head coach: Colin Campbell

roster: C - Wayne Gretzky, Pat LaFontaine, Brian Skrudland, Mike Eastwood, P.J. Stock. LW - Adam Graves, Kevin Stevens, Bill Berg, Darren Langdon, Tim Sweeney. RW - Niklas Sundstrom, Alexei Kovalev, Mike Keane, Johan Lindbom, Ryan VandenBussche. D - Brian Leetch, Ulf Samuelsson, Jeff Beukeboom, Bruce Driver, Doug Lidster, Alexander Karpovstev, Eric Cairns, Jeff Finley. G - Mike Richter, Dan Cloutier.

injuries: Ulf Samuelsson, d, (grade-1 sprain of the right knee, two weeks). Jeff Beukeboom, d, (brooken ankle, two weeks). Alexander Karpovtsev, d, (sprained wrist, day-to-day). Bill Berg, lw, (bone chip in elbow, 7-10 days). Ryan VandenBususche, rw, (torn cartilage in right knee, 7-10 days).

transactions: Sent Jason Muzzatti, g, to Hartford(AHL). Recalled Dan Cloutier, g, from Hartford. Recalled P.J. Stock, c, from Hartford. Sent Vladimir Vorobiev, rw, to Hartford.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Atlantic Division   
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA   
New Jersey   44  28  14   2    58  132   92  
Philadelphia 44  25  11   8    58  134   97  
Washington   46  21  17   8    50  128  122  
Florida      46  15  21  10    40  117  131   
NY Rangers   45  14  19  12    40  114  123   
NY Islanders 45  15  25   5    35  112  132  
Tampa Bay    44   9  27   8    26   78  135  

game results:

12/23 Tampa Bay     W 4-1
12/26 at Buffalo    L 3-0
12/28 Boston        W 4-3
12/31 at Tampa Bay  L 2-0
01/06 Carolina      W 4-2
01/08 Washington    L 5-3
01/10 at Montreal   PPD
01/12 Toronto       W 3-2

team news:

by Alex Frias, NY Rangers Correspondent

Pull the Trigger: You have heard this over and over again. This team is struggling and needs a shot in the arm. Rangers president and general manager Neil Smith has watched his options dwindle, as several trade candidates have landed with other teams: Geoff Sanderson in Vancouver, Jason Arnott with the rival Devils.

Over in Vancouver, Mike Keenan has gone on his rampage and now is the time to strike. Send enigmatic winger Alexei Kovalev and Eric Cairns to Iron Mike for Alexander Mogilny or Trevor Linden and a defensemen with some offensive skills at the point. We're in January, there isn't that much time left if the Rangers want to make some noise in the East.

Clearing the Crease: Go with the hot goalie, Colie (oh snap, that rhymes). Rookie Dan Cloutier won two games in a row, and Mike Richter has struggled, mainly because he has played way too much and has had little time to practice.

"I think he has a ton of poise. He's very set and plays the angles well," said Richter. "I haven't seen him play a lot after he got hurt in training camp this year and last year [I was at] the World Cup, but I like him. Obviously, he's capable in there."

There is no question Richter is the man to take the Rangers into the sunset, but right now, the Rangers need victories more than loyalties and so far this kid been getting jiggy with it.

Gretzky, Leetch All-Stars: Both Wayne Gretzky and Brian Leetch were named to the North America All-Star Team in Vancouver on Jan. 18. Gretzky has played in every All-Star Game since his rookie season of 1979-80 for 17 straight. He trails only Gordie Howe, who played in 23.

While one has to give each credit for their past accomplishments, you and I both know that those two spots could have been filled by two more deserving players. Yet like always, the fans are the ones in charge of choosing the starters and god knows they're clueless.

Injury Analysis: Somebody call a doctor because this infirmary is getting packed. Add four more to the list as Brian Skrudland strained his left shoulder vs. the Capitals and is day-to-day. Alexander Karpovtsev sprained a wrist and is day-to-day.

Winger Bill Berg has tendinitis in his elbow and is expected to be out 7-10 days. And finally, enforcer Ryan VandenBussche is out 7-10 days with torn cartilage in his right knee. All of then join Jeff Beukeboom (broken ankle) and Ulf Samuelsson (knee sprain).

[ issues | web extra | stats | nhl archive | home | chat | mailing list | about us | search | comments ]

1998 © Copyright LCS Hockey All Rights Reserved