2019 March

Derek Stepan overwhelmed by emotional response to his Garden return

It was an emotional night of tributes during the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Coyotes on Thursday at the Garden. Most impactful was the return of Derek Stepan, who had been an integral Ranger for seven seasons before an offseason trade sent him to the Coyotes. During a first-period television timeout, the scoreboard showed some […]

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Canadiens out of options after ugly fall of young star

MONTREAL — Sometimes, situations between players and teams and cities just become entirely untenable, and that doesn’t mean anyone is giving up on anyone. But that’s a sentiment which doesn’t have to be relayed to Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, who has already established himself as the NHL’s most talented purveyor of the bait-and-switch. He […]

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A pensive Alain Vigneault puts himself in Joe Girardi’s shoes

Alain Vigneault read the news on Thursday, oh boy, about Joe Girardi being told to scram by the Yankees after 10 years as manager. “Let me start by saying that I don’t know anything about baseball but being in this business so long, I do know something about what he must be going through,” the […]

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‘Goaltenders have to stop the puck’: Rangers stick with backup

It will be Hot Hand Ondrej Pavelec in nets Saturday night in Montreal when the Blueshirts attempt to string back-to-back victories together for the first time this season in the wake of their 5-2 triumph over the Coyotes on Thursday. “Just feel it’s the right thing for the team,” coach Alain Vigneault said following practice […]

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Devils win in shootout after losing late two-goal lead

Click:Hair loss solution Last season, the Devils wasted plenty of leads. Now, even if they lose one, the Devils are fighting back. Jesper Bratt and Drew Stafford scored in the shootout, goalie Keith Kinkaid made a big stop at the end and the Devils beat the Senators 5-4 Friday night at Prudential Center in Newark […]

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John Tortorella’s tough love act is getting old again

Imagine if John Tortorella, coach of the Blue Jackets, didn’t have the immense respect he professes to have for Brandon Dubinsky. A year ago, as coach of Team USA in the World Cup, Tortorella mysteriously scratched Dubinsky from the Yanks’ match against Canada even though No. 17’s selection for the squad was due in large […]

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Rangers sound alarm bells after getting ’embarrassed’

MONTREAL — There are words that raise red flags around hockey teams that are struggling, phrases like the lack of “energy” and “compete” and “battle level.” All of them were uttered inside the Rangers’ locker room and by their coach after one more disheartening loss in an opening month chock full of them, this being […]

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Devils find a way to keep the Coyotes winless

When the were consistently one of the NHL’s elite franchises, one of their trademarks was a near-unwavering belief that they could defeat any opponent. It’s a trait their modern-day descendants appear to be developing. “When you find ways to win, it does build a belief that you can do it,” coach John Hynes said after […]

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John Tavares notches another hat trick as Islanders roll

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — John Tavares had another hat trick and the Islanders finally found some power-play success. The captain scored a natural hat trick in the third period, leading the Islanders to a 6-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. It was Tavares’ second hat trick in three games and the eighth of […]

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Henrik Lundqvist knows decision-making must improve

MONTREAL — Before Henrik Lundqvist sat and watched another game from the bench, the Rangers franchise netminder had one of the easiest-to-understand explanations in describing his own personal game, and a small glimpse into why the Rangers franchise goaltender has struggled at the start of this season. “My game is all about decisions,” Lundqvist said […]

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