SB Nation New York - Rangers 4, Islanders 2: Brad Richards Scores Game-Winner As Blueshirts' Streak Reaches Sevenhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-11-15T22:35:44-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23272462011-11-15T22:35:44-05:002011-11-15T22:35:44-05:00Rangers 4, Islanders 2: Brad Richards Scores Game-Winner As Blueshirts' Streak Reaches Seven
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<p>Despite outplaying their foes in even strength for the majority of the game, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> tried to give the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> all the chances in the world to snap their six-game winning streak Tuesday night at the Nassau Coliseum. The Blueshirts couldn't convert on the power play and were undisciplined -- and the Isles took advantage of one of their power-play chances early in the third. But with the score tied at 15:05, <span>Brad Richards</span> came up huge, rocketing a slapshot for the game-winner, in the Rangers' 4-2 defeat of their local rivals. The Rangers have now won seven straight, their longest winning streak in two years.</p>
<p>The Blueshirts dominated the first period, outshooting the Islanders 14-5, but Evgeni Nabokov was steady in net for the Islanders. <span>Sean Avery</span>, however, got the Rangers on the board first, scoring his second in his last two games. Avery played another solid game and was involved throughout. He was on the ice for close to 12 minutes, despite getting a minor penalty -- which was undeserved -- and getting into a fight. Lately, it's clear that Avery belongs and if he can stay disciplined, he can be an asset to this team. Yet after the agitator scored, the Isles came right back as <span>Frans Nielsen</span> lifted a shot past <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> -- one the netminder probably wishes he'd have back.</p>
<p>After two separate fights and a minor penalty to <span>Steve Eminger</span> early in the second period, the Blueshirts again lit the lamp. Eminger was the recipient of great board work by <span>Ryan Callahan</span> and a pristine pass, as he scored his 18th goal in his 427th NHL career game. The Rangers then filled the penalty box with three straight minors, but Lundqvist made up for the soft goal with several spectacular saves. The second period was pretty much the opposite of the first, as the Isles outshot the Rangers 16-8 but only the world-class goaltending of Lundqvist kept the score the same. Then, the Isles took three straight minors -- even giving the Rangers a five-on-three -- yet the Rangers, despite some great looks, could not convert.</p>
<p><span>Matt Moulson</span> finally punished the Blueshirts in the third for being undisciplined and sent home an easy goal at the front of the crease via a pass from <span>John Tavares</span>. Richards scored his sixth about eight minutes later and Ryan Callahan added his eighth on an empty netter.</p>
<p>This was a game that, on paper, the Rangers should've easily walked away with. These games tend to bring out the best in the Islanders, however, and the Rangers knew they had to withstand the young team's surges. The Blueshirts were able to do that with great goaltending by Lundqvist, timely goal scoring and generally sticking with the gameplan of creating offense off of tireless forechecking. The Isles were good in spurts, but were beaten to too many pucks and were scrambling far too often on the defensive end. </p>
<p>The Rangers are now in the midst of a superb 10-2-1 stretch, while the Isles have won just once in their last 11 games. </p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 11.15.2011 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> </span></td>
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<td>2</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> </span></td>
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<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/11/15/2565560/rangers-islanders-score-recap-brad-richards-evgeni-nabokovJimmy Hascup2011-11-15T08:01:27-05:002011-11-15T08:01:27-05:00Rangers At Islanders: Blueshirts Seek Seventh Straight As Isles' Nino Niederreiter Makes Season Debut
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<p>The <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Rangers</a> enter tTuesday night's game against the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Islanders</a> on the road (7 p.m. EST, MSG/MSG+) riding the high of a six-game winning streak and a 9-2-1 stretch. The floundering Islanders (4-7-3) are in the midst of a 10-game stretch in which they've won one time and as a result find themselves in last place in the Eastern Conference. When these two teams face off, though, it never matters -- emotions run high, tensions flare and sometimes a semblance of structured hockey goes out the window.</p>
<p>Granted, the Isles have won all four of their games this season at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum (and defeated the Rangers 4-2 earlier in the season), but they're still a team with a thin defense outside of captain <span>Mark Streit</span>, who ranks third on the team with 10 points, and an offense that has potential, but is young and mostly unproven. John Tavares leads the team with 14 points, while former Ranger <span>P.A. Parenteau</span> has 12, but the Islanders are in a rut because they rank 29th in goals for and 23rd in goals against. They'll attempt to get a jolt on the offensive end with the season debut of 19-year-old forward <span>Nino Niederreiter</span>, who didn't make the team out of camp because of a groin injury. In nine games last year with the big team, he had a goal and an assist, with eight penalty minutes. The raw winger has the makings to blend a nice scoring touch with some physicality (he's 6-foot-2, 205 pounds)</p>
<p>Currently, the Isles are also rolling out a three-headed rotation at goalie, and there's a chance the Blueshirts (9-3-3) could see their former prospect, <span>Al Montoya</span>, oppose them.</p>
<p>While the Isles are a team that's in a bit of disarray, the Blueshirts are focused and all their pieces appear to be fitting into place. On the strength of superb goaltending and an improving defense, the Rangers rank best in terms of goals given up per game, with 2. They've also improved their goals-for marks and are 13th.</p>
<p>The Rangers boast a team with three scoring lines and a fourth line that isn't to be taken lightly, no matter who's slated to play there. <span>Marian Gaborik</span> leads the team with nine goals and 15 points, while <span>Brad Richards</span> ranks second, with 12. Yet Gaborik has taken off because of the play of two young Rangers, <span>Derek Stepan</span> and Artem Anisimov, and not because of the best playmaker on the roster. Stepen is a plus-7 over his past five games, with seven points, while the Anisimov is a plus-5 with six points. This trio has been splendid the past few games.</p>
<p>Coach John Tortorella currently -- for how long is up for debate -- has his prized center playing with <span>Sean Avery</span> and <span>Ruslan Fedotenko</span> -- two guys who would probably come close to last if you had to guess linemates for the No.1 center on your team. Avery had his best game of the year against the <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hurricanes</a>, scoring a goal but showing strong skating ability, drawing two penalties and playing a focused game, so he's been rewarded with a bump up in lines. And Fedotenko goes about his business -- game after game -- being steady and effective, but not flashy on both sides of the ice.</p>
<p>This is a game that will not be without its entertainment value. And, frankly, it might be one won by the team that can stick to the gameplan and not let the emotions get in the way.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011, 7 PM EST</span><br> Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/11/15/2563199/rangers-islanders-score-game-time-tv-informationJimmy Hascup