The Boston Bruins have pushed the New York Rangers to the brink of elimination, and John Tortorella’s team will be without one of their stars in Brad Richards in Game 4 as they look to stay alive. Richards has been scratched from the crucial game after struggling on the ice and dropping to the fourth line.

The 33-year-old signed a nine-year contract worth upwards of $60 million with the Rangers after becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2011. His first season in New York went quite well as he posted 66 points after appearing in all 82 games.

This year, in his second season with the Rangers, Richards began as a star player on the first line but he won’t be on the ice Thursday as the team looks to fend off elimination.

In the Rangers’ 10 playoff games this year, Richards has posted just one point off a goal in Game 4 against the Washington Capitals in the first round. He won’t have the chance to do it again when the Rangers face the Bruins on Thursday, as he’ll be wearing a suit and cheering on his teammates instead of joining them on the ice.

Tortorella’s decision may be the beginning of the end for Brad Richards with the Rangers, and Rick Carpiniello of the Rangers Report Blog believes a buyout is in the works after the playoffs come to an end.

“The Rangers will use their one remaining compliance buyout within the new CBA to end Richards’ relationship with the team this summer,” Carpiniello said in a blog post Thursday. “Richards, who received $12 million in 2011-12 and most of his $12 million for the lockout 2013 season, will get a $24 million going-away present this summer (spread out over twice the remaining seven years), removing his contract from the books and his salary from the decreasing salary cap.”

The Rangers haven’t addressed Richard’s overwhelming contract just yet as their focus remains on climbing back in the series.

Do you believe Brad Richards stay with the New York Rangers will end this offseason after he was scratched from Game 4 against the Bruins?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Rangers Scratch Brad Richards From Game 4, Bruins Look To End Series is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Boston Bruins came from behind to beat the New York Rangers 2-1 in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday evening.

The win gives the Bruins a commanding 3-0 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinal and also puts the Rangers on the brink of elimination.

The visitors fell behind 1-0 after Taylor Pyatt opened the scoring in the second period but Boston came roaring back in the final frame with goals from Johnny Boychuk and Daniel Paille.

The Bruins hold a commanding lead in the series and can wrap things up Thursday night in Game 4.

Boston coach Claude Julien was pleased with the result and praised Paille and the rest of the fourth line for their contributions in the victory.

“They have scored some big goals for us in the playoffs,” he said. “We have confidence in that line. We’ve said it a million times. Tonight was no exception.

“They were on for both goals. You look at Paille’s speed, he puts defenses on their heels. We use them because they are good not because we have to.”

Things started off well for the hosts when Pyatt gave them a 1-0 lead but the scoreline was a bit deceiving as goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist kept the Rangers in the game with some outstanding saves.

Gregory Campbell admitted the Bruins were frustrated by Lundqvist but knew that if they kept shooting they would score eventually.

“We wanted to stay the course, keep chipping away,” he said. “Lundqvist was on his game. We knew we were going to have to keep firing away and it wasn’t going to be easy.”

The Bruins finally beat Lundqvist early in the third period when Boychuk’s shot squeezed through traffic and flew past the New York goalie.

Boston then completed the comeback when Paille pounced on a loose puck in the crease to stun the home fans.

The Boston Bruins will have a chance to close out the series in four games when they meet the New York Rangers on Thursday evening at Madison Square Garden.

Boston Bruins Push New York Rangers To Brink Of Elimination is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers fended off elimination Sunday with a 1-0 win over the Washington Capitals in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard’s second period goal was all the Rangers would need as Henrik Lundqvist was spectacular in net to force a Game 7.

Lunqvist was a brick wall as the Rangers were on the brink of elimination, and he stopped all 27 shots he faced to live another day. The Capitals failed to take advantage of multiple offensive chances on the night and they now return home with another shot at ending the Rangers’ Stanley Cup hopes.

