New York Rangers

One game at a time. Kreider with the OT winner. Chris Kreider, he of much debate this season, gave the Rangers at least two more days of their 2013 season with his overtime winner. This series is a long way from being over, but the Rangers have a long way to go before gaining significant momentum. Henrik Lundqvist kept them alive through overtime with magnificent saves, and then the kid got himself out of the doghouse. Game Five is Saturday at 5:30pm in Boston. Bruins 1, Rangers 0 After Kris Newbury takes a pretty boneheaded penalty, the Bruins got a bit of a lucky goal with the man advantage. The Bruins gained the zone and Nathan Horton had the puck at the bottom of the off-wing circle. He passed to the middle, but David Krejci was expecting shot, so he jumped out of the way. He left his stick on the ice, and the pass actually hit his stick and went right back to Horton. Hank was in position for the pass, but not the redirection back to Horton. Horton’s shot went through the legs of a sliding Lundqvist. That’s the type of series it’s been for the Rangers. Bruins 2, Rangers 0 After Michael Del Zotto, who had a rough series, took an interference penalty, the Rangers were once again victimized by rookie defenseman Torey Krug. The Bruins worked the puck well on the powerplay, and after a good shot from the point, the puck wound up at the point for Krug to wind up for a one-timer. Krug let go an absolute laser with Brian Boyle in front screening Hank. Puck went right over his glove. The Rangers did overcommit to the strong side on the initial shot, before the puck circled around back to Krug, which has been an issue all series. Rangers 1 Bruins 2 Tuukka Rask fell down? I don’t know. This one was weird. It’s about time the Rangers had some luck on their side. Rangers 2, Bruins 2 The goalie is supposed to tell the defenseman if there is a player pinching. Rask failed to do that for Zdeno Chara, and Derek Stepan was able to sneak in and steal the puck from a slowing Chara. Rask was also slow to get back to the net, and Stepan used his speed and momentum to wrap the puck around and stuff it in the empty net. Chara should’ve been more careful as well. Both he and Rask got real lazy, and Stepan took advantage. Bruins 3, Rangers 2 Although this goal doesn’t officially come on the powerplay, Ryan McDonagh didn’t get back before Tyler Seguin got the goal. The Bruins caught the Rangers tired and running around, and were able to generate solid puck movement. After the puck gets to Chara at the point, he faked a shot and passed to Seguin. Seguin sent the puck cross ice to Dougie Hamilton, who one-timed it back to Seguin for a one-timer that Hank made a beautiful save on. Problem was that Ryan Callahan bit on the initial fake-shot by Seguin (when he passed to Hamilton) and was unable to recover. Seguin got his own rebound. Rangers 3, Bruins 3 With the Rangers on the powerplay –yes, they scored a powerplay goal– the unit managed to gain the zone, which was a battle in itself this series. Stepan bought some time on the far boards and eventually drew a drifting Gregory Campbell too deep. Gregory Campbell was too deep. Brian Boyle recognized this, and circled to the high slot, where Campbell should have been. Boyle was the closest Ranger to the net aside from Stepan, but that is the power of Derek Stepan. He drew coverage, and dumped a perfect backhanded pass to the high slot for Boyle. With Campbell too deep, Boyle was open for the shot. Rask had no chance. Rangers 4, Bruins 3 The Rangers won a defensive face off, and the puck worked itself to Rick Nash from Chris Kreider on the off wing. Nash was given enough room to stop at the top of the circle and look for a pass to a cutting Kreider. He placed it perfectly on his stick, and Kreider deflected it right over Rask for the winner. The series is still 3-1, but the Rangers have some life in them. One shift at a time. One game at a time. T

GOALS BOS 4:39 of P2, PPG Nathan Horton (5) from David Krecji (12) and Brad Marchand (6). BOS 7:41 of P2, PPG Torey Krug (motherf***ing...) (3) from Tyler Seguin (2) and Nathan Horton (6). NYR 8:39 of P2, Carl Hagelin (3) from Derick Brassard (9) and Roman Hamrlik (1). POWERPLAYS BOS- 2/3 NYR- 0/2 It ain't over 'till it's over. Believe. Let's go Rangers.

