Credit Where It’s Due
The NHL universe is starting to acknowledge what Rangers fans have known for quite some time. The Rangers have the best goaltending in the NHL. TSN published goaltending rankings this week and the Rangers ranked first, ahead of the Boston Bruins tandem of Thomas and Rask.
With Henrik Lundqvist having a Vezina calibre year and Martin Biron posting career high numbers as well, the Rangers have a huge advantage against most teams right now.
Thanks to their duo, there could be some serious hardware making its way to the Rangers after this season. Individually, Lundqvist is in the mix for the Vezina and Hart trophies while as a tandem Biron and Lundqvist are well in the running for the Williams M Jennings trophy, a trophy awarded since 1981 to the goaltenders who conceded the least over the course of the season. The Rangers have never won the Jennings trophy.
It’s because of their goaltending that the Rangers are starting to be treated seriously league-wide as a legitimate playoff threat. It seems gone are the days where the Rangers got no respect from media outside of New York. If the Rangers improve their scoring consistency (and get bigger contributions from certain players) then the New York goaltenders should benefit as well.
Can Lundqvist improve? He has already shown remarkable improvement this season when you consider how his glove hand has become a strength rather than an area other teams look to exploit. In all seriousness he doesn’t appear to have a weakness aside from his adventures while stick handling outside of the crease. Even that should be able to be remedied.
The Rangers should – and in all honesty likely will – look to retain Martin Biron beyond this season. He has been a tremendous acquisition by Glen Sather and allows Lundqvist more rest and practice time while providing the Rangers continued excellence in net. Another thing to consider is the lack of prospects coming up through the organisation, making Biron that much more valuable. All in all, the Rangers are very lucky to have their goaltending tandem and finally they are getting the respect they deserve. Here’s hoping it’s underlined with some shiny trophies come seasons end.
Posted by: Chris, on 02-10-2012 at 2:00 pm in Around the League, State of the Rangers | Comments (0)
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron
BSB Live Chat 2.10.12
Posted by: Justin, on at 11:50 am in Uncategorized | Comments (2)
Style Analysis: Henrik Lundqvist
Last week I covered Martin Biron, and now we get to the main event of our Style Analysis series: Henrik Lundqvist. The same format applies, five categories covering Stance, Crease Movement/Depth, Equipment, Puck Handling Ability, and Exploitable Weaknesses. Let’s get to it…
Stance
Hank is a very unique goaltender. The minutia of his style is unlike anything I have ever seen before. He has an incredibly wide stance, to the point where I find myself wondering how he keeps his balance when moving laterally. He has a fairly deep crouch and holds his gloves high. The amount of hip/knee strength the man possesses is something to behold. All of these idiosyncrasies give Hank one of the widest butterflies in the league and an unparalleled ability to guard the bottom third of the net. Shooters have told members of the media that there isn’t a goalie in the league that they see less net behind than Hank. He uses every bit of his 6’ 1” frame to make himself as big as possible, which is essential given how deep in the net he plays.
Crease movement/depth
Speaking of net depth, Hank practically invented the modern itineration of “goal-line goaltending”. Generally, on defensive zone face-offs, a goalie will stand just on the top of the crease, angled at the dot. Hank, however, stands with his foot planted on the near post. This creates a whole new angular paradigm for him to follow and we have seen the maturation of this style as his success has increased over the past few years. Because he plays so deep in the net, the majority of his lateral movement comes from small shuffle steps and butterfly slides. His execution is a model of consistency. A proper butterfly slide is executed by shifting your weight to the push foot, planting that foot, lifting your other knee slightly off the ice and using the push foot to propel you in the desired direction. It sounds complicated, but with enough reps, it becomes second nature. There are some goalies, especially in major junior, who use this technique for the sake of using it, but Hank is very utilitarian with the technique. It allows him to cover a huge amount of lateral distance, especially in conjunction with his depth.
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Posted by: Justin, on at 10:00 am in Analysis | Comments (5)
Tags: Henrik Lundqvist
Live Chat Reminder
Just a reminder that Justin will be hosting a live chat today at noon. Come with questions, he will have the answers.
Posted by: Dave, on at 9:49 am in Administrative Stuff | Comments (3)
Rangers/Lightning Recap
The Rangers clipped the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime tonight at the Garden on the strength of a Brad Richards goal on a beautiful feed from Artem Anisimov. After a tough offensive night against Jersey, the Blueshirts got back to their game and were able to outlast a pesky Lightning team. On to the bullets…
- The first half or so of this game lacked any flow whatsoever. It seemed as the two teams were trying to get a read on the other’s forechecking scheme. Tampa didn’t appear to be running a full 1-3-1 but there was a hybrid trap thing going on that gave the Rangers trouble in the neutral zone.
