Ranger win could be costly

October 26, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

They got back in the win column, posting a 5-2 home win over the Coyotes to halt a three-game losing streak. But it just could be that the win was costly with Marian Gaborik limping off Garden ice with eight minutes left. The Big Ticket- who Glen Sather rolled the dice on- was having a big night, scoring twice and setting up another to help build a 4-0 lead.

But moments after Enver Lisin scored against his ex-team to restore order after the ‘Yotes made things interesting, Al Trautwig gave us the news every Ranger fan has been dreading since they handed the five-year $37.5 million to Gaborik. He had left the bench for the trainer’s room where hopefully Jim Ramsay performed a minor miracle.

At least that’s how you have to view it because of how important the new Ranger No.10 has become.  By tallying twice including a rocket off a Vinny Prospal power play setup, he’d already matched that number with 10 goals, tying Anze Kopitar for the league lead. Aside from the two markers, there also was the brilliant feed to Prospal, who did the rest making it 3-zip before returning the favor with an equally great pass for 4-0.

Gaborik has been electrifying thus far, registering a point in every game except one. In just a dozen games, he’s got 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points, trailing only Kopitar in scoring. When the game ended, MSG had two replays which saw him take hits along the boards and then limp off flexing a knee. Never a positive sign. Who knows what it means. All we can do is hold our collective breath. At this point in the season, I’d rather the team be cautious than rush him back. If that means missing Wednesday’s rivalry game against the Islanders, so be it. Let’s just hope it’s not longterm.

As for the game, the Rangers seemed to get the message playing nearly flawless the first 30 minutes outscoring a hard working Phoenix team 4-zip due to matching their work ethic. Oh. And then there was the superior skill which was on display with Gaborik having in hand in three of the goals. But it was rookie Artem Anisimov, who got it started with a great individual effort when he took a Brian Boyle pass and in one motion, made a turnaround shot that caromed off Zbynek Michalek past Ilya Bryzgalov at 2:31. Remarkably, the play was started by Donald Brashear, who earned his first point as a Ranger.

Following a Martin Hanzal stick hold in the offensive zone, Gaborik made him pay at the end of the power play when he buried a Brandon Dubinsky feed in the slot for his ninth at 13:09. Dubinsky, who was benched last game, played much harder as did snake bit Christopher Higgins, who even saw PP time. He did have a couple of close calls including some great hustle that nearly resulted in his first but it wasn’t to be.

In a first largely controlled by the home club, Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t called on to make many saves, blocking all five in his path. The Garden Faithful did cheer Petr Prucha, giving him the traditional “Pruuuu” salute when he had the puck. I didn’t go to this one but heard there were plenty of No.25 Pruchas in attendance. Good stuff.

A big save by Lundqvist in the second helped setup Prospal’s goal at the opposite end. He denied Radim Vrbata with a chest save before Michal Rozsival cleared the garbage aside to Lisin, who started a brilliant three-way passing play with Gaborik followed by Prospal, who flew down the left wing before going backhand deke five-hole on Bryzgalov, increasing to 3-zip at 6:05. Just 1:41 later on another power play, Gaborik connected again thanks to a great play by Prospal. This time, rookie Michael Del Zotto started it by dishing across to Prospal, who then skated out before sliding the puck to a wide open Gaborik, who blasted it so quickly, it was in and out of the net.

Up four though, the Rangers began to sleepwalk allowing the Coyotes to gain momentum after they lifted a defenseless Bryzgalov for ex-Ranger property Jason LaBarbera. While he was barely tested late in the second, his teammates got back in it with two goals 3:32 apart. First, Ed Jovanovski struck when he one-timed a Shane Doan feed from behind the net, going farside on Lundqvist. The Rangers had two players caught on a long line change, including Anisimov and Lisin. Both were dead and the Coyote forecheck finally got the end result breaking the shutout.

On a late man-advantage, the Blueshirts again got lazy and paid the price when four players watched Daniel Winnik pass to Vernon Fiddler, who buried a shorthanded goal from 20 feet out, suddenly making it 4-2 with 41 seconds left. Naturally, John Tortorella was fuming and stormed off the bench as soon as the buzzer sounded.

Sadly, it almost got even more squeamish when Dan Girardi took a lazy penalty six seconds in off a faceoff. Phoenix may not have capitalized but came too close for comfort a few instances leaving a once happy crowd murmuring. They just didn’t get the bounces with one shot missing just wide while another eluded Doan of a gimme. Part of it also was the Ranger PK who used some hustle from constant Ryan Callahan, blocking a couple of shots wide. That kind of yeoman work allowed the Rangers to finally regain their legs.

Finally, off another good read from Del Zotto in his end, Prospal sprung Lisin who ripped a shot from the top circle past LaBarbera, making it 5-2 with 8:13 remaining. The outcome was finally certain. Now, it’s just wait and see with the brightest Ranger star.

Notes: With his third, Anisimov has scored in two consecutive games. He centered the fourth line, getting 11 shifts (8:37) while going a perfect 3-0 in the faceoff circle. … Boyle’s assist was his first as a Blueshirt. … Four Rangers had multi-point games including three-pointers from Gaborik and Prospal. … In a losing effort, Jovanovski netted a goal and an assist. … After being outshot 9-5 in the first, the ‘Yotes outshot the Rangers 23-13 the rest of the way. But Lundqvist was good making 30 saves including a dozen in the third. … Bryzgalov allowed four on 11 shots while LaBarbera turned aside 12 of 13 in relief. … PP: Phx 0-5, NYR 2-5. … Rangers (8-3-1, 17 Pts) are back at it Wednesday when they get their first look at John Tavares and the Islanders at The Coliseum. The game can be seen on MSG-+ (NYI feed) and MSG2 (NYR feed-check MSG site).

Gabby Update: Per Steve Zipay, it’s indeed unrelated to prior groin/hip issues. We’ll know more probably tomorrow.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Michael Del Zotto, (2 assists, 2 hits, 2 blocked shots, takeaway, +1 in 18:34)

2nd Star-Ed Jovanovski, (goal, assist, 3 SOG, 3 hits, blocked shot, Even in 22:03)

1st Star-Lisin-Prospal-Gaborik, (4-4-8, 2 PPG, 2 ES, 10 SOG, +3)