The New York Islanders bested the Rangers today 3-1 for their first regulation win (2nd total) this season. The Islanders came off to a fierce start throwing huge hits, a 2-man forecheck, and a lot of pressure on Henrik Lundqvist by out-hitting and out-hustling the Blueshirts for the majority of the contest. I was pondering the possibility of Coach Tortorella selecting Steve Valiquette for tonight's match-up, however it is questionable at how well Spiderman would have fared against the Islanders' early barrage.
By the way, the only MSG feed available to me in HD was that on MSG+ HD - the Islanders feed. The Knicks' season opener was being broadcast on MSG HD, while the Rangers feed was featured on 'Channel 51' which is normally an irrelevant TV Guide ticker channel. The Devils/Buffalo game was also broadcast on another random channel(151). This makes 4 games (out of 5 total - as the Islanders and Rangers could play other opponents) being covered simultaneously by MSG in the NHL and NBA leagues. MSG only has 2 possibilities for HD, however, with the remaining options being indistinguishable rogue channels.
Some notes on the game:
* Marian Gaborik is day-to-day and expected to return Friday to face the Minnesota Wild. His injury is speculated to be discomfort and unrelated with prior injuries from which he has required surgery or time-off.
* Vaclav Prospal and Ryan Callahan's perfect-looking 2-on-1 ended with the first of 5 heartbreaking post-hits. If those 5 shots that hit the post were able to ricochet towards the net, the score would have been 6-3.
* PA Parenteau, summoned to the line-up in Gaborik's absence, scored his first NHL goal on a broken play in front of the net with a nice rising backhander.
* John Tortorella's forward combinations were quite baffling tonight:
Enver Lisin--Vinny Prospal--Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery--Chris Drury--Ales Kotalik
Chris Higgins--Brandon Dubinsky--P.A. Parenteau
Aaron Voros--Artem Anisimov--Brian Boyle
We know that goal-less Chris Higgins can shoot the puck, and do so around the net. He just needs the confidence to shoot the puck and the line mates that can help make that happen. We touted his high-shooting percentage (2.496 shots/game before becoming a Ranger), which has seen an instant decline (1.846) in his first 13 games [back] in New York - a 26% drop. I would have loved to see a line of Higgins--Prospal--Drury.
I include Chris Drury on this line as a winger because he has been playing like one! He may not have the step and the shot that he had earlier in his career that allowed him to become a scoring-success in the middle. It would also make the center position a bit more open for the skilled Artem Anisimov and play Brian Boyle where he belongs - both of whom represent youth. I also have to mention that whenever Brandon Dubinsky and Chris Drury are on the ice together, it seems there is a blown coverage or an out-of-position forward.
Ryan Callahan plays such a hard-checking game - I think his natural position is further down the lines and on special teams. A lot of times I see the fourth line drive the enemy back into the zone, pin them for a few moments before they get gassed, and come in for a line change. I think Callahan may provide the next few steps this line could use to start turning offensive-zone seconds into scoring threats. Callahan could be double-shifted into a lot of tight-checking situations on the right.
Brandon Dubinsky has shown the ability to slow down the play and dish to linemates who are trying to get open, maybe picked up from his time with Jaromir Jagr. With that in mind, Sean Avery and Ales Kotalik have both shown the ability to score one-timed goals between the dots from feeds like this. I think they would make a great trio, as long as they can play with discipline and stay out of the box.
I would of tried a line-up like this with a much more balanced line-rolling:
Chris Higgins--Vinny Prospal--Chris Drury
Sean Avery--Brandon Dubinsky--Ales Kotalik
Enver Lisin--Artem Anisimov--P.A. Parenteau
Aaron Voros--Brian Boyle--Ryan Callahan
Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game:
John Tortorella Post-Game:
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