April 1, 2013, Mets not buying into doom-and-gloom prophecy news story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

55°

Sun / Mar 31, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ MLB

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 31, 2013

Mets players not buying into doom and gloom

Jon Niese opens the season as the Mets’ No. 1 pitcher.
Credit: Getty Images

The Mets are acutely aware of what the baseball world thinks of them.

It does not mean the Mets believe the doom-and-gloom prophecy.

“I think we’ll win. We’ll win,” Opening Day starter Jon Niese said in a press conference Sunday morning prior to the Mets’ optional workout at Citi Field. The Mets will officially begin their 51st season this afternoon at home against the Padres.

Today’s outing marks the first time in Niese’s four full seasons with the Mets he will make the Opening Day start. He will be opposed by Edison Volquez.

Niese went 2-0 in five spring training starts. He finished with a 1.23 ERA in 22 innings, while limiting opponents to a .167 batting average.

He will face a Padres squad whose 43 home runs were fifth most in spring training. San Diego’s .282 team batting average was third best in the National League.

“It’s kind of sunk in now that we’re at Citi Field,” Niese said. “[Monday] I’ll be a little more anxious. I’m not going to treat it as an Opening Day. I’m going to treat it as a midseason start. Just be ready for it.”

The Mets have finished fourth each of the last four seasons and look to be weaker than divisional rivals Washington, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Factor in Johan Santana undergoing season-ending surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left, throwing shoulder — it is the same surgery that cost Santana the entire 2011 season — plus a makeshift outfield and bullpen, and it appears the Mets are earmarked for a fifth-straight fourth place finish.

Yet the forecast is merely white noise to manager Terry Collins, who was unequivocal about what he will require from him team.

“We have to play the game right. We have to stay healthy. We have to execute. We can’t go and make two or three errors a night. We have 27 outs that we have to limit the other team [to]. Do what we did in the first half [of the 2012 season and] come up with big hits at the right time. Everybody’s got a piece here. Don’t think for one second in this clubhouse [that the Mets aren’t] going to have success because that’s what we’re going to do this season,” Collins said.

The manager then shared his message to the team Saturday before they departed Port St. Lucie, Fla. for Queens.

“[I] went over what the expectations are here. We don’t just show up and play here. There are expectations to play in this city. Our fans deserve a maximum effort each and every night,” Collins said. “I know we’ve got the right guys to do that. We’ve got the right mix of guys here. Now we just got to go play.

“[I] told the guys yesterday, ‘You want to be on the biggest stage? This is it.’ There [are] expectations in our clubhouse. I know what the feeling is on the outside especially [without] Johan. We’ve got guys who are not here, R.A. [Dickey] is not here. But you know what? You’re major league players. I’m sorry. The minute you just think you [can] show up and you’re a big league player, that’s not going to fly here. We’re going to find people who are going to play the game the right way, do things the right way and if they’re not in that clubhouse, we’ll go find them. If they’re in [Triple-A] Las Vegas, we’ll bring them up here.”

Should the Mets finish fourth or worse in the division, it would be the third-longest stretch of futility in franchise history. The 1962-68 editions finished no higher than ninth in a 10-team National League, while the 1977-83 squads finished in sixth place five times and in fifth place twice.

Follow Mets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/mlb/2013/03/31/mets-players-not-buying-into-doom-and-gloom/

March 27, 2013, New York Mets season preview for Metro Newspaper in NYC

55°

Sun / Mar 31, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ MLB

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 27, 2013

Mets season preview: Team counting on young pitching staff

Jon Niese opens the season as the Mets’ No. 1 pitcher.
Credit: Getty Images

The Mets are armed and ready. Well, maybe they’re just armed.

It was mid-February when manager Terry Collins told reporters at the Mets’ training facility that the organization was “optimistic about our pitching staff.”

Whether the Mets starters can carry out their marching orders begins Monday afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets will begin their 51st season with Jon Niese making the Opening Day start against the Padres.

“I thought after last season, especially at the end of last season, Jon Niese stepped forward to be the pitcher everyone expected him to be,” Collins said. “He’s had a very, very good spring. We feel very, very confident that he’s the right guy to start this off.”

He is 1-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 17 2/3 innings this spring.

It will be imperative that the young arms keep a decidedly flawed team at-or-above .500 in the first two month as it appears the Mets will start the season without starters Johan Santana, Shaun Marcum and Jeremy Hefner.

Niese will likely be followed in the rotation by Matt Harvey and Dillon Gee. Harvey electrified in his eight starts after being called up in July, going 3-5 in 10 starts with 70 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings. Gee went 6-7 in 17 starts with a 4.10 ERA in 109 2/3 innings before his 2012 season ended due to a blood clot in a right shoulder artery.

Santana told reporters last weekend he did “not know when I’m going to be pitching again.” Santana’s words echoed those of Collins, who said the lefty was not going to start the season with the major-league club.

The organization shut down Santana last August due to inflammation in his lower back. Santana compiled a 6-9 record with 4.88 ERA last years after missing the 2011 season recuperating from anterior capsule surgery on his left shoulder.

At the time Santana was shut down, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said the ace was “prescribed rest, medication and, of course, intermittent exercise,” but “there is no issue with his ankle, no issue with his shoulder. Obviously with a back problem and continuing to pitch, that [in] itself could lead to problems with the shoulder or the ankle or the elbow, and [that’s] another reason why we’re trying to be cautious about this.”

Unlike the winter between the 2011 and 2012 season, where he began throwing in December, Santana did not throw this offseason until February, which was pointed out by Alderson and Collins.

