Give MZA an A

Okay, we're kidding with that fancy title. In all seriousness, we like Mats Zuccarello Aasen. Not just because the gifted 23 year-old Norwegian who looks strikingly similar to Marty St. Louis notched an overtime winner in a thrilling Ranger 2-1 home win over the Hurricanes. Sure. It was mighty impressive for the diminutive winger to pull off a tough wrap around finding twine from a small angle over Cam Ward, giving the Rangers a huge victory over a team chasing them.

It's just that there's so much to like about MZA, who also set up Matt Gilroy's third midway through the third in a scoreless tie. The kid who surprised many with a breakout '10 Olympics in Vancouver has plenty of tools. Something our No.1 Star Brandon Dubinsky was quick to point out after being involved directly in both goals, including a yeoman effort that created enough havoc for Zuccarello to score his first career NHL goal in style, touching off a St. Louis-esque celebration on the ice.

“He has so much talent. He is going to be really special for us from his talent alone.”

With emotional leader Ryan Callahan out for at least another three weeks, John Tortorella who knows a thing or two about coaching talented undrafted smallish forwards, wants to find out about Zuccarello. Already we've seen the skills he possesses. The 5-7, 174 pound Nord isn't afraid to go into high traffic areas and will battle anyone as evidenced by his staredown with former Swedish Elite League teammate Victor Hedman. There's a reason he was named League MVP last year. These days, MZA seems more willing to do what it takes than ghost Marian Gaborik. Perhaps that's because of where he's come from. It doesn't excuse the Rangers' most talented player for why he remains stuck on 11 goals, unable to finish plays like the pass Artem Anisimov made in the third.

It's way too early to proclaim Zuccarello a Broadway hero. He's only played six games and is 1-2-3 with 13 shots thus far. As he continues to adjust to the best league along with whatever wrinkles Tortorella throws him, the mature Norway talent should be able to handle it. Especially how modest he was after scoring such a big goal.

“I got lucky,” he chimed before noting the obvious about his size:

“I have been like this for 23 years. I have had a long time to practice being small. I have to use being small to my advantage.”

“I don’t think he lacks confidence,” Tortorella assessed. “Creative people need that.”

In any sport, mental toughness is essential for performing at the highest level. It won't get any easier for MZA or his teammates who now must go to Dallas and St. Louis Friday and Saturday before returning for two big games against Montreal sandwiched around the hottest team in the league Vancouver paying a visit to the Big Apple.

“It’s huge. We wanted to come out and play the way we’re capable of,” leading point getter Dubinsky pointed out after snapping a two-game skid. “We found a way.”

Exactly what epitomizes this scrappy bunch who continue to bounce back from tough defeats and overcome adversity. A huge part of that is their goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who matched save for save with Ward in a highly entertaining affair that wasn't lacking quality scoring chances until Gilroy and Eric Staal exchanged goals, forcing extras. Both were outstanding with King Henrik making 31 stops while the former Conn Smythe winner countered with 33, including a highlight reel glove save on Dubinsky that him and Sean Avery looking skyward. In an important game against one of the league's best, Lundqvist was there for his team until their latest hero won it.

“We’re not the most talented group in the world, but the thing that is going to carry us through is to play as a team,” Tortorella remarked after his team improved to 23-15-3 at the halfway point, which is good for the East's seventh seed one behind Atlanta and just four off fourth Philly despite playing two more games. “That’s what has given us our first-half start.”

“We are halfway through now, and you can see the standings,” Lundqvist added. “It’s getting tighter and tighter. Coming off two losses, it was important to come back with a win.”

Exactly what the doctor ordered with an assist from MZA.

Rangers OutBolted in shootout

It took 11 rounds to decide. Unfortunately for the Rangers, they couldn't send the home crowd totally happy for the holidays. Despite a highlight reel game tying goal by impressive rookie Derek Stepan, who somehow managed to tuck a puck past Dan Ellis with little wiggle room, the MSG hosts couldn't get that one big shot or save needed to win the shootout- falling 4-3 to the Bolts.

Their second consecutive loss (0-1-1) against a top eight seed though disappointing, wasn't that bad. Not when you consider that the Blueshirts dictated most of the match with a consistent forecheck, outshooting the Lightning 37-24. Credit Ellis, who outplayed Henrik Lundqvist to the tune of 34 saves and one more stop in the skill competition for giving Tampa Bay their second straight win over Gotham in the season series. Not that it's a rip at our goalie who for the most part, was solid despite just 21 saves, including a few money stops in sudden death on Steven Stamkos, Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. Remarkably, it was Victor Hedman, former Ranger Adam Hall and shootout hero Ryan Malone who solved King Henrik in only his second shootout. The club's third this season. A sharp contrast from recent years where they relied too much on it.

