the makings of an elite outfit from here to springtime. But that’s getting ahead of things, especially […]
RANGERS 3, FLYERS 2 If ever a comeback victory was in order for the Rangers, it was delivered on Friday afternoon in Philadelphia. However, it Ā comes under the heading of “Too Close For Comfort.” Stung to the core by the Thanksgiving Eve spanking applied by the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins, coach Alain Vigneault‘s stickhandlers responded […]
It’s virtually a given in the contemporary National Hockey League that no team wins two Stanley Cups in succession. The Penguins are hoping to alter that trend. Pittsburgh made a muscular point in that direction last night at The Garden, disposing of the Rangers, 6-1.Ā All six of visitors’ goals came after Rick Nash elevated the […]
TheĀ RangersĀ Limited is back on its tracks and rolling headlong toward a Wednesday night encounter with the Penguins. What had been a two-game losing streak, The Blueshirts Local turned into a high-speed express required overnight and the result was a Monday night 5-2 thumping of Sidney Crosby & Co. at Consol Energy Center. Most impressive for […]
Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 2 Suddenly engineer Alain Vigneault‘s New York RangersĀ express has — at least temporarily — been moved to the local tracks. Having lost on Friday in Columbus and last night 3-2 in a shootout at The GardenĀ to Florida, the Blueshirts have little time to head to the Roundhouse for repairs. They visit […]
Blue Jackets 4, Rangers 2 Entering Nationwide Arena in Columbus last night, the Rangers boasted a three-game road winning streak, totaling 14 goals scored with a paltry four against. But John Tortorella’s young Blue Jackets — full of vim, vigor and vitality — figured to provide a terrific test for Alain Vigneault‘s surging Blueshirts. Well, […]
Rangers 7, Canucks 2Ā At the rate the Rangers beat is going, the Blueshirts figure to advance from “Among The NHL Elite” level to being THE elite team in the 30-club circuit. Completing their Western Canadian three-win hat trick by overwhelming the Canucks, 7-2, in Vancouver, the Blueshirts return East for a test in Columbus […]
NOVEMBER 13th 2016: RANGERS 3, EDMONTON 1 Despite an occasional clutch problem, the Rangers steamroller keeps rolling along and where it will stop nobody — especially enemy sextets — knows. Exhibit B on the four-game road trip, which concludes on Friday in Columbus after a Tuesday night stop in Vancouver, is the Sunday night 3-1 […]
RANGERS 4, FLAMES 1 THE OVERVIEW The juggernaut that went for “naut” in the loss to Vancouver is speeding along again. Alain Vigneault‘s thinking after the Vancouver defeat simply was “What’s broke needs fixing.” So, he did some tinkering and the results speak for its success. THE KEYS TO VICTORY Michael Grabner‘s quick goal at […]
NOVEMBER 8th, 2016: VANCOUVER 5, RANGERS 3 WHAT WENT WRONG A. The Law of Averages: The Canucks were winless in nine straight. Coach Willie Desjardins’ job appeared to be on the line. The visitors, who opened the season with four straight wins, were due for a victory. And The Sedin Twins & Co. played this […]