The Mets shut down Santana in February with shoulder weakness after a bullpen session in February. Collins speculated that it may take at least a month for Santana to get into game condition.

Santana is scheduled to make $25.5 million this season. The Mets have a $25 million option for the 2014 season but it is not likely the organization will exercise it. Instead, it is believed they will pay the $5.5 million buyout and Santana will become a free agent.

Marcum, whom the Mets signed the right-hander to a one-year, $4 million contract over the winter, has been idled due to shoulder and neck pain. The organization said on its Twitter feed that Marcum’s “shoulder impingement is improving. His neck discomfort is being treated with anti-inflammatories.”

Collins told reporters Marcum “hasn’t pitched in two weeks” making it unlikely the middle-of-the-rotation starter could pitch in the season-opening homestand.

“I’d be real surprised,” Collins said.

Hefner suffered an “elbow contusion” according to the organization when he was struck by a batted ball in Tuesday’s 11-4 loss to St. Louis. While the injury is not expected to be serious, Hefner could miss his season-opening start.

Even though the injuries would appear to open a spot in the rotation, Zack Wheeler will not get the opportunity to start the season in Queens. The crown jewel of the Mets farm system, Wheeler threw only two innings in spring training due to a strained oblique.

“I’m not happy,” Wheeler told reporters when it was reported that he was going to start the season at Triple-A Las Vegas. “I wanted to sort of get out there and prove myself. Hopefully, I’ll be up there soon.”

This is not the first time the current organizational regime has decided to be patient with its highly touted prospects. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud, acquired in the R.A. Dickey trade, was sent to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.

Follow Mets beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/mlb/2013/03/27/mets-season-preview-team-counting-on-young-pitching-staff/

March 24, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

50°

Tue / Mar 26, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 24, 2013

Rangers rally, but lose to Capitals in shootout

Alex Ovechkin scored on Henrik Lundqvist here, in the shootout, as well as in regulation.
Credit: Getty Images

The Rangers earned one point, but they left another on the table.

New York dropped a 3-2 decision to the Capitals in the shootout Sunday night at the Garden.

“I’m thinking about points. We get a point,” head coach John Tortorella said. “Would we like to have two? Yes. But we didn’t get it.”

Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin scored for the Capitals during both the game and skills competition. Ovechkin finished with a goal and an assist. Braden Holtby made 30 saves.

Ovechkin slipped the puck between the post and Lundqvist’s pad for the first shootout goal. Backstrom ripped a laser that beat Lundqvist glove side for the game-winner.

“I only stopped two-of-four in the shootout,” said Henrik Lundqvist, who made 22 saves in the first 65 minutes. “I have to be better. You face really good players. I think the last one was a really good shot but Ovechkin, [I] felt like I had him but I didn’t get the stick down.”

Despite having lost consecutive games, the Rangers moved to eighth in the East. Arron Asham and Derek Stepan scored for the Rangers. Stepan scored the Rangers’ lone goal in the shootout.

“I’m not even thinking about playoffs,” Tortorella said.

One of the themes that has marked this Rangers campaign has been slow starts. Last night was no different as Washington jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the power of goals from Backstrom and Ovechkin in a span of 2:09.

“After they got the first one, we were stunned a little bit. We just kind of sat back and let them play,” Dan Girardi said. “Obviously we want two points but we need to get any point we can at this stage. But there are a lot of good things we can take from today.”

Following Ovechkin’s goal, the Garden denizens booed the Blueshirts viciously. But by the end of the period, the 17,200 in attendance were delirious as the teams went into intermission tied at 2-2.

Asham began the comeback with an off-the-rush goal to cut the deficit in half 14:12 into the period. The goal was Asham’s second of the season. Stepan tied the game with 1:57 left on a shot that pinballed off Holtby’s stick.

“I thought after the first 10 minutes we responded well — getting two goals and tying it after the first,” Ryan Callahan said. “We had chances in the second and third. We just couldn’t find the next one and eventually they did in the shootout.”

The game remained tied despite the Rangers having a 25-10 advantage in shots spanning the final two regulation periods and overtime.

“We just closed out defensively,” Girardi said. “We tried to keep everything to the outside, blocking shots like we always do, getting through the neutral zone and not turning any pucks over. When we are playing down [in] their end, it limits their shots.”

The second period was not nearly as wild as the first because the goaltenders stepped to the forefront. Lundqvist turned away all four Capital shots he faced, while Holtby stopped the nine shots he faced.

While the majority of shots the goaltenders saw were harmless, each team had a chance to break the deadlock in the second period. Marian Gaborik missed on a breakaway backhander with 8:19 left in the second, while Lundqvist stopped consecutive shots off the sticks of Mike Ribeiro and Karl Alzner with a minute left in the period.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/24/rangers-rally-but-lose-to-capitals-in-shootout/

March 24, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

50°

Tue / Mar 26, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 24, 2013

Rangers Notebook: Newbury called up from Whale

Kris Newbury, left, was called up from the Whale for Sunday’s game.
Credit: Getty Images

The Rangers’ revolving door of bottom-six forwards continued to spin Sunday night.

AHL call-up Kris Newbury skated on the fourth line with Darroll Powe and Arron Asham, who was activated off the IR. Last night’s game was Asham’s first since Feb. 19 due to back spasms. Taylor Pyatt was bumped to the third line with Brian Boyle and Chris Kreider.

When asked where Newbury would play during his pregame press conference, head coach John Tortorella said “center ice.”

Newbury had centered Kreider at AHL Connecticut, where Kreider had scored six goals in eight games before being called up last week. Kreider told reporters at the early skate that Newbury “has such great poise.”

