If you tuned in for the first Rangers game of the season tonight, and gave up 12 hours into Chicago’s ceremony, I can assure you there was in fact hockey tonight. In that game, the Rangers -begrudgingly at times- got their first win of the season, kicking off a year that comes with sky-high expectations. Let’s break it down.
The Good
Derek Stepan
Stepan had a great season in 2014-15 in terms of production with 55 points in 68 games but was awful in terms of possession metrics (46.1% shots attempted). While the Rangers will gladly take the production, they need their number 1 center to drive play too. That happened tonight as Stepan had a goal and was only -2 in shot attempts, on a night where the team as a whole got shelled (-20). If Stepan returns to 2012-13 form, the Rangers could quietly have one of the better center corps 1-4 in the league.
Keith Yandle and Kevin Klein
On night when the Rangers played defense like the early pre-Adam-Banks Mighty Ducks [more on that later] Yandle and Klein were a bright-spot. Yandle seemed to be the only Rangers defender tonight capable of an outlet pass or a calm play in his own end. Despite his reputation built entirely on internet tomfoolery, Yandle is good defensively. This will become apparent as the year goes along. Attempting a lobotomy on Andrew Shaw was also nice. On a night when the team was -20 in shot attempts, Kevin Klein was somehow a remarkable +13.
The Bergs
The combination of Oscar Lindberg and Viktor Stalberg, along with JT Miller has a chance to be the best third line in the league. They certainly played like that tonight, as all 3 of them were at or near even in shot attempts, and the three combined on the first goal of the season. JT Miller had two assists. The 2015-16 season could be a long, wonderful stay in Berg City.
Henrik Lundqvist
On a night when the Hawks out-attempted the Rangers 55-38 at even strength, the Rangers relied heavily on the man between the pipes. He responded as he almost always does.
The Bad
The Brassard Line
Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello, or Whoever-Brassard-Zuccarello has been the Rangers best line the last two seasons. They struggled mightily in preseason and continued to do so tonight, registering no points with Nash, Brassard, and Zuccarello going -12, -9, and -11 in shot attempts respectively. I think they turn it around. My only concern is perhaps lingering injury concerns for Zuccarello. Time will tell.
Dan Boyle
I was a big believer in Boyle last season. Even though he doesn’t always pass the eye-test, the numbers say he was phenomenal in 2014-15. Tonight he didn’t do either, looking slow and lacking composure, and posting a -9 in shot attempts. He struggled all preaseason as well. Perhaps the 40-year-old has hit a wall similar to Marty St. Louis last year.
The Glass
McDonagh and Girardi
Seriously, guys? One of the worst games I’ve ever seen a pairing play. Chicago looked like they were on a powerplay every time these two were on the ice. McDonagh was -17 in shot attempts and Girardi was -buckle up for this one- MINUS TWENTY-ONE. I can’t skate and I’m getting over a fever, and I’m pretty sure I could have produced sustained offense against these two tonight. If this is how our so-called “top pair” is going to play this year, then we’re going to have problems. It’s nothing new either. McDonagh has struggled since getting the captaincy last summer. Girardi is Girardi. Maybe its time Alain Vigneault do the unthinkable and split them up.
All in all an ugly win, but a win nonetheless. On the bright side, the Rangers weren’t bad at all on the road against an elite team if you take out the performance of the top pair. Thing is, they’re going to play about 23 minutes every night, and we can’t just take that out. They need to step it up. If they do, there’s a lot to like here.
Three Stars
1) Henrik Lundqvist
2) Kevin Klein
3) Keith Yandle
Was there pizza? Yes. Pizza record: 1-0-0
mcdonaghandfries 