Rangers search endlessly for wing next to Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider
Heading into the third consecutive trade deadline, the Rangers are awaiting the arrival of new forward options along with frontline mainstays Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Blueshirt standout Frank Vatrano reportedly once played that role, helping the team reach the Eastern Conference Finals as a sharp-shooting rental player two seasons ago. Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick […]
Rangers’ other rookie Adam Edstrom quietly providing a lift
TORONTO — Adam Edstrom had to tiptoe around the Canadian media corps crowding around his linemates and fellow rookie Matt Lempe to get to his locker Saturday morning. It’s not the first time Lempe has drawn this kind of crowd since his NHL cannonball two weeks ago, and it won’t be the last. However, Edstrom […]
Rangers fight hard on all fronts but fall to Maple Leafs in shootout
TORONTO — The Rangers were eliminated in the game between the NHL’s two most popular teams. Goals from Mitch Marner and Max Domi earned the home team a 4-3 penalty shootout victory Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena, increasing the gap between the Blueshirts and Maple Leafs in the Eastern Conference standings by six points. The […]
Rookie Will Cuylle shows more and more promise for Rangers
TORONTO — Will Quill has been a boy’s man throughout his hockey career. He has maintained the same measurements at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds since he was 16, when he played for the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, then the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, and now New York. I […]
Rangers’ enforcer Matt Rempe vs. Maple Leafs’ Ryan Reaves
TORONTO — The Rangers and Maple Leafs will compete in Hockey Night at the Ring of Canada on Saturday as each team plays their most successful games of their respective seasons. Rounding out the top five teams in the Eastern Conference, both clubs will face off in a litmus test contest that will not only […]
Rangers now face higher expectations after fabulous February
February didn’t faze the Rangers. Because every time Igor Shesterkin made a save, good news arrived right in front of him. The franchise goaltender had a solid month for the Blueshirts, going 7-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage, making them the first team to reach 40 wins and improving overall […]
Rangers get Blue Jackets revenge, tie for NHL points lead
The Rangers proved that revenge is the best dish on the ice. Three days after being denied their 11th straight victory and thus a franchise record by the Blue Jackets, the Rangers scored two empty-net goals to contribute to a 4-1 victory over Columbus in Madison, their third and final matchup. I got the last […]
Rangers’ paper needs may not make for NHL trade deadline win
The Rangers were well on their way to first place, but GM Neil Smith’s team needed more toughness as the trade deadline approached. This isn’t 1994. That was three seasons ago, in 1991, when Roger Neilson, in his second year on the bench, was joined by Mike Gartner, Darren Turcotte, Tony Amonte, Bernie Nicholls, Ray […]
Rangers’ Matt Rempe won’t let his size change his game
Matt Lempe’s ejection for a hit on Nathan Bastian last week against the Devils is a situation the towering forward has had to overcome for most of his hockey career. The former coaches met with related parties. Management has had to intervene on Rempe’s behalf in the past. Matt Lempe, the tallest player in the […]
Kaapo Kakko’s promotion could have impact on Rangers’ trade deadline
If Kaapo Kakko is able to land once again, it would have a huge impact on the Rangers’ approach heading into the March 8 trade deadline. That’s because if the Finn is successful in returning to right wing alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, GM Chris Drury will sacrifice assets to have Frank Vatrano and […]