RANGERS VS PREDATORS POST GAME WRAP UP 10/4:

Late Third Period "Rookie" Mistake Ends Rangers Comeback Bid

With less than a minute and a half remaining, a delayed penalty to Nashville's  P.K. Subban the Rangers would have been up for a 6 on 4 power play with Henrik Lundqvist pulled for the extra skater. Instead, the Rangers would only be able to come up with a 5 on 4 withe their net empty. During the delayed penalty bid the Rangers would commit what just ends up to be a "rookie" mistake, a bench minor for too many men on the ice with 7 skaters out. With Subban in the box for interference, Vlad Namestnikov serving the bench minor, Lundqvist on the bench Nashville's Colton Sissons would put the Predators third goal of the game into the empty net. Just seconds later Pavel Buchnevich put in what would have been the tying goal for the Rangers if not for Sissons' tally.

Nashville opened the scoring in the second period when Filip Forsberg put one past Lundqvist. Jesper Fast would tie the game for New York for the game's second goal and the last of the period to send it to the third tied 1-1.

P.K. Subban gave Nashville the2-1  lead in the third with a blast past Lundqvist on a screen. The Rangers who had been playing a fast paced game would get turned back by the Predators' Pekka Rinne on every opprotunity. On many chances during the game, both Jimmy Vesey and Mats Zuccarello came close on chances only to have Rinne turn them away.

Both Lundqvist and Rinne played spectacular games, each stooping 31 shots and allowing 2 goals a piece.

Overall the "rookie" Rangers under "rookie" coach David Quinn played a solid game with very little mistakes and much hope for the coming season as they looked fast and physical at times.

FINAL GAME STATS

New York Rangers 2 Nashville Predators 3

SOG: NYR 33 NSH 33
PIM: NYR 4 NSH 4
PPO: NYR 0/1 NSH 0/1
FO%: NYR 48 % NSH 52 %
TKA: NYR 10 NSH 16
GVA: NYR 10 NSH 9
HITS: MYR 23 NSH 21
BLK: NYR20  NSH 11

GOALTENDERS: NYR H. Lundqvist 31 SV, 2 GA
                                     NSH P. Rinne 31 SV, 2 GA

SCORING SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
No Scoring

2nd PERIOD
3:54 NSH Filip Forsberg (1) ASST: Kyle Turris (1), Craig Smith (1) 1-0
7:37 NYR Jesper Fast (1) ASST: Filip Chytil (1) 1-1

3rd PERIOD
3:28 NSH P.K. Subban (1) ASST: Mattias Ekholm (1), Colton Sissons (1) 2-1
18:36 NSH EN - Colton Sissons (1)
19:25 NYR Pavel Buchnevich (1) ASST: Mika Zibanejad (1), Mats Zuccarello (1)

PENALTY SUMMARY
1st PERIOD
15:54 NYR Chris Kreider: 2:00 Cross-checking

2nd PERIOD
8:13 NSH Zac Rinaldo: 2:00 Holding
8:13 NYR Vinni Lettieri: 2:00 Embellishment

3rd PERIOD
14:00 NSH Kyle Turris: 2:00 Slashing
18:30 NSH P.K. Subban: 2:00 Interference
18:30 NYR Bench Penalty: 2:00 too many men on the ice Served by Vlad Namestnikov

RANGERS VS PREDATORS GAME DAY PREVIEW 10/4

QUINN ERA BEGINS AS RANGERS "REBUILD" GETS UNDERWAY

New York Rangers (0-0-0) vs Nashville Predators (0-0-0)

Madison Square Garden, NYC

TV: NBS Sports, MSG Network RADIO: ESPN-NY 98.7 FM

Tonight the Rangers will hit the ice under a new coach for the first time since the 2013-2014 season, then under Alain Vigneault. Instead they will take the ice against the Nashville Predators under the tutelage of rookie head coach David Quinn. It will be the first time the Rangers have started the season under a new head coach with no NHL experience since Herb Brooks in 1981,

With a mixture of veteran's such as Kevin Shattenkirk, Ryan Spooner and Mark Staal, younger vets, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes, rookies the likes of Filip Chytil, Brett Howden and Vinni Lettieri will get their chance to "Shine on Broadway".

