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New York Rangers Fall to the Islanders in Brooklyn

By Karly Redpath

Dec 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) makes a save during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 4-2 in a crosstown matchup on Tuesday.

In a feature here at Blue Line Station, we will be providing thoughts and analysis following every Rangers game. Make sure to stop by after games to see what you might have missed!

Game Action:

  • The Rangers got off to a strong start, taking 15 shots on net in the first period. Mats Zuccarello accounted for four of the 15 shots on net in the first. However, due to the strong play of Jaroslav Halak, the Rangers were unable to convert.
  • This was a theme that ran true throughout all three periods in Brooklyn this evening. The Rangers had five power play opportunities (two coming in a four minute major in the first period) and were unable to score.
  • The Islanders addressed the Rangers speed tonight with speed of their own, and capitalized on some chances on Rangers’ mistakes in transition. Most notable was Andrew Ladd’s goal in the second period. A turn over in the neutral goal allowed Shane Prince to bring the puck back in to the Rangers end. He used his speed to make a move on Brady Skjei and after an aggressive play by Henrik Lundqvist (who poked the puck away) Ladd gained possession and had a wide open net to shoot at.
  • Tonight’s highlights came on two beautiful goals from Jimmy Vesey and Marc Staal in the second period. Vesey chipped a puck in past Halak on a great effort by Rick Nash keeping possession on the offensive end of the ice. Staal’s goal was equally as deserved coming off a beautiful tic-tac-toe play from Stepan, Kreider and Miller, respectively.
  • The Rangers did a strong job of keeping John Tavares a non-threat for a majority of the game – up until his power play goal in the third.
  • The Rangers skated with only 10 forwards for the second half of the second and the entirety of the third period due to the departure of Puempel in the first and Nash in the second.
  • The Rangers pulled their goaltender at the end of the game during which a penalty was called on Thomas Hickey and the Rangers were up two skaters. About a minute later, another penalty was called on Islanders’ Travis Harmonic and the Rangers were skating six on three – however the Rangers were unable to produce.

Final Thoughts:

  • The Rangers biggest struggle was getting puck s in the net tonight. Though they had 38 shots on net, they were only able to convert on two. Based on the way Zuccarello was playing, he could have had a hat trick by the end of the first period, but Halak stood strong in the net.
  • The most concerning factor of tonight’s game was that the Rangers skated with 10 players during the second half of the game due to the injuries to Puempel and Nash. With some of the Rangers core offenseman (i.e. Zibanejad and Buchnevich) questionable or out for the foreseeable future, the Rangers cannot afford to lose a young addition, but especially not the talent of Nash.
  • The Rangers play in the neutral zone was noticeably shaky than it has been in games earlier in the season. They had trouble generating opportunities coming out of their own end, which has been one of the most essential parts of their game this season.

Lundqvist has seemed weaker in his positioning in the net as of late. It was noticeable in this game as he had to make aggressive plays that are not necessarily characteristic of the type of goaltender he is. While he still manages to make great stops for his team, there is something off about the way he has looked in the net this season.

Next: Fixing the New York Rangers defense

Rangers next game is in Winnipeg on Thursday night. A bounce-back performance will be necessary.

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