The Rangers dominated most of the action against Toronto but entered the third period trailing 1-0. J.T. Miller got the equalizer and then it was off to the shootout, as both goalies were bridling in the overtime. Goals by Mats Zuccarello and Mike Zibanejad in the shootout gave the Rangers a 2-1 win there and on the scoreboard.
Rangers out-attempted Toronto 86-56 Thursday. It was 54-33 after two, yet New York trailed 1-0. The reason for the deficit was mainly Frederik Andersen, who entered the game with a sub-.900 save percentage in 2017 but was brilliant throughout. His best save might have gone on Michael Grabner on a 2-on-1 shorthanded. Granted, Grabner had the whole short side to hit, but put it towards the middle of the goal, and was a bit slow in the release, however, Andersen did slide across the goal mouth to make the save.
Pavel Buchnevich was scratched for Brandon Pirri, ostensibly to improve the power play. Granted, the one goal New York scored on regulation came after the power play ended started by a Pirri shot, but I still don't see the reason for the move. Play the better player. Play the one who brings a better skill set and chance of production, not one who is a one-trick pony. Kevin Klein missed game with upper-body injury that wasn't announced until pre-game warm ups. Adam Clendening replaced him and was paired with Brady Skjei. That duo was pretty solid. Clendening had his "moments" defensively but acquitted himself nicely again.
On Toronto's goal, Marc Staal loses Tyler Bozak, Kevin Hayes loses Connor Brown and Brown is able to clean up the garbage in front to score.
The Rangers goal came about right after. a Maple Leafs penalty expired. As part of a five-man, left-handed unit, Pirri launched a slap shot that went just wide, but was hard enough to come out the other side. Hayes collected the loose puck, had a wide-open net, but fired into Andersen’s pad. However, Miller alertly grabbed the loose puck, a dirty goal like Toronto's, and was able to bury his 19th of the season.
Lundqvist was brilliant throughout as was Anderson. Both goalies stood on their head, including the overtime. Andersen stopped a breakaway early in the OT, while Lundqvist stoned Auston Matthews late in the extra frame to keep game tied:
Some notes:
- The one negative for New York was that Derek Stepan was horrible last night. Even though he isn't scoring - yesterday was his 15th straight game without a goal - he usually is much better as a playmaker and defensively. Thursday, he was poor in both regards.
- Phenomenal overtime only to have to end it with a skills competition. While New York after losing in the shootout Tuesday, ending the contest in that manner to me has become a bit played out. Everyone loves seeing a winner but for the game to end on the shootout may have become played out already. Find a way to possibly play a longer overtime. Maybe start4-on-4 and then go 3-on-3. Make earning a regulation or overtime win worth more to try and spur a resolution earlier. Yes, it's exciting and nerve wracking, but I am wondering if the shootout's lifecycle has ended.
- The Rangers, who lead the NHL in road wins this season with 20, moved into third place in the Metropolitan Division with 80 points, passing Columbus. We talk a lot about playoff positioning and the desire of many for New York to finish fourth in the devision. Right now, there is too much time left in the season to play that way, so the goal for now has to be to keep getting wins and see where they are position wise in a month.
- Lundqvist has posted a 10-2-1 record, along with a 1.91 GAA, a .939 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 14 appearances. Those 14 starts have come in the Rangers' past 15 games, dating to Jan. 17 and he has started 19 of New York's past 21 contests since Dec. 31. Lundqvist spoke about the need for better focus and anticipation during his slump. Both aspects of his game are back and maybe it truly was he needed consistent work. However, with the myriad of back-to-backs coming up, Antti Raanta needs to and should get some work to keep him engaged and Lundqvist fresh.
With the victory, Lundqvist passed Chris Osgood for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL’s wins list with No. 402. In addition, Lundqvist is one win away from tying Grant Fuhr for 10th place. Lundqvist should pass Glenn Hall for ninth this year.
- This is an interesting breakdown of the Rangers goals for and against in 20-game increments. Granted, there are some empty-net goals in there but it's an interesting bit of info.
First 20 games: 81 goals for, 47 goals against
Next 20: 55 goals for, 51 goals against
Recent 20: 63 goals for, 55 goals against
What I take from it is the offense that was red hot has stagnated a bit. The defense, which was better early, has regressed a bit, especially when you factor in just how good Lundqvist has been his last 14 games. If Hank can stay on this type of roll, even with some slight regression, and the now health offense can start percolating again, the Rangers could be a very dangerous team.
- I think Blueshirt Bulletin posted this: "The Rangers established single-game season-highs with 43 faceoff wins and a 67.2% faceoff win percentage (43-for-64) in tonight’s contest. In addition, the Rangers won 23 of 29 faceoffs in the offensive zone in tonight’s game (79.3%). Oscar Lindberg was excellent in the circle, winning nine-of-11 faceoffs." Granted, Lindberg won't be this good all the time, but his ability in the dot is one reason why I would hate to deal him and/or scratch him to get one of Pirri or Puempel or even Buch in the lineup.
- "According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, and confirmed by beat writer Jeremy Rutherford, the Blues had a trade in place for Kevin Shattenkirk. But the defenseman spiked the deal, which was in the works six weeks ago, when he his camp nixed a seven-year, $42-million contract with the new club." That trade was to Tampa. Think about it. No state taxes in Florida means that the deal was worth a lot more than $42 million but Shattenkirk turned it down. In addition, Shattenkirk turned down chances to talk extension with Arizona and Edmonton. Either he wants way more than that or he has his heart set on one or several places on the East Coast, particularly the mid-Atlantic states. One of which is a certain team that plays on Seventh Avenue.
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