With the announcement yesterday that Staal will wear the full time "A" while Zibanejad and Zuccarello will wear the "A" on Home ice and Kreider and Jesper Fast get the Honors on the road it's evident that the Rangers will start the season without a full time Captain until Quinn feels that someone has stepped up and earned the honor.

The Rangers though will be once again led onto the ice by veteran number one goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, a spot he has held with the Rangers since the start of the 2005-2006 season.

Facing a Nashville Predators team that is hailed as having "one of the deepest teams in the league" will be a good test for the young Rangers first game.

As the season starts questions still surround the Rangers as they have not been shy about the fact that they are rebuilding and that will continue through this season. It is thought that it would not be surprising to see the team shed more players for picks and prospects.

The Predators' top line Kyle Turris seems to get better each season, Victor Arvidsson has stepped up to be a pure goal scorer and Calle Jarnkrok adds a smart two way player. Eeli Tolvanen is one exciting prospect, Nick Bonino has experience and Craig Smith can get hot at any given time and a fourth line of Colton Sissons, Frederick Gaudreau and Ryan Hartman is among one of the best in the league.

Defensively, Roman Jose and Ryan Ellis are easily a top 5 pairing, Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban are a great pairing in terms of positioning and scoring. Matt Irwin and Yannick Weber might just be the only serious weakness on this team. In net the tandem of Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros both posted sub 2.5 GAA’s and Sv% .925 and up.

Rangers Projected Opening Lineup:
Forwards:
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey-Kevin Hayes-Mats Zuccarello
Ryan Spooner-Filip Chytil-Jesper Fast
Vlad Namestnikov-Brett Howden-Vinni Lettieri

Defense:
Brady Skjei-Adam McQuaid
Marc Staal-Neal Pionk
Brendan Smith-Kevin Shattenkirk

Starter:
Henrik Lundqvist

Backup:
Alexandar Georgiev

Scratches:
Fredrick Claesso, Tony DeAngelo, Cody McLeod

Injuries:
Matt Beleskey (Shoulder), Boo Nieves (Concussion Protocol)

NYR TODAY THURSDAY 10/4: Today in Rangers History

Today in NYR History 10/4:

1991: The Rangers acquire Mark Messier from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Bernie Nicholls, Louie DeBrusk, Steven Rice, and future considerations (Jeff Beukeboom).

"I don't think this franchise has ever had a player like him," Neil Smith, general manager of the Rangers, said of Messier.

"To trade for a Mark Messier seemed like a fantasy when we first started talking in July. It took us a lot of slaps in the face for us to realize this could be true."

After playing on all five of the Oilers' Stanley Cup-winning teams from 1984-90 (one more than the Rangers' total since entering the NHL in 1926), Messier holds out and is traded to New York for forwards Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice and Louie DeBrusk.

Messier's effect on the Rangers is immediate: They win the Presidents' Trophy as the League's best regular-season team in 1991-92 and again in 1993-94, then end a 54-year championship drought by winning the Stanley Cup in 1994, with Messier scoring the Cup-winning goal in Game 7 of the Final.

2008: The Rangers play their first regular season game outside of North America, and defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning, 2-1, in Prague, Czech Republic.

NYR TODAY WEDNESDAY 10/3: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

Alumni Birthdays 10/3:

Patrick Flatley RW (1996-1997) Andy Hebenton RW (1955-1963) Michael Nylander C (2005-2007) Jean Ratelle C (1960-1975) Ronnie Sundin D (1997-1998)

Today in NYR History 10/3:

1959: The Rangers acquire Noel Price from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Bill Kennedy & Future Considerations.

