2019 March

Steven McDonald’s son fires up Rangers as Zuccarello honored

It was an emotional ceremony on a night when the hockey meant nothing. Amid many tears, on the ice and in the stands, Rangers winger Mats Zuccarello was given the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for the second straight year and the third time in the past four years before his team’s regular-season finale, a […]

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Rangers need to figure out who they are \u2014 and quick

It wasn’t supposed to be like this, a cruise for the final two weeks — even if the Rangers had been cruising in their self-made malaise for closer to six weeks. But just as all that uncertainty hovered at the start of this soft-transition year for the organization, so it does again as the new […]

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NHL inspiration with MS scores tear-jerker farewell goal

Bryan Bickell put a dramatic touch on the final game of his NHL career Sunday as the Carolina Hurricanes finished their season with a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Coach Bill Peters put Bickell, who is battling multiple sclerosis, into his shootout lineup and the 31-year-old forward scored to give the Hurricanes the advantage. […]

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A guide to the Canadiens threat to Rangers in Round 1

It was only three seasons ago when the Bell Centre in Montreal was still the House of Horrors for the Rangers. But after they beat the Canadiens in the 2014 Eastern Conference final, that little bit of bad feeling was extinguished. At least that is what the Rangers hope as they head north to start […]

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It looks like Rangers will go with age over skill (for now)

Decisions are coming soon for Alain Vigneault when the Rangers coach makes his lineup for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Canadiens, starting Wednesday night in Montreal. And at least initially, it seems that experience is going to play a big factor. “There’s no doubt that that’s a big part of trusting […]

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Years of Rangers-Canadiens bad blood will hang over series

It is the history of personal relationships, of previous games between these two clubs, and of the places where history will be written anew that makes this Rangers-Canadiens first-round matchup more intriguing than just what might happen on the ice. Like the first question that Chris Kreider received on Monday afternoon, predictably asking if the […]

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Rangers will need vintage Henrik Lundqvist to beat Canadiens

The writer was trying to find the correct words to describe Henrik Lundqvist’s season while framing a question about the goaltender’s confidence heading into the 11th playoff tournament of his career. “Not really your best,” represented the initial attempt. “Different,” Lundqvist said. “It was different.” It was so different. This season of false starts, pucks […]

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Ryan McDonagh on playoff hits, extra minutes and his vision of a Rangers parade

Captain Ryan McDonagh goes into the corner with The Post’s Steve Serby for a Q&A ahead of the Rangers’ first-round series against the Canadiens. Q: What do you like best about this Rangers team? A: I think the good mixture of experience, guys (who) have been together for a while and a lot of new […]

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Jimmy Vesey asked for his Rangers playoff spotlight

MONTREAL — This is the reason Jimmy Vesey chose the Rangers in his ballyhooed free-agent decision back in the summer. Coming out of Harvard, Vesey wanted to the chance to compete in the postseason, and he thought the Rangers were in a good place to do that. His prescience was rewarded as the 23-year-old is […]

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Rangers are worried about playing style \u2014 not the Canadiens

MONTREAL — It is understood the Canadiens are a good team, skilled and physical and with one of the best goaltenders in the world. But rather than focus on the external, the Rangers are approaching Game 1 of their first-round series at the Bell Centre on Wednesday night with an internal focus. They’re thinking about […]

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