A 10:00 pm (EST) game that rolled over well into November 4th, the Rangers lost tonight to the injury-laden (Luongo, Daniel Sedin) Canucks and their strong, simple hockey. Vancouver's defense featured man-to-man coverages, including the Mitchell-Gaborik shutdown pairing, simple offense featuring players taking smart shots that are open and other players passing to their open team mates. Combine strengths in these basics with strong checking and respectable goaltending and you have a formula that the Rangers just could not match.
The Rangers played a very strong second period, featuring their lone tally in 14 shots (after only garnering 4 shots in the first and 5 in the third).
Rebound-control was the catalyst for at least two of the Vancouver goals, although you can not expect to win a hockey game scoring only one goal. It seems to me that Del Zotto and Kotalik are doing their one-timer shotgun blasts to one another much less frequently. In fact I cannot remember a well-executed combo from this pair in quite a while - since we were winning. Note that Del Zotto has also gone pointless in just as long.
* Vaclav Prospal was named the second alternate captain tonight.
* Enver Lisin sat day-to-day with a sore foot suffered from a blocked shot in the 1-0 win over the Bruins.
* Dane Byers - who remains on the lineup instead of PA Parenteau - amassed 29 penalty minutes in 4:47 ice time - including two 10-minute game misconducts. You will notice that John Tortorella was still playing Byers in the final minutes.. possibly to send a message of toughness back to the squad.
* Speaking of toughness, I've also noticed that along with the losing trend this team has developed that the lineup has not featured the presence of Donald Brashear. Maybe opponents take a split-second more of a precaution in some of their actions when Brashear could be lining them up for a blindsided hit. His value might not be immediately reflected on his stat sheet, but that feeling he imposes on the opposition has a value all of its own. It is well-known in New York.
* Chris Higgins, with a "Thank You God" spoken to the rafters, netted his first goal as a Ranger. Could of easily had a second on his breakaway, too.
* Maybe John Tortorella will finally try Sean Avery with Prospal and Gaborik. Sean Avery is like a magnet for the oppositions' checks and if someone strays to hit Sean, who also has skills along the boards and with the puck, it may open up some ice for #20 and #10. Remember Avery playing with Jagr in the '06-07 playoffs/playoff push?!?
A tough defensemen to keep those rebounds away from Henrik was desperately needed in this loss. Although he does make great plays with his stick in skating situations, Matt Gilroy must get tougher around the net.
Chris Higgins, Dan Girardi, Henrik Lundqvist Post-Game:
John Tortorella Post-Game:
On to Tom Renney in Edmonton..
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