Rangers Fall to Devils 5-4 To Open Preseason
The Rangers opened up their preseason and couldn’t complete a comeback against the New Jersey Devils Monday night. It looked like the game was going to end quietly once the Devils took a 4-2 lead late in the 3rd, but the action was just beginning. With a bit over 3 minutes left Kreider came flying up the ice to launch a bullet past Keith Kinkaid to make it 4-3.
The Power Play
The Rangers scored on their first power play but couldn’t find another one after that. Dan Boyle was very solid when deployed. He was calm and moving well. Outside from a few good moments the power play was dreadful.
The Penalty Kill
The Rangers had a real good PK the only goal they gave up was on a 5 on 3. They were mostly playing a box and every now and then would change into a diamond.
This is pre-season so the main focus is who will crack the New York Rangers line up. Below I made some notes of each individuals game.
NYR stats vs. NJD 9/22/14 (ESPN)
Great Games
Ryan Malone– Malone was great tonight, he had a power play goal, a few big hits and always seemed to be in the middle of something. He was planted in front of the net and with tonight’s performance likely puts himself in position to earn a spot, but he must maintain this level of play.
John Moore– Moore was the Rangers best defender, he was skating very well and moving the puck quickly. Moore looked determined to solidify his place on the Rangers roster
Marc Staal- Staal was excellent in his own end. The Devils struggled to get through him.
Image provided by Blueshirtsunited.comMartin St.Louis- St.Louis was all over he created a ton of chances and was drawing everyone to him.
Chris Kreider– Kredier was good for a lot of the game moving well and keeping his coverages. But in the 3rd Kreider was flying as he scored a goal and drew a penalty.
J.T. Miller– J.T. Miller was the Rangers best forward. He looked fast, was finding his teammates with passes, and had a few nice power moves to find space. Rangers fans should be encouraged with his first game.
Image provided by lockerpulse.comKevin Hayes– Hayes is deceptive, he doesn’t always look like he has total control, but then he ends up creating a chance. He got better as the game went on. He uses his size well and can drive the play with his frame.
Henrik Lundqvist– Lundqvist gave up two but they were on amazing deflections. He made three excellent saves and looked great.
Up and Down Games
Dan Boyle– Boyle was good, but not great. You could tell he was adjusting to his new team. He had some giveaways, but overall was a real solid player for the Rangers.
Danny Kristo– Kristo started the game horribly. He was turning the puck over, didn’t appear to be skating well, and was just making bad decisions. Kristo also took a really bad hooking penalty in the 1st. But Kristo looked great in the 3rd. He was robbed by Kinkaid late in the game and made a few great passes.
Jasper Fast– Fast was invisible for the first 2 periods and didn’t look to have to much speed. In the 3rd he was on the puck more and scored an amazing goal in front of the net.
Mike Kostka– He like many other started the game slowly, but I felt that he looked a bit slow the whole game. He made some nice plays with his stick and had some nice clears, but I am concerned with his skating. Skating is supposed to be his strength and there were a few instances where the Devils put it behind him and blew past him.
Matt Hunwick– Hunwick isn’t great defensively; he would be much better if he was bigger. He had 2 great chances to score and didn’t finish either of them.
Tanner Glass– I want to put Tanner Glass under great, but I just can’t. Glass did everything you would want and more. He was finishing checks with authority drew a penalty and even had an assist. Glass took tons of heat over the off season but showed a glimpse of what Rangers fans hope they are getting.
Carl Hagelin– Hagelin was skating well. He had a goal Clemmenson will want back, but overall was very solid.
Ryan Bourque– Bourque Had a nice game, but again struggled to separate himself from the pack. He made two great passes and had a nice chance in front about mid way through the first.
Image provided by blueseatblogs.com
Cam Talbot– Talbot was playing very well, but the game winner he gave up was very soft that’s what dropped him into this category.
Bad Games
Matthew Lombardi– Lombardi looked slow, he didn’t generate anything, aside from one play where he made a nice stick handle, he was invisible. Lombardi had one opportunity early in the 1st to shoot when in alone and dropped the puck back for a turn over.
Steven Kampfer– Kampfer looked small, and confused in his own end. He was battling hard but struggled to seperate himself from the pack. Kampfer did have an assist in the game.
Chris Mueller– Mueller had a few chances to shoot and didn’t he also had some bad turnovers and despite playing his heart out just never found separation.
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