Last season, the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the Capitals in Game 7 of the semis, and they will look to do the same this year in the first round. The Rangers have now faced the Capitals in each of their last four playoff appearances dating back to the 2008-09 season.

Derick Brassard gave the Rangers new life on Sunday as he lit the lamp just over nine minutes into the second period for the only goal of the game. The Rangers’ pressured early in the period and Brassard took advantage midway through the frame.

The puck slid from behind the net to John Moore at the point as the Capitals were spread out through their defensive zone. Moore found Brassard with a pass and the 25-year-old hit a slapshot past Capitals’ goaltender Braden Holtby to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

The third period was just as exciting, and the Capitals picked up the pace in hopes of forcing overtime. Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t having it as he stopped 12 shots in the final period to hold off the Capitals’ late surge.

Here’s video highlights of Game 6 as the Rangers took care of business to extend the series:

The rubber match is Monday night at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., where the Capitals have won all three games this series. The Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs also face off in a Game 7 on Monday, and the winner will meet either the Rangers or Capitals in the second round.

Who do you have winning Game 7 between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers?

[Image via Robert Kowal]

Rangers Edge Capitals 1-0 To Stay Alive In First Round [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Washington, D.C. — Last night’s Capitals vs. Rangers matchup ended in overtime when Mike Ribeiro scored the game-winner at 9:24.

It was the center’s first playoff goal in five years and gives the Caps a 3-2 series lead over the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference quarter finals as  both  hockey teams head back to Madison Square Garden for game six — a potential elimination game — on Sunday. Said Ribeiro: “I know I was behind that D, and the puck just came onto my stick. It was pretty cool.”

The Rangers, who find themselves in a must-win situation after fighting back from a two game deficit, also lost to the Capitals in overtime in Game 2 at the Verizon Center. The last four games have been decided by one goal.

The Capitals gave up a goal to the Rangers’ center Brian Boyle in the first minute of the game but they pitched a shutout for the rest of the afternoon. The Caps’ Joel Ward scored on a power play in the second period. New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist had 33 saves. His counterpart Braden Holtby had 24 saves.

Ironically it was Boyle’s penalty that created the power play situation leading to Ribeiro’s game-ending goal for the Caps.

Sunday’s meeting between the two NHL teams gives the Washington Capitals a closeout opportunity: “The Caps took a 3-2 lead in a series in which the home team has not lost. The Rangers clawed back from a 2-0 series deficit by taking Games 3 and 4 at the Garden, but now they must win Game 6 on Sunday afternoon at home just to stay alive for a Game 7 Monday night back in D.C.”

Ribeiro, who signed a five-year contract with the Dallas Stars in 2008, was traded by the Stars to the Capitals in June 2012.

[Image credit: Michael Miller]

Who do you think will win ultimately the series, the Capitals or the Rangers? Do you think the playoff series will go seven games?

Capitals Vs. Rangers Decided By Mike Ribeiro OT Goal is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers have officially knocked the New Jersey Devils out of the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 4-1 win on Sunday. The Devils looked to be back on track and in the playoff hunt after a 3-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Flyers last week, but the Rangers cut their run short after jumping on the Devils early in the first period Sunday afternoon.

Ryan Callahan opened up the scoring for the Rangers with his 13th goal of the season just 34 seconds into the game. The Rangers were pushing the play behind the net when Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur lost sight of the puck.

Callahan picked up the puck near the right post while Brodeur was looking left and tapped it in for an early lead. Derek Stepan would make it a two-goal lead 12 minutes in when he found the back of the net for his 16th goal of the lockout-shortened season.

Taylor Pyatt made it 3-0 Rangers midway through the second period, which stood until the 5:13 mark of the third. Callahan then netted his second of the game on the powerplay to put away the Devils for good.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26-of-27 shots he faced on Sunday for his 22nd win of the season. The Rangers are now three points ahead of the Winnipeg Jets for the final playoff spot in the East.