The game also marked the debut of 23 year-old Norwegian Mats Zuccarello-Aasen. John Tortorella didn't shy away from playing MZA, starting him on the top line with Stepan and Brandon Dubinsky, who was instrumental in setting up the big goal that earned our club a point. Dubi played a strong game, around the puck on both sides making solid defensive reads against Bolt duo Stamkos and St. Louis late in regulation. As for Zuccarello who got nearly 18 minutes, he drew high marks from a pleased Tort who had a good chuckle when the gifted Olympian pulled off a triple deke to keep the shootout alive. MZA used his superb skating and skill to generate chances, including a shot from the left circle late which Ellis gloved. Despite his St. Louis-esque frame, the mighty mite didn't back down, even having a classic staredown with Hedman, who looked like a giant next to him. That kinda fight will benefit Zucc, who goes back down to Hartford to play the day after Christmas. It isn't known when he'll return due to the roster which largely depends on Marian Gaborik.

The club which has proven they can win without him played well enough to win. But a couple of mistakes wound up in their net from Stamkos and St. Louis. The Blueshirts fought back, scoring their two goals in 12 seconds off the sticks of Ruslan Fedotenko and resurgent Alex Frolov who finally seems to be getting it. With the game still tied late in the second, Lecavalier steered Tampa in front when he escaped a check to put home Pavel Kubina's feed. With Ellis standing tall, it looked like the Lightning would hold on. But Dubinsky and Stepan had other ideas, combining on the tying goal. A Matt Gilroy dump was turned over by a Bolt, allowing Dubi to free the puck and pass across to an open Stepan, who managed to tuck it in using the net and sliding it across the right post just passed the red line. A very poised play by the emerging Calder candidate. Our team doesn't score many great goals but that one should make NHL Network's Plays Of The Week just for the dynamic skill alone. Plus it came at a crucial moment.

Neither team could get another past either netminder with Lundqvist making two strong denials on Teddy Purcell late, forcing overtime. The four-on-four was exciting but both goalies showcased their skills forcing extras. Hedman (hi glove) and Erik Christensen (ridiculous Jussi Jokinen backhand deke tuck assisted by laughing Martin Biron) split a pair early. Then Hall beat Lundqvist stick side. A Stepan miss forced Henrik to keep the Lightning from making it three-for-three, setting the stage for Zuccarello. MZA didn't disappoint coming in fast before deking forehand, backhand, forehand putting it home with little real estate. A tremendous move which had Tort showing a rare grin. The goalies then took over with too many players going for moves instead of shots. Especially our guys who maybe got caught up in what our more skilled shooters did. Even Michal Rozsival tried a backhand deke. Gilroy also did but was rejected. Marc Staal's try was worse. Finally, Malone went conventional taking advantage of Lundqvist hanging in his crease- firing a perfect laser off the crossbar and in, allowing excited teammates to pour off the bench and mob him.

It was a well played game with only two minors. The Rangers see the Lightning again on New Year's Day following the Winter Classic. They'll hope the third time's a charm against the more skilled team they're battling for playoff position.

BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Artem Anisimov, Rangers (assisted on Frolov goal and played most spirited game)
2nd Star-Derek Stepan, Rangers (tying goal-10th of season forcing extras)
1st Star-Dan Ellis, Bolts (34 saves, 9/11 in shootout)

Rangers hit by Lightning Bolt

How fast is Steven Stamkos? Well, perhaps in hockey terms, he's the NHL's equivalent to Usain Bolt. The league's best offensive player continued to dominate, scoring and setting up two others in a 5-3 Lightning win over the Rangers which wasn't that close.


Just how bad were the Blueshirts? In keeping with the Thanksgiving tradition which most families will be celebrating, they were turkeys, getting completely outplayed by a much quicker Tampa club that dismantled the PK which came in having killed 24 straight. If there's such a thing as automatic, it's the Bolts' power play which boasts top scorer Stamkos and one of the game's best quarterbacks, Martin St. Louis. Naturally, our flat team took penalties and watched like Tinmen as they showed them how it's done. Moving the puck like a magnet, they connected three times, including an identical pair off Stamkos rebounds by Ryan Malone, who proved to be a headache.

