It’s a little like a yin-and-yin, without the yang — but it’s working. Since Rangers coach Alain Vigneault put Brady Skjei and Kevin Shattenkirk, two of his best offensive defensemen, together five games ago, they arguably have become his most reliable pair. The two terrific skaters, who both like to get up in the rush […]
Read MoreDALLAS — This Islanders loss left coach Doug Weight steaming. Ben Bishop made 14 saves in his 20th career shutout, and the Stars beat the Islanders 5-0 on Friday night. John Klingberg had a goal and two assists for Dallas, and fellow defenseman Esa Lindell added a goal and an assist. Weight called out his […]
Read MoreWhether patience or confidence came first, they now both exist in abundance. Because the Rangers are rolling, overcoming a bit of a sloppy performance to still take a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon over the Oilers at the Garden. With no panic in their game and another big performance from the power play, the small things […]
Read MoreThe election and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday of Bruins’ owner Jeremy Jacobs calls into question the independence of the 19-member selection committee that does its business in sworn secrecy. Why Jacobs? The committee members can’t say, not even the four members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association who participate on […]
Read MoreKevin Hayes, who plays the same position as Connor McDavid, understands what life can be like matching straight up against the reigning Hart Trophy winner. “It’s a challenge you’re going to get only once all year against the 1A/1B best player in the league [with Sidney Crosby] because when we’re in Edmonton we don’t get […]
Read MoreAs Rangers coach Alain Vigneault spoke after his team’s 4-2 victory over the Oilers on Saturday afternoon at the Garden, Jimmy Vesey still had some of his bottom teeth embedded in his lower lip. Mind you, he had played all of the third period like that. “Hockey will be hockey, eh?” Vigneault said. The cringe-worthy […]
Read MoreAfter giving up 17 goals while losing four straight, the Devils used a strong defensive effort to end their first skid of the season. Cory Schneider stopped 32 shots to help the Devils beat the Panthers, 2-1, at Prudential Center on Saturday night. “You see around the league, scoring is going down,” Schneider said. “I […]
Read MoreST. LOUIS — One night after coach Doug Weight ripped his team for a lack of “heart,” the Islanders responded in a big way. John Tavares scored early to start the Islanders’ three-goal first period, Thomas Greiss stopped 35 shots and they beat the Blues, 5-2, Saturday night. “As players we know we’re the ones […]
Read MoreThe experimentation seems to have ended. For now, at least. Because as Team Jekyll and Squad Hyde have coalesced into a Rangers unit whose current streak of six straight victories is equally improbable as the 1-5-2, 3-7-2 pratfall that preceded it, structure in the lineup has meshed with enhanced structure on the ice. With the […]
Read MoreThere are a handful of ways to describe what happened to Jimmy Vesey on Saturday afternoon at the Garden — disgusting, gruesome, extremely painful, cringe-worthy. Then there is this description of Vesey’s appearance, coming from coach Alain Vigneault: “Looks like a hockey player. Beautiful young man.” That was Vigneault after Monday’s practice, one day after […]
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