The Devils lone goal came late in the third period as Andrei Loktionov scored his eighth of the season with seven minutes left in the game. New Jersey took nine shots in the final frame but couldn’t bridge the gap after falling behind in the first two periods.

The 4-1 loss will keep the Devils from returning to the playoffs after making a run to the finals last season. The Devils went on to lose to the Los Angeles Kings in six games but were expected to contend again this year.

Those expectations were not met as the Devils will miss the playoffs for the second time in three seasons. Martin Brodeur has been between the pipes for the Devils for each of the past 20 seasons but his return next year is still up in the air.

Rangers coach John Tortorella noted that his team picked up the pace at the right time, and it showed in their offensive output on Sunday.

“I thought our whole team played pretty well away from the puck,” Tortorella said after the big win. “We scored some timely goals.”

The Rangers have three games left to hold off the Jets for the final playoff spot in the East and next face the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Panthers have lost six straight games and haven’t been in the playoff discussion for over a month.

Can the New York Rangers hold on to the final playoff spot in the East after gaining momentum with a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Rangers Knock Devils Out Of Playoff Race With 4-1 Win is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 Wednesday night with the help of multiple newly acquired players at the trade deadline. Ryane Clowe came over to the Rangers in a deal with the San Jose Sharks two days ago and scored two goals to lead the Rangers to the big win over the Penguins.

Clowe was sent to the Rangers for two draft picks in 2013 and another in 2014, and posted his first two goals of the season Wednesday. The 30-year-old also had an assist in the game as the Rangers went on to win their second straight to start the month of April.

Center Derick Brassard and defenseman John Moore were acquired by the Rangers on Tuesday in a blockbuster deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets for Marian Gaborik, and made an immediate impact after joining the team at Madison Square Garden.

Brassard and Moore arrived at the stadium less than 20 minutes away from the opening face off, but suited up and sparked the Rangers past the Penguins. Brassard finished with a goal and three assists while Moore added his first goal of the season in the third period.

The Rangers jumped all over the Penguins in the first, as Brian Boyle opened up the scoring midway through the period. Ryan McDonagh scored his third goal of the season two minutes later before Ryan Clowe lit the lamp to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead after one.

New York kept up the pressure to start the second, and Derick Brassard scored on the powerplay just under two minutes in. Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis followed Brassard’s goal with one his own, which ended up being the Penguins only tally of the night.

Clowe scored the Rangers third powerplay goal of the game with 12 minutes left in the second period to give New York a 5-1 lead going into the third. John Moore sealed the win for the Rangers after finding the back of the net at the 9:47 mark of the final period.

Marc-Andre Fleury struggled in net for the Penguins, and didn’t receive much defensive support as he went on to stop 33-of-39 shots in the contest. Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist cruised in the 6-1 win, stopping 26-of-27 shots on the way to his 16th win of the season.

The Rangers and Penguins have a day off Thursday before meeting again to finish the home-and-home series in Pittsburgh on Friday. The Penguins have now lost two straight games after stringing together 15-straight wins in March.

With a new-look roster and just over three weeks left in the season, the Rangers are in the middle of a playoff race with the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. All three teams are tied at 39 points, with the Islanders on the outside looking in due to playing one more game so far this year.

Can the Rangers hold on to one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference as the NHL season begins to wind down in the crucial month of April?

[Image via Ivan Makarov]

Rangers Top Penguins 6-1 As Deadline Deals Payoff Early is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers have shocked the NHL by trading star winger Marian Gaborik to the Columbus Blue Jackets just before the trade deadline at 3 pm ET. The Rangers will receive injured forward Derek Dorsett, center Derick Brassard, and defenseman John Moore in return for Gaborik.

The 31-year-old has 19 points in 35 games this season, while the Rangers have just recently joined the playoff race in the Eastern Conference after a slow start. Only two points separate the Rangers from the New York Islanders and seventh place, making the trade with the Blue Jackets a risky one at best.

