Rangers falter in Toronto (TOR 5 vs NYR 4)
It was a game defined by terrible giveaways, bad defensive zone coverage, sub par goaltending and even worse refereeing. Still, the Rangers had no one to blame but themselves as they relinquished a 4-3 lead in the third period for the loss.
This is one game the Rangers would like to forget and will be forced to do so as they play tonight at the Garden against the Edmonton Oilers.
Maple Leafs 5 vs New York Rangers 4
Alain Vigneault, who had a difficult time concealing his anger and frustration on the bench last night, talked about more commitment. He laid it on the forwards mostly for not being “on the right side of the play”.
That was accentuated on the Leo Kamarov tally to win it for Toronto. “If you look at the final picture, they almost got a 4-0 on our goaltender,” as he rolled his eyes a bit, “there’s some people missing there.”
Overshadowed in the loss was the return of Derek Stepan. After missing a month of action he recorded an assist and was a plus one. Offensively, his return gave the Rangers the offensive balance they will need in the long haul.
Stepan with Kreider and Zuccarello looked great last night. If the chemistry continues, they can take the offensive pressure off the top line of Brassard, Nash and St. Louis who also got on the board.
Finally, it’s hard to pin this on Cam Talbot, but as he said himself, “I need to come up with a few more saves.” He will get his chance soon as the Rangers are jam packed this month with games. Possibly on the 21st versus Buffalo or one of the 2 back to back against the Flyers (28th & 29th)
NOTES:
Last night we almost witnessed a nightmare. Dan Girardi was cut on the neck by a falling player’s skate. Had it gone deeper…I shudder to think. He took his regular shift after.
GIF: Another look at Kadi cutting Girardi’s throat https://t.co/ubqkRocD8r pic.twitter.com/tlvt9xHR91
— Steph (@myregularface) November 9, 2014
RAGING RANGERS
1. Chris Kreider – He’s heating up with 2 goals and 2 assists in last 3 games. CK20 is using his size and speed and has put 8 shots on goal in the span. Now with Derek Stepan as his center, he could increase those numbers.
2. Mats Zuccarello – Another who may benefit from Stepan as his center. Zucc had a goal and an assist last night (5 points in his last 4 games).
3. Rick Nash – 1 goal on 6 shots. The Beast of Broadway continues his carnage.
REELING RANGERS
1. Mike Kostka – He had a rough night. One tweet from Seth Rothman who covers the Rangers said it best.
On that goal, Allen was on Komarov, Kostka was somewhere else in the province of Ontario. Didn’t really have anyone. — Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey) November 9, 2014
2. Cam Talbot – Tough to lay at his feet, but he finished the night with a .839 save percentage.
3. Duclair and Hayes – Both played sparingly and on the 4th line. Duclair 10:49 TOI, Hayes 9:16
HIGHLIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
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