“Real cerebral guy,” Kreider said. “Just relentless, with a great attitude.”

Guy fired

Guy Boucher’s time as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning ran out.

Boucher was fired as head coach of the Lightning, the organization announced early Sunday morning. He compiled a 97-78-20 record in 195 games spanning three seasons.

Tampa Bay reached the Eastern Conference finals in his first year as coach, but were only 13-17-1 this season.

“Guy has poured his heart and soul into the Lightning organization for these past three years and we appreciate all the work he has done,” Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said in a statement. “But ultimately I am not satisfied with the direction we are heading and I believe making a change today is in the best interest of our franchise.”

See ya ‘two’ Morrows

The trade season has begun.

According to multiple reports, Pittsburgh acquired left wing Brendan Morrow and a third-round pick from Dallas in exchange for prospect defenseman Joe Morrow and a fifth-round pick. The two players are not related.

The 34-year-old is in the last year of a six-year, $24.6 million contract. Brendan Morrow had played his entire 13-year career with Dallas, where he was team captain. He has scored 243 goals and 528 points in 825 games.

Pittsburgh leads the Eastern Conference with a 24-8-0 record. Their 48 points are tied with Anaheim for second-most in the NHL. Chicago leads the league with 51. Pittsburgh leads the league in goals scored (112) and goals per game average (3.43). It’s thought that Brendan Morrow will skate on a line with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.

Forgive the Devils if they are Il-ya.

General manager Lou Lamoriello announced Sunday afternoon that right wing Ilya Kovalchuk will miss the next 2-to-4 weeks with a shoulder injury. The organization later announced Kovalchuk was placed on injured reserve.

Lamoriello told reporters the injury is “not an operative situation.”

Kovalchuk injured the shoulder midway through the third period of the Devils’ 2-1 win over Florida at the Rock Saturday night. Kovalchuk attempted to go around Florida defenseman Colby Robak but fell and slammed shoulder-first into the end boards.. The Devils’ 36 points are seventh-most in the Eastern Conference.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/24/rangers-notebook-newbury-called-up-from-whale/

March 21, 2013, Florida Panthers-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

50°

Tue / Mar 26, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 21, 2013

Rangers look listless in 3-1 defeat by lowly Panthers

The Panthers are the worst team in the league, but beat the Rangers at home Thursday. Credit: Getty Images

The Panthers are the worst team in the league, but they beat the Rangers at home Thursday.
Credit: Getty Images

Lacking an identity after 30 games in an 82-game season is cause for concern. Lacking an identity after 30 games in a 48-game season is cause for exhaustive self-introspection.

The Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Panthers on Thursday night at the Garden was endemic of their 2013 campaign.

“We did a lot of good things but it’s getting old,” Henrik Lundqvist said. “[Other] teams, they find ways to win. That’s what we’re lacking.”

The loss, coupled with the Devils’ 4-1 win over the Hurricanes, dropped the Rangers to ninth in the East.
The Rangers have 18 games remaining this season.

There were periodic flashes of the skill and talent that led many to view the team a Stanley Cup contender, but the tenacity that marked the 2010-11 and 2011-12 editions was not readily apparent.

“Confused and lost,” said Brad Richards when asked to describe his feelings following the loss.

To make last night’s loss even more damning, the Rangers were facing the league’s worst team with rookie goaltender Jacob Markstrom making just his 17th career start.

Markstrom’s lone mistake was yielding Marian Gaborik’s ninth goal of the season with 3:48 left in regulation. Gaborik held off two Panthers as he barreled towards Markstrom before flipping a shot over the blocker and into the cage for his first goal since March 7 against the Islanders.

“We had a lot of chances and a lot of shots on net. We just have to put a few more in there. We were the better team but we just didn’t execute,” Gaborik said. “We have to stick with it.

“We talked about having to keep going to the same way and try to put as many shots as we can on him and some screens in front of him to create traffic. We did that but just didn’t execute.”
Coming off consecutive wins over Carolina and New Jersey, in which they routinely generated offensive chances, the Rangers were mostly unable to sustain time in the offensive zone despite outshooting the Panthers, 45-24.

“We’d be concerned if we weren’t getting the chances,” Ryan Callahan said. “We had [45] shots on net. You do that on a nightly basis, you get those chances on a nightly basis, you’re going to get more than one goal easily.”

But only if the Rangers begin to press the issue right from the start of games. The Rangers fell into Florida’s trap. They clogged the neutral zone and the middle of the ice, forcing the Rangers into playing an overly cautious game.

“Just can’t find a way to get that first [goal] early [that] kind of gives us momentum,” Dan Girardi said. “The start, again, kind of hurt us.

“Every other team seems to come out really hard and put us on our heels. We just need to find a way — first shift, second shift — just throw everything we have at them from the first couple shifts and create some momentum that way. [Maybe] we’ll get one right away, get the first goal. Just got to change something, figure something out.”

Brian Campbell’s power-play goal 8:21 into the first period opened the scoring. Scottie Upshaw’s even-strength goal 4:28 into the second period was the game-winner. Tomas Kopecky’s short-handed, empty-net goal with 44 seconds sealed the win.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/21/rangers-look-listless-in-3-1-defeat-by-lowly-panthers/

March 21, 2013, Florida Panthers-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

50°

Tue / Mar 26, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 21, 2013

Rangers Notebook: Kreider back with Blueshirts

Chris Kreider, right, is back after spending time with the Connecticut Whale.
Credit: Getty Images

Chris Kreider is back with the Rangers.

Whether he stays is up to him.