Gaborik hasn’t played his best hockey in 2013, but could catch fire at any moment, like any other superstar in the NHL. There’s no questioning his stardom, as the three time All-Star posted 76 points while appearing in every game for the Rangers last season.

Gaborik scored 41 goals in 2012, good enough for third in the NHL, and led the Rangers into the Eastern Conference finals before losing to the New Jersey Devils in six games. This year is a different story, as Gaborik has dropped to the Rangers fourth line in the midst of his worst season since his rookie year with the Minnesota Wild.

The Blue Jackets had to part ways with Derick Brassard to bring in Gaborik, who was third on the team with 18 points behind Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Derek Dorsett had nine points in 24 games before fracturing his clavicle, forcing him to miss the rest of the season, only now as a member of the Rangers.

Defenseman John Moore will also join the Rangers, but has spent most of his career in the minors, including 24 games with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League this season. He will more than likely be sent to the Connecticut Whale, the Rangers AHL affiliate.

The Blue Jackets are in a race for the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs in the first week of April, a feat many people didn’t believe was possible at this time of the lockout-shortened season. Columbus has held tough in the West, and is just one point away from the St. Louis Blues for the final spot, who are also readying for a playoff race with acquisitions of their own.

The Blue Jackets have plenty of company, as their are four other teams that could climb quickly up the rankings. The Nashville Predators are percentage points away from the Blues while the Edmonton Oilers are locked with the Blue Jackets at 37 points.

The trade may have been a blessing in disguise for Marian Gaborik, as a change in atmosphere is one of the best recipes to cure a cold streak.

Could the change in scenery be the spark Marian Gaborik needs to get back on track as he joins the Columbus Blue Jackets?

[Image via Creative Commons]

Rangers Trade Marian Gaborik To Blue Jackets Before Deadline is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their eighth straight game after beating the New York Rangers 3-0 Saturday. Marc-Andre Fleury posted a shutout over the Rangers, stopping all 23 shots he faced in the game.

The Penguins got on the board early against the Rangers, as Beau Bennett scored his second goal of the year just over a minute into the first period. Pittsburgh held the Rangers to just four shots in the first period and kept New York’s offense at bay all night.

Neither team scored in the second, but the Penguins kept up the pressure with an aggressive attack.  Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best in the world, but hasn’t received much goal support from his team of late.

Tyler Kennedy scored a powerplay goal early in the third period to give Fleury a 2-0 lead. Pascal Dupuis scored 44 seconds after Kennedy, just over seven minutes into the third period to close out the Rangers.

The shutout is Fleury’s 23rd of his career, passing Tom Barrasso for the most all-time in Penguins history. Pittsburgh has now beaten the Rangers in seven straight meetings after Fleury’s record-breaking performance.

Dustin Jeffrey finished with two assists, and Sidney Crosby went without a point for the second time in three games.  The win keeps the Penguins tied atop the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens with 42 points, just ahead of the Boston Bruins.

The Rangers were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season before losing to the New Jersey Devils in the Conference Finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs. In 2013, the Rangers are fourth in the Atlantic Division and battling it out with the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes for the last spot in the playoffs.

The Rangers need to find a spark soon if they hope on sneaking into the playoff picture after losing four of their last five games. The Rangers return home to take on the Hurricanes Monday after a quick three-game road trip last week.

The Penguins take on the Bruins Sunday in a key game featuring two of the best teams in the NHL. Pittsburgh beat the Bruins 3-2 last Tuesday in their only match-up this season. The Penguins win their eighth straight game Sunday and continue playing their best hockey as they fight to stand alone atop the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

Penguins Win 8th Straight, Shutout Rangers is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers big 4-2 win Tuesday night over the Philadelphia Flyers was overshadowed by the Marc Staal injury in the third period. Staal took a puck to the right eye with just over five minutes gone in the frame and had to be helped off the ice.

