Sorry for the lack of updates...cables out and I can't find any streams online for the Blueshirts :|
Injury Updates:
Indication is that Frolov is going to be out for a while with knee. Another recall will be necessary.
Ryan McDonagh was limping after blocking shot. Torts: "We're a tired team and a little banged up." Mcdonaugh only played 12 minutes so I don't expect to see him back in the lineup in the near future.
Vinny Prospal and Ryan Callahan are expected to skate today.
I still think we'll be lucky to see Vinny before March as a setback at that age is a killer.
Spector ran into Derek Boogaard. Asked how he's feeling. His response, as always, "Ask the coach and GM." He did smile with that.
Notes:
This has been the first time in recent history that the Rangers could toss in either goalie and actually get wins out of either.
Averys goal was his first since October 27th
MZA is here to stay. As horrible as this may sound the timing is good on the Frolov injury as it'll open up a spot for when Ryan Callahan returns.
John Giannone's first half MVPs: 1-Brian Boyle. 2-Brandon Dubinsky. 3-Marc Staal. 4-Ryan Callahan. 5-Brandon Prust/Henrik Lundqvist.
Christensen/Boogaard or Frolov will have to go on LTIR to create roster space.
No NY Ranger has more than 2 gwg's.
Marian Gaborik: "These last couple of games against good teams can really help us at the end."
With that quote, I think the players in the locker room are really appreciating how every point they can grab matters...lots of learning from last years heart-breaking end of the season.
Marian Gaborik has 13 LESS points than Brandon Dubinsky.
Marian Gaborik also has only 2 more points than Ilya Kovalchuk...but that minus 30 is just ugly.
Matt Gilroy is a +10 and Mike Sauer is a +11 to lead the team. I found at the start of the year these guys didn't know where they were supposed to be on the ice (Gilroy was playing left D for the first time in his career so he was often out of place), but they have sorted it out. Also, Gilroy is becoming MUCH MORE responsible with his pinching.
Brian Boyle has more points than Alex Frolov.
Rangers goal differential is at a solid 0.40...showing the difference between winning and losing those close games.
Only 5 teams have held the lead after 2nd all season, the Rangers are one.
The team sits 28th in Faceoff %...I guess Messier isn't doing the trick. Chris Drury is the only active Ranger above 50%...aside from MZAs 1 for 1.
Sean Avery has a 2.6 shooting % and has also fanned on approx 33% of his shots.
Dan Girardi is still leading the NHL in blocked shots with 125. Giordano is 2nd with 116.
Callahan and Boyle sit in 8th in hits...the only player with more hits per game than Cally is Matt Martin.
2 Rangers sit in the top 10 in Pims. Avery at 2nd, Prust at 8th. Sean Avery has 0 game misconducts this season.
Dubinskys faceoff percentage is 18 points lower on the road.