“[The staff in Connecticut] think he’s progressing,” head coach John Tortorella said in his pregame press conference Thursday afternoon. Kreider was called up from AHL Connecticut Wednesday afternoon following an eight-game stretch in which he scored six goals.

He skated on the third line with J.T. Miller and Brian Boyle against the Panthers.

Tortorella has routinely preached patience with Kreider. The coach’s concern is that the winger’s development is not impeded.

“If there’s one thing I gave him when he was up here last was I just needed him to move his legs more to get to pucks. He did that. The next step is sustaining — having the puck and making an offensive play. He won’t have to worry about defense that much if he can use his assets,” Tortorella said. “Bring some pucks to the net, who knows what happens? Use his shot. So I think he progressed in a couple things I asked him to do. The next [step] is sustaining.

“He starts sustaining down there, started creating a little more offense. I’m real anxious to see him play. This is the right type of process he needs to go through. I hope he takes a step in the right direction and keeps on growing.”

Four score

To bolster offensive production on the fourth line, the coaching staff put Taylor Pyatt, Jeff Halpern and Darroll Powe together.

“We need more out of it. I think we need more out of Taylor,” Tortorella said. Pyatt has not recorded a point since Feb. 26. He has four goals and six points in 29 games this season.

“I haven’t used him a lot other than a lot of penalty killing,” Tortorella said. “I thought [Pyatt] played really well in the third period [against the Devils] when we’re protecting a lead. I thought that was his best 20 minutes in the last little while.

“We just need some grind out of them, like to see them chip in a goal. Just trying to get us into a more consistent mode as far as offensive zone time.”

Panthers struggling

The 2013 season has not been kind to the Panthers. The reigning Southeast Division champions entered last night’s game with an NHL-worst 8-16-6 record, and were without center Stephen Weiss, right wing Kris Versteeg, left wing Eric Selleck and goaltender Jose Theodore.

Weiss and Versteeg underwent season-ending wrist and knee surgery, respectively, while Selleck was serving a league-mandated one-game suspension for leaving the bench and starting a fight with 3:02 left in the Panthers’ 4-1 win Tuesday night. Theodore suffered a torn groin in Florida’s 3-2 loss to Carolina on March 3, and he is not expected to return until the end of the season.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/21/rangers-notebook-kreider-back-with-blueshirts/

March 25, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Sports XChange

Shootout victory gives Capitals third straight win

By Denis Gorman, The Sports Xchange | The SportsXchange – 11 hours ago

NEW YORK - It wasn't perfection. But Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates and his team will take the two points they left New York City with Sunday night.

Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom each scored in regulation and again in the shootout as the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 3-2 at Madison Square Garden. Washington (14-16-1) earned its third win in a row.

"We leaked a little while at times but then we kind of managed the game throughout and won on the shootout," said Oates.

Arron Asham and Derek Stepan scored for the Rangers. Stepan also scored in the shootout.

Even though New York (15-13-2) has split its past six games, the Rangers moved into eighth place in the Eastern Conference with the point they gained Sunday. The Rangers are one point ahead of ninth-seeded Carolina. New York has 33 points compared to the Hurricanes' 32. The teams will meet twice more -- Apr. 6 and Apr. 25. Both of those games will be at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C.

"I'm not even thinking about playoffs," New York coach John Tortorella said. "I'm thinking about points. We get a point. Would we like to have two? Yes. But we didn't get it."

Both teams experienced momentum surges in the first period, as all of the regulation scoring was done in the first 20 minutes. Backstrom opened the scoring 7:54 into the first period with his fifth of the season. Ovechkin increased the lead to 2-0 less than two minutes later.

"Obviously, a great start to the game," Oates said.

However, New York fought back on the strength of goals off the sticks of Asham (at 14:12) and Stepan (at 18:03). Stepan's goal, his ninth, came on a 5-on-3 power play.

"It was very important to us [to score]," Asham said. "It seemed to get the bench going and started to get the team rolling. They took a couple penalties on us, and our power play got us back into it. It's just too bad we couldn't finish it off."

Tortorella pointed at the work performed by the Rangers' fourth line as key to the comeback. Asham's goal cut the deficit in half, and Darroll Powe drew an interference penalty on Jason Chimera that led to Stepan's tying goal.

"They changed the complexion when we were down and scored a goal," Tortorella said. "Change momentum plus score a goal, drew a penalty. That was good stuff for us. It gets us a point."

The game remained tied until the shootout due to the efforts of the goaltenders, Washington's Braden Holtby and New York's Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist finished with 22 saves, while Holtby stopped 30 of 32 shots.

Both goaltenders made highlight-reel saves in the second period.

Holtby forced Marian Gaborik to shoot high and wide with 8:19 left in the second. Gaborik bore down on Holtby, sprung by a Michael Del Zotto home run pass, but instead of shooting, the New York winger attempted to deke Holtby to the ice and beat him with a backhander high to the glove side. Instead, the shot found the protective netting behind the glass.

Lundqvist matched Holtby by turning away Washington center Mike Ribeiro with a minute remaining in the second period. Riberio's shot hit Lundqvist in the mask, and Karl Alzner's shot on the rebound hit the goalpost.

"It was a hard shot and I kind of [lost] balance and ended up on my side," Lundqvist said. "I'm fine.

Lundqvist was troubled by the fact he allowed Ovechkin and Backstrom to score in the one-on-one.

"I only stopped two of four in the shootout. I have to be better," Lundqvist said. "You face really good players. I think the last one was a really good shot but Ovechkin, [I] felt like I had him but I didn't get the stick down."

