New York Rangers

From the Rangers: RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS Game 3: Madison Square Garden Bruins 2, Rangers 1 BOS leads 3-0 Team Notes: -        The Rangers were defeated by the Boston Bruins, 2-1, tonight at Madison Square Garden, in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series. The Blueshirts now trail in the series, 3-0. -        New York has posted a record of 212-232-8 overall in postseason action, including a 119-89-2 mark at home. -        Tonight’s loss ended the Rangers’ streak of nine consecutive wins at MSG, including their final six regular season home games. Prior to tonight, the Blueshirts’ last loss at MSG was a 3-2 shootout defeat against Washington on Mar. 24, and their last regulation loss at home was Mar. 21 vs. Florida (1-3). -        The Rangers have lost only six times in regulation over their last 24 contests, including the final 14 games of the regular season. -        The Blueshirts did not surrender a power play opportunity to the Bruins, marking the second time in these playoffs New York has not been shorthanded in a game (Mar. 12 vs. WSH). -        The Rangers out-hit the Bruins, 37-28, led by Ryan Callahan’s game-high, seven hits. Player Notes: -        Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves and is now 29-36 in 65 career postseason contests. He has posted 30 or more saves in the playoffs 20 times, posting a 9-11 record with a 1.56 GAA, .941 Sv% and four shutouts in those games. -        Taylor Pyatt notched a goal, was credited with three hits and two blocked shots in 14:53 of ice time. He has registered a point in three of four home playoff games (one goal, two assists over the span), and is now tied for fifth on the team in playoff scoring with four points (two goals, two assists). -        Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist and was credited with three hits in 21:14 of ice time. He has now recorded two points (one goal, one assist) in the last three games, and is tied for the team lead among defensemen in playoff scoring with three points (one goal, two assists). -        John Moore was credited with a game-high, four blocked shots in 13:01 of ice time. -        Ryan Callahan registered four shots and a game-high, seven hits, in 23:37 of ice time. Post-Game Quotes: -        John Tortorella on tonight’s game… “At times we struggled to get through and when we got through we just didn’t sustain our forecheck. A team that is rolling their lines like they are, we need to have some time in their end zone. As the game went on we were there less and less. So it pops up on you.” -        Henrik Lundqvist on approaching Game 4… “You can’t look at it as you have to win four games, you just have to focus on the next one.  The season is on the line, so you have to leave everything out there. Preparation and the effort have to be there, and we will see if it’s going to be enough.  We definitely have to give everything right now, mentally and physically, and put it out there on Thursday.” -        Ryan Callahan on tonight’s game… “They are a good team at an important time of the year.  We knew they were going to push.  I thought we had a pretty good third period, but we gave up a goal (to allow them to tie it) and we don’t get one.  It’s tough.  Especially at home, going into the third period with the lead, that’s something you want to hold onto this time of year obviously.” Team Schedule: -        The Blueshirts’ practice schedule for tomorrow, May 22, is 12:00 p.m. at MSG Training Center. -        The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the Boston Bruins on Thursday, May 23, at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. – TV: CNBC; Radio: ESPN 98.7), in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. The post Game 3: Bruins 2, Rangers 1 … post-game notes & quotes appeared first on Rangers

Yep, I’m back. Wait, you want me to go away again? Yeah, I don’t blame ya, while I was away the Rangers rallied past a pretty good Caps team to advance to the 2nd round, and now that I’ve come back, we’ve fallen behind 0-3 to a Boston Bruins team that I felt pretty confident playing against before the series started. But you know what? We’re losing because they are flat out better. Stop making excuses or blaming the refs, or the coach, or the GM, or Richards…ok, you can blame Richards, and we’ll come to that, but this is why we are losing…. THEY ARE BETTER. THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN. That’s it. Nothing really more to say about that. The Bruins are the New York Rangers, except they are bigger, stronger, and tougher. It would be one thing if we were more skilled, or faster. We aren’t. They’re better, and they’re winning. Sometimes, that’s what happens. Going into this season we all knew Boston, Pittsburgh and the Rangers were the 3 best teams in the East. Lo and Behold all three are in the 2nd round, we just go the shitty honor of playing one of them rather than the 4th team in the equation. And we got the privilege of doing so without Staal or Clowe, and a pretty banged up squad to boot. I’m just not sure how on Earth the Rangers will rectify our problems going forward. Not unless they have a magical trade up their sleeves. Now, let’s get to the elephant in the room. Brad Richards. Yeah, boy, beavers been really bad. Like, Ryan Hollweg bad…but at least Hollweg brought MOAR JAM to the team. Richards has just been PUTRID, on the PP, he’s a turnover machine, on his shifts he can’t seem to do ANYTHING correctly. I’m not even sure where to begin with this guy. My guess is, if he’s not bought out this summer, he will be the season after. The reason though is NOT because he’s all of a sudden gotten super slow. The dude has always been slow. He’s a guy who’s gotten by on his IQ, not his physical talents. Look at Derek Stepan, postseason aside, he had a terrific season, and I’d argue he’s a WORSE skater than Richards. Richards really needs a fresh start, I sure hope a long offseason can rejuvenate him, if not, next season will be another disappointment. Nash can’t do it alone.

