After sloppy loss to Vancouver, it’s time to let Skapski play (VAN 5 v NYR 4 SO)
St. Louis scores in the third (Photo: Jared Silber/Getty Images)
There it was, a huge juicy rebound on the stick of Henrik Sedin and he made no mistake about it. The Rangers who were down 3-2 early in the third and stormed back with 2 goals in 21 seconds were fit to be tied with 2 minutes left to play.
CANUCKS 5 vs. RANGERS 4 SO
[su_quote cite=”ESPN” url=”https://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400564398″]”This was huge,” Burrows said. “Rangers are probably one of the best teams in the league, if not the best. They are a really good team, but we felt if we could skate with them and work hard and pay the price, we could have a chance.”[/su_quote]
Cam Talbot started his 8th game and didn’t look sharp. He allowed 4 goals on 28 shots and finished the night with a .857 save percentage. While the Rangers did a good job of limiting shots for the game, they still had far too many breakdowns and allowed glorious scoring chances to Vancouver.
[su_quote cite=”ESPN” url=”https://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400564398″]”Any time you score four goals you want to win the game,” Talbot said. “Obviously you never want to give up chances like that and goals like that. Four goals should be enough most nights, and that’s on me.”[/su_quote]
VAN at NYR (NHL.com)
On the game tying goal, Talbot looked flummoxed on the initial shot by Dan Hamuis and gave up a big rebound that was gobbled up and put home Henrik Sedin. Now the question has to be asked, is it time to give Talbot a break?
The Blueshirts face the Sabres tonight on the tail end of a back to back, so an opportunity for Mackenzie Skapski seems like a good idea. Skapski is 6’3″ and weighs 191lbs, so covering the net won’t be a problem especially since he plays a butterfly and moves well.
Will he get this start? Alain Vigneault said after the game, that he hasn’t informed either goalie who will get the nod. If the Rangers truly believe that Hank will be back by early March there’s no reason not to give Skapski this game.
After the Sabres, the Rangers will have 6 games in 11 nights (every other day until March 4th) and Talbot will likely get them all. He needs a break, but more importantly his teammates need to be challenged to tighten up their game.
Sticking a 20 year old in net may have just the desired effect AV is looking for. “Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition, and they were short especially on the back end, but we had a lot of guys that played alright but not good enough tonight.”
Shoring up those gaps in the defensive zone and a little focus on limiting high scoring chances instead of getting people Papa John’s discounts is exactly what the Rangers need tonight.
NOTES
No morning skate tomorrow for either Rangers or Sabres in Buffalo so big goalie announcement for Rangers comes from AV at 5.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) February 20, 2015
AV won’t announce starting goalie for tomorrow night at Buffalo. Says he hasn’t told the goalie – either one – his plans.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) February 20, 2015
#Rangers Derek Stepan had his third-straight multi-point game, the second time in his career he’s had such a streak. (Nov. 5-9, 2011) — Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey) February 20, 2015
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