Monday, January 4, 2016

News and Notes


The two different parts to Kevin Hayes and whether he should get back in tomorrow
The Rangers held the Pens to just 23 shots in Game 4, and Kevin Hayes' overtime goal sent the Rangers home with a chance to clinch a berth in the next round. (AP)
Alain Vigneault said on Saturday night that he thinks that Kevin Hayes, "the person," is a "great kid" and someone who he really enjoys. (NY Post)

He added that Kevin Hayes the "hockey player" isn't "totally doing it for me" right now. (NY Post)
Vigneault said that hockey player Kevin Hayes has been focusing on his game and trying to improve. He said that he is confident that Hayes will get better, he is a "good player" and someone who the Rangers "need." (NY Post)

Hayes has been scratched the past two games.

For a lot more on Hayes recently, click HERE.

Adam Rotter: You have to think that Hayes is going to draw back in tomorrow against Dallas, especially after Emerson Etem struggled on Saturday. It was the right thing to do to scratch him on Saturday after a win to show that Vigneault will play the guys who help them win games. After a loss, especially one where they were shut out, Hayes should get back and who that is willing to put in the work and be the player the Rangers need him to be.



What Alain Vigneault said about Derek Stepan's game recently
Dec 28, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) skates away from Nashville Predators center Mike Ribeiro (63) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports (Christopher Hanewinckel)
Asked about Derek Stepan's game after the Rangers loss to the Panthers, Alain Vigneault said "he needs to be better." (NYR)

He said that like a lot of the Rangers Stepan's work ethic and preparation is there but "at the end of the day it's about results right now and better execution." (NYR)

Asked to evaluate his own game, Stepan said that "it's getting there" and that he has gotten better with each game. (NYR)

He said that he might need a "goofy one" to open up the flood gates and added "I have been better each game and I think that tonight was my best one. (NYR)

In the six games since Stepan returned, he has 0 goals, 1 assist, 17 shots on goal and an average of 18:25 per game.

He is 49% on faceoff since returning.

Adam Rotter: He does need to be better, but the same can be said of almost every Rangers forward. Stepan has certainly not had the easiest go of it this season, especially with his broken ribs, but his game does look like it's starting to come a bit. He needs to keep going though and get back to being the Rangers top two-way center.



Blueshirts had 40 shots, but didn't make Luongo work
Jan 2, 2016; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo (1) makes a save on a shot by New York Rangers center Derick Brassard (16) in the second period at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports (Robert Mayer)
Saturday night was the second time this season that the Rangers had at least 40 shots on goal in a game.

By period the Rangers had 10 shots in the first and 15 each in the second and third leading them them outshooting the panthers 40 to 20.

Derick Brassard led the Rangers with 6, Derek Stepan had 5, Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash and Keith Yandle all had 4 and Dominic Moore, Viktor Stalberg and Ryan McDonagh each had 3.

Stepan said that offensively the Rangers had chances but Roberto Luongo was able to see everything. He said that the Rangers focus going forward will be about getting to the inside and taking away the goalies eyes. (NYR)

Alain Vigneault said that Luongo had a good night but the Rangers needed to make it harder on him with better screens and more people going to the net. (NYR)

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