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The Rangers finally have some roster clarity after a relatively boring trade deadline. The Knicks continue to have zero roster clarity as the injuries just keep coming.
I am a bit later than usual with this piece since I was waiting for the 3:00 NHL trade deadline to expire before diving in. Turns out, there wasn't all that much to wait for.
New York Rangers
The Games
Saturday, March 2nd | Loss 4-3 (SO) at Maple Leafs
This one had a lot of hype. Two teams with lots of star power. And a potential heavyweight bout between Ryan Reaves and Matt Rempe on the card. It was as-advertised. Reaves challenged Rempe after an early goal by Lafrenière put the Rangers in front. The newcomer rightly turned down the fight, not wanting to give the Leafs any momentum. Things went back-and-forth from there with both teams getting good chances. John Tavares put Toronto in front 3-2 midway through the third period. Sensing his team needed a spark, it was Rempe time. He dropped the gloves with veteran tough guy Ryan Reaves at center ice for a legendary tilt. Clearly inspired, the Rangers pushed for the equalizer, finally tying things up with the goalie pulled and just 1:07 remaining. Sadly, they couldn't get it done in the shootout, but it was a hard-fought road game in which they did a nice job battling back to get a point against a good team.
Monday, March 4th | Loss 4-2 vs. Panthers
The Panthers have been the clear favorite in the Eastern Conference for the past month or so. This one was a measuring stick game for the Rangers. And for two periods, they really held their own. They ended the first period up 1-0 and it took an absolutely filthy assist by Aleksander Barkov to tie the game midway through the second. The teams traded one more goal a piece and headed into third tied at 2. Unfortunately, Shesterkin picked an awful time to burp up a soft goal and the Panthers pulled ahead 3-2. Florida then played a flawless shutdown game and the Rangers couldn't really even muster a chance to get the equalizer. Their only real opportunity came when Twitter scapegoat Kaapo Kaako missed a rebound chance in front. The Panthers added an empty netter to make things look a bit worse on the scoreboard than they actually were.
The News
The trade deadline came and went without the huge splash that many fans were hoping for. No superstar right winger is coming to play with Zibanejad and Kreider. But the third line center spot was addressed with the acquisition of Alex Wennberg from Seattle in exchange for two later draft picks. Depth pieces were also added with forward Jack Roslovic coming over from Columbus and defenseman Chad Ruhwedel from Pittsburgh. It's no Tarasenko and Kane from last year's deadline, that's for sure. But these moves should make the Rangers a lot deeper. It was always true that they aren't going anywhere if their current stars aren't the stars in the playoffs. So hopefully they step up and the depth gives us enough of an edge to make a run.
The Good Signs
Played tough against two very solid Eastern Conference opponents. They continue to be dangerous if they are down late in a game, so you can never count them out. The power play also looked a lot better against the Panthers. Also, reinforcements have arrived. While the recent trades won't solve everything and won't pay dividends immediately, roster clarity and consistency for the last stretch will be helpful.
The Red Flags
Two losses is two losses. While the compete level was good in both games, there were moments in both where they had break downs or just simply got outworked. Those moments made the difference between winning and losing. They'll need to be better if they want to get past a team like the Panthers in the playoffs. And Shesterkin, who was stellar in February after a brutal January, gave up a head-scratcher against Florida that cost them the game.
The Play of the Week
Trocheck ties the game late against the Leafs.
New York Knicks
The Games
Sunday, March 3rd | Win 107-98 at Cavaliers
Despite Jalen Brunson's knee injury in the opening minute (Jesus fucking Christ), the Knicks, resembling a Uncle Jack's medical chart with their injury list, still managed to outclass the Cavaliers 107-98. Josh Hart, seemingly the last man standing, pulled off a triple-double, turning the game into his personal highlight reel. While the Cavs missed their own stars, it was Hart who stole the show, making crucial plays and even finding time to admire Donovan Mitchell's jewelry mid-game. DiVincenzo topped the scoring, but it was Hart's night, proving that even a limping Knicks team can occasionally find a way to not trip and fall in a ditch.
Tuesday, March 5th | Loss 116-100 vs. Hawks
This time they did fall in a ditch. Even without Atlanta's main stars, the Knicks still managed to turn a basketball game into a lesson in futility, falling to the Hawks 116-100. Despite Atlanta missing Trae Young, New York, in a display of ineptitude rivaling my NFL Divisional Round bets, went down by 22 in the first half. DiVincenzo shot as if he had just eaten six pounds of well-done steak, hitting a measly 7 of 23. The team's three-point strategy seemed more like a prayer to Taranis for divine intervention, clanking 16 of 52 from downtown. The Knicks made a cute attempt at a comeback, but the Hawks, probably feeling sorry for them, let them get close before shutting the door. So, the Knicks continue to redefine the art of losing with style, keeping their fans in a perpetual state of hope and despair — now just 1 game away from falling into play-in round territory.
The News
It has been a total train wreck for New York since I started writing these Garden pieces. Knicks fans, should I stop? Maybe I'll just ignore them for a few weeks and see if we can win like 8 out of 10 or something and get back into the mix in the East. I don't know what else to do.
The Good Signs
Brunson seems to have avoided a more serious knee injury. He's looking like he will probably play tonight against Orlando. Anunoby was also cleared for contact and began practicing in full this week.
The Red Flags
This continues to be the most banged up team in the NBA and they are in a tailspin since late January. Talks of a run to the Eastern Conference Finals have been replaced with questions about if they can even stay out of the play-in round.
The Play of the Week
Miles McBride with the ankle-breaker.
Garden Memory
Needing to pick up 5 points in their last 3 games to make the 2011 playoffs, I went to this game against the Bruins. I promptly wanted to go home as the Rangers fell behind 3-0 early. But I'm glad I stuck around.
Sphere Watch
SUP GUYS? SATAN HERE. I MET MATT ON A DRUNKEN BLACKJACK BINGE IN VEGAS EARLIER IN THE WEEK. IT WAS EPIC. WE DID A DOZEN OR SO JAGERBOMBS IN THE HARRAH'S CAROUSEL COURT, THEN HOPPED IN AN UBER XL OVER TO THE SPHERE WITH AARON RODGERS, SHAKIRA, ANTHONY SCARAMUCCI, AND THE UNDERTAKER. BONO HELPED US WORK THE PROJECTOR AND THE MICROPHONES SO WE COULD CRANK THE KARAOKE MACHINE UP TO 11. I GOTTA SAY, KIRK WAS RIGHT. MATT CAN SING A MEAN VERSION OF "MR. JONES". FUN FACT, ADAM DURITZ SOLD ME HIS SOUL IN 1995 SO HE COULD DATE JENNIFER ANISTON. THAT RELATIONSHIP MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE NOW, DOESN'T IT? SADLY, I COULD ONLY STAY FOR 15 MINS OR SO. I HAD TO CATCH A FLIGHT TO DC FOR THE STATE OF THE UNION. AMERICAN POLITICS IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. IT WAS A GREAT NIGHT AND IF MATT KEEPS LETTING ME WRITE ON HERE I MIGHT STOP AIMING HEXES AT ALL OF THE KNICKS' KNEE JOINTS FOR A WHILE. CAN'T WAIT TO MEET THE 11TH READER OF THIS POST AT PRECISELY 11:11PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 11TH. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF UNTIL THEN. IT WON'T MATTER. -MR S.