There is no more ambiguity in the Rangers intentions. For the first time in a long time, they are tearing it down. “Listen, we have not played well for a while,” general manager Jeff Gorton said in a press conference Thursday alongside president Glen Sather in Westchester, an appearance that came shortly after a signed […]
Read MoreSometimes when big-money contracts blow up, it is not on the team but on the player. In the case of the Rangers and Brendan Smith, it is the latter. There is no joy in piling on Smith, placed on waivers Thursday on his 29th birthday just 54 games into the first season of the four-year, […]
Read MoreBUFFALO — Sam Reinhart poked in a rebound with 4:14 left, and the Sabres edged the Islanders 4-3 on Thursday night after squandering a three-goal lead. Jack Eichel and Evan Rodrigues each had a goal and an assist for Buffalo, and Ryan O’Reilly also scored. Robin Lehner stopped 26 shots to help the Sabres salvage […]
Read MorePYEONGCHANG, South Korea — US skater Nathan Chen, a gold medal favorite in the men’s program, struggled Friday, but his team picked him up and are in second place after the opening day of figure skating competition. The US trails gold medal favorite Team Canada as Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford made up for teammate […]
Read MoreMaybe the point is that the Islanders don’t want their fans to think things have changed. Maybe the point is to get people to think that they are close to the culmination of long-term plan — well, a very-long-term plan — and that patience remains the most important virtue. But goodness, how can the recent […]
Read MoreThe letter of intent from the president to his team’s season ticket-holders left no room for doubt. “There are no shortcuts for building a team the right way,” he wrote. “It will require patience and a long-term view, but it is important for you to know that the process will be well worth it when […]
Read MoreThis was as demonstrative as Alain Vigneault has been all season. The Rangers coach was emotional and finally voicing it just hours before his team took on the Flames at the Garden on Friday night. On Thursday, team president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton announced to the hockey world that they were in […]
Read MoreThe Rangers’ front office is rightfully planning for the future, but the proud athletes on the bench and the man who stands behind them on a nightly basis are not giving up. Not yet. Coach Alain Vigneault was as demonstrative as he has been all season just hours before his Rangers came back to beat […]
Read MoreThe Islanders can thank Tyler Bertuzzi for this win. Bertuzzi’s unnecessary slash to Cal Clutterbuck’s knee late in the third period resulted in a five-minute major and match penalty. The Islanders, who were down by three and looked done for the night, erupted for their best power play of the season, scoring four times within […]
Read MoreAdd Ryan McDonagh to the Rangers’ list of walking wounded. The captain was sidelined for Friday’s 4-3 win over the Flames at the Garden with an “upper-body injury.” Coach Alain Vigneault said it had been lingering since the 6-5 win in San Jose on Jan. 25, just before the All-Star break. He called McDonagh “day-to-day,” […]
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