No question, the Stanley Cup Playoffs rank as the most exciting aspect of the season. But when it comes to the homestretch, the tension surrounding the annual trade deadline can’t be beat and this year is no exception. On Wednesday, the National Hockey League clock will be ticking up until 3 p.m. when all deals […]
The National Hockey League’s trade deadline is a month away (Feb. 28, 3 p.m.) and there’s no doubt that the Rangers, Islanders and Devils will be considering a move. After all, everybody talks deals, but few make them. The Game’s bible, The Hockey News, proclaims that St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk should have “five trade destinations.” […]
***COURTESY NEW YORK RANGERS*** NEW YORK, June 20, 2016 – New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has acquired a sixth round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Keith Yandle. The […]
One of the main goals of a successful power play is to make the opposition goaltender feel uncomfortable. This can be achieved by withholding information by forcing a goaltender into multiple shot possibilities. By taking away clear sight, altering the trajectory of the puck or placing pucks outside of his line of vision, an offense […]
The Rangers have been one of the most successful NHL teams at creating offense through the first 57 games of the season. A very strong transition game has played an important role in their offensive success, but the Blueshirts have also been effective creating scoring chances from offensive zone faceoffs. Speed and attacking the slot line […]
A major focus for the Rangers last season was improving the team’s play with the man advantage. It has been an issue for the Rangers the past few seasons and their power play sits among the mid-tier in 2015-16. The Rangers have good offensive players and acquired Keith Yandle to help with their special teams. […]
Terms like “defensive defenseman” or “shutdown defenseman” tend to evoke images of a staunch defender, tough, big, blocks shots, clears the net and is willing to sacrifice for the team. These players tend to be defined as specialists on one side of the puck. Their forte is to defend and they are elite at this […]
“Sweet are the uses of adversity” – William Shakespeare As Rangers fans have learned since their beloved Blueshirts exited the playoffs on Friday night, the sun still managed to come up in the East on Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. Furthermore, it will continue to do so as our hockey lives move on to the […]
The Rangers open the first round of the playoffs with the best record in the NHL and their reward was a matchup with the always dangerous Pittsburgh Penguins. The underlying possession numbers favor the Penguins, and while the Rangers are not a strong possession team, Steve Valiquette and I have been pointing out this […]
One of the concerns for the Rangers this season has been a lackluster power play. Following a Stanley Cup Playoff run where a better performance with the man advantage could have lead to a Stanley Cup, the Rangers made this one of their priorities with the acquisition of Keith Yandle. This hasn’t paid dividends through his […]