Rangers 5, Senators 2: Postgame wrapup

Among the two things that still need to be cleaned up: the power play and the frequency in the opponents getting odd-man rushes.

Again, glass half-full, the Rangers did take 14 shots over five power plays and, particularly in the first period, seemed on the verge of scoring each time. One player who definitely took it hard is Ales Kotalik, who spent 5:41 of his 14:58 of ice time on the power play. Chatting with him at his locker, he kept repeating, "I need to be better." He knows he was brought here for his work on the power play and, even though it's two games into the season, he's feeling the pressure to produce.

Henrik Lundqvist, took, had an interesting comment. He said even though it was only the second game of the season, he had trouble sleeping after Friday's 3-2 loss at Pittsburgh, so excited was he for the home opener.

"I was happy with the way we responded," said Lundqvist, who made 19 saves in the second period. "Even though it was the second game, I felt like it was important."
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Marian Gaborik followed his 24-minutes plus at Pittsburgh with 22:11 against the Senators, including 5:30 on the power play and 1:14 on the penalty kill. Tortorella repeated his belief that the top players should be playing the most because the team needed to win or lose with them on the ice. He also said he's happy to see that Gaborik is not only the team's best offensive force, but one of the team's hardest workers. Jaromir Jagr was like that too, even if Jagr's goofy attitude belied the strong sense of work ethic he had.

Tortorella also acknowledged that Brandon Dubinsky seems like a different player this season than from the end of last season. Tortorella called it a good arrogance and said he throught Dubinsky was trying to justify his two-year, $3.7 million deal, trying to prove that he wasn't wrong for holding out for that money and the Rangers weren't wrong in giving it to him.

Wade Redden had a cut under his left eye that was attended to.

Vinny Prospal's goal at 3:20 of the second period was his 600th career NHL point.

The Rangers will have a team meeting tomorrow at noon and then an optional skate. I still think Sean Avery is doubtful for Monday's game at the Devils but he'll presumably have two more chances to show he's ready, tomorrow and Monday's morning skate.

Comments

[nyr351]

Andrew,

Was Torts asked about the officiating? There seemed to be some really bad non-calls and specifically the Higgins penalty was the result of a non-call (or 2) on Kovalev...

[Jeff]

Let it go, man, we won.

[eric]

still have to work on those odd man rushes it will kill us if they don't try to fix it. This problem is more urgent than the power play deficiency

[tomb]

I didn't have a problem with the officiating that much. We still have some puck support and defensive issues that is for sure.

I'd take Betts over Brahsear right now for the same money. dude is useless.

Dubinsky, the guy I've ben touting since before Jess even knew who he was, is gonna light it up this year.

[matty]

I loved the game last night, they had a much improved effort from the previous evening... however why is Callahan the only one delivering crunching hits? Others are checking, although not hard enough or as often, but he's the main guy and one of our smaller guys. That needs to be remedied asap

Looking forward to tomorrows game at the pebble, I know Avery must be itching to get in the lineup specially vs Brodiva

[Keith]

I really think Prospal was such a big pickup. I hope they can keep it going against fatso and the Devs tomorrow. Can't wait for Avery to get back in there-when he does MSG is going to go nuts

[lowtide10]

Good game against another skill team, and on a paper,the Sens are a likely playoff team. Dynamic game from Gaborik. Did alot of hard working little things and love that he takes it to the hole. Thought that Rosy and Redden played fairly well despite Rosy's blueline gaffe (Glass half full dept.). Higgins is another guy that works hard and does a lot of little things in deep. Dubi and Cally are the heart and soul and I love watching get after it. PP is 10x better, despite the no goals, but the goals will come.

[alan]

While there were too many last night especially in the second period, odd man rushes against inevitably come with a more aggressive offensive style. That's what Lundqvist is there for. We should get used to it.

[Charles]

Sure Alan, but nothing even remotely close to the number we're seeing. Like Torts said, this is not run and gun ... or pond hockey for that matter. Support has to be the watchword.

[Benneyb]

Was it just me, or did DZ and Gilroy get no ice time in the 3rd period last night, with the lead? Gilroy got out at the end, when the goal was scored, but not before I don't think. Seems like a perfect time to get the new guys valuable experience - safely with a multiple goal lead. Don't agree with that tactic.

[graves9]

It's not you Benny. Del Zott got a 1:40 of icetime in the third and Gilroy got around 2:30 of ice. It didn't help Del Zotto that he was on for the second goal with like 5 seconds left in the game too. Torts didn't look happy.

[Charles]

That second goal was garbage and to be honest, it left a sour taste in my mouth ... of course the first goal could have easily have been avoided if Gilroy had taken Spezza out along the boards like I thought he would or if Redden(?) had come back to take Alfredsson.

[CP (Chris)]

I just now watched the game after being on suicide watch after the Sooners lost last night. I can easily say now that Dubi is worth every penny. WOW! Prospal, too. Those two goals by them were absolute snipes, handcuffed LeClaire on the blocker and glove.