Brad Richards has struggled through a nightmare season that has only grown worse in the playoffs. The $60 million center will be a healthy scratch tonight as the Rangers try to stave off elimination as they host Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Bruins. It could signal the end of his Rangers’ career just two seasons into the nine-year deal he signed as the premier unrestricted free agent in 2011. It’s been widely speculated as Richards stumbled through this season that he would be an offseason candidate as one of two amnesty buyouts the Rangers are allowed under the new collective bargaining agreement. “I don’t know if surprised is the right word for it,” said Richards, who turned 33 on May 2 and is still owed $36 million through 2020. “I’m disappointed.” Relegated to the fourth line, though he was still seeing ample time on a power play that comes into tonight’s game 2 for 38 in the playoffs, Richards has one goal and no assists in 10 postseason games as his playing time has steadily decreased. He logged just 8:10 with one shot and was a minus-1 in the Rangers’ 2-1 loss in Game 3 on Tuesday. The 8:10 that Richards played represented the least amount of ice time he had ever received in 93 career postseason games. Prior to this year’s playoffs, Richards had never played fewer than 14 minutes. He had not played more than 12:57 in his last five games and had played fewer than 10 minutes twice. Asked after the Rangers’ optional morning skate on Thursday whether it was hard for him to be effective in a fourth-line role, Richards simply said, “Yes.” This marks the first time Richards, who had 11 goals and 23 assists in 46 regular-season games, has been a healthy scratch under Tortorella. Tortorella coached Richards from 2001-08 in Tampa Bay and the Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with Richards being awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP Richards said Tortorella called him this morning at home with the news. “Nothing’s over,” Richards said. “Work harder and try my best to never let it happen again. “It’s all tough,” Richards added when asked whether it was tougher to sit out with the Rangers on the brink of elimination. It was not clear who would replace Richards in the lineup, though Darroll Powe, who has been out since Game 3 of the first round against the Capitals, said he would not be in the lineup. Rookie Chris Kreider, Richards’ linemate, will apparently play after being hit in the forehead by Tyler Seguin’s stick blade in Game 3. But Arron Asham, who completed the fourth-line trio, said this morning he wasn’t sure if he would be in the lineup. Veteran minor-leaguers Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley, who have both been skating with the Rangers’ practice squad of Connecticut (AHL) call-ups, both participated in the morning skate with the Rangers. On Saturday in Boston, Tortorella made a general comment about the need for older veterans to be on the ice more in practice, not less and to prepare harder during the offseason. Tortorella never mentioned Richards by name. However, Richards was involved in the NHL Players Association negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement during the lockout and also spent much of the lockout in New York helping with post-Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. “You look right through the league, the guys that did go and play, it certainly benefited them,” Tortorella said of NHL players going overseas to play during the lockout. “Some guys that didn’t go and play it hasn’t affected them at all. But some guys that didn’t go and play it has affected them. I think older players should have played. I think older players, even when it’s not a lockout need to do even more as far as conditioning as far as being on the ice. Some guys feel because they’re veteran and they’re up in

With D Anton Stralman not on ice for either today’s optional morning skate or Wednesday’s practice, it’s a fair bet he won’t be in the lineup for tonight’s game. Roman Hamrlik, who has been a healthy scratch for 23 straight games dating to a 4-2 win over the Jets on April 1, was the first defenseman off the ice from the group of replacement candidates that also included Matt Gilroy and Marc Staal. None, of course, would reveal who was in the lineup, unlike C Brad Richards, who acknowledged he wasn’t in the lineup. However, while Staal said the past two days have been better as far as his blurred vision and altered depth perception, it didn’t sound like he was ready to go. Gilroy has played one game since March 12 (on April 25) and just three times since Feb. 26. “I’ve got to move my feet and play simple, nothing fancy,” Hamrlik, 39, said when asked what the keys would be if he does play. “I haven’t played for a long time. I’ve got to keep the shifts really short. I know I didn’t play for a long time but I’ve been in the league for a long time. I should know what to do and how to do my best.” Hamrlik played just 12 scoreless regular-season games for the Rangers after being claimed off waivers from the Capitals on March 6. Meanwhile, Staal reported some progress in dealing with his issues stemming from being hit by a puck near the right eye on March 5. Since the injury, has played in just Game 3 of the first-round series against the Capitals. “That week after the game I didn’t play [Game 4 against the Capitals], I had some ups and downs and I took a few days off to let things settle down,” Staal said. “The last two days have been better so we’ll go from there. “It’s worse to sit and watch than it is to deal with the eye,” Staal added. ====================================================== Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/AGrossRecord Follow the Record Sports Staff at twitter.com/TheRecordSports