According to the New York Rangers twitter feed, Staal was examined by two separate doctors on Wednesday. Dr. Mark Fromer, an ophthalmologist, and Dr. Mendel Markowitz, a maxillofacial surgeon, were both optimistic about Staal’s injury.

Kimmo Timonen of the Flyers took a shot from the blue line that was deflected off of Jakub Voracek’s stick before hitting Staal in the eye. Staal was not wearing a visor during the play, which has been a major topic of discussion since the incident occurred.

NHL analysts across the nation have been debating over whether the league should enforce a rule change that would make all players wear a visor. Traditional hockey fans have never put too much thought into visors, let alone helmets. Hockey is built on a scrappy, sometimes dirty demeanor which added an excitement to the game long ago.

The Rangers next take the ice Thursday against the New York Islanders, but Marc Staal is out indefinitely though Wednesday showed signs of progress. The Rangers have won three straight games after a slow start to the season.

At 11-8-2, the New York Rangers currently hold third place in the Atlantic Division. The Rangers trail the New Jersey Devils by one point and the Pittsburgh Penguins by a full three games.

Marc Staal had two goals and nine assists on the season before taking the shot to the face. Staal has played in every Rangers game this year, tallying eight points in his last 13 games.

Suspensions have been handed out to multiple players this season; most recently five games to Patrick Kaleta of the Buffalo Sabres. You won’t see any suspensions on a freak accident like this, but you can guarantee Staal is paying the price.

Players jump in front of pucks all the time in attempt to block shots, but Staal just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. You can bet the Marc Staal injury will be reviewed over and over again by the NHL, but I doubt they will find a reasonable way of explaining this one.

Marc Staal Injury: Expecting Full Recovery is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers took an early lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night at Madison Square Garden and never looked back. Rick Nash’s return to the team after missing the last four games due to injury added a much needed spark to the Rangers lineup. The Rangers have struggled of late, picking up one point in the last four games during Nash’s injury, which included two losses at home to the Canadians and Jets.

It didn’t take long for the Rangers to get on the board as Carl Hagelin found the back of the net just 7:23 into the first period. Derek Stepan made it 2-0 Rangers a little over a minute later, but the Bolts Martin St. Louis scored with just four minutes left in the period to make it 2-1 going into the second. Though the Rangers lead was only one, the team had held the Bolts to just three shots on the period.

According to Yahoo Sports, Nash’s return wasn’t the only spark for the Rangers, as key defensemen Michael Del Zotto and Ryan McDonagh returned to the ice as well. After a slow start to the second period, Marc Staal added a power play goal for the Rangers making it 3-1. Rick Nash had an assist on the goal, and Henrik Lundqvist finished up a perfect period, stopping all eight shots.

“He played really well,” Rangers coach John Tortorella said about his returning star, Rick Nash, who added a goal in the third period to seal the win.

Tampa Bay came out in the third period playing much better hockey but again was unable to find the net on 14 shots. According to the Tampa Bay Times, last night’s loss put the Bolts below .500 for the first time this season, now at 9-10-1. The loss also gave the Carolina Hurricanes control of the Southeast Division, making matters much worse for the struggling team. The Bolts return to the ice Saturday night against one of the best teams in the NHL, the Boston Bruins.

The Rangers are now 9-8-2 after winning big last night, and have moved into 10th place in the Eastern Conference with 20 points. Now that the losing streak is over, you can expect the Rangers to focus their attention on moving up the Atlantic Division, as they currently sit in fourth place. Rick Nash and his team will have the next two days off to prepare before taking on the Buffalo Sabres Sunday night.

Rangers Win Big In Rick Nash’s Return To The Ice is a post from: The Inquisitr

New York City, NY – John Giannone got some unwanted television facetime last night: He took a puck to the face at the end of the second period of the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers.

But he was a gamer and continued broadcasting even as the blood flowed. The Rangers eventually won the hockey game 4-1.

