Controversy? Maybe a manufactured one. Despite winning his third straight, second by shutout, Antti Raanta is still the back up to Henrik Lundqvist. But Raanta's recent play gives coach Alain Vigneault additional latitude in which to give Lundqvist additional time to get his mind (focus) and body (technical) right. While Raanta is on this hot streak, why not roll the dice and see how long it lasts?
Second, the theory that the defense is more responsive in front of Raanta surely looks to be the case. Though the same was said when Cam Talbot manned the pipes. Teams occasionally will play a tighter style when bolstering the second goalie. That has historically been the case in New York since Lundqvist took over. It may well be psychological. Lundqvist has saved the Rangers so many times, robbing goals on shots that normally would bend the twine, that the team has been accustomed to it. So while it's likely not a conscious thing, subconsciously, the defense may let down at times, knowing Lundqvist is there. When he isn't, the D can't fall back knowing they will be bailed out. But again, that's a theory, and even if the numbers back it up, it's one that's really hard to prove.
As the NY Post noted: Sunday's contest marks the first time since Dec. 22-23-27, 2013 that Lundqvist was a healthy backup for three straight, sitting then behind Talbot. And yes indeed, this did mark only the third time since the start of Lundqvist’s sophomore 2006-07 season that he watched three straight from the bench, having also backed up Kevin Weekes on Nov. 1-2-5, 2006. As crazy as this may sound, I would make it four. Yes, Raanta has been helped by overturned goals the past two games - Marian Hossa lost one to offsides while Adam Henrique was ruled to kick one in just 1:09 into Sunday's game - but he has played extremely well, making the timely save.
In Bull Durham, the axiom of never mess with a streak was duly noted. Why should this streak be any different? Roll with Raanta while he and the team is hot. Once it ends, then go back to Lundqvist. When the change is made, I expect - based on history - for Lundqvist to get hot and back to his usual level of elite play. As soon as that occurs, these games will be viewed as a mere blip on the radar. In terms of the expansion draft, what will be will be and its seven months away. A lot can happen before that. I will say despite the depth at the lower levels in the organization with Shesterkin and Halverson, if Raanta was selected, I don't think Mackenzie Skapski is ready to be the back up to Hank. When the time for the draft comes, look for GM Jeff Gorton to trade a pick or player to Vegas to keep Raanta.
On the ice Sunday, following Henrique's overturned goal, Chris Kreider got his eighth of the season at 16:43 of the first to make it 1-0 after a great cycle play with Mats Zuccarello. In the second, New York did a great job of playing short handed and were rewarded when J.T. Miller got a shorthanded goal 16:07 into the second to make it 2-0. Dan Girardi's clear went to center ice, where Kyle Palmieri stopped it and then fell down, creating a 2-on-1 chance. Kevin Hayes made a beautiful dish to Miller, who just had to have his stick on the ice and tip it past Cory Schneider into the open side of the net.
As noted in the paper, prior to the second goal, Raanta stoned Vern Fiddler on the doorstep and Kyle Palmieri with a wide-open look from the left dot to keep his shutout intact. It's those saves that keep a team in the lead, enabling the Rangers to extend the lead later. New York made it 3-0 lead going into the third when Brady Skjei got his first career goal. Nice faceoff win and then tap pass from Derek Stepan to Skjei, whose shot hit Palmieri, completely changed direction to get past Schneider's glove with 2.5 seconds remaining in the second.
In the third, the Rangers went into a mild shell but limited the Devils's chances. Brandon Pirri scored his first in 13 games on the man-advantage, taking advantage of some puck luck and good bounces. Later in the frame, after Kevin Klein did a great job standing up for Skjei, who was double teamed after a pretty legal check on Miles Wood, fighting Nick Lappin, Jimmy Vesey capitalized on the resulting man advantage for the final tally of the game.
Injury updates from the local papers with some info added in by me:
Rick Nash missed his third straight game with a groin injury, but continued his rehab Sunday morning. Nash is supposed to skate by himself Monday when the rest of the team is off, at which point we will have a better sense for his timeframe. The hope is that Nash will be able to go Thursday in Dallas, which is in line with the one-week absence he was projected to have when first injured. But, if New York continues to win, giving Nash a day or two or three extra might not be the worst idea in the world.
Russian winger Pavel Buchnevich continued “following his program… to strengthen his core, according to Vigneault, as he hopes to avoid the back spasms that have kept him out since Nov. 12. Sunday was the 15th straight game he missed. Assuming no setbacks, the hope is that Buchnevich should be ready within the next two weeks or so. That puts his return during the last week of 2016 or first week of 2017.
Matt Puempel, who is recovering from a concussion suffered in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Islanders in Brooklyn, is doing off-ice activity. That means he has yet to be cleared to resume on-ice activity in line with the concussion protocol. As we know, with concussions, projecting a return is difficult. But I would guess Puempel is at least a few weeks away from returning.
With the three above along with Mika Zibanejad, it's been the next man up mentality. Nicklas Jensen and Marek Hrivik have been given chances and made the most of them. Oscar Lindberg was forced into a broader role and he too has stepped up to the challenge. I don't agree with waiving Josh Jooris to provide flexibility, especially with so many players still out. Even though Jensen and Hrivik passed through waivers earlier, I believe if they play 10 games, they are subject to needing to pass through again. Given that Buch and Zib will be out several more weeks and Puempel is sidelined as well, it's possible one or both will need waivers to go back down. With Jooris no longer available, some of that hoped for flexibility could be lost.