The Rangers will try to keep their season alive not with Brad Richards and Arron Asham in the lineup, but with Micheal Haley and Kris Newbury. Not with an injured Anton Stralman on defense, but aging veteran Roman Hamrlik, who has not played since April 1. Hamrlik for Stralman aside - Hamrlik, to me, is a better choice than Matt Gilroy here with Marc Staal unavailable - I don’t see how this is a better lineup even given Richards’ struggles. But maybe it’s not about the best lineup. Maybe it’s about a wake-up jolt to a Rangers’ team in danger of being on summer vacation in a few hours. One other notable lineup change: rookie Chris Kreider has been elevated to C Derick Brassard’s second line with Rick Nash on the right. “After the Game 3, everyone was down, everyone was pretty disappointed about the loss,” Brassard said. “We set our mind to make it 2-1 instead of 3-0. I know it looks hard to come back from 3-0. I think it’s possible. You take one game at a time. For us it’s do or die, an elimination game. Maybe, sometimes, when you’re thinking too much and gripping your stick and your back is against wall, sometimes you let yourself loose and maybe it’s a good thing for the team.” Here’s some history: The Rangers have trailed a best-of-seven series 3-0 10 times in franchise history. Six times, the Rangers have been swept. Three times, the Rangers have lost the series in five games. The other time, in the first round of the 1939 playoffs against the Bruins, the Rangers forced Game 7 before losing in triple overtime. The Rangers were last swept in the first round of the 2006 playoffs by the Devils. The last time they faced a 3-0 deficit was to the Penguins in 2008. The Rangers won Game 4 at home but lost the series in five. “The mindset of anything coming to end is nowhere on anyone’s radar,” D John Moore said. “All we need to do is win one game and get it back to Boston.” Keys to Game 4: 1. The small picture: The Rangers must do something only three teams in NHL history have accomplished by rallying from a 3-0 series deficit. So, while it’s totally clichéd, they really must only think of tonight’s game, even just starting with the first period, the first shift. Rallying from a 3-0 series deficit is a monumental task. Winning one game shouldn’t be. 2. Puck possession: Everything the Rangers want to accomplish stems from holding on to the puck and forcing the Bruins to play defense. It starts with winning faceoffs – the Rangers went just 21 of 55 (38 percent) in Game 3 – and continues by getting pucks in deep and then playing in the Bruins’ zone by establishing a forecheck. 3. The power play: Boy, this has become repetitive. The Rangers are now 2 for 38 on the power play in the postseason, without a goal in their last 21 attempts and 0 for 10 against the Bruins. The first trick is to keep the puck in the Bruins’ zone while on the man advantage. Then, don’t worry about being cute. Just shoot away and try to pound in a rebound. Ugly goals are just as good-looking as pretty ones “I think it’s got something to do with the whole game,” RW Mats Zuccarello said when asked whether going and failing on the power play saps momentum from the Rangers. “We don’t get into the flow, we don’t get into the rhythm and it’s just the power play and some of our five on five too. But we’ve got to win one game. Now is not the time to think in negative thoughts and see what’s wrong.” As for the lack of a consistent or effective forecheck in the series, D Ryan McDonagh said, ““You’ve got to give them some credit. They’ve got some big defensemen and they’re able to get back there and retrieve the puck. I thought at times we had the puck on our stick and maybe just got a little bit impatient. You see them, they’re pretty good at waiting for help, wai

