NYR POST GAME DAY NEWS, NOTES

What Alain Vigneault said after the Rangers win last night

8:29AM

Alain Vigneault met with the media on MSG following the Rangers OT win over the Ducks (MSG)

• "There is no doubt that our guys looked at this a a real important game for us as far as how we need to play. We played the right way, defended real well. Didn't give Anaheim a lot of looks. For the most part, they area good team and a tight checking team also, so we had to work real hard to get our looks. Unfortunately they tied it up with a couple of minutes left but we find a way to get it done in OT. Brass' line was real big for us, Step's line did a great job against Getzlaf and we found a way to win."
• "There is no doubt that the number of goals we have given up in the last few games, we had a strong focus tonight on playing a better team defense which for the most part we did. When you play good defense the offense will take care of itself and that is sort of what happened."
• "It's important for everybody. Here in the states we say Happy Holidays, most of Canada will say Merry Christmas. For our team, we have been in a real tough stretch as far as number of games and being on the road, coming back from the west, back to the east, back to the west, it's a good break for us. Our guys will enjoy it and our guys will come back focused and ready for a strong second push."
• "I would say both. The body can take a lot and so can the mind, but at some points you are challenged in both areas. We were challenged in both areas and we will come back refreshed and ready to go."
• "No, I thought we were playing the right way. We had some good looks, had just missed a 2 on 1 right before that. Our PP had a couple of looks on it. Those are things that will happen. I think it went off Mac a little bit and deflected in. A little unfortunate but you gotta keep playing, play through, Mac caused the penalty in OT and we were able to get the goal."
• "It's entertaining, I will put it this way. There is a lot more room on the ice for skill players to create some looks and I think that players, coaches and fans are slowly but surely getting used to it."
• "We obviously, Ulfie did a real good job of preparing our team tonight against Anaheim's PP. We were tested in the third, our guys did a good job against some of the more skilled players in the league. It was good after we didn't have a real good night against Washington, it was good to bounce back this way."
• "I would say that five minutes. It's tough for players. As soon as you make a mistake, it's an outnumber situation going back the other way. It can be very taxing on players. I don't mind the 5 on 5 and shootouts, but I think that for the most part it is getting done in the five minutes so hopefully it keeps going that way."
• On the Kesler/Miller fight, "I thought it was good. Two American boys going at it. Loved it."

GEICO SportsNite: Rangers

12:47AM

https://www.sny.tv/rangers/news/geico-sportsnite-rangers/160297768/ 

GEICO SportsNite: Rangers 00:00:33

Head coach Alain Vigneault and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist reflect on the Rangers' 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

Head coach Alain Vigneault and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist reflect on the Rangers' 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

RANGERS POST GAME INTERVIEWS

Raanta: Tough to Lose This Kind of Game

Vigneault: Rangers' Inability to Capitalize Early Was a Factor

Brassard: It Was a Frustrating Game for Rangers

http://www.blueshirtsunited.com/video/yandle-rangers-werent-able-find-bounces-they-needed

McDonagh On 2-1 Loss to Avalanche

NY RANGERS VS CAROLINA HURRICANES POST GAME INTERVIEWS & STATS

Zuccarello is 1st ‪#‎NYR‬ with an 11-game point streak against one opponent since Messier (vs PHI) from 11/2/1991 – 1/9/1993. (@EliasSports).

Alain Vigneault spoke with reporters following the Rangers win over Carolina (MSG & NYR Game Notes):
On tonight's game…"I thought there were some moments tonight where we stepped up our play. We killed a big penalty in the second period. Hayesy (Hayes) comes out of the box and we score our fourth goal. We were down to five defensemen early, so we had to buckle down. It might not have been the best of execution at times, but as far as our focus and mindset, we were in the right place."
On playing the Hurricanes…"They're a good team and they throw a lot of pucks at the net. They don't give up a lot. I thought we forced them into a few mistakes that we were able to capitalize on. We will take the two points and get ready for a big game against our rivals."
On Kevin Klein, "nothing more than JR (Rangers PR) probably told you. Strained a muscle in his abdomen and we will no more tomorrow."
On the play of Dan Boyle…"I thought he was real good, other than that turnover in the second period where he recovered and made a great defensive play. Our power play was good and I thought he made some good plays and some strong plays when he needed to."
On the play of Derick Brassard…"He's got to lead the ship. He's our top centerman right now. There is no doubt that his line, all three of those guys, seemed to be at the top of their game. They were playing against a big, physical centerman and a line that's real strong defensively and I thought they did a real good job of leading the way. Just like Stoll's line on that first shift, got it in deep, set a message to the rest of the group. We will take the win and get back at it tomorrow."

Henrik Lundqvist spoke with reporters on MSG following the Rangers win over Carolina:
On the game, "it's definitely a step in the right direction. Similar game to maybe the Boston game, you battle and they stick around and keep working hard and they are back in it in the end. The big thing here is just finding a way to win the game. Parts were really good and I think they are a pretty good team and they can create chances and keep working hard throughout the game, gotta give them some credit there but we found a way."
On going down to 5 D, "it's mostly more pressure on them obviously, you just want to make sure that you get short shifts so you don't get stuck out there for too long. If you can freeze the puck you do that, especially in the second period when it's tougher change. If they get stuck out there too long it's tough and they need to go back out after 30-40 seconds. I think they did a great job, played a pretty simple game and it's always challenging but they did a great job."
On it not being a perfect win, "it's sports, you feel great and like you are on top of the world and then you lose three games and start wondering about your game and thinking about what you can do better instead of just working on the process of doing what we need to do to win or to have a great period and then take it step by step. That is what you need to do, you need to break it down and believe in what we have here and in our system. A win is always big. Even though it's not perfect it's something that you can build off and feel good about."
On scoring early, "I felt like the finish was more important to the start. If you look at our games lately, that has been where it's decided, the last five, managing the puck and being smart. Same thing tonight, we had a great start, but they came back and it was a good test for us to play out the last five minutes and deal with a little pressure there. It's good stuff."
 "A win is always big. Even though it’s not perfect, it’s always something you can build off of and feel good about.” - ‪#‎NYR‬ @HLundqvist30