New York was 1-for-2 on the power play while the Capitals went 1-for-3. Washington had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:42 early in the second period but only generated one shot.

"It's frustrating because it's a long one and we really didn't get enough good looks, quite honestly. The crowd was crazy and they killed the penalty," Oates said. "We didn't let it break us down."

NOTES: Sunday's game was the third and final regular-season meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals. The Rangers won the first two games. ...Stu Bickel reported to the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale, after clearing waivers. ... New York scratched defenseman Matt Gilroy and forward J.T. Miller. ... Defenseman Jeff Schultz and left wings Wojtek Wolski and Aaron Volpatti were scratched by Washington. ... Asham played in his first game since Feb. 19. Asham had missed 15 games with back spasms. ... AHL call-up Kris Newbury skated on New York's fourth line with Asham and Darroll Powe. Newbury had an assist and three hits in 8:55 of ice time. ... The game also marked the end of Washington's longest road trip of the season. The Capitals will host the New York Islanders on Tuesday before ending the month with consecutive games in Buffalo (on Saturday) and Philadelphia (on Sunday). ... The match also spelled the end of New York's four-game homestand. The Rangers will finish March with road games in Philadelphia (on Tuesday), Ottawa (Thursday) and Montreal (Saturday). ...New York has a practice scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Monday at their Training Facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. ...Rangers captain Ryan Callahan had a season high in shots with nine. ...Tenth-seeded Washington is two points behind New York for the eighth seed in the East.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/shootout-victory-gives-capitals-third-031033822--nhl.html

March 20, 2013, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

46°

Wed / Mar 20, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 19, 2013

Rangers defeat Devils to extend streak to two straight

Rick Nash celebrates after netting the game winner.
Credit: Getty Images

The second installment of the Hudson River Rumble was a wild, mean-edged affair befitting two rivals separated by 10 miles and a history of mutual revulsion.

The season series is tied at one game apiece after the Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Devils at the Prudential Center on Tuesday night. The Rangers have won consecutive games and took sole possession of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Last night’s win also snapped a three-game losing streak on the road.

“That’s a big win,” Ryan Callahan said. “[It] means a lot. [We took] the next step [after beating Carolina Monday night]. Big win for us. Big two points for us.”

Against an opponent whose pedigree required everyone to contribute, it was the Rangers’ best players who did the heavy lifting. Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves, J.T. Miller looked to create offense at every opportunity, Michael Del Zotto finished with two points, and the top line of Rick Nash, Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik combined for 14 shot attempts and a goal.

“I thought we stuck with it,” Rangers head coach John Tortorella said. “I’m happy with the team.”

Prior to Monday night’s win over the Hurricanes, Tortorella reformed the top line of Nash, Richards and Gaborik. The trio was creative and generated chances throughout the match against the Southeast Division leaders. They did much the same against the Devils.

“Generated [chances],” Tortorella said of the line. “[They were] getting looks. [They] did some good things.”

Nash’s goal 7:25 into the second period was the game winner. Nash ripped a drive from the right faceoff circle past Hedberg for the go-ahead goal. The goal was Nash’s team-leading 10th of the season, and it broke a 2-2 tie.

“[I] think we caught them in a bad change,” Nash said of the game-winner. “[The defenseman] was cheating [for the pass] so I thought to shoot. Tonight they seemed to be going in.”

The rivals alternated goals in the first period. Del Zotto (11:49) opened the scoring with a shorthanded deflection and Carl Hagelin gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead with his eighth of the season.

Del Zotto’s goal marked only the 11th time in 29 games that the Rangers scored a game-opening goal.

“I’ll take it,” Del Zotto said. The goal, his third of the season, was his first since Jan. 29. “I feel like I had my chances.”

But the leads were short-lived as Travis Zajac potted a power-play goal at 15:15 and Anton Volchenkov added an even strength marker at 17:13.
“We wanted to be aggressive,” Del Zotto said. “We had some chances.”

That was all Lundqvist would allow for the rest of the game.

The reigning Vezina winner was routinely spectacular in the second period as he stopped all 12 Devils shots, including an Ilya Kovalchuk bullet and a Steve Bernier backhander on the same power play which kept the game tied at 2-2.

Nash broke the deadlock exactly 22 seconds after Lundqvist stopped Bernier.

“[He] gives us momentum,” Nash said of Lundqvist. “That’s what he did in that second period.”

“He does a pretty damn good job [of stopping shots],” Tortorella said of Lundqvist. “He’s focused right in his little world.”

The Devils are 0-2-1 in their last three games.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/19/rangers-defeat-devils-to-extend-streak-to-two-straight/

March 20, 2013, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

46°

Wed / Mar 20, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 19, 2013

Rangers Notebook: Kreider will be up to stay next time

Chris Kreider will be up to stay next time he’s promoted from Connecticut.
Credit: Getty Images

It is an inescapable theme: the Rangers need offense.

“It’s no secret we’re [struggling],” Derek Stepan said Tuesday afternoon before the Rangers-Devils game at the Prudential Center. Despite their 2-1 shootout win over the Hurricanes Monday night, the Rangers have only scored 64 goals in 28 games.

The Rangers do not have a player in double-figure goal scoring. Rick Nash and Ryan Callahan are tied for the team lead with nine goals apiece.

So what has to change?

“Try to get yourself in a dirty area,” Stepan said. Stepan scored the Rangers’ lone non-shootout goal Monday night on a play in which he drilled a bullet past Dan Ellis, who was screened by Callahan. “Pretty simple.”

While the Rangers could use Chris Kreider, they will not “keep knee-jerking” him from AHL Connecticut and ruin his development.

