Friday, October 15, 2010

Do the Rangers have something to prove against the Leafs?

The New York Rangers may have lost to the New York Islanders 6-4, but the game was much closer than you think. If not for a two man disadvantage in the dying minutes of the third period, the Rangers could have won this game. The key to the Islander win was to have the forwards be aggressive on the forecheck and cause the Ranger defense to turn over the puck. If the Rangers are able to setup in the offensive zone, they like to cyle the puck low and then pass to the point for a shot on net with the forwards crashing the crease for rebounds and tip-ins. The Ranger forwards are fast and will keep the Leafs on their toes. The key to stopping the Ranger point shot is to try and block them. If the point shot gets through, the Rangers will almost always generate a quality scoring chance since most of the shots are well placed on net.

The Ranger powerplay was scary good against the Islanders. Callahan was effective in front of net blocking the goalie view and trying to deflect pucks. Dubinsky has a very good point shot, especially on the PP. Rangers use the point shot heavily on the PP. Rangers will always try for the shot from the point and the forwards will position themselves for the deflection.

Stepan may be a rookie but he is for real. Gaborick & Anisimov are very good deep in the defensive zone and can cycle well. Gaborick will look for Anisimov with a pass since he has a very good snap shot.

On the PK, the Rangers forwards are very good at shot blocking and are going to be aggressive to attack the points. The key to a successful PP would be to outnumber the Rangers defenders down low and cycle the puck around the crease. The attacking forwards should outnumber the Ranger defense down low if the forward setup a triangle formation in front of the net ready to tip in the rebound or have a stick on the ice to slap the puck into an open net.

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