Following the New York Rangers’ win over the Buffalo Sabers, center Derek Stepan made a comment that in simply infuriating.
By Chris Wengert
But even Mr. Stepan is not immune from making bone-headed comments from time to time.
Following the Rangers 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabers, a game in which the Blueshirts looked content with only a one goal lead for most of the third period, Derek Stepan had this to say:
Does this comment make anyone else want to pull their hair out? Stepan is just figuring this out?
For anyone who doesn’t know the team’s track record from the past couple of years, it usually consists of the Rangers finding a lead and then one of two things usually happens.
The Rangers will either blow the lead (ahem, Buffalo game) or they will stop attacking and allow their opposition to have scoring chances.
Really Steps, REALLY?
You do realize that the Rangers have one of the best, if not the best, records when leading after 2 periods for the past 5-6 years (ever since Torts coached the team). This was written on November 11, 2015: "the Blueshirts extended their record to 159-1-9 when leading going into the third period. It’s a 169-game run that goes back to Feb. 6, 2010 ..." The same ratio has been maintained throughout this season. So basically they close out 16 games with wins out of every 17 games they lead going into the 3rd period. I'm not saying they're style of protecting the lead is appealing, but it's been effective. Another stat, the Rangers have allowed 68 goals in the 3rd period, but they've scored 77 goals which is the 3rd highest total in the NHL this year ...
Plus this isn't the first time such a statement has been made, by Stepan or others on the team. Infuriating? I think not ... bone headed? Wrong again. Also I believe McD commented last night that since they try and keep the shift time as low as possible in the 3rd, it leads to less time in the offensive zone.