1991: Adam Graves makes his Rangers debut against the Boston Bruins, wearing  No. 11.
One of the most popular figures to ever wear the New York Rangers uniform, Adam Graves spent 10 years with the Blueshirts, setting a watermark in professional sports for excellence both on and off the ice.

Drafted by Detroit, Graves won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton before signing with the Rangers in 1991. He had an immediate impact in New York, registering 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points in his first season with the Rangers.

Graves will always be best known for his achievements and contributions to the Rangers magical 1994 Stanley Cup team, helping break a 54-year old championship drought. "Gravy" set the Rangers` single season record for most goals in the 1993-94 season, tallying 52 goals to break Vic Hadfield’s 22-year old mark of 50. His record stood for 12 years before Jaromir Jagr notched 54 in the 2005-06 campaign.

Graves also recorded 27 assists for 79 points, appeared NHL All-Star Game, and was named as an NHL Second Team All-Star in 1993-94.

Although it would have been hard for any player to author an encore to his 1993-94 season, Graves appeared in seven more solid seasons in New York, recording at least 20 goals in five of those years.

From 1991-2001, the Rangers` No. 9 won numerous league and team honors. He was recognized by the NHL with its King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1994, presented annually to the NHL player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community".

In 2000, Graves was honored with the NHL Player Foundation award, "recognizing the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey - -commitment, perseverance and teamwork — to enrich the lives of people in his community.”

The Professional Hockey Writer`s Association awarded Graves the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2001 as the "NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."

In addition, Graves has received numerous Rangers` team awards, including the Most Valuable Player honor in 1992-93 and 1993-94.

Outside his numerous league and team awards, Graves has been recognized with honors from countless organizations and publications for his achievements in the community, including USA Weekend`s "Most Caring Athlete" Award, Sports Illustrated for Kids` "Good Sport" Award and The Sporting News` "Good Guy" Award.

Traded to San Jose at the 2001 NHL Draft, Graves played two seasons for the Sharks before retiring in 2003 from a shoulder injury. He returned to the Rangers organization in the summer of 2005 as Special Assistant, Prospect Development and Community Relations. In this role, he assists in the Blueshirts` many community outreach and fan development programs and also works with the team's young prospects as they prepare for a life in pro hockey.

1997: Brian Leetch is named the 23rd captain in Rangers history.
Born in Texas but raised in Cheshire, Conn., defenseman Brian Leetch spent 17 remarkable seasons with the Blueshirts, setting NHL and Ranger records throughout his historical career.

After playing a single season at Boston College and then joining Team USA for the 1988 Olympics, Leetch signed his first NHL contract with the Rangers in late February 1988 and made his debut on Feb. 29, 1988, at The Garden against St. Louis. He went on to skate in 17 games for the Blueshirts in 1987-88, tallying two goals and 12 assists for 14 points.

Leetch`s first full season was the 1987-88 campaign, and he tallied 71 points, including 23 goals, a record for rookie defenseman. That season, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-Rookie Team.

In 1991-92, Leetch enjoyed his highest-scoring season — notching 22 goals and 80 assists for 102 points in 80 games. He became only the fifth defenseman in history to top the century mark in points, and was awarded the Norris Trophy for the first time.

In 1993-94, Leetch matched his career-best 23 goals and finished with 56 assists for 79 points. He then turned in a brilliant postseason performance to lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. In 23 games, he tallied 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points to become the first non-Canadian born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP. Leetch remains the only American to win that award.

The 11-time All-Star, who missed two All-Star Games due to injury, won his second and final Norris Trophy following the 1996-97 season. In 82 games, he netted 20 goals and 58 assists for 78 points. Following the departure of Mark Messier after that year’s surprising playoff run to the Conference Finals, Leetch was named the 23rd captain in Rangers history. He held the honor from the 1997-98 season until Messier’s return to the Blueshirts prior to the 2000-01 campaign.

Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 3, 2004, but had one last chance to come back The Garden as a member of the Bruins two years later. As he stood on the blueline prior to the game, Leetch received a standing ovation from fans, and the team honored him with a donation to the Ronald McDonald House, a charity he had worked tirelessly for during his years in New York.

"It was great. I don’t think that during the season you can really do too much," Leetch said of the pregame tribute. "Both teams have too much at stake to really focus on someone during the game. I didn't even hear what was going on. The Ronald McDonald House was a big part of my life out here."

"It was a strange feeling sitting on that blue line," Leetch said that day. "All I can say is thank you."

1999: The Rangers acquire Alexandre Daigle from The Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for future considerations.

2008: Chris Drury is named the 25th captain in Rangers history.
Currently the New York Rangers Assistant General Manager, Drury on July 1, 2007 signed a five-year, $35.25 million contract with the New York Rangers. He made his Rangers debut against the Florida Panthers, scoring a goal in a 5–2 win. On February 1, 2008, in a game against the New Jersey Devils, Drury scored an empty net goal on the power play for his 500th career point. He finished his first season with the Rangers with 58 points – third in team scoring. Matched up against the New Jersey Devils in the first round, Drury scored the game-winning and series-clinching goal to eliminate the Devils in five games.[19] On October 1, 2008, Drury and the Rangers won the Victoria Cup, defeating Metallurg Magnitogorsk by a score of 4–3.

After the departure of Jaromir Jagr from the Rangers to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Drury was named the 25th captain in Rangers history on October 3, 2008. Drury was only the second American-born captain in team history (The first was Brian Leetch from 1997 to 2000). This made Drury one of four active NHL players at the time to have captained two different NHL teams (the others were Chris Pronger, Joe Thornton and former teammate Adam Foote).

Drury was named to the United States roster for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Drury, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski were the only members of the 2010 team who have previous Olympic experience. Because of his disappointing play for the Rangers in 2010 (he had spent much of the season on the fourth line, with a pre-Olympics scoring total of 8G-11A-19P and a –14 plus-minus rating), Drury's inclusion on the team was questioned by former Olympian Jeremy Roenick, who said the team might be better served by adding either former Rangers teammate Scott Gomez or T. J. Oshie. On February 21, 2010, Drury scored the go-ahead goal to break a 2–2 tie in a critical round-robin game against Canada. The American team went on to win 5–3. The Americans lost a rematch to the Canadians in the gold medal game and Drury was awarded an Olympic silver medal for the second time.

In June 2011, rumors began circulating that the Rangers were looking to negotiate a contract buyout with Drury. However, these rumors were silenced after it was announced that Drury may have a degenerative condition in his left knee which would cause him to miss the entire 2011–12 season. On June 29, 2011, Drury accepted a buyout of the final year of his contract, to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2011.

NYR TODAY TUESDAY 10/2: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthday 10/2:

Glenn Anderson RW (1993-1994) Stu Bickel D (2011-2012) Myles Lane D (1928-1929) Don Luce C (1969-1970) Bill Moe D (1944-1949) Ralph Taylor D (1929-1930) Vladmir Korobiev RW (1997-1998)

Today in NYR History 10/2:

1981: The Rangers acquire Mike Rogers and future considerations (1982 10th round pick #193-Simo Saarinen) from the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Chris Kotsopoulos, Doug Sulliman, and Gerry McDonald. 

Before Mike Rogers came to the Rangers in 1981, only two players in the team`s history — Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield — had managed to score 100 points in a season.

So when Rogers, coming off two consecutive 105-point seasons in Hartford, found his way to New York in a four-player trade during the week before the 1981-82 season began, there was a sense that Ratelle and Hadfield might have company in the Rangers` century club.

Rogers did not disappoint, and he had a magical year in racking up 103 points on 38 goals and 65 assists. The highlight of the season was a remarkable 16-game stretch in February and March 1982 in which he scored at least one point in every game. His 16-game streak was a Rangers record that stood for nearly 10 years until broken by Brian Leetch in 1991-92.

