Daily Report – 3/26/25
Here is today’s report:
Rangers
This isn’t soccer. This isn’t golf. This isn’t baseball. It’s hockey. And in hockey, teams tend to generate more than two scoring chances in 20 minutes.
The Rangers fell to the Kings last night 3-1. They were outchanced in the first period 14-1. Plenty of evidence suggests that to beat the Los Angeles Kings, especially on their home ice, teams need to shoot the puck as many times as possible. The numbers also state that the Kings have one of the toughest zone defenses in the NHL, and they allow some of the fewest shots per game in the league. So, for a team like the Rangers that struggles to shoot the puck, it is very difficult to beat the Kings. However, preparation is key against a team like this, especially with two days off between games.
I could write about how the Rangers’ current situation is a manifestation of their struggles throughout the last decade, but I’m not going to do that. At this time of year, when you’re pushing to make the playoffs, the past doesn’t matter. Every game requires a unique sense of urgency similar to the playoffs, but this time of year permits more game-by-game adjustments than the playoffs.
So why aren’t the Rangers adjusting their strategy?
“It gets tiring because I feel like over the last few weeks, we’ve been playing some good hockey and still losing,” said Mika Zibanejad. “We find a way to lose.”
The Rangers are losing because they aren’t trying hard enough to win. Maybe it’s the players. Maybe it’s the head coach. Maybe it’s both. But there is no time to waste right now. There are 10 games remaining in the season!
Chris Kreider has four – that’s right, four – assists this season, and he plays nearly 20 minutes per game. So he should not be saying things like, “We’re obviously aware of where we are in this situation and obviously guys check the standings, but I have not done the math because I am not good at math.” Kreider might not be good at math, but it’s pretty easy to count to four!
Kreider added, “I think it’s more useful to just look at the next game and focus our attention on that.”
I wish I could say the Rangers are treating their situation “one game at a time,” but for the last two weeks, they have looked dazed and confused every night. And last night, it didn’t feel like they were prepared to play the Kings.
The Rangers haven’t scored a power play goal since March 11. Last night, Peter Laviolette moved JT Miller to the second unit in exchange for Vincent Trocheck, but the Rangers struggled immensely to even gain the zone on the man advantage. When the Rangers did cross the blue line, they failed to send pucks toward the net, and they generated few to no scoring chances on each of their three power plays. In the third period, they played more net-front power play sequences, but it was too late.
First and foremost, in hockey, more goals are scored net-front than from anywhere else on the ice. Second, the scouting report on Los Angeles’ goaltender Darcy Kuemper clearly showed that he struggles most at saving net-front shots. And his career record against the Rangers is strong because the Rangers don’t move pucks towards the net. In an urgent situation like last night, the Rangers should have known to play dots-down more, but they didn’t.
Next, the Rangers’ high-ranked penalty kill allowed two power play goals last night. The Kings assembled themselves in two rows in the offensive zone, with three skaters in the back and two in the front, allowing them to keep the puck below the Rangers’ blue line. The Kings are excellent at boxing in penalty killers, allowing them to collect rebounds in front of the net and deposit them for goals. The Rangers played too many men behind the Kings while killing last night, likely because they were focusing on generating shorthanded scoring chances.
Before scoring their first power play goal, the Kings had an open man on the right side of an empty net, and he should have scored, but he mishandled the puck. But then, the Rangers had three penalty killers behind three Kings skaters, failing to adjust as K’Andre Miller slid to block Andrei Kuzmenko’s shot from the low left circle, and despite having time, Vincent Trocheck failed to cover Kuzmenko. This meant Braden Schneider was stuck between Kuzmenko in the left slot and Kevin Fiala in front of the net, allowing Fiala to tip Kuzmenko’s past the goal line at the right post.
Lack of execution is one thing. Lack of preparation is another. And when your team has a one-goal lead and becomes shorthanded, they need to be ready to kill that penalty. Last night, somehow, one of the league’s worst power plays scored twice against the Rangers.
The Rangers need to win at least seven of their next 10 contests to qualify for the postseason. To win these games, they need to come out of the gate stronger. They need to perform better in the first period and kill penalties more effectively. And their power play needs to start scoring.
