3 Stars
1st Star - Bad Bounces
2nd Star - The goal posts
3rd Star - Steve Mason
Post Game Cocktail Recommendation
A game like this, which the Rangers should have cruised to victory, sure leaves a sour taste in my mouth. So let's go with a Whiskey Sour.
Gif of the Game
To say Kevin Klein has been struggling this season would be an understatement of epic proportions. But one thing you can't question is his effort which was on full display during this sequence:
Not So Charmed Life Tonight
Michael Grabner has been living a charmed life during his first season on Broadway.
Tonight? Not so much.
First, Grabner doesn't convert on his 709th breakaway attempt this season...
Next, he's robbed point blank. Twice...
Then while attempting to clear the crease in the third period, he accidentally taps the puck to a wide open Simmons for a 1-0 Flyers lead...
And finally, after Voracek's shot pinballs around the crease it kicks off both of Grabner's legs, off the post and into the net essentially icing the game...
Zucca-Toughness
No one better tell Mats Zuccarello that the Rangers don't have an enforcer.
DeLury Reverse Mush Part VII
In the seventh installment of the DeLury Reverse Mush (Part I, Part II, Part III, Parts IV & V, Part VI), not counting the Stars game, Henrik Lundqvist is now 3-1-0, 1.50 GAA, .945 sv%, 1 SO since my blog post on how he can no longer carry the Rangers defense.
You're welcome Hank!
You're welcome Hank!
Mini Recap
Oh those pesky Hockey Gods. A game after the Rangers stole one from the Kings, every bounce goes against them on a night they should have prevailed over the rival Flyers.
Whether it was the post or Steve Mason's pad, the Flyers net seemed to have an impenetrable force field around it. The Rangers could have used some Ewoks on the planet Endor to help them out tonight.
Tough to get too upset about a game the Rangers outshot attempted the Flyers 69-48. Especially when it's the Blueshirts' third game in four nights, which could explain the lack of urgency after the Flyers broke through in the third period.
I continue to be impressed with the Skjei-Clendening pair. Sure, AV is sheltering them big time, but they haven't been overwhelmed in the defensive end and continue to put pressure on opponent's defense with their offensive abilities. The Rangers entire defense seems to have settled down since AV put this combination together.
As we head into the All Star break, there's been a plethora of Rangers players having impressive seasons up until this point.
One such player is JT Miller who's really come into his own. While the numbers speak for themselves (16g, 19a), you can tell that the game has really slowed down for him this season. He's anticipating plays while allowing his skills to take over. Even without his penalty killing partner in crime the last two games, Miller's play hasn't dipped.
One negative trend that continued tonight was the Rangers power play struggles. With their 0-for-3 against the Flyers they're now in an 0-for-14 tailspin. You'd think with players such as Nash, Buchnevich and Zibanejad returning from injury they'd be clicking on all cylinders, but instead it looks like, well, what the Rangers power play always looks like. Terrible.
Unfortunately, with all the bad bounces, a competent power play could have been the great equalizer for the Rangers tonight. But alas, it wasn't meant to be.
Tough way to go into the All Star break. I'm hoping to have a few blog posts up to keep you guys entertained the next six days because God knows the All Star Game won't.
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