Rangers at Blackhawks: Blueshirts Reflections/Game Preview

Thankfully it’s sites like Hockey Independent that make you realize that there are other things going on in sports besides the Tiger Woods drama, Allen Iverson’s return, and baseball’s Winter Meetings. Each and every night there are NHL games that really are just as exciting as any sports “soap opera” being over-covered by the media. As hockey fans, we all know that on here, but I’m not sure the ESPN’s of the world realize it quite yet.

With that being said, the New York Rangers square off in “The Windy City” to face the Chicago Blackhawks tonight. No, it’s not Capitals/Penguins, but at the very least it should provide a pretty tough test to a Rangers team looking to break out of several-week long rut. The effort level has been there of late, but the results certainly haven’t matched that. Against a team like the Blackhawks, who are 7-2-1 in their last ten games, the Rangers can ill-afford to come out flat. Despite only outscoring the Rangers by two goals this season, the ‘Hawks possess a much more skilled team than our friends in New York. They are also coming off a tough road victory at Pittsburgh, and with four days to prepare for the Rangers, the young team from Chicago definitely has the leg-up.

Even though the Rangers have played a much better team game their past few tilts, they haven’t necessarily all translated into victories. Since I’m feeling a bit optimistic today, I’ll rundown some of the “good” of their past game against Detroit, then discuss what they’ll need to improve upon for tonight.

The number one biggest difference for me the past two games has been the Rangers’ focus on team defense. John Tortorella can say all he wants about the team adapting to his more uptempto style; the fact is, the Rangers will never be a team who outscores their opponent, they need defense and Henrik Lundqvist to win them games. I have to say the defense has been more responsible and the backchecking much more evident over the prior two games. Tom Renney may have had a boring playing style, but it worked for this team. As a Rangers fan, you have to hope the defensive efforts continue because it’s what will separate this team from earning a playoff berth and sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers seemed to me to have a higher battle-level the past two games. Having seen nearly every game this season, I can say this team tries, but never as a single unit. The past few games have been an all-out high-energy fight, where each player is looking to make an impact and earning each second of ice-time. After writing the piece on Chris Drury as a captain, he’s also looked a lot better of late. Even though the production may not show it, 21-plus minutes of ice-time and seven shots on goal the past two games are definitely better. Maybe Drury is a reader of Hockey Independent! In any case, the Rangers need their captain to show some emotion, get the guys fired up and lately even I’ll admit he’s done that.

The Rangers love to relax in the penalty box, but only three penalties each in the two previous games are definitely admissible from my point-of-view. The ‘Hawks have a top-ten ranked powerplay and loads of snipers, so the Rangers can’t be careless with the body or the stick tonight. You just can’t give a team as skilled as the Blackhawks any extra chances or ways to shift the game’s tempo.

While the battle-level and effort were there, the Rangers are still learning how to play a full 60 minute team-game. This time Henrik Lundqvist isn’t privy to being left off the list as he let in a bad angle goal against the Red Wings with about two minutes to play. For once the Rangers had no real lapses from the forwards/skaters on the ice…but this time Hank didn’t help the cause and help force the game into OT. Don’t get me wrong, Lundqvist was brilliant for most of the game, but if your analyzed for what you did on the stat-sheet, he still let up two goals and couldn’t preserve the tie.

The other huge detriment to this team right now is their powerplay, which is 1-14 over the past five games. The focal point of the powerplay is Gabroik, I’m not going to debate that. As many have noted though, is that their man-advantage quarterback, Michael Del Zotto, has been silent: two “PP” assists in his past eleven games. Opponents have found out how to block his passing/shooting lanes and basically he hasn’t been given much room to operate. The powerplay’s success is as good as Del Zotto makes it, and right now the rookie needs to make some adjustments to find some open space. Still, who would’ve expected this to be an issue this year? The rookie’s play has already led us to expect some great things and I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon.

Since we all know the capable scorers from the Blackhawks’ side I’d just like to point out one thing, which doesn’t exactly bode well for NY: Chicago has allowed the third least goals in the NHL. The team knows how to play defense and their goalies have done an excellent job this season.

Regardless, it’ll be a huge test for the Broadway Blueshirts. Do they take a step forward, or will they take their ever-prevalent step-back?