Analysis: Rangers Still Not Sharp, But Win in Winnipeg

Ryan Callahan’s goal midway through the third period gave the Rangers a 2-1 victory Monday night in Winnipeg.

Skating down the right side, Callahan attempted to slide a pass to an opponent outside the crease, but the puck caromed off Winnipeg defenseman Zach Bogosian and past goalie Chris Mason.

Ruslan Fedotenko’s redirection of a point shot by Dan Girardi on the power play opened the scoring early in the second period, but Nik Antropov answered for Winnipeg 10 minutes later.

Martin Biron made his first start of the season for the Rangers in goal and made 27 saves. A well-rested Henrik Lundqvist will be the starter when the Rangers play their home opener Thursday against the Maple Leafs.

Winnpieg out-shot the Rangers, 28-17. The Rangers completed its seven-game, season-opening trip with a record of 3-2-2. Despite only losing two games in regulation out of the seven, the Rangers will have to play much better to contend for the Stanley Cup this season.

Game Rating

Manitobans waited fifteen years for the return of the N.H.L. At this early stage of the comeback season, Jets fans are cheering everything. This game did not simmer until a frantic third period. Rating: 6 out of 10

Our Three Stars

1. Ruslan Fedotenko: A goal, an assist, plus a drawn penalty that led to the game-winning power play goal.

2. Martin Biron: Although Henrik Lundqvist started the first six games of the season, Biron did not look rusty.

3. Dustin Byfuglien: The immense Jets defenseman (latest estimate: 260 pounds) was a force for most of the night, especially in the offensive zone.

Rangers Plus/Minus

Plus: In a rarity this early in the season, the Rangers did not hold a parade to the penalty box. The Jets had only one power play.

Minus: Despite some line combination alterations by Coach John Tortorella, the Rangers were unable to sustain much of an offensive attack during five on five play for the second game in a row. During an intense 90-second stretch in the middle of the third period, the Jets had the Rangers scrambling in their own zone while they peppered Biron with shots.

Plus: Showing no favorites and identifying some uninspired play by Marian Gaborik, Tortorella benched the team’s leading goal scorer for all but three shifts in the third period.

Minus: After getting shut out by Edmonton on Saturday, the Rangers managed just 10 shots on goal after 40 minutes in Winnipeg.

Plus: Dan Girardi had assists on both goals and led the team with more than 25 minutes of playing time.

Plus: The Rangers’ seven-game road schedule — opening the season with four games in Europe, a pit stop in Uniondale and three games in Canada — is over. After a day off Tuesday, the Rangers will have one practice and a morning skate to prepare for their home opener Thursday. Their next six games are at Madison Square Garden.

Plus: After Callahan’s goal gave them the lead, the Rangers established an effective forecheck that stymied Winnipeg’s ability to create scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Plus: The Rangers blocked 14 shots, including Callahan’s gutsy stop of a Bogosian slap shot in the final minute.

Tortorella’s Take

“Except for that one shift where they ran all over us, I thought we defended well. To watch our guys start blocking shots the way they did, that’s what we have to start with. We still have to be consistent having the puck.

“We’re 3-2-2, eight points,” he said of the seven-game trip. “We still have a lot of work to do to try and play the right way. But in this league, you grab your points and get out of here. There will be times when we play our best game and lose.”

Rangers Want Stralman

The Rangers have reportedly made a contract offer to Anton Stralman, an unrestricted free agent who has played 212 games in his N.H.L. career with Toronto and Columbus. Stralman attended the Devils’ training camp last month and impressed the coaching staff, but the team decided to go with other defensemen and did not offer him a deal. The Rangers are in need of experienced defensemen because of the uncertain status of Marc Staal, who continues to suffer from concussion symptoms.