Prucha, Korpikoski and ‘Yotes return tonight

October 26, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

When they drop the puck for tonight’s game, the Rangers will see a couple of familiar faces on the opposite side representing the Coyotes. Both Petr Prucha and Lauri Korpikoski play for Rangers West. While there’s still a lot of uncertainty with the troubled franchise, the team at least has surprised many with a 6-3-0 start that’s included wins over the Pens, Bruins, Sharks and Red Wings.

In fact, Dave Tippett’s improved club had won four straight before falling to the Kings 5-3 the other night. What’s the difference? With The Great One gone and the more experienced Tippett behind the bench, this team works. It’s how they sneak up on more skilled opponents and come away with two points. Sure. Shane Doan’s their one star but the lone player left over from the Jet days is the epitome of hard work which explains why he’s their captain. He leads by example.

This year, Doan has help from savvy vets like Ed Jovanovski along with key additions Robert Lang and Adrian Aucoin. Radim Vrbata is back where he belongs, pacing the club with four goals. He didn’t last long in Tampa, who replaced him with Alex Tanguay (0-2-2). How’s that working out? The ‘Yotes have also gotten strong goaltending from Ilya Bryzgalov (6 W, 1.59 GAA, .930 Save Pct, 2 SHO), who’s making a lot of fantasy owners that grabbed him late very happy. With Tippett having his team play solid defense, Bryzgalov’s benefited.

Where do guys like Prucha and Korpikoski fit? They always give max effort as evidenced by Prucha’s two garbage goals from his knees. Korpedo has played in half a dozen without a point. But he can kill penalties and be deployed on a checking line. There’s also other contributors like Martin Hanzal, Vernon Fiddler, Scottie Upshall, Matt Lombardi, Zbynek Michalek and Peter Mueller, who’s still without a goal. Yikes.

Put it altogether and you’ve got a solid nucleus who understands the kinda hockey they must play to be successful. In other words, this is no pushover with the slumping Rangers trying to end a three-game winless skid (0-2-1), If they don’t match their intensity, it could get ugly. Hell. The Pens took them lightly and got booed off their own ice, falling 3-zip.

So, what needs to happen tonight for the Blueshirts to get back in the win column? Brandon Dubinsky and Christopher Higgins must play better than the other night where each earned benchings undisciplined play. Chris Drury and Ryan Callahan need to get on the score sheet. Both have worked hard but aren’t helping offensively. The D must be more consistent, meaning no naps that allow opponents to come in uncontested on Henrik Lundqvist, who also needs to stop unscreened shots instead of blaming teammates.

A little more gumption also would help. Do they really want Don Maloney to get the last laugh? We’ll see if the boys are up to the challenge.

Game Time: 7 PM

Channel: MSG

Broadcasters: Sam Rosen, Joe Micheletti and John Giannone