Kreider has 11 goals and 19 points with the Whale this season. He has scored six goals in eight games with the Whale since being sent down on Feb. 16.

But despite what Rangers head coach John Tortorella termed “good reports” on Kreider from the coaching staff at the Whale, the wing will not be a short-term fix.

“[The organization does not] want to keep knee-jerking him,” Tortorella said. “We’re dying to get a guy — 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3 and can skate like hell — but [we’re not going to do it] at the expense of him and the expense of [his] development.”

Points over rivalry

The Hudson River Rivalry is a given, but for the Devils, a possible two points is more important than reviving hostilities with the Rangers.

The Devils entered last night’s game in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the No. 9 seed Rangers. The salary cap-created parity has 13 of the 15 Eastern Conference teams and 14 of the 15 Western Conference teams still alive in the playoff race.

“Obviously the rivalry is always there but I think where we are in the standings, there’s probably a mixture of eight or nine teams. We’re all battling it out for the last few spots. I think that’s going to be like that for the next month,” Devils head coach Pete DeBoer told reporters after the Devils’ morning skate at the Prudential Center.

“For us we have to find a way to pick up points every night,” DeBoer said. “Even on the nights we don’t win, we have to find a way to get games to overtime, to win your shootout opportunities when you get them. Those are all opportunities to pick up points instead of leaving them on the table.”

Brodeur activated

The Devils announced early Tuesday afternoon goaltender Martin Brodeur had been activated from the injured reserve. Goaltender Jeff Frazee was reassigned to AHL Albany in the corresponding roster move.

The Devils also called up Tim Sestito from AHL Albany.

Brodeur told reporters after practice Monday he had been bothered by a pinched nerve. He backed up Johan Hedberg last night and it is thought he will start tomorrow night in Carolina.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/19/rangers-notebook-kreider-will-be-up-to-stay-next-time/

March 19, 2013, Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

46°

Wed / Mar 20, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 18, 2013

Rangers best Hurricanes, 2-1, in shootout

Rick Nash, above, and J.T. Miller scored in the shootout to give the Rangers an important win.
Credit: Getty Images

Neither the mathematics nor the calendar lie.

But should the Rangers qualify for the playoffs, they could look at what transpired at the Garden on Monday night as a jumping off point.

The Rangers wake up Tuesday morning in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 20 games remaining in the truncated season after Monday night’s 2-1 shootout win over the Hurricanes at the Garden. The win ended a three-game losing streak.

“We just want two points,” Brian Boyle said. “It’s a grind right now. Hopefully we can build off it. [It was a] pretty complete effort, top-to-bottom.”

Rick Nash and J.T. Miller scored in the skills competition while Henrik Lundqvist turned away Jiri Tlusty and Alex Semin hit the crossbar.

The Rangers spoke of desperation and unity before the game, but it was the Hurricanes who started the game strong. Carolina went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead on Eric Staal’s 14th goal of the season. Staal’s goal, a laser from the right faceoff circle, underscored a period in which the Hurricanes generated 24 shots to the Rangers’ 12.

“I think that first period, when you come off a trip, you hope the skate in the morning gets that out of them but it just didn’t seem to,” head coach John Tortorella said. “We weren’t happy with the way we played in the first.”

It was as flat a start as could be.

But for as lethargic as they were in the opening 20 minutes, the Rangers were that energized in the second period, attempting 33 shots to Carolina’s 19. The offensive pressure paid off when Derek Stepan’s eighth goal of the year tied the game at 1-1 11:06 into the period. The goal also ended a team drought of 129:55 between goals. The last goal the Rangers scored prior to Stepan’s marker came off the stick of Ryan Callahan 1:11 into the second period of last Thursday’s loss to the Jets at the MTS Centre.

“This happens to pretty much [every team],” Boyle said of the drought. “The onus is on everybody. That’s what you [want] to do.”

After Stepan’s goal, the Rangers began to have the better of play in part due to their forecheck. Even though the teams traded chances for the remainder of the game until the shootout, the Rangers were able to consistently generate time and offensive opportunities in the Carolina zone by holding onto the puck. The Rangers finished with a 75-65 advantage in total shots and had six more shots on goal (36-30) than the potent Hurricanes.

“Forechecking was good,” Boyle said. “It was better. We were in their end more.”

While one game is not a panacea, it is not too early to look at the playoffs. It appears teams will need a minimum of 55 points to reach the playoffs this season. The Rangers will need 27 or 25 points in the remaining 20 games to clinch the franchise’s seventh playoff appearance in eight years following the 2004-05 lockout.

Using history as a barometer, the 47 points the Rangers earned in 1995, the last time the NHL had an abbreviated season, was enough to qualify for the playoffs as an eighth seed. The Rangers beat the No. 1 seed Nordiques in six games in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals before being swept by the No. 2 seed Flyers in the second round.

“Two points is all that matters,” said Michael Del Zotto.

“This is a very important win for us,” Marian Gaborik said.

Lundqvist stopped 29-of-30 shots. Dan Ellis made 35 saves for Carolina. Both teams went 0-for-3 on the power play.

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/18/rangers-best-hurricanes-2-1-in-shootout/

March 19, 2013, Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in New York City

46°

Wed / Mar 20, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 18, 2013

Rangers Notebook: Struggling to score, but adding Asham

The return of Aaron Asham should help the Rangers out. Credit: Getty Images

The upcoming return of Arron Asham should help the Rangers out.
Credit: Getty Images

The addition of Rick Nash to a team that finished the 2011-12 regular season with the most points in the Eastern Conference was supposed to bolster an offensive attack and help the Rangers reach their first Stanley Cup final since June 1994.