- The Rangers only allowed 17 shots tonight (season low) and managed 31 of their own. Defensively, the Rangers were very solid with the exception of a couple costly breakdowns.
- Artem Anisimov played a much better game tonight than we have seen in recent weeks. He was contributing on each shift and going to work in the dirty areas. Hopefully this will be a sign of things to come.
- The powerplay actually looked a little better tonight. The new emphasis on getting pucks to the net from the perimeter can only bring better results. While they didn’t live up to Dave’s lofty goal of two PP goals (actually, Dave just said two PP goals…didn’t specify it could only be the Rangers) but I invite everyone to check out the comments of the Game Thread to Chris C’s crazy prediction about that PP goal.
- Prust’s line looked great all game.
- Outside of the one penalty he took, I barely noticed Steve Eminger out there. This is not necessarily a bad thing. For a 5/6 type defenseman to go unnoticed, it means he’s chewing up minutes without giving up too much.
- Carl Hagelin with another strong game.
- While I am psyched Brad Richards scored the clutch game winner in OT, I was more impressed with the shoulder fake Anisimov pulled off drawing two defensemen and a goalie right to him.
- Steven Stamkos is a force out there.
- Marty Biron played a quality game tonight. Exactly what a good backup should do. I’m curious to see if Torts plays Hank back to back this weekend or if Marty will see another start.
- Mathieu Garon played great in net for Tampa. He made a number of tough saves on Rangers’ chances and kept this game from getting out of hand.
- Good to see the Giants supporting New York solidarity at the game tonight.
- The Rangers have done a remarkable job this year coming back after losses and tonight followed the trend. The next few days will be another big test of this team’s resolve. With Philly, Washington, Boston and Chicago coming up, the Rangers can really start to position themselves to make a deep run into the post season by beating some of the NHL’s best teams.
Off tomorrow and then into enemy territory at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly for a Saturday matinee.
One last shameless plug, remember to be here on 2/10 at noon where I’ll be hosting a BSB Live Chat.
Posted by: Justin, on 02-09-2012 at 11:08 pm in Game Wrap-ups | Comments (4)
Tags: Artem Anisimov, Brad Richards, Carl Hagelin, Martin Biron
Game 52 Preview: Rangers vs. Lightning
Don’t forget: Tomorrow Justin will host a live chat at noon tomorrow. Be sure to join!
Standings: Lightning (23-24-5), Rangers (33-13-5)
NYR Leading Scorer: Marian Gaborik (26-17-43)
TBL Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos (35-23-58)
NYR Goaltender: Martin Biron (13 GS, 1.95 GAA, .920 SV%)
TBL Goaltender: Mathieu Garon (36 GS, 2.88 GAA, .900 SV%)
Rangers Lines (probable):
Artem Anisimov-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Brad Richards-Brandon Prust
Ruslan Fedotenko-Brian Boyle-Ryan Callahan
Mike Rupp-John Mitchell-Carl Hagelin
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Michael Del Zotto
Steve Eminger-Anton Stralman
Biron gets the start.
Scratches/Injuries: Mike Sauer (concussion), Jeff Woywitka (AHL conditioning), Wojtek Wolski (AHL conditioning), Stu Bickel (healthy)
Preview: Boy that call the other night still stings. But it’s another day, and another game against the Lightning, innovators of the 1-3-1 neutral zone trap. Suit has broken down their 1-3-1 and how it can be beat. It’s a matter of execution, specifically on the powerplay.
Steve Eminger returns to the lineup tonight, at the expense of Stu Bickel. Expect these two to rotate often, as they play very different games. Eminger is in tonight as Tampa isn’t really the physical team that New Jersey is. Bickel’s foot speed was exploited a few times the past few games, and TB is a fast team. Hence, Eminger is playing.
The last time these two squared off, the Rangers lost in a shootout. That came less than a week after the Rangers came out on top 4-2. This is the third of four meetings between the two. With the Lightning barely breathing in the playoff picture, these are two points the Rangers should be getting.
Crazy Thought: Two powerplay goals. Yes…two.
Opponent’s Blog: Lightning Hockey Blog
Game time is 7:00pm on MSG, AM1050, and XM213.
Posted by: Dave, on at 5:30 pm in Game Thread | Comments (7)
Musings: Jeff Carter? No Thanks, Fraser Feels NYR Got Robbed, & More
Muchado About Nothing
After watching 24/7 and seeing what Anisimov was like behind the scenes, Stamkos pretty much admitted that his team overreacted to the whole snipeshow incident. Of course, somehow that news has been missed and others are trying to drum up some sort of confrontation between the two. This isn’t just a stretch; it’s not doing your homework.
