Rangers Continue the Beating Indoors! Defeat Islanders 4-1
Marc Staal (18) knocks down Islanders captain John Tavares (91)
A change of scenery for the Rangers, as they returned from the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium after they swept their Stadium Series set against the Islanders and the Devils. The opponent again, was the Islanders, the result was the same. A Rangers victory. This time to a tune of 4-1.
The Bottom Six Continue to Spark
Brian Boyle, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello. The entire bottom six has continued to chip in and play a hard game night in and night out. These lines were the stars of the Stadium Series games, and tonight was no different. When Brian Boyle made the game 1-0, it was nothing but sheer joy coming out of his face. He felt relieved after deflecting a hard shot from the point by Marc Staal. Boyle has been playing well as of late, I guess you could say it has a lot to do with a certain someone being inserted into the lineup. But, that entire line has raised its game, and it’s a big thank you to Daniel Carcillo.
For the third line, none other than Mats Zuccarello has lead the charge, and has proven himself worthy of a new contract. He started the play that led to the eventual game winning goal by Derick Brassard, who got his ninth of the year. Zuccarello generated that rush, eventually passed it to Marc Staal, and then passed it over to Brassard who had a wide open net. For Zuccarello it’s his fourth point in 3 games, and 8 in his last 10. Zuccarello has been a steal for this team, and has proven that he simply deserves to be in the NHL, as he’s finally got a hold of the ice.
Lundqvist Holding his Own
Lundqvist has risen his game since late December, and has played real well, and shown flashes of his old self. Finally being able to see him hold the team in tight games, and allow the team to come to their own and put enough pucks in the net for them to win games. Lundqvist did just that again, stopping 38 of 39 shots, and really holding the Rangers in the game, when they looked completely lost in the second period.
Lundqvist hasn’t changed his game, but his game has come back to him. Now this team is as dangerous as any in the East, and in the league. It just depends on will he continue to be this hot, or will it start to slow down a bit? Time will tell, but hey there’s nothing wrong with what we’re seeing right now.
The Rangers have a nice three days off before they face the Avalanche on Tuesday at the Garden. And again, I’ll be there with updates and pictures, so make sure you follow @fulltilttaggs on Twitter.
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