By registering 100 points in 1981-82, Rogers became only the third player in NHL history to score 100 points in his first three NHL seasons (joining Wayne Gretzky and Peter Stastny). Only one other player — Mario Lemieux — has managed to do it since. Rogers` 1981-82 performance also enabled the Rangers to join four of the other five Original Six teams in claiming at least one 100-point scorer in their respective histories.

The 100th point came in the 78th game of the season on an unassisted goal at 6:16 of the first period in Chicago. The Rangers went on to win the game 4-1 with Rogers` historic goal standing up as the game-winner.

Rogers remained with the Rangers for three more full seasons and posted totals of 76, 61 and 64 points during that time. Although these numbers were strong, Rogers had raised the bar so high as to make them look like subpar seasons. Nevertheless, over the course of his 316 games with the Rangers, he averaged nearly a point per game, and will be remembered as one of the slickest centers the franchise has ever known.

1986: The Rangers acquire Mike Golden, Don Jackson and Miroslav Horava from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Reijo Ruotsalainen, Ville Kentala, Clark Donatelli, Jim Wiemer and future considerations (Stu Kulak).

Andersson named winner of the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award

Lias Andersson was named the winner of the Lars-Erik Sjoberg award as the top rookie in Rangers training camp as selected by the media.

 Andersson was demoted to Hartford of the AHL on Monday due to a backlog of centers on this year's Rangers Squad.

Of Andersson,  Rangers GM Jeff Gorton said that the Rangers could have found 5-8 minutes a night for Lias Andersson but that they would rather him play 20 minutes a night, in all situations, with Hartford than on the fourth line.

Gorton said that the Rangers are focused on the long-term with Andersson and said "he's pretty close to an NHL player but if we want to maximize where he is going and what he is going to be for us, it's the right decision."

Rangers coach David Quinn said that Andersson had a good camp and could have made the Rangers but, "having him play 20 minutes a night in Hartford is the best for right now is the best thing for him."

NYR TODAY MONDAY 10/1: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 10/1:

Mike Maneluk LW (1998-1999) Igor Ulanov D (2001-2002)

Today in NYR History 10/1:

1927: The Rangers acquire the rights to sign Harry "Yip" Foster from the Toronto St. Patricks in echange for Eric Pettinger.

1934: The Rangers trade the rights to sign of Ossie Asmundson to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for cash considerations.

1960: Rangers forward Andy Hebenton scores the first shorthanded, game-winning goal in the history of the NHL All-Star Game. 
The goal gives the All-Stars a 2-1 victory against the Stanley Cup-champion Montreal Canadiens. It's Hebenton's only All-Star Game appearance.

1971: The Rangers acquire Mike McMahon JR from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Wayne Rivers.

1982: The Rangers acquire Kent-Erik Andersson from the Hartford Whalers in exchange for Ed Hospodar.

1998: The Rangers acquire Mike Knuble from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for the 2000 NHL Entry Draft 3rd round pick (#74-Igor Radulov).

2008: The Rangers defeat Mettalurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL, 4-3, in an exhibition game in Bern, Switzerland to win the Victoria Cup. 
The 2008–09 New York Rangers season was the National Hockey League franchise's 82nd season of play and their 83rd season overall. It saw the Rangers qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Rangers started the season in Europe. First, as part of the inaugural Victoria Cup being held in Switzerland, the Rangers played an exhibition game against SC Bern on September 30, and then the main game against the 2008 European Champions Metallurg Magnitogorsk on October 1 (the first game between a Russian club and an NHL team since 1991). They won both games, and were awarded the first Victoria Cup. The Rangers battled from a 3-0 deficit in the Victoria Cup to win the game by a score of 4–3. Ryan Callahan scored the game-winning goal with 20 seconds left.