The Rangers never established anything, falling behind quickly when Malone was allowed to bang into an irate Henrik Lundqvist and stuff home a rebound. Aside from forgetting to show the first 40 minutes, the road club was treated like garbage by the blind mice in stripes. Fairly appropriate considering how many times our goalie was mugged. Since when is it okay to skate into the crease and bang into the netminder without even attempting to get out of the way? This occurred at least four times and not a darn thing was done. Hell. They even nabbed Henrik for unsportsmanlike conduct (diving). They already stunk, getting only seven shots on Mike Smith the first two stanzas including a measly one the first 13-plus of the second.

Aside from our top line (Frolov-Anisimov-Gaborik) taking the night off, the Lightning had the puck most of the game due to total faceoff domination. I forget the numbers but I think we won like 22 and they had more than double. Do the math. It just doesn't compute. Our faceoffs have been an issue all year but they've escaped due to a great work ethic. Something that wasn't there.

From the goal out, it was a nightmare. To be fair, Lundqvist was left to fend for himself. He did let up a bad rebound on Malone's second PPG and should've had Steve Downie's one-timer from 40 out which ended all doubt, putting Tampa up 4-zip. It would late be credited to Brett Clark, who was to Lundqvist's side. Maybe he snuck a stick in but eh. It wasn't a good goal. Perhaps John Tortorella's decision to rest our franchise backstop backfired. He had a five day layoff. Whatever the reason, Lundqvist again wasn't what he needs to be allowing three-or-more for like the ninth 10th time. Disturbing.
I didn't even see the fifth goal but I'm assuming there wasn't much he could do. He is a stand up guy and admitted there were at least two he felt he made the wrong plays on but otherwise felt good and liked the way he responded in the third, including denying Malone's bid for a hat trick. Too bad nobody kicked the stuffing out of him.

With the Islanders and Devils more interesting, we kinda went away from this one. I also picked up a futuristic honoring my friend Lyndzay who's no longer with us eight months now. His family came in from Atlanta for Turkey Day. Getting back to the game, before I left Steve Eminger out of all people scored snapping the shutout off a nice setup from Derek Stepan. One of the few Rangers who competed. You can figure out the others. Tort threw his top line under the bus. Particularly Gaborik, who must be better. Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky always show as do Eminger, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, who deserves to be an All-Star. Too bad he won't get a sniff while Sean Avery racks up votes in the meaningless exhibition. If only Avery contributed on the score sheet. When the hell is the last time he drew a penalty? I know Tort doesn't use him properly but come on. He's underachieved. Besides, he's got a target on his back which apparently hit again because he had the audacity to stand up for a fallen teammate. So, the dopes tossed him (17 PIM). Probably was phoned in by the NHL Police.

At least they made it interesting late thanks to a Brian Boyle shorthander while I was out, texted by my Dad. That's TEN!!!!! TEN GOALS for Brian Boyle while a dog like Frolov is stuck on five. Congrats to the Boston kid. All the hard work has paid off. What a year. One other point which I mentioned in pre-game tweets. I wouldn't have matched the Arty line against Stamkos. Tortorella screwed up using them against the best line in hockey. Not shockingly, they got exposed. Why not try Boyle's energy do everything unit with Ruslan Fedotenko and Brandon Prust? God forbid we match our scoring lines against lesser lites giving ourselves a chance. The strategy made zero sense.

I know our D didn't play great but this was more a product of too many guys up front mailing it in. Sloppy turnovers and lazy penalties doesn't add up. Combine a lethal PP and it can get bad in a hurry. I know he hasn't gotten much of a shake from the coach but Matt Gilroy has played well. I'd really like to see him stay in the lineup when Michal Rozsival potentially returns in Friday's match at Florida. He probably won't because they refuse to sit Mike Del Zotto, who if he's not contributing is still a project in his end. I wish Joe Micheletti would just shut up already!

One miracle did take place in this travesty in the form of a five-on-three goal. Yes, this happened when Gabby setup Stepan, who ripped his fifth cutting it to 5-3 with like a minute and change left. D-Step now has eight points over seven games and got rewarded with 21+ minutes while Anisimov (9+) and Frolov (12+) rode the pine. That's what I admire about Tort. He will make examples of guys. Arty hasn't been good lately. They need better. And Fro has been a mystery all season. At least in Jersey, it's understood why his Russian comrade Ilya Kovalchuk can't score.

Trailing by two with under 60 seconds remaining, Tort pulled Lundqvist for a six-on-four. Gabby nearly cut it to one but his shot was blocked, allowing the Bolts to finally escape.


BONY 3 Stars:

3rd Star-Derek Stepan, NYR (PPG plus assist)
2nd Star-Ryan Malone, TB (2 power play goals)
1st Star-Steven Stamkos, TB (league leading 20th of season, 2 helpers)