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Game 7: NYR 4 NJD 3, OT, Rangers Rally From Two Down, Urgency Quotient

October 22, 2014, 10:12 AM ET [76 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers won their third in a row, coming back from 3-1 down in the third period to defeat the Devils 4-3 in overtime. Most of the contest was a battle of special teams, which the Rangers was losing until midway through the third. While the win wasn't as impressive as the one against Boston several years ago; coming back from two down on the road, in the third period against a divisional rival is a big victory and confidence boost.

A few takeaways from me:

- Once the team gets healthy, I think any remaining offensive and defensive issues will mainly be remediated. However, even when that happens, the lack of an effective penalty kill will still be a major concern. I know Derek Stepan will slot into a PK role, but this is an area where the loss of Brian Boyle and his long reach and big body is having a material impact. The team's inability to clear pucks out of the zone and then recover to get to the points reminds me of what happened in the playoffs against Boston. Granted, the strategy there was to leave the points open, but don’t believe that is the case now. Until this gets sorted out, either by the return of Stepan and Dan Boyle, using different personnel up front or a change in how they cover on the penalty kill, short-handed situations will continue to be a problem
- Rick Nash. The goals are great but the effort is better. The goal he scored was a direct result of the work he put in before scoring to get to the puck. Nash's forecheck helped create the turnover, resulting in the puck getting back to the point. Once that happened, he made a direct beeline to the front of the net, enabling him to get the rebound and score. Last year, either due to the concussion or lack of conditioning, he wasn’t getting to the dirty or greasy area to score.
- Faceoffs. New York won 27-of-60 draws in the contest. If you just look at that number, it's less than impressive. But when you take out Kevin Hayes' goose egg, 0-for-9, New York won 27-of-51 faceoffs, led by Derick Brassard. Hayes is adjusting to playing center again and at a higher level, so this will remain an area under construction. It got to the point where coach Alain Vigneault used Chris Mueller on draws. With three days until the game against Montreal, this is something Hayes should be working on during this gap in the schedule.
- Urgency quotient. It's a term you have seen me use and it applies here. The first two-plus period, I felt the effort level was okay, but the Rangers were allowing the Devils to dictate the game, which has occurred in the past. When New York went down by two goals, I felt they upped their energy and intensity level, in essence their urgency quotient, leading to the PP chance and goal as well as Nash's marker.
- Chris Kreider. It was a typical Kreider game. Power play goal in the goal. Two penalties, one of which was questionable, that helped the opponent. On the flip side, he was finally used in a 4-on-4 and that too was up-and-down. Kreider was beaten on a great move by Damon Severson but was fortunate that a goal didn't result. His counterattack with speed alongside Mueller created the initial chance and then his ability to draw the defense and dish off resulted in Kevin Klein's game-winner.
- Unsung heroes. Mueller and Matt Hunwick. Mueller has made a big difference since stepping into the lineup. He has solidified the center position along with Hayes. Mueller has shown better speed than I thought he had and he worked nicely with Kreider on the two-man breakout leading to Klein's goal. Hunwick has been steady in his own end while showing good closing speed and hockey sense. It's nice to have a seventh d-man that can get plugged in without a major drop in play and he is clearly a better option than Michael Kostka. If Hunwick comtinues to play like this, he could tajke away time from John Moore when Boyle returns.

The Rangers get a few days off to enjoy the win before playing Montreal on Saturday in the House of Horrors known as the Bell Centre.
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