- One of those hockey analytics guys has just figured out that Michael Grabner cannot — throughout the season — maintain the pace that has garnered him a dozen goals in 20 games.
- To that numbers genius, I reply: “Why not?”
[Boyle: Rangers Getting Bang for Buck With Grabner]
- Those in the hockey analytics field would have never figured Grabner for a dozen goals by the end of the season. So, if they were wrong about that, they can also be wrong about Grabby maintaining the pace.
- The fact of the matter is that this Rangers club is enjoying one of the biggest one-season increase in goals per game in National Hockey League history.
- Because of the Blueshirts’ bonanza, fans have to find something about which to argue. According to long-time Rangers fan Hal Gelman of Rockland County they have found a debating issue.
- “Right now,” says Gelman, “it’s all about the goaltending. I say that Alain Vigneault should keep playing Antti Raanta because he’s hot. A coach should go with the hot goalie.”
- While the Gelman Theory has logic, it does not account for the negative effect that a benching might have on Henrik Lundqvist. And there’s a point to be made there.
- Brady Skjei already has the Faithful forgetting about Keith Yandle.
- Tough Question Department: Who’s growing faster among the Young Turks on offense — Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller or Kevin Hayes?
- I go with Kreider.
- How the Devils survive the absence of Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri will go a long way to deciding whether their season goes up or down.
- If nothing else, the absence of Hall has noticeably affected the overall attack formations.
- I don’t know about you but I’d like to see the Islanders try Jean-Francois Berube between the pipes to determine how good he really is.
- Don’t look now, but Ryan McDonagh is playing like an All-Star.
- In honor of the Rangers’ 90th Anniversary, I’d like to see the Blueshirts raise a banner for Bill Cook, Bun Cook and Frank Boucher. That trio spearheaded the club to its first (1928) and second (1933) Stanley Cups. Each one is a Hall of Famer.
- Brock Nelson has emerged as the Islanders’ most consistent scorer and definitely has found consistency.
- Nick Lappin is looking less and less like flash in the pan and more like an effective two-way forward for the Devils.
- I was staring right down on Mika Zibanejad as he rounded the net in overtime against Florida and I still can’t figure how such an innocent-looking play could turn into a disaster for the Blueshirts’ ace.
- Zibanejad’s injury gives rookie Jimmy Vesey a chance to step up and show that he’s ready for prime time.
- You don’t have to be a Rangers, Islanders or Devils fan to root for AHLer Craig Cunningham’s recovery.