More From The Rumor Front
Speaking of not doing your homework, Yahoo Sports said Ryan Smyth is still open to being traded to the Rangers. I find that interesting considering Smyth’s exact quote was, “Who’s Larry Brooks? It’s not something that I’ve thought much about.” “I’ve moved four times in the last five years…I wanted to come back here for a reason.” These deadline rumor articles are getting pretty desperate huh?
I was surprised people have also been mentioning bringing Jeff Carter over from Columbus. I know his stats are pretty and all, but talk about a guy who is a ghost when he is not scoring. People have problems with Richards and they think Carter is the answer? Have you not read our hockey systems stuff?
Never mind the fact that his contract runs until 2022. Carter is notorious for coasting when he’s not scoring, he doesn’t use his size at all, and his back checking leaves much to be desired. Now he’s whining and underperforming? Tortorella would eat Jeff Carter alive.
Fraser’s Analysis On Grand Theft Anton
Finally, I just want to toss Blueline Station a silk tie. They had a great find from former ref Kerry Fraser (via TSN) giving a detailed look at the waived off goal against New Jersey the other night. I don’t want to steal their quotes, so be sure to click through the link. Always nice to read what a real expert has to say.
***Also, just wanted to add that Justin will be hosting a live chat @ noon on Friday. We’ll be talking deadline, tactics, & more. Be sure to swing by and say hello.
Posted by: The Suit, on at 12:00 pm in Around the League, Musings, Rumors | Comments (5)
Predators No Longer Poachable
It wasn’t very long ago the Predators were supposedly the prime example of why the NHL shouldn’t be in non-traditional hockey markets. Media folks (mostly those north of the border) saw a team with a winning record, poor attendance and pounced. Every hockey “expert” it seemed was calling into question Nashville’s viability as a hockey market.
Fast forward a few years and the story takes quite a different turn. For a few seasons now the Predators have quietly turned a profit and are getting strong attendance figures. For example, just two seasons ago Nashville’s average attendance was 14,979. This year they are averaging 16,587.
Now I know what you’re thinking, these attendance numbers are complete BS. I know, I was thinking the same thing. Having worked for several professional sports teams, I know how teams usually cheat their attendance figures.
Most struggling teams will only announce tickets distributed, which could mean they donated a couple hundred seats here and there to charities (with zero chance they’ll actually be filled). Some teams include all of the people “working the game” in their attendance figures including media members, team staff, arena workers, etc. Finally, some teams will just discount or comp hundreds of tickets just to get asses in the seats. Few teams actually report how many people paid for their seat and actually sat in it.
Anyway, so upon reading these figures, it’s fair to be skeptical. However, last season I read a fantastic article at www.ontheforecheck.com, which is a Nashville Predators blog run by Dirk Hoag. It appeared Dirk obtained exactly the data I was looking for - average paid attendance figures – from the Metro Sports Authority. As he reported, the Predators average paid attendance in 08-09 through the first 9 home games was 12,918. In 09-10 that figure rose to 13,131. Last season that number was up to 15,657. Pretty impressive growth if you ask me.
So what does all of this have to do with the trade deadline?
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Posted by: The Suit, on at 7:00 am in Around the League, Business of Hockey | Comments (10)
Whale Win Third In A Row; Avery Still Healthy Scratch
Connecticut Whale 3, Syracuse Crunch 1
By Brian Ring
Hartford, CT, February 7, 2012 - The Connecticut Whale defeated the Syracuse Crunch, 3-1, Tuesday night at the XL Center in Hartford. Mats Zuccarello, Blake Parlett and Scott Tanski all scored for Connecticut, with defenseman Jeff Woywitka adding two assists. Goaltender Chad Johnson made 23 saves in winning his third straight start in the month of February.
The Whale’s victory put them two points ahead of idle Bridgeport for first place in the AHL’s Northeast Division with 53 points.
“We’re all playing together and playing well right now,” said Johnson. “We’re more conscious of the score and of what we want to do, which is to get the two points.”
The Whale struck first midway through the opening period, taking a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal from Zuccarello 7:31 into the frame. Zuccarello tipped Tim Erixon’s shot from the right point past Syracuse goaltender Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers (25 saves) for his tenth goal of the season, with the secondary assist going to Brendan Bell.
Jean-Francois Jacques tied the game for Syracuse with 5:11 to play in the first, as he cut across the Whale slot in front of a sprawled Johnson. Jacques was able to flip the puck on the backhand up and over the Whale goaltender for his 14th goal of the season, with the assist going to highly-touted Anaheim prospect Devante Smith-Pelly.
Connecticut would retake the lead with 1:46 left in the second period with the game-winning tally, as the power-play came through for the second time in the game. Parlett’s shot from the blue line managed to fool a screened Drouin-Deslauriers for Parlett’s fourth goal of the season, putting the Whale ahead, 2-1. Woywitka and Casey Wellman would assist on the goal, Wellman notching his second assist in two games with the Whale.