(AP Photo/Seth Wenig) The Rangers are in one helluva hole right now, down 3-0 to the rolling Bruins after their 2-1 loss in Game 3. The Rangers didn’t really deserve to win this game, but the way it ended was one of the oddest endings to a game I have ever seen. That said, the lucky bounce wasn’t the reason why they lost. The Bruins outplayed the Rangers in every facet of the game for the third straight game of the series. The Rangers now face an elimination game on Thursday night in Game Four. On to the goals: Rangers 1, Bruins 0 Derek Stepan won an offensive zone face off, and Ryan McDonagh got a shot off that was blocked and sat on Patrice Bergeron’s stick for a clear. The clear was blocked and McDonagh took a soft wrister from the blue line with half a dozen guys in the shooting lane. You can see from the replay that Tuukka Rask was leaning to his glove side to see the shot, and McD’s shot went to his stick side. Somehow the shot actually got through –after a Taylor Pyatt deflection– and just beat Rask. Not much to break down, but Bergeron is a lot better than that clear. No picture on this because it didn’t come out the way I would have liked, and I didn’t think we needed a picture of Rask leaning left to see the shot. Bruins 1, Rangers 1 The Rangers fourth line winds up out on the ice against the Bruins fourth line, which apparently is a mismatch in this series. The Rangers got caught running around in their own end, with multiple coverage fails on the puck movement by Boston. Interestingly enough, once Johnny Boychuk wound up with the puck at the point, the Rangers fell back into their low-zone collapse perfectly. Mats Zuccarello even pressured the shot a bit. But the shot beat Hank cleanly with multiple guys in front providing a screen. This goal was very similar to the goal Rask gave up. A soft shot on net through multiple guys in front. Bruins 2, Rangers 1 I honestly have no idea how to break this down. The fourth line had the Rangers running around again, which seems to be par for the course, and Michael Del Zotto was forced to make a pair of good plays to prevent the Bruins from scoring (blocking an original shot by Danielle Paille and knocking the rebound away from Shawn Thornton). The puck wound up on Gregory Campbell’s stick, and after his shot the puck took one of the weirdest bounces I have ever seen. Paille was behind the net and batted the puck in after it back-spun out from behind Hank. Bad bounce aside, this game was just a weird game all around. There were about 14 high sticks that went uncalled, including simultaneous high sticks on one play in which neither got called. Weirdness shouldn’t be a factor, and it wasn’t in this game. The powerplay stunk, and the Rangers were caught running round in their own zone by the Bruins too often. At one point, the Bruins set up in an umbrella powerplay formation at even strength. That had me flabbergasted. The Rangers have been outplayed for all three games this series. They need a sharp 180 or else this will end in short fashion. Tweet

During the Game Three loss, the NBCSN announcers noted that Anton Stralman did not return to the game after a vicious (and clean) hit by Milan Lucic in the first period. Stralman was noted to possibly have a concussion. Tweet

Pierre McGuire is really, really disappointed with the Rangers powerplay and isn't afraid to let you know all about it. The worst part is that he was absolutely spot-on with what he was saying, even if it was coming from the mouth of an unbearably creepy little man. Henrik Lundqvist has been unbelievably good through two periods. This team would be beyond lost without him between the pipes. Despite the Rangers having a 1-0 lead through two Boston looks like the better and hungrier team tonight. The Rangers have been immensely fortunate with a quick whistle when Hank lost the puck and several missed calls including a high stick by Ryan Callahan on Zdeno Chara that drew blood. The Rangers are going to have to pick up their game big-time to pull this one out. Henrik Lundqvist #30 / Goalie / New York Rangers Height: 6-1 Weight: 188 Born: Mar 02, 1982 GOALS: NYR 3:53 of P2, Taylor Pyatt (2) from Ryan McDonagh (2). POWERPLAYS: NYR: 0/2 BOS: 0/1 SHOT LEADERS: Derek Stepan with 4. Torey Krug with 4. Sidenote- If you had to pick one to nurse you back to health and hold you during a thunderstorm do you pick Chris Pine or Ryan Reynolds? Let's go Rangers. Believe.

