The Rangers won their fourth straight game, rallying from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Blue Jackets 5-3 on Monday. The power play carried New York to the victory, converting three times in the third period for the win. With the victory, the Rangers finally hit the .500 mark at 7-7-2 after being the year just 1-5.
Game recap:
Nash honored for 1,000 game:
MSG post-game :
Post-game notes:
The Rangers have registered at least three goals in eight of the last 10 games, including four or more goals in seven of those contests (39 goals over the span). The Rangers have tallied at least four goals in five of the last six games, including five or more goals in three of the last four contests (27 goals over the last six games and 18 goals over the last four games). New York has recorded four or more goals in eight of 16 games this seasonThe Blueshirts were 1-for-1 (2:00) on the penalty kill in tonight’s contest. The Rangers have killed off 36 of their opponents’ last 42 power play opportunities (85.7%) including each of their opponents’ last 13 power play opportunities. The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal in each of the last four games (8-for-8) and in six of the last eight games (21-for-23; 91.3%). In addition, the Blueshirts have not allowed more than one power play goal in 14 consecutive games.
Mika Zibanejad established a single-game career-high with three assists, registered three power play assists, and won 10 of 18 faceoffs (55.6%) in 19:00 of ice time. He became the first Ranger to record three power play assists in one game since Dec. 29, 2007 at Toronto (Jaromir Jagr and Brandon Dubinsky), and he also became the first Ranger to tally three power play assists in one period since Jagr on Oct. 12, 2007 vs. Washington (first period). Zibanejad has recorded a point in six of the last seven games, tallying 11 points (three goals, eight assists) over the span, and he leads the Rangers in points this season (17; eight goals, nine assists).
Pavel Buchnevich registered two power play points (one goal, one assist), including his first career NHL game-winning goal, and recorded two shots on goal. Buchnevich has tallied a goal in four of the last six games (five goals, two assists over the span), and he has posted three multi-point games over the six contests.
Michael Grabner registered two goals, tied for the team-high with three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. Grabner leads the Rangers in even strength goals (seven) and plus/minus rating (plus-six), and he ranks second on the team in goals (seven) in 2017-18. He has tallied a goal in each of the last two games (three goals), in three of the last four games (four goals), and in four of the last six games (six goals).
Kevin Shattenkirk is the first Rangers defenseman who has recorded at least five goals and 15 points through the team’s first 16 games of a season since Brian Leetch, who registered six goals and 20 points in the first 16 games of the 1993-94 season.
As seen above, the offense is rolling lately, aided by a hog power play. The puck movement, mainly seen on the first unit as the second unit hasn’t been anywhere close to effective, has been something to behold. Shattenkirk and Buchnevich at the points, Zibanejad at the left dot and below, Zuccarello the same on the right and Kreider as a net-front presence have all played key roles in the upswing of the power play production. Unfortunately, the second unit still is a work-in-progress but hard to complain about the man-advantage due to the tremendous production.
That power play and offense overall has masked some ills that need to be remediated. While the defense has been better, I wouldn’t say it’s been particularly good. Structurally, improvements can be seen, but as we saw on the first Columbus goal, afar too often two players chase the puck behind the net and leave the slot open. When the forward misses his responsibility - as David Desharnais did yesterday - in ends up in the net. Far too many cringing worthy own zone plays are on display on each game. Cleaning this aspect up will help New York, especially on nights where either few poker plays are drawn or the team is unable to convert.
Henrik Lundqvist is slowly rounding into form, but he too isn’t there yet. The second goal is one he wants back. Lundqvist seemed to get caught up in how he wanted to play it, overcommitted and left the wide side open. Way too easy for Josh Anderson and the second straight game in which at least goal likely should have been stopped. But he also has made several brilliant saves and is getting closer to the Lundqvist we know and love, which bodes well for the future.
One player that maybe hasn’t gotten enough publicity lately is Jesper Fast. After last year, Fast was likely behind Nick Holden as to who most of the fanbase wanted to lose in the expansion draft. You can argue that losing Fast might have been better than Oscar Lindberg, but it’s hard to overstate just how important Fast has been to the team during this current stretch. Someone tweeted at me last night pointing out that when Fast was out, New York was 1-4 and since he has been back, they are 6-3-2. He is responsible in all three zones, can chip in offensively, is a key member of the penalty kill and his pairing with Grabner on the fourth line balances out the lineup. Fast provides all of the this for the very reasonable cap hit of $1.85 mil for this year and two more seasons.
I know everyone has been a bit saucy on the blog but my request is for a little respect. Form this who don’t believe New York has what it takes to contend, respect those that do. The same for those who feel that the season is far from over and the team can get to another level, respect those that don’t. But this also comes with not demeaning each or other or sniping or calling out each other on the blog. Enough name calling and sniping and turning the blog into a place where anger seems to reign compared to what it was in the past, a place to talk hockey and communicate your views without ripping one another apart. Thank you.
As I have written a few times, New York is in the midst of one of the tougher stretches of their schedule. The comeback win over Las Vegas, strong team performance in victory over Tampa and resiliency versus Florida Saturday got it off to a good beginning. Yesterday’s win over Columbus continued the hot streak, but it remains no easier the rest of this week with home games against Boston (Wednesday, though they may be without Brad Marchand) and Edmonton (Saturday) and then it’s road contests versus Chicago and Columbus.