Instead, a season-long inability to score goals had the Rangers in 10th place in the conference entering last night’s home game against the Hurricanes and suffering from a crisis of confidence.

“Our team saw every good offensive play they could see today,” head coach John Tortorella told reporters in his pregame press conference. The 63 goals the Rangers have scored this season are second fewest in the NHL, ahead of only Columbus and San Jose (both of whom have scored 60 goals this season).

“It’s trying to get some sort of confidence in themselves.”

Equally concerning is that there is not much time to salvage the season. They trail the No. 8 seed Hurricanes by three points and are a point behind the No. 9 seed Islanders, and have just 21 games left.

“We are what we are right now,” Brian Boyle told reporters following the morning skate at the team training facility in Greenburgh, N.Y. “We expect more of ourselves. [I] still think we should be confident in ourselves.”

Adding Asham

The Rangers’ two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back season has led to speculation that the organization may look to make personnel changes, most notably the persistent rumors that right wing Marian Gaborik is on the trade block.

However the team is soon to receive an addition, and it will not cost them a player off the roster.

Arron Asham skated Monday morning and told reporters afterward he felt “pretty good.”

“It felt better today than it did [last week] in Winnipeg when I skated. If everything goes [well] it’s just a matter of getting into game shape. Once I’m ready for that, I’ll be ready to come back.”

Brought in to replace Brandon Prust, Asham has only played in 12 games this season. He has one goal and 17 penalty minutes due to lingering back spasms. Asham said this is the first time in his 14-year NHL career he has had a back injury.

The Rangers are 4-7-1 without Asham.

“Just making strides to get better and better, and get back. I can still feel it [but it’s] nothing that I can’t play through,” Asham said. “It hasn’t been fun sitting in the stands watching the team go through up and downs. I want to be in there and do my part. [I’ve] just got to concentrate on my game and be a good cheerleader in the stands and hopefully work my way back into the lineup soon.

“Right now I feel the back could hold up during a game. It’s just a matter of getting into game shape.”

Follow Rangers beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/18/rangers-notebook-struggling-to-score-but-adding-asham/

March 14, 2013, NHL realignment plan news story for Metro Newspaper in New York City

45°

Thu / Mar 14, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 14, 2013

NHL announces realignment for next season

Gary Bettman and the NHL announced realignment Thursday.
Credit: Getty Images

Change is coming to the NHL.

The NHL announced Thursday that the Board of Governors approved a realignment and divisional playoff format plan which will be implemented beginning next season. The plan calls for two seven-team Western Conference divisions and two eight-team Eastern Conference divisions. It also calls for all 30 teams to play in every market at least once a year.

The voting was done by email.

“We know this realignment was extraordinarily important to some of our clubs,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a mid-afternoon conference call.

The franchise realignment has created four divisions:

Eastern Conference

Division One: Carolina, Columbus, Devils, Islanders, Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.

Division Two: Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto.

Western Conference

Division Three: Chicago, Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, St. Louis and Winnipeg.

Division Four: Anaheim, Calgary, Edmonton, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Jose and Vancouver.

During his introductory statement, Bettman said the plan was passed by a “majority” of votes. When pressed, Bettman said there were “more than enough to pass it. It wasn’t unanimous. [It] was well in excess than the three-quarters [required].”

Bettman was joined on the call by Winnipeg chairman and governor Mark Chipman, Dallas president, CEO and alternate governor Jim Lites, Columbus president of hockey operations and alternate governor John Davidson and Detroit executive vice president and general manager Ken Holland.

“This seems to make a lot of common sense,” Davidson said. “This is all positive.”

“It’s an exciting time for the National Hockey League,” Holland said.

Most likely the selection of team executives on the call was not coincidental. Columbus and Detroit have long wanted to move to the Eastern Conference, while Dallas and Winnipeg will join Colorado and Minnesota in the same division. The Jets have been in the Southeast Division the last two seasons despite relocating to Winnipeg prior to 2011-12.

“On balance if you look at the rivalries and geographic groupings, this appeared to make the most sense,” Bettman said. “Winnipeg needed to come out of the Southeast Division.”

Added Chipman: “We’re very relieved. [The] travel burden ought not to be so onerous.”

The top three teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs and there will be two wild-card spots for the final two slots in each conference. The top four seeds in each division will meet in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Two teams from each conference will meet in the conference final and the advancing team will meet in the Stanley Cup final.

The main criticism of the plan is the unbalanced conferences. There are 16 teams in the East and just 14 in the West.

“Seventh or eighth team[s in the playoffs] doesn’t make a whole lot of difference. [We] introduced [the] wild card to balance that off a little bit better [and it] begins to address what might be a concern,” Bettman said. “[It] won’t be borne out to be a concern.”

Names for the new divisions have not been decided upon but according to Bettman it will be announced in the “next few weeks” and will be “most sensible geographic, fan-friendly.”

According to the league’s statement, the National Hockey League Players’ Association gave its consent to the plan for three years. However when the NHLPA announced its consent to the realignment plan last week the statement noted it will be “re-evaluated following the 2014-15 season.”

Bettman professed no concern about a misunderstanding with the NHLPA.

“Subtlety of language,” Bettman said. “Just phrased a little differently.”

What was made clear was that the league does not have expansion or franchise relocations plans despite long-term rumors that the NHL is looking to expand to Markham, Ontario and Quebec City, and the uncertainty surrounding the Coyotes and Glendale, Ariz.