I watched that DZ goal 7-8 times. That goal is how hockey is supposed to be played. Callahan takes TWO Senators out of the play in the corner, Higgins finds the open man, and Callahan goes to the net to screen LeClaire. I had chills when I first saw it. Just awesome.

I think the PP looked good. Better than Friday night, and there were good chances. Moved the puck well, and there were some good shots. They need to be better, though.

I'm not sure what Gilroy was thinking on that first goal. If you commit to the pass-man, either take him out of the play, or block the passing lane.

[Keith]

I do think there are going to be some scary moments with this new aggressive style and Dmen pinching but last night was pretty bad. Too many odd man rushes-Lundy will never survive that-and if Vally is in they lose 7-5
They need to get it together-but the PP looks much improved-they will dent the twine soon enough

[LI Joe]

oleo from a previous post

oleo - i meant 1/2 the pts available so if he plays 12 games 1/2 the pts meant 1/2 of 24 or 12. he also plays when the team is tired like a 3rd game in 4 days type scenario,

we've been down this road before. you don't like valley i do.

and oleo each game valley plays helps henrik have a little more in the tank for games he does play. maybe henrik won't fade in game 5 of 1st rd if valley gets enough time. remember this is an olympic yr

[LI Joe]

i'll get a headache from all the drury should be on the 3rd line and off the team. especially if he doesn't get some deeserved pp time. i believe he did have 10 pp goals last yr which might have led the team

can't say much negative about anyone on the team. even r & r. gilroy did look a bit shaky at times but it was his 1st garden game and he'll improve.

team overall does need to know when to go all in as they say in poker. you would lose your shirt if you go all in on every hand.

[LI Joe]

Andrew - was that something that Torts did consistently in TB except maybe when they won the cup. i'm referring to the team a whole introduction.

i felt a bit cheated as a few players, notably henrik, staal and cally deserved to hear the fans. i hope its not because of the people who boo that they went to the team approach.

i would not cheer brashear or redden but i would not boo them at least outwardly either. then again i sat during brashears fight silently hoping he'd lose. and i almost never sit during a fight.

[CP (Chris)]

Agreed, LI JOE, I'm not sure where this hatred for Valley is stemming from. I think he does a fine job, especially against the Flyers. Not great, not poor, but a nice backup.

The one thing I'll say about the odd-man rushes is that while we pinch too often, we, also, on the other hand, get our fair share of odd-man rushes due to the outlets and speed of the forwards. How about that outlet by Lisin to Dubinsky last night? WOW! He finessed it.

[graves9]

Valley is a nice backup but he does seem to meltdown at the wrong times. He gives up a bad goal can't let it go and he give up 2-3 more in a short time.

[ntb]

LI Joe,

I don't get the Drury hatred either. People seem to think he should dominate a game or else he has failed. Drury's game has always been about playing a solid all-around game, rather than flash and substance. However, everyone seems blinded by the salary. It's getting more annoying too, now that Gomez is gone (who by the way has started great in MTL back with Gionta).

[Charles]

Gomez or Gaborik, hmmmm? Please, good riddens to Gomez.

Regarding Drury, am I mistaken or did Bob just say he should be switched with AA? I don't see that as hatred, just a different opinion as to who should center the so-called 2nd line. Between the 2nd and 3rd lines there's little difference, flip them if you like. I don't see why there has to be a knee-jerk reaction everytime someone doesn't want Drury to play with CERTAIN skilled players, it's not like anyone said bench him, play him on the 4th line or trade him --- not that trading him wouldn't make many happy.

[CP (Chris)]

I don't see the point of switching AA and Drury, especially when AA is, arguably, currently playing with the more skilled wingers than Drury's line. The Drury line is working, so why make a switch.

I don't understand this continuing point to accomodate AA with any player that might work until he has success. Everyone wanted him on the 3rd line, and they got it in the first two with two highly skilled wingers. Please, just admit he has been silent and may be the odd-man out when Avery is back against the Caps.

[LI Joe]

Charles - you feel that way since you are fully on the i want drury out of here bandwagon. do you really think AA is anywhere close to him.

and Torts put the captain on the pp at least one of the 2 units

[Charles]

I thought the point of getting Kotalik was because of his familiarity with Drury. I said, switch the centers and flip flop the lines ... that way your "boy" Drury is considered the 2nd line center. You guys crack me up, you're just as knee-jerk as the ones who want him on the 4th line or traded every time he makes a mistake.

Yeah, I would like to see him traded because I don't think this is a system in which he'll thrive. I also think he drains our salary cap well beyond his value. Now tell me I'm wrong in either case. lol

[LI Joe]

most vets drain the salary cap beyong his value. we've been over this before instead of 5 yrs at a bit more than $ 7 mm per i would rather he be signed for 4 yrs and $ 5.5 mm per. so to the degree he got more than that he is overpaid.

so i disagree with the "well beyond his value" would replace with beyond his value like most vets in nhl"

well beyond hois value is redden 6 yrs and $ 6.5 mm per. that is the tree you should be looking at.