Otherwise, consider Peter Laviolette gone.
Knicks
The Knicks made history at the Garden last night as Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns recorded the franchise’s first single-game pair of triple-doubles. Along with 35 points from OG Anunoby, the Knicks defeated the Dallas Mavericks 128-113. This was the first regulation game in NBA history in which one player scored at least 35 points and two of his teammates recorded triple-doubles (OptaSTATS).
The game was close at first, with both teams finishing the first half tied at 68. But the Knicks eclipsed Dallas in the third quarter, outscoring them 30-16.
Josh Hart scored 16 points with 12 rebounds and 11 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists. Hart’s triple-double was his ninth of the season, passing Clyde Frazier for the franchise record. He now ranks fourth in Knicks history with 15 triple-doubles with the team.
Following Hart’s comments last week, which I wrote about in yesterday’s report, the Knicks have won back-to-back games without their primary or secondary point guards. Jalen Brunson and Deuce McBride are both out with injuries. Also, Mitchell Robinson didn’t play last night due to rest.
“[Hart’s] got nine [triple-doubles on the season]. I got one. So, he’s doing a much better job than me at getting triple-doubles,” stated Karl-Anthony Towns. “But the way he does it is special,” he added. “It’s all energy and effort, and it’s for the betterment of the team.”
Throughout the past two weeks, while the Knicks have been struggling, Hart has attempted to lead in Brunson’s stead. After some questionable remarks and a spirited conversation with his head coach, Hart has finally secured the evidence needed to support his claims that the Knicks need to demonstrate more effort and energy on the court.
“I’m happy he’s having this moment where the effort, the sacrifice, and the work he puts in for our team to be the best version of ourselves, it’s showing up on the stat sheet so he can get his respect, his accolades, and all the cheers going on for him because he deserves it,” said Towns.
Meanwhile, as the Knicks’ temporary secondary point guard, Tyler Kolek has recorded 17 assists and zero turnovers in 37 minutes across his last two games. Last night, he became the second Knicks rookie to ever record seven assists in a single quarter. Kolek stepped up, just like I requested, recording nine total assists in last night’s game.
I guess Josh Hart’s unorthodox leadership style has benefitted his team.
Tonight at 7:30 PM (6:30 PM CDT), the Knicks host the Los Angeles Clippers (MSG). If the Knicks win tonight, they will become the third team in the Eastern Conference to clinch a playoff berth.
On March 7, the Knicks fell to Los Angeles 105-95. Josh Hart recorded a career-high 20 rebounds in the loss.
Giants
Welcome to New York, Mr. Unlimited!
Photo credit: @Giants on X
Yesterday, the Giants and quarterback Russell Wilson agreed to a 1-year $21 million contract with $10.5 million guaranteed.
Because the Giants hold the third overall pick in a draft with two top quarterbacks, signing Russell Wilson was their best option. Many reports suggest they preferred Aaron Rodgers, but given his resume with the Jets, I prefer Russell Wilson. Wilson won Super Bowl XLVIII with Seattle in 2014, and he is a 10-time Pro Bowler who had a successful playoff-clinching season with Pittsburgh last year.
The Giants aren’t in “win now” mode, nor should they be. Wilson will start for them this season, and Jameis Winston will back him up. And maybe – hopefully – the Giants draft a quarterback in April. Some reports suggest the Giants could draft Shedeur Sanders, and if they do, they must develop him.
If the Giants can’t draft Sanders, then they will likely select Travis Hunter instead.
Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll have approached this offseason aware that their jobs are on the line if the Giants have a bad 2025 campaign. Assuming the Giants draft their “quarterback of the future” this year, Russell Wilson will play a major role in his development. Given the recent turmoil in the Giants organization, they must give their future franchise quarterback time to develop.
So, if you’re a disgruntled Giants fan who wanted to sign Aaron Rodgers, understand that the Giants might draft their quarterback of the future next month, and Russell Wilson is a better option to mentor him than Rodgers.
Schedule
7:30 PM (6:30 PM CDT): NYK vs. LAC; MSG
That will conclude this report. Enjoy your evening!
