New York Rangers Daily: Don’t blow it Blueshirts; Connor Bedard slaps back at critics
After catching their breath with a day off Thursday, it’s full steam ahead for the New York Rangers the next two days — they close out their schedule ahead of the 4 Nations Face-off with a pair of games against Eastern Conference opponents.
The Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday at Madison Square Garden and then visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Saturday.
The message for the Rangers heading into this back to back? Don’t blow it.
This exact topic was discussed on the current Rink Rap podcast, presented by Forever Blueshirts. The Rangers (26-23-4), who are 12th in the conference and five points out of the second wild card, have a terrific chance to head into the break on a four-game winning streak and put more pressure on teams ahead of them in the standings — and even pass some.
These are two very winnable games. The Rangers are simply better than each opponent and they’ve already given away enough points to inferior opposition this season. It’s gotta be a four-point weekend to follow up wins at home against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday and Boston Bruins on Wednesday.
Despite bringing a three-game point streak into play Friday, the Penguins (22-24-9) are not a very good team, remain without the injured Evgeni Malkin and now Sidney Crosby as well, after coach Mike Sullivan ruled him out with an upper-body issue. The Rangers are three points up on the Pens with two games in hand. Time to bury them further.
Then there are the Blue Jackets (26-21-8) on Saturday. The League’s most surprising team has lost three straight (0-2-1) after a three-game winning streak and is without leading goal-scorer Kirill Marchenko, who’s got a broken jaw. Perhaps the fairytale run is coming to an end? It’s the Rangers’ duty to help make that happen Saturday. Regulation wins Friday and Saturday would pull the Rangers even with the Jackets in points (60) at the break, just outside the playoff cut line.
So, yeah. Don’t blow it this weekend.
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New York Rangers news
Terrific article from Ben Leeds breaking down Chris Kreider’s game-winning, short-handed goal against the Bruins on Wednesday.
“It’s a bit of a bull out there.” That’s how J.T. Miller’s style of play was described as he continues to make a major impact on the Rangers since being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks last week.
In case you missed it, here’s out latest update and report on 10 Rangers prospects playing in the NCAA.
Also, here are our three Rangers takeaways from the 3-2 in against the Bruins, including Matt Rempe and Zac Jones making the most of their limited ice time.
NHL news
Connor Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, said he “could care less” about the mounting criticism he’s facing during his struggles this season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
A significant new name is out there in trade rumors: St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.
Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto is day to day with an upper-body injury but could play Saturday against the Florida Panthers.
Pinto didn’t play when the Senators lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 on Thursday. The Lightning passed the Senators for third place in the Atlantic Division.
Josh Manson is out for the Colorado Avalanche heading into the 4 Nations break. The defenseman has a lower-body injury.
The New Jersey Devils are spiraling and forward Stefan Noesen called out his teammates after a 3-1 loss to the Golden Knights in Newark.
Anthony Stolarz returned from knee surgery and made 26 saves for the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 3-1 road win against the Seattle Kraken.
Did you see this? Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers dropped the gloves at the opening face-off against Jake Neighbors of the Blues.
The Panthers won that game 3-2 when Matthew Tkachuk scored in the dying seconds of regulation.
Alex Ovechkin’s 26th goal of the season moved him within 16 of passing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record (894). The Washington Capitals defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3.
Dylan Guenther scored in overtime for the second straight game, lifting the Utah Hockey Club past the Blue Jackets 3-2.
Watch Drew O’Connor score the game-winning penalty-shot goal for the Vancouver Canucks against the San Jose Sharks.
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