John Giannone is a sideline reporter for the Madison Square Garden (MSG) Network and responded on the air to being accidentally hit in the face by a puck from Rangers’ defenseman Marc Staal.

“It’s all good. Marc Staal came over and apologized.

“I literally kept my eye on the puck, I’ll tell you that.”

Rangers trainer Jim Ramsay rendered some immediate first aid to Giannone.

According to the New York Daily News, Marc Staal commented after the game about how his pass accidentally hit John Giannone on the bridge of the nose:

“It looked bad when I hit him. He’ll look like one of us tomorrow. I felt bad. It was a rolling puck and as soon as I let it go, I could see him not even looking. He’s lucky it was a backhand.”

The Big Lead website quipped that even broadcasters have to be tough to cover the NHL:

“In hockey, even the media members are tough. John Giannone, a reporter for the Rangers on MSG, took a puck to the face during Thursday’s Rangers-Islanders game. Marc Staal of the Rangers lifted the puck off the ice and into the tiny booth which Giannone resides during games. It left Giannone with a cut that required medical attention, but he stayed at his post and continued to work while blood poured down his face. No hockey player would have ever respected him if he had left the game.”

Watch John Giannone take a puck to the face during the Islanders-Rangers game:

Hockey Broadcaster John Giannone Hit In The Face By Puck [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

New York Ranger forward Brandon Prust has been suspended for one game by NHL officials after he elbowed New Jersey Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Prust was part of a telephone hearing with NHL discipline specialist Brendan Shanahan on Sunday afternoon. During the chat the two men discussed the elbow to Volchenkov’s helmet during the Rangers’ 3-0 win on Saturday.

Prust will likely be replaced by forward Brandon Dubinsky who hasn’t played since injuring his right foot during Game 7 of the playoff’s first round.

While Prust will suffer through a one-game suspension Volchenkov appeared fine following the hit, while he stayed down on the ice for a short period of time he didn’t miss a shift and no penalty was called at the time of the elbow.

The one game suspension was handed down because no injury was reported and because Prust in his five seasons has never been disciplined for violent behavior.

In explaining the one-game suspension Shanahan said Prust “flared his elbow” when hitting Volchenkov.

Defending his player was New York Rangers coach John Tortorella who said the hit didn’t warrant a suspension.

In the meantime playoff suspensions have definitely not been sparse with Brendan Shanahan handing out 13 suspensions since the playoffs began and the second handed out to a Rangers player after Rookie forward Carl Hagelin was put on a three-game suspension for elbowing Daniel Alfredsson in the head during the teams seven-game series against the Ottawa Senators.

Do you think Brandon Prust got what he deserved or did Brendan Shanahan overreact?

New York Rangers Forward Brandon Prust Suspended One Game For Elbowing is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers will be without Carl Hagelin for the next three games. Hagelin was suspended by the NHL on Sunday for elbowing Daniel Alfredsson, the Captain of the Ottawa Senators, during the Rangers’ loss in the second game of the Eastern Conference series.

Hagelin was given a major penalty on Saturday night and was hoping to avoid any further punishment. The Ranger apologized for the incident but the NHL decided to put Hagelin on the bench for the next three games.

League disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan said:

”After Alfredsson chips the puck up the boards, Hagelin continues on his path and finishes his check with his arms high, recklessly striking Alfredsson in the side of head with his elbow… This hit is a clear violation of what is defined by NHL rules as elbowing.”

The Rangers said that they accepted the suspension but they did say that the NHL has been inconsistent with their penalties recently. Last week, Shea Weber slammed another player’s head against the glass. Weber was fined $2500 for the play and was not suspended.

The Rangers said:

”The New York Rangers accept the NHL’s three-game suspension of Carl Hagelin and will not pursue an appeal… ‘However, we are thoroughly perplexed in the ruling’s inconsistency with other supplementary discipline decisions that have been made throughout this season and during the playoffs.”