As you’ve seen/heard by now, Brad Richards is a healthy scratch tonight, and is certainly done as a Ranger (unless they somehow come back in this series, maybe?) ... He will be bought out after the season, the Rangers paying him $24 million  over 14 years as a parting gift that will remove Richards’ salary from the diminishing salary cap. Take Our Poll Game 4. Bruins at Rangers. Final game at MSG? Final game of the Rangers’ season? Anton Stralman is out after being squished by Milan Lucic in the second period of Game 3. Roman Hamrlik will make his first appearance of the playoffs in Stralman’s place. Arron Asham is also scratched, not sure if he’s healthy. Micheal Haley and Kris Newbury are in for Richards and Asham. Chris Kreider will also play, despite an injury he suffered in Game 3. ********************************************* Don’t forget to vote for Three Rangers Stars in the poll on the left, and to follow me (and Josh Thomson, 26) on Twitter: @RangersReport. The post It’s Go Time! … Game 4: Bruins at Rangers appeared first on Rangers Report Blog.

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COREY SIPKIN/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS The Rangers are facing a steep climb to get back into this series, but it all starts with one game. As Kevin said yesterday, one shift at a time. If you win each shift, you’ll win the game, and that should be the priority for the Rangers. The biggest news is that Brad Richards is a healthy scratch and Anton Stralman is out tonight with an undisclosed injury. Chris Kreider is also out. Replacing them are Kris Newbury, Micheal Haley, and Roman Hamrlik. If you thought the fourth line wasn’t playing before, just wait til it has Haley and Newbury in the playoffs. Series Previews: Game 3 goal breakdown 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 3-0 NYR Playoff Leading Scorer: Derick Brassard (2-8-10) BOS Playoff Leading Scorer: David Krejci (5-11-16) NYR Playoff Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (10 GP, 2.10 GAA, .935 SV%) BOS Playoff Goaltender: Tuukka Rask (10 GP, 2.19 GAA, .930 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 Micheal Haley-Kris Newbury-Ryane Clowe Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi Michael Del Zotto-John Moore Roman Hamrlik-Steve Eminger Henrik Lundqvist Scratches/Injuries:  Darroll Powe (concussion), Anton Stralman (undisclosed), Chris Kreider (eye), Brad Richards (healthy), Matt Gilroy (healthy), Arron Asham (healthy) Broadcast Info: NBCSN 7:30pm Tweet

This video is pretty cool, and thought it was worth sharing. It’s the sounds of Round One, which includes some nice little taunts from the players. Tweet

Just as the title states, it's win or go home tonight for the New York Rangers. The Rangers finished off the regular season on a high note, took out the Washington Capitals in the first round, and have since screeched to a grinding halt. While most of the blame is centering around John Tortorella, and Rick Nash, the Rangers aren't mailing it in just yet. John Tortorella shocked the world this morning as he shook up his roster, which includes Brad Richards being a healthy scratch. People were clamoring for a change, and they got it. One shift at a time, one game at a time, and one win at a time. Get it done. vs. Boston Bruins (#4 Seed) vs New York Rangers (#6 Seed)Series Score: 3-0 BOSMadison Square Garden - New York, NY- 7:00 PM Television: NBC, TSN, RDS | Radio: NHL Game RadioOpponent's Blog: Stanley Cup of Chowder | Tickets: New York Rangers Playoff Tickets Some Quick Thoughts: As mentioned above, Brad Richards will be a healthy scratch for tonight's Game 4, which is a first for him during the playoffs. While many feel like it was a bad move, I feel like this could be seen from a mile away. Richards was technically scratched already with his demotion to the fourth line, which was an attempt to rejuvenate his game. With nothing changing, he really gave Tortorella no choice but to scratch him. This one's on Richards. Beyond Richards being scratched, and Roman Hamrlikslotting in for the injured Anton Stralman, we have no clue what else John Tortorella is up to. There's some speculation that Arron Asham may be sitting as well. Could Clowe be back? Who knows at this point. Projected Lineup: Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Ryan CallahanMats Zuccarello - Derick Brassard - Rick NashDerek Dorsett - Brian Boyle - Taylor PyattChris Kreider - Micheal Haley - Arron AshamRyan McDonagh - Dan GirardiMichael Del Zotto - Steve EmingerJohn Moore - Roman HamrlikHenrik LundqvistMartin Biron Scratches: Anton Stralman (upper-body), Marc Staal (upper-body), Darroll Powe (upper-body), Ryane Clowe (upper-body), Matt Gilroy (healthy),