Dubinsky powers Rangers past Bolts

October 4, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Brandon Dubinsky’s power play goal proved to be the difference in the Rangers’ season opening 2-1 victory over the Lightning at O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic.

The second-year pivot who drew the Rangers’ seventh power play of the night on a Gary Roberts high stick cashed in with 5:44 left for his first of the season. With the PP having gone 0 for its first 6 not from lack of shots unlike the prior year, Dubinsky took a Dan Girardi pass along the right boards and then waited until Nigel Dawes got position in front before firing a perfect wrister into the right portion of the net for a 2-1 lead.

It was a smart timing play by both youngsters as Dawes made sure to stay in front making it difficult for Mike Smith while his teammate patiently got into position before firing what turned out to be the deciding tally making it a successful opener for the Blueshirts.

Despite being dominated for a large portion of the contest, the home team Lightning got a lift from Martin St. Louis 3:57 into the third when he took a Vincent Lecavalier pass at the Ranger blueline and beat Dmitri Kalinin going wide before roofing a perfect backhand top shelf over a down Henrik Lundqvist tying it up. Oddly enough, the electrifying former league MVP victimized exactly the same defenseman in a Tampa preseason road win at The Garden eight days prior but with Ranger backup Stephen Valiquette in goal.

The goal helped get Barry Melrose’s club momentum and they nearly went ahead when Kalinin was again beat to the outside by impressive rookie Steven Stamkos, who took a head man feed and used his speed accelerating before firing a dangerous wrister labeled for the top corner but a ready Lundqvist had his outstretched glove ready robbing him with ease.

Kalinin looks like he’s going to be the new Marek Malik as I noticed in preseason. He just doesn’t read plays well and jumps up too much getting caught flat footed. Offensively, he’s fine at jumping into the play and getting shots off. However, the Ranger staff must work with him on reading and reacting because he stuck out like a sore thumb on a blueline that otherwise got better as the game wore on eliminating most of the silly turnovers in the first period.

At one point, the Lightning held a 7-5 shots edge but were outshot the rest of the way 36-13 as Tom Renney’s club adjusted well taking away the neutral zone and using their improved team speed to forecheck and generate opportunities. They also shot the puck more including on the man-advantage which definitely is something the affable detail oriented coach is looking for despite a 1-for-7 showing.

Also encouraging was the steady play of Lundqvist, who showed no ill effects of a balky knee and looked razor sharp compared to exhibition where as one of the club’s best forwards alternate Scott Gomez (A, 6 SOG in 24:07) jokingly noted during the postgame that he stunk in those meaningless games. Good thing the real King Henrik showed up finishing with 20 saves with at least eight very good stops due to Tampa’s counter attacking style.

The Lightning did get one more chance to tie the game when new Ranger captain Chris Drury was properly whistled for a hook in the offensive zone with 3:35 remaining. But a sprawling Lundqvist made a couple of big stops and an effective New York penalty kill did the rest finishing a perfect 4-for-4 on the night.

Once it was killed, Renney wisely rewarded his hard working third line of Petr Prucha, rookie Lauri Korpikoski and Ryan Callahan sending them out to forecheck which they did all game well including down the stretch killing valuable time. It’s very encouraging that Korpikoski got over 11 minutes winning his coach’s trust so early on which is a credit to how well the 22 year-old Finn performed in camp. I really felt he was one of the better players on the ice utilizing his speed and showing why the Rangers selected him 19th overall four years ago. The best looks yet to come.

The Rangers could’ve had more goals holding a 41-21 margin in SOG but Smith played very well giving his team a chance finishing with 39 saves. Give credit to the former Star who was the integral part of the Brad Richards trade last deadline. He really showed a lot and even stayed in after making a tough save on a high shot early in the third before St. Louis’ equalizer.

As Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti pointed out during the MSG broadcast, Melrose indicated he’d give veteran backup and former Cap Olaf Kolzig the start in the rematch tomorrow. Not a bad decision considering how much rubber his younger No.1 netminder saw. Plus Olie the Goalie is a proven vet who usually plays well against the Rangers.

Tomorrow’s game will be telecast on Versus with faceoff again past 12 in the afternoon here on the East coast an hour before the Giants take on the Seahawks. So, it should be a fun Sunday here in NYC.

Overall, not a bad way to begin a new era for the Rangers. Sure. It wasn’t perfect as Renney alluded to with the sloppy turnovers giving their opponents chances. But they did get much better as the game wore on using their attacking forecheck to wear out Tampa’s inexperienced D.

For the Lightning, I thought Smith and St. Louis were easily their best players with Lecavalier also good. Both newcomers Ryan Malone and Andrej Meszaros had rough debuts taking two minors apiece. Shane O’Brien also looked sluggish on the blueline.

Rookies Vladmir Mihalik and Janne Niskala were good as was veteran Mark Recchi, who even killed penalties.

I’m not certain about Tampa’s blueline because it lacks physicality and will give up a lot of shots which could wear on Smith and Kolzig. If they had more experience, I might be inclined to pick them for the playoffs.

As for the Rangers, Marc Staal was very impressive breaking up plays and teaming well with Paul Mara, who also had a strong game notching a secondary helper on Dubinsky’s winner.

Wade Redden got better as the game went on logging over 22 minutes while partner Michal Rozsival recovered from an early miscue to play steady in 24-plus.

I thought Dan Girardi was also good with only Kalinin really struggling defensively. We’ll see if he can adjust to Renney’s system or the former Sabre will soon find out the difference between playing upstate and the big city.

THREE STARS

3rd Star- Markus Naslund, NYR (goal, 4 SOG in 19:29)

2nd Star- Mike Smith, TB (39 saves on 41 shots)

1st Star- Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (game-winning PPG in 18:21, 5 SOG)

In the other European opener, the Pens are tied with the Sens in the second 2-2.

Pit- Kennedy, Malkin (SH)

Ott- Donovan, Heatley (PP)

Pit- Fleury (16 saves)

Ott- Gerber (16 saves)

The game can be seen on NHL Network via HNIC’s coverage.