The Senators lost a player on over the weekend as well. Defenseman Matt Carkner was suspended for one game after starting a one-sided fight against Brian Boyle. Carkner was ejected from the game 2 and will now spend game 3 on the bench.

The NHL said in a statement:

”Carkner instigated an altercation with New York forward Brian Boyle, who did not respond. After knocking Boyle to the ice with two punches, Carkner continued to throw punches at his opponent, who was an unwilling combatant. Carkner’s actions classified him as an ‘aggressor’ under NHL rules.”

The series is currently tied at 1-1. Do you think the Rangers will survive without Carl Hagelin?

Hagelin Suspended Three Games For Elbowing Alfredsson is a post from: The Inquisitr

John Tortorella, coach of the New York Rangers hockey team, was fined a hefty $20,000 for his critical remarks regarding the Pittsburgh Penguins.  In particular, his commentary regarding Derek Stepan’s injury derived from a hit he took from Brooks Orpik has earned him this considerable fine.  In regards to the hit, coach Tortorella was quoted having said:

“I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars. I wonder what would happen. So I’m anxious to see what happens with the league. There’s no respect amongst players. None. It’s sickening.”

After his verbal assault which targeted Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, which he referenced as “their two whining stars,” Tortorella continued to trash talk the team as was quoted by USA Today having said:

“It’s one of the most arrogant organizations in the league. They whine about this all the time and look what happens.”

Last January, Tortorella was hit with a whopping $30,000 fine for insinuating that NBC and the league were intentionally trying to push the Winter Classic game into overtime; he later apologized.

Crosby’s response to being called a whiner by the Rangers coach was simply that Tortorella’s comments were “garbage.”  Talking to Pittsburgh news reporters, Crosby was quoted saying:

“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I mean, if you want you can put a camera on us all game, put a camera on Callahan all game. You’ll see who’s over there more. He should worry about his own players.”

What do you think of the league’s decision to fine NY Rangers coach John Tortorella $20,000 for his commentary after Thursday’s loss to to the Pittsburgh Penguins?

John Tortorella Fined $20,000 For Penguins Comments is a post from: The Inquisitr

After a two hour weather delay pushed the Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park back by two hours the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers provided fans with an exciting matchup that ended with a 3-2 Rangers victory.

Skating around on a rink that spanned from the first to third base markers the fifth NFL Winter Classic was especially exciting for Mike Rupp who scored twice as the Rangers defeated Philadelphia for the third time this season.

Even up until the last seconds the game was a breath holder as Henrik Lundqvist stopped a penalty shot by Danny briere’s with just 19 seconds left in regulation play.

Adding goals for the Flyers were rookie Brayden Schenn (his first career goal) and Claude Giroux.

Adding to the games ambiance were Christmas trees, fire wood, fake snow and even trash-can fires to add a “natural feel.” The game was then followed with some snow flurries late in the second period as temperatures fell into the 30s for the players and their 46,967 fans. In the meantime the league used 20,000 gallons of water to create the rink.

While the game provided the same two points in the NHL standing it was met with far more hype as NBC televised the game and HBO showed up with 12 camera crews to film the event for their behind-the-scenes series 24/7. 

The game wasn’t without it’s issues, star forward Jaromir Jagr left just one minute into the second period with no explanation, only to reveal after the Winter Classic that he injured his left leg but would return soon.

Showing the popularity of the NHL Winter Classic some fans paid up to $1,000 for a seat to the event through the secondary market, filling up the market with premium priced seats.

Would you have been willing to spend $1000 for the chance to sit in the freezing cold at the 2011 NHL Winter Classic?

New York Rangers Defeat Philadelphia Flyers In Winter Classic is a post from: The Inquisitr

New York Rangers winger Sean Avery, a vocal supporter of the recently passed gay marriage legislation in New York State, hasn’t dropped the gay rights gauntlet yet.

