Daily Report – 1/24/25
Here is today’s report and weekend roundup:
Yankees
Jon Berti and JD Davis were both members of the 2024 Yankees who became free agents after the season ended. Berti signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, and Davis signed a Minor League contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Rangers
“One of the keys to the game is their goalie. We had 24 or 25 scoring chances and couldn’t solve him,” said Flyers coach John Tortorella after the Rangers defeated Philadelphia at the Garden last night. Although Philadelphia recorded more overall scoring chances than the Rangers, Igor Shesterkin was unstoppable.
Early in the first period, the Rangers made a defensive mistake in the offensive zone, leading to a 3v1 score for Philadelphia that deflected off Owen Tippett’s skate. That was the only mistake the Rangers made all night.
The Rangers are playing a different style of hockey now, implementing a technique that reduces rush chances from the opposition and makes Shesterkin’s job easier. Despite facing 34 shots, few were high-danger chances or deflections. The Rangers effectively defended against a fast, confident team while also asserting their physicality.
“We talk about playing five-man defense, and I think we’ve done a really good job of doing that,” said Braden Schneider after last night’s win. The Rangers are currently on a 10-game point streak (7-0-3) for the 14th time in franchise history and the third consecutive season. Their success has been attributed to improved defensive play, characterized by fewer mistakes in the offensive zone. With six goals last night, the Rangers also reestablished a positive goal differential on the season (+2) and are just one point behind Tampa Bay and Columbus for the first and second Wild Card spots.
If the Rangers continue to perform at this level and secure a playoff berth, they could be a formidable threat in the Eastern Conference. However, there is a two-week break approaching for the NHL's All-Star Game and the Four Nations Faceoff tournament.
One of the highlights for the Rangers during their last 10 games has been the performance of the fourth line, centered by Sam Carrick with Adam Edstrom and Matt Rempe on the wings. For the second consecutive game, Rempe logged over nine minutes of ice time, while his linemates received more than 11 minutes each, an increase from earlier in the season. They contributed significantly to some of the best moments of last night’s game, including Edstrom’s fifth goal of the season, which was the game-winning tally. The goal came via a reverse-angled deflection, his second such goal of the season.
The Rangers have not only improved their defensive play at even strength but have also adopted a unique offensive style that tightly covers the defense and screens goalies for tip-ins and deflections. This approach is especially effective in the playoffs. When the Rangers host Colorado on Sunday and Carolina on Tuesday, this offensive strategy will be crucial.
This offensive evolution is a product of Peter Laviolette’s coaching. Before this season, the team struggled with tight forechecking and backchecking, showing little consistency before the Christmas break. However, players like Will Borgen and Urho Vaakanainen have helped the team develop a new technique. Combined with some trades and Laviolette’s excellent coaching, this has led to increased confidence on the ice and the ongoing 10-game point streak.
“Everybody in this room knew what we were capable of and how good a team we are,” said K’Andre Miller, who scored his third goal of the season last night, thanks to a net-front screen by Vincent Trocheck. “I think it was just a matter of believing, honestly.”
While the Rangers have become bigger and stronger in many aspects this season, it is their character and heart that have lifted them out of a difficult situation. Their commitment to succeed seems unimaginable compared to where they were 30 days ago. The teenage drama on Broadway is gone; things are nontheatrical now.
The season series between Philadelphia and the Rangers is now tied, and they will play again at the Garden on April 9. The Rangers will play their next game against Colorado on Sunday at 1 PM (12 PM CST) on MSG.
Knicks
For the first time since 1975, the New York Knicks are sending two players to start in the All-Star Game. Not even one Knick has started in the All-Star Game since 2016. The Knicks are the only team in the country to have two starters participating in this year’s All-Star Game. 50 years ago, it was Clyde Frazier and Earl Monroe. Now it’s Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Jalen Brunson has been named an All-Star for the second time in his career and for the first time as Knicks captain. He is averaging 26.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game, and 7.3 assists per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns ranks second in the NBA and first in the East in rebounds per game (13.9). He is an All-Star for the fifth time in his career and a starter for the first time. He is also averaging 25.1 points per game and 3.5 assists per game.
The NBA is giving the Knicks the attention they deserve.
Tomorrow night at 7:30 PM (6:30 PM CST), the Knicks will host Sacramento at the Garden (MSG). The Knicks have been struggling lately on the offensive side of the ball, but with three days of rest since their last game, the hope is everyone is healthy and rested.
Here is your weekend roundup:
Schedule:
Saturday 1/25:
3:30 AM (2:30 AM CST): 2025 Australian Open, Women’s Singles Championship – Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Madison Keys (19) [USA]; ESPN
7:30 PM (6:30 PM CST): NYK vs. SAC; MSG
Sunday 1/26:
3:30 AM (2:30 AM CST): 2025 Australian Open, Men’s Singles Championship – Jannik Sinner (1) [ITA] vs. Alexander Zverev (2) [GER]; ESPN
1:00 PM (12:00 PM CST): NYR vs. COL; MSG
3:00 PM (2:00 PM CST): 2024-25 NFL Playoffs, NFC Championship – WAS (6) at PHI (2); FOX
4:00 PM (3:00 PM): 2025 Australian Open, Week 2 Highlight Show; ABC
6:30 PM (5:30 PM CST): 2024-25 NFL Playoffs, AFC Championship – BUF (2) at KC (1); CBS
That will conclude this report. Have a great weekend!