Holland dismissed any trepidation that potential expansion and franchise relocation would force the league to redesign the realignment plan while Bettman reported the league is in talks with potential ownership groups to take control of the Coyotes. The NHL has operated the Coyotes since 2009.

“They don’t foresee relocation,” Holland said. “[The league] doesn’t foresee expansion. Don’t foresee change.”

“There are a number of groups in process with us,” Bettman said of the state of the Coyotes’ sale. “Other people have indicated their interest.”

Follow NHL beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/14/nhl-announces-realignment-for-next-season/

March 14, 2013, Philadelphia Flyers-New Jersey Devils NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

45°

Thu / Mar 14, 2013

Metro.us▶ Sports▶ NHL

By Denis Gorman

Published: March 13, 2013

Devils pounce on Flyers early, win easy

Andrei Loktionov celebrates his fourth goal of the season.
Credit: Getty Images

The devastation the Devils wrought on the Flyers was as quick as it was thorough.

The Devils scored three goals in the first period and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Flyers Wednesday night at the Prudential Center.

Patrik Elias, Adam Henrique and Ilya Kovalchuk scored in the opening 20 minutes for the Devils, who have won three of their last four games.

“We haven’t had many games like that in the last two months,” Devils head coach Pete DeBoer said. “Nice change.”

Andrei Loktionov (6:31 of the second period) and Henrique (1:16 of the third period) added markers in the final 40 minutes. Nine Devils finished with at least one point and 13 Devils were plus-1 or better. Johan Hedberg stopped 23-of-25 shots.

Elias began the rout just 2:02 into the match with his ninth goal. Stationed behind the net, Flyers defenseman Andrej Meszaros’s clearing pass was intercepted by Steve Bernier. Bernier fired a shot on goal that Ilya Bryzgalov (27 saves) stopped, but he could not control the rebound and Henrique set up Elias for the goalmouth backhander with a gorgeous, no-look between-the-legs pass.

“[I] just tried to get it back to the net and Patty [made a good play],” Henrique said.

Added Elias: “[I] just popped out to the [slot and the puck] came to me there.”

The Flyers have lost four of their last five games. Jacob Voracek’s power play goal 9:45 into the first evened the match between the Atlantic Division rivals at 1-1. Voracek later assisted on Scott Hartnell’s goal at 16:08 into the third.

It took Henrique just 39 seconds to break the deadlock. The second-year center drove to the net and Elias’s point shot ricocheted off him and Matt Read past Bryzgalov to give the Devils a 2-1 lead.

“It nice,” Henrique said of the early outburst. “I thought the entire team played well tonight. [It’s a] huge win for us.”

Kovalchuk’s NHL-leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season increased the lead to 3-1. Stephen Gionta forced a turnover in the defensive zone and banked the puck off the boards to spring Kovalchuk. The left wing raced up the boards and ripped a drive that beat Bryzgalov high to the glove side.

“Lucky bounce for us,” Kovalchuk said. “Decided to shoot short side.”

Loktionov pushed the advantage to 4-1 at 6:31 into the second period. Loktionov broke in on a two-on-one with Alexei Ponikarovsky and toe-dragged Braydon Coburn out of the play before beating Bryzgalov high for his fourth goal as a Devil.

“[I] tried to pull it back and then I shot it,” Loktionov said.

Henrique’s potted his second goal of the game 1:16 into the third with a power play backhander. The Devils were 1-for-6 on the man advantage and killed three of the Flyers’ four power plays.

The Devils lost Elias and Krystofer Barch on the same play early in the third period. Elias was hooked and went feet first into the end boards while Danny Briere slammed Barch into the corner boards. Both went to the locker room, but said they were fine.

“I’ve been hit harder with a fist,” Barch said. “He apologized.”

Even with the win, the Devils are seventh in the East despite having the same number of points (31) as the Maple Leafs. Toronto (15-11-1) has won two more games than the Devils (13-9-5).

But the Devils believe the way they are playing puts them in position to solidify a playoff spot.

“We’re a confident group,” Henrique said. “[It’s] nice anytime you can get a streak going.”

The teams will conclude the home-and-home Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center.

Follow NHL beat writer Denis Gorman on Twitter @DenisGorman.

http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/nhl/2013/03/13/devils-pounce-on-flyers-early-win-easy/

Denis Gorman's freelance writing portfolio

Sunday, March 31, 2013

April 1, 2013, Mets not buying into doom-and-gloom prophecy news story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Mets players not buying into doom and gloom

March 27, 2013, New York Mets season preview for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Mets season preview: Team counting on young pitching staff

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

March 24, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers rally, but lose to Capitals in shootout

March 24, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers Notebook: Newbury called up from Whale

March 21, 2013, Florida Panthers-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers look listless in 3-1 defeat by lowly Panthers

March 21, 2013, Florida Panthers-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers Notebook: Kreider back with Blueshirts

Monday, March 25, 2013

March 25, 2013, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Sports XChange

Shootout victory gives Capitals third straight win

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

March 20, 2013, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers defeat Devils to extend streak to two straight

March 20, 2013, New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils notebook for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers Notebook: Kreider will be up to stay next time

March 19, 2013, Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Rangers best Hurricanes, 2-1, in shootout

March 19, 2013, Carolina Hurricanes-New York Rangers notebook for Metro Newspaper in New York City

Rangers Notebook: Struggling to score, but adding Asham

Thursday, March 14, 2013

March 14, 2013, NHL realignment plan news story for Metro Newspaper in New York City

NHL announces realignment for next season

March 14, 2013, Philadelphia Flyers-New Jersey Devils NHL regular season game story for Metro Newspaper in NYC

Devils pounce on Flyers early, win easy

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