Speaking to the New York Post, Avery commented that the NHL should be “progressive” in adopting a more encouraging atmosphere for gay players. Avery said:

“I understand that the NHL represents 30 different owners who come from different backgrounds and hold different viewpoints, but I think it would be meaningful for Gary [commissioner Bettman] and the Board of Governors to open themselves up for conversation about this issue… The support I received from the Garden, Mr. [James] Dolan, Glen [Rangers general manager Sather] and [president of MSG Sports] Scott O’Neil meant everything to me, but it was a little disappointing not to have heard from anyone connected with the league.”

Avery continued:

“It would be great for the NHL to take the lead among professional sports leagues in terms of social equality and justice and be out front and progressive regarding issues like this.”

He also said:

“You don’t have to be gay to know when something is fundamentally not right.”

You can read Avery’s entire commentary over at the New York Post.

Sean Avery Calls For Gay Rights Awareness in NHL is a post from: The Inquisitr

The New York Rangers missed the playoffs last season by just one point. It was the first time since the lockout that they were not in the pot season. Given that fact the Rangers brain trust decided that only minor tweaks were needed to get this team back to the NHL playoffs this year. They may have a point as many feel that this team underachieved last year. However given the fact that three of their division rivals all improved significantly we have to wonder if this was teh right way to improve the team.

Head Coach John Tortorella, who has the most wins of any American born Coach in the league, has a great passion for this game. He likes his team to play an aggressive style, and that usually requires Goalie Henrik Lundqvist to stand on his head. There was a question of toughness on this team as it allowed Marian Gaborik pummeled last season the Rangers went out and got Derek Boogaard who some say is the toughest guy in the league today. It will be his job to retaliate when Rangers opponents try to beat on their stars.

The Rangers have a breakout performance candidate in Center Brandon Dubinsky. Last year he scored 20 goals with 44 points all while missing a month of playing time with a wrist injury. He may just be one of the best all around forwards on the Rangers roster.

Key Additions- G Martin Biron, LW Derek Boogaard, D Steve Eminger, and LW Alexander Frolov

Key Subtractions- RW Aaron Voros, LW Jody Shelley, C Olli Jokinen, and G Alex Auld

2010 New York Rangers Preview is a post from: The Inquisitr

John Tortorella took over as Head Coach of the New York Rangers last season from Tom Renney and immediately began to question his offensively challenged clubs physical fitness, and their ability to play nasty Eastern Conference style hockey. This off season Ranger General Manager Glen Satehr must have been listening no less than 10 2008-09 Rangers have been shown the door, and no less than nine new players come to the team for the next campaign.

Now it is on fiery coach Tortorella to make all this work. Last season he was able to push enough of his player’s buttons to get his team into the playoffs. One there they fell just short of a first round upset over the Washington Capitals and this year the Rangers will settle for nothing less than a playoff series victory.

Of course Tortorella will have the unenviable job of dealing with one Sean Avery. The two have had a difficult relationship as Tortorella had to bench the forward due to inconsistent play. If Avery can keep his act, and more importantly his mouth under control he could be a very effective second line winger in Tortorella’s system. Of course he has injured his knee during the pre-season and may not be available in the early part of the new season.

Since the Rangers made so many moves we really have no idea just how good, or bad they will be heading into the 2009-10 NHL campaign. For now here is a look at the extensive moves they made during the off season:

Additions- C Tyler Arnason, C Brian Boyle, LW Donald Brashear, RW Marian Gaborik, RW Christopher Higgins, RW Ales Kotalik, RW Enver Lisin, C Vinny Prospal, and D Nigel Williams

Subtractions- RW Nik Antropov, C Scott Gomez, D Doug Janik, LW Lauri Korpikoski, D Paul Mara, RW Greg Moore, D Derek Morris, LW Markus Naslund, LW Cotton Orr, RW Fredrik Ajostrom, and RW Mikolai Zherdev

2009-10 NHL preview: New York Rangers is a post from: The Inquisitr