The Rangers faced a number of tests this weekend in a pair of tilts against the Blue Jackets and Penguins:
First, they needed to stop the bleeding. They had lost three of four, didn't score a single goal in their lone victory against the Leafs and their only really solid outing was last Saturday's game against the Red Wings.
Secondly, they needed to get production from two of the quietest Rangers this season, Markus Naslund and Chris Drury. To that end they shuffled up the lines a bit during practice during the week, moving Nikolai Zherdev to the wing on a line with the two, aforementioned slackers. [I kid, I kid. Mostly.]
Lastly, the two games were both litmus tests in a sense. The Rangers were beyond abysmal last year against the West, with just a single win in ten games. Prior to the Jackets game, they had already matched that number of wins [Woo!], and showed how well they could hang with the class of the Western Conference last weekend.
Beating Columbus would further prove this team won't roll over and die against Clarence Campbell Conference clubs. [That's alliteration out the wazoo. Ha!]
Beating Columbus would further prove this team won't roll over and die against Clarence Campbell Conference clubs. [That's alliteration out the wazoo. Ha!]
The second game was probably a larger test simply because the Penguins are one of maybe two teams to beat in the East. If you can roll with the guys wearing 87 and 71, you're in good shape.
Well, let's see how all of that went down.
The Rangers passed the first test of the weekend, picking up two points after falling behind early to the Blue Jackets.
The Rangers passed the first test of the weekend, picking up two points after falling behind early to the Blue Jackets.
Drury: 0-1-1 | +2
Naslund: 0-2-2 | +2
Naslund: 0-2-2 | +2
Zherdev: 1-2-3 | +2
DRURY was huge in setting up the Rangers' marker that tied the game at one. He did some diligent work along the wall, the puck found it's way to Zherdev who patiently controlled through the high slot before dishing the puck to the eventual goal-scorer, Dan Girardi. He also drew a penalty, created a fair amount of offense and was generally more apparent than he has been . He seems to be coming out of his early-season fog.
NASLUND was also a good deal better than he has been lately. With his goal against the Stars and the pair of helpers he picked up tonight, it's fair to say that he's starting to put it together as well. His game isn't where it needs to be, but compared to his ghost-like play in the slate of games since Prague, he's made obvious strides.
ZHERDEV was the best of the three--not just for his three points or the fact that he served up a warm little slice of "shut it" to those in the crowd booing him all night:
DRURY was huge in setting up the Rangers' marker that tied the game at one. He did some diligent work along the wall, the puck found it's way to Zherdev who patiently controlled through the high slot before dishing the puck to the eventual goal-scorer, Dan Girardi. He also drew a penalty, created a fair amount of offense and was generally more apparent than he has been . He seems to be coming out of his early-season fog.
NASLUND was also a good deal better than he has been lately. With his goal against the Stars and the pair of helpers he picked up tonight, it's fair to say that he's starting to put it together as well. His game isn't where it needs to be, but compared to his ghost-like play in the slate of games since Prague, he's made obvious strides.
ZHERDEV was the best of the three--not just for his three points or the fact that he served up a warm little slice of "shut it" to those in the crowd booing him all night:
He created offense for both himself and his linemates, threw a few hefty checks that caused Jackets to cough up the puck and showed that in a big game--which I'm sure this was for him--that he can perform.
A similar look at the Rangers-Penguins game to come.
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