Kid Wings trip up Rangers

September 18, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

The third game in five nights finally caught up with the Rangers. That the 4-3 preseason loss at Detroit didn’t mean a whole lot still mystifies as to why they’ve scheduled so many exhibitions in a condensed Olympic year.

Sure. There were a few new faces including Bobby Sanguinetti who impressed in his first look paired alongside Ilkka Heikkinen while taking turns with Alexei Semenov. Indeed, the forgotten 21 year-old wearing No.54 played well going plus-two in 20:17 of action. In particular, the kid from Trenton was effective at John Tortorella’s attacking style forcing turnovers in the neutral zone while stepping up to create offense. He certainly didn’t hurt himself.

Neither did Heikkinen (#49) who went plus-one with three shots and a block in 20:02. The 24 year-old Finn the club signed this offseason used his skating ability to jump into the rush also getting a good shot through. He nearly setup the second goal of the night helping spring Chris Higgins who was stifled by Chris Osgood from in tight.

Their competition Corey Potter also had a decent game finishing Even with two hits in 22:01 while donning No.44. While he’s not rated as highly as the others, the 25 year-old Potter has been a solid contributor with Hartford and didn’t look out of place during a brief stint last season scoring his first career NHL goal. It might just make sense to keep him as insurance.

While Matt Gilroy all but has a spot secured looking like he belongs, the same can’t be said about Michal Rozsival who after a decent first struggled mightily. Paired alongside Wade Redden, he was a disaster going minus-two with two minors while routinely getting beat off the puck when the Wings swarmed the Rangers with four third period goals erasing a two-goal deficit. Redden wasn’t much better getting beat by Justin Abdelkader on a tip-in which made it four unanswered after the Blueshirts had played so well.

It’s awfully hard to see how this club can keep these two vets. Especially as a pair because it’s like the defense version of the Titanic. That they make a combined $11.5 million is scary and speaks to how completely out of touch Glen Sather is.

While kids like Gilroy, Sanguinetti, Potter, Heikkinen and Mike Del Zotto show more, how can the organization even think of retaining both? It’s time for them to reassess things. Marian Gaborik is already a question mark and Brandon Dubinsky remains unsigned despite being paper thin at center. Would it really kill them to rebuild from the blueline out?

There just isn’t that much to get excited over. This as fans continue to get rear ended by Dolan. Is it any wonder that every individual home game is open to the public?

Also impressing tonight was the all Russian trio of Evgeny Grachev, Artem Anisimov and Enver Lisin with them combining for the first two goals including a highlight reel tally by Anisimov that showcased all his skills. The lanky Russian’s attention to detail also helped setup Lisin’s first of the preseason with Grachev taking the puck hard to the net with the new Marcel Hossa banging the rebound in.

It wasn’t all positive though as that line was later victimized during a Red Wing onslaught that saw Matt Zaba come undone allowing clunkers to Brett Lebda which tied it and the go-ahead off a Grachev turnover which Jason Williams blasted from the right wing minus a screen. The Wings who were lifeless for two periods must have gotten a stern talking to in the room by Mike Babcock cause they were a different bunch scoring two in 53 seconds to tie and a third at 8:02 to take the lead for good.

After Abdelkader’s second from Ville Leino, Ryan Callahan got his first unassisted with two minutes left to close the scoring.

Despite better movement, the Rangers were again blanked on the powerless play going 0-for-4. Will they ever find the right recipe before it starts for real? The PK also allowed its fifth PPG against. Who needs Blair Betts and Freddy Sjostrom?

Others who played well were the big line of Aaron Voros, Brian Boyle and Donald Brashear who had a lot of attack time on the cycle using their big bodies to wreak havoc.

Pierre Parenteau looked good for a third straight game getting over 17 minutes including PK time, finishing with three shots and a plus-one. He looks like he should be on the roster but will probably get screwed in usual Ranger tradition. As for Paul Crowder, he didn’t do much in 12 minutes losing six of nine draws.

At least Henrik Lundqvist was sharp stopping all 14 before the roof caved in on Zaba (4 GA on 19 shots).

The Rangers who fell to 0-2-1 in exhibition and visit Boston tomorrow afternoon at 4.