Tanski would increase the Whale lead to 3-1 with 12:08 left in the third period, as he backhanded a Woywitka rebound into the Syracuse cage. Woywitka would receive his second assist of the game on the goal, Tanski’s fifth, with Jordan Owens picking up the secondary helper.
The win kept the Whale perfect in February (3-0-0-0), with tough tests coming this weekend with games in Springfield Friday, Manchester Saturday and a GEICO Connecticut Cup match with Bridgeport on Sunday.
The Whale will return home on Friday, Feb. 17, when they host the Springfield Falcons at the XL Center (7:00 PM).
Tickets to all 2011-12 Whale home games, are on sale now at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center, as well as on-line at www.ctwhale.com and through TicketMaster Charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000.
The Whale and the CT Hockey Hall of Fame will partner to hold a CT Hockey Hall of Fame night at the Whale’s home game at the XL Center Saturday, March 10 vs. the Norfolk Admirals. That night will mark the enshrinement of a new class of 2012 inductees into the CT Hockey Hall of Fame, which has adopted eight members from the storied Hartford Whalers Hall of Fame. The new inductees are: Connecticut-bred Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, ex-Hartford Whalers 56-goal scorer Blaine Stoughton, former Whalers goaltender Mike Liut, former Whalers captain Pat Verbeek, Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack franchise icon, long-time captain and current head coach Ken Gernander, three-time Olympic medalist for Team USA and all-time NCAA women’s leading scorer Julie Chu, and one of the founders of the New England Whalers, William E. Barnes. There will be an induction ceremony before the game, which faces off at 7:00 PM on March 10, and the new inductees will also be recognized on the ice during the first intermission. Fans can take home a special souvenir of the March 10 night, as 5,000 Hall of Fame posters will be given away, courtesy of SuperCuts. There will also be a special meet-and-greet event on March 10, details of which will be announced soon. This will be the first class of inductees since 1990, and further details are available at cthockeyHOF.org.
College students can get discounted tickets to Whale weekday games with the Whale’s “Ditch the Dorms” deal. For Monday through Friday home games, students who show a valid student ID at the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center can get $2 off Upper Level tickets and $5 off Lower Level seats.
Save on your tickets, and get the best seats, with a ticket plan for the Whale’s 2011-12 AHL campaign, which are on sale now. For information on season seats, mini plans and great group discounts, visit www.ctwhale.com, or call the CT Whale ticket office at (860) 728-3366 to talk with an account executive today.
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Posted by: Dave, on 02-08-2012 at 5:30 pm in AHL | Comments (0)
Tortorella Must Focus On Richards
The Rangers played two abysmal periods against the Devils Tuesday night and despite a better third (and a shocking refereeing decision in waiving off a late tying goal), they deserved to lose. That said, this is a tight-knit bunch who know how they need to play and (usually) play their style of game well.
The Rangers listen to their coach. Now that Tortorella has his team singing from the same hymn page, he needs to be spending a lot more of his time and energy on re-focussing his biggest issue right now, and that’s Brad Richards.
Richards’ sub-par play is a bigger issue than the power play. He should have been a huge upgrade on the regular line-up and should have been the biggest difference maker on the power play this season. Thus far, this has not been the case. The powerplay if anything has regressed.
We have seen Richards score clutch goals and we have seen the player he can be. However, we have not seen it nearly enough. The longer his sub-par play continues, the bigger a story it will become and a bigger distraction to all the good going on at the MSG.
Against the Devils, Richards looked lost. He looked devoid of confidence and most alarmingly, he made numerous bad decisions with the puck. It’s normally his confidence and decision making ability that sets him apart. One shift in the third period aside, Richards brought almost zero to the Rangers last night. That cannot continue.
Tortorella and Richards have a long standing relationship and if anyone knows what is going wrong with Richards it is Tortorella. The coach needs to spend as much time as needed focussing in on the skilled center to find his spark. Given how the Rangers have managed to get to first place overall (despite an inept powerplay) Tortorella should realise, if he can get Richards firing on all cylinders then this could truly be a special season.
It doesn’t stop there though. Essentially, this was still a developmental year for the Rangers, so any significant success would be gravy. That said, Richards is going nowhere for a long time and we’ve seen how underperforming big-tickets get treated by the media and fans when they underperform. It’s crucial Tortorella gets Richards going, as much for the long term as it is for this season.
Tortorella has faced several challenges as Rangers coach. He has helped oversee a huge change in organisational concept and approach and has helped usher in a bright future with his emphasis on youth. Getting Brad Richards to be front and center of that future (where he needs to be) may be his biggest – and most critical – challenge to date.
Posted by: Chris, on at 2:30 pm in State of the Rangers | Comments (4)
Tags: Brad Richards, John Tortorella