OK, so no team has ever come back from 0-2 to win a series twice in the same playoff season, and the Rangers have only done it twice in their history—in 1996 vs. Montreal and last week against Washington. All-time they are 11-12 in Game 3 when down 0-2. But the Rangers have won two in a row when they’ve had to do that three times in the last two playoff seasons—Games 6 and 7 vs. Ottawa last spring, Games 1 and 2, and Games 6 and 7 against Washinton in the first round this season. Just sayin’ ... win tonight and it’s on. Lose and it’s off. Take Our Poll Game 3. Bruins at Rangers. Looks like the same lineup for ya boys. Marc Staal (eye) and Darroll Powe (concussion) both skated this morning, but neither is ready to return. Ryane Clowe (concussion) isn’t even skating. The Bruins also aren’t expected to make any changes, since Dennis Seidenberg and Andrew Ference are not ready to return. Wade Redden may skate in warmups. As for the speculation—and that’s what it is—that John Tortorella could be fired if the Rangers lose this series, two words: Not. Happening. ********************************************* Don’t forget to vote for the Three Rangers Stars, and to follow me (and Josh Thomson, 26) on Twitter: @RangersReport. Still thinking about another Live Chat this week … just not sure when. The post It’s Go Time! … Game 3: Bruins at Rangers appeared first on Rangers Report Blog.

Corey Sipkin/ New York Daily News Entering Game Three, the Rangers find themselves in a very similar situation. They come home down 2-0, after dropping the first two in Boston, the second one in epicly poor fashion. Just like last round, the Rangers find themselves in need of holding serve at MSG and sending the series back to Boston tied at two games a piece. This team did it once before, and they are perfectly capable of doing it again. This series is far from oer. Series Previews: Game 2 goal breakdown Positives/negatives of Game 1 5 keys for success for the Rangers Rangers/Bruins second round preview Five keys for success against the Bruins Scouting Tuukka Rask and his goaltending style Previewing the Bruins and their systems/styles of play Series: Bruins lead 2-0 NYR Playoff Leading Scorer: Derick Brassard (2-8-10) BOS Playoff Leading Scorer: David Krejci (5-11-16) NYR Playoff Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (9 GP, 2.10 GAA, .935 SV%) BOS Playoff Goaltender: Tuukka Rask (9 GP, 2.32 GAA, .928 SV%) New York Rangers Tickets RSVP to potentially win tickets to a game Rangers Lines (unconfirmed until Torts releases the lineup): Carl Hagelin-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan Mats Zuccarello-Derick Brassard-Rick Nash Derek Dorsett-Brian Boyle-Taylor Pyatt Chris Kreider-Brad Richards-Arron Asham Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi Michael Del Zotto-Anton Stralman John Moore-Steve Eminger Henrik Lundqvist Scratches/Injuries:  Darroll Powe (concussion), Marc Staal (eye), Ryane Clowe (undisclosed/concussion), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Roman Hamrlik (healthy), Kris Newbury (healthy) Broadcast Info: NBC 7:30pm Tweet

Based on the morning skates, both the Rangers and Bruins will have the same lineups for tonight’s Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, with the Bruins having won the first two games in Boston. And, no, coach John Tortorella did not have any private chats with D Dan Girardi after Girardi was a minus-4 and on ice for all five Bruins goals in Sunday’s Game 2. “I didn’t even talk to him,” Tortorella said. “He’s going to play his best game. “It depends on the person,” Tortorella added when asked how he decides whether or not to meet with a player after a rough game, which Girardi certainly had. “It depends on where he is as a player, experience-wise. I don’t have to say one word to Dan Girardi. If that’s a Johnny Moore, certainly we will try to help him along the way, maybe show him some tape, whatever it may be. Danny is one of the better defensemen in the NHL that had a tough night, He knows it. He doesn’t need to hear it from any coach at all what needs to be done.” The NHL put out an interesting statistic this morning that, so far in the playoffs, home teams are 40-18 (.690) and that includes a 10-1 record in the second round. The Rangers, of course, are 3-0 at Madison Square Garden in these playoffs. In fact, the Rangers also won all six home games in April to finish the regular season and have not lost at the Garden since a 3-2 shootout loss to the Capitals on March 24. Last year, home teams won just 39 of 86 games (.453) in the playoffs and the last time home teams had a winning percentage of .600 or better during the playoffs was 1993, when home teams were 52-33 (.612). “We’ve been good at home all year long,” coach John Tortorella said. “It confuses me why I think some pucks go in at home or they don’t go in in certain situations on the road. Who knows why? I think today’s game, it’s a lot different from back in the 1970s, where there was really a distinct advantage playing at home. I don’t think there is, but there must be. The records show it.” ====================================================== Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/AGrossRecord Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports

The New York Rangers weren't so fortunate early in this series, and now find themselves in a 2-0 hole heading back to Madison Square Garden. The Rangers have yet to lose a game there during these 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and are 9-0 dating back to their last five regular season home games. While the Boston Bruins and Washington Capitals are two different teams, the Rangers still have a golden opportunity to leap right back into this series, and it all starts tonight. vs. Boston Bruins (#4 Seed) vs New York Rangers (#6 Seed)Series Score: 2-0 BOSMadison Square Garden - New York, NY- 7:30 PM Television: NBC, TSN, RDS | Radio: NHL Game RadioOpponent's Blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder | Tickets: New York Rangers Playoff Tickets Some Quick Thoughts: The Rangers got some good news this morning as both Marc Staal and Darroll Powe were out on the ice during the morning skate. By no means does this mean they are close to returning, but the option for reinforcements could be there in the event they are needed later on down the road. The New York Rangers aren't expected to make any lineup changes, and will have the same lines heading into tonight's game. The Bruins lineup is also expected to remain the same, even with Wade Redden skating this morning. Ranger fans were in for a bit of scare during Game 2, as Henrik Lundqvist appeared to injure his shoulder late in the third period. Whatever was ailing Henrik is "under control" now, and he is ready to roll for Game 3. Projected Lineup: Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Ryan CallahanMats Zuccarello - Derick Brassard - Rick NashDerek Dorsett - Brian Boyle - Taylor PyattChris Kreider - Brad Richards - Arron AshamRyan McDonagh - Dan GirardiMichael Del Zotto - Anton StralmanJohn Moore - Steve EmingerHenrik LundqvistMartin Biron Scratches: Marc Staal (upper-body), Darroll Powe (upper-body), Ryane Clowe (upper-body), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Roman Hamrlik (healthy).

Every team will say that they think playing at home is an advantage. But none quite have the numbers to back them up like the Rangers do going into Tuesday night’s Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins at the Garden. It’s a game they desperately need, being down in this best-of-seven contest, 2-0. Good news for the Blueshirts is that they haven’t lost at home since March 24, a 3-2 shootout loss to the Capitals. That streak of nine games spanned the end of the regular season and the first three games of the playoffs, when they beat the Capitals in Games 3, 4, and 6 en route to winning that series in seven games. On top of that, the league has trended this season heavily in favor of the home teams, with a 10-1 record for them in the second round and a 40-18 record throughout the playoffs. “We’ve been good at home all year long,” said coach John Tortorella, whose team finished the regular season with a 16-6-2 record at the Garden, having lost just once in regulation over the final 15 at home. “It confuses me why I think some pucks go in at home or they don’t go in in certain situations on the road. Who knows why.” Strangely enough, go further into history and the good records for the home teams in the playoffs doesn’t exactly hold up. According to the NHL, the last time home teams had a winning percentage of .600 or higher during the postseason was in 1993, when they went 52-33 (.612). “I think today’s game, it’s a lot different from back in the 70s where there was really a distinct advantage playing at home,” Tortorella said. “I don’t think there is [an advantage anymore], but there must be. The records show it.” *** Rangers forward Darroll Powe is not quite ready to reenter the lineup, but he is certainly getting closer. “I feel good, it’s good to be back on the ice and skating with the guys,” Powe said after Tuesday’s optional morning skate, the fourth day in a row he’s skated with teammates as he recovers from a concussion. “After a few days of skating I feel pretty good, so I’m just trying to keep skating and working out and get back in the lineup.” Powe has been out of the lineup since Game 3 of the first round, when early in the first period he took an elbow from Joel Ward to the head and didn’t return. “It’s all part of the process, just getting back on the ice and get to playing hockey again,” Powe said. “That’s where I’m at now.” *** Defenseman Marc Staal skated in the morning, as well, but was not made available to reporters and is likely to sit out his seventh straight game with his right-eye injury. After the injury on March 5, Staal made a one-game cameo appearance in Game 3 of the first round, but suffered a set back and hasn’t been comfortable since. *** It’s looking unlikely the Bruins are going to change their lineup from Games 1 and 2. Coach Claude Julien said that former Rangers’ defenseman Wade Redden might take warmups with the team and could be a possibility, but blue-line stalwarts Dennis Seidenberg and Andrew Ference were both ruled out. bcyrgalis@nypost.com