The Rangers ended their five-game homestand with a 4-1 win against the Maple Leafs. The story was Alexandar Georgiev, who was brilliant between the pipes throughout the contest on his 23rd birthday. The big line produced again, as per usual, carrying the offense. New York heads out on the road for the next four games starting Tuesday in Winnipeg. What the team looks like after that trip, who knows?
Condensed Game:
David Quinn Post-Game:
“What did I get him for his birthday? Nothing yet, but there’s going to be a big gift soon.…#NYR Coach Quinn on Georgie’s career performance, big-time goals and more â¬‡ï¸ pic.twitter.com/YESgFTSw32
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Lines: Kreider-Zibanejad-Zuccarello Buchnevich-Hayes-Fast Chytil-Strome-Namestnikov Vesey-Nieves-DeAngelo
Staal-Pionk Skjei-McQuaid Smith-Shattenkirk
Georgiev
1) Georgiev - should have been the first, second and third star. Made 55 saves, including 23 on the power play, where he was a stalwart, resulting in Toronto going 0-for-4 with the man-advantage. Stayed calm and cool throughout, excellent positioning, snuffed out rebounds, robbed John Tavares a half-dozen times,. Heck of a 23rd birthday.
“That was a special birthday because I tried not to concentrate on the birthday wishes — I had an important game in front of me. I’m very happy it ended the way it ended.…
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 11, 2019
Georgie talks about his 55-save effort vs. Toronto. pic.twitter.com/32jYhKtMeg
Alexandar Georgiev is the seventh Rangers goaltender who has made at least 50 saves in a game since the NHL began tracking the statistic in 1955-56 (along with Gump Worsley, Jacques Plante, Gilles Villemure, Glen Hanlon, Mike Richter, and Henrik Lundqvist). #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 11, 2019
From the NHL.com game recap:
Georgiev's 55 saves are the most by a Rangers goalie in a game that ended in regulation since the NHL started tracking saves in 1955-56. It's also the most saves made by a Rangers goalie at the Garden in their history. He fell four saves shy of matching Mike Richter's team record for most saves in a game; Richter made 59 saves in a 3-3 tie against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31, 1991
2) KZZ - the below stat says it all. Mika Zibanejad with the first goal of the game, assists to Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. Kreider with a beautiful dish to Jimmy Vesey for the second marker of the game when Vesey scored top-shelf. Zucc's deflection of Jake Muzzin's poor clearing attempt resulted in the puck coming to Adam McQuaid, whose wrist shot beat Garret Sparks for his second goal in four games with Zucc getting the apple.
Including tonight, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Mats Zuccarello have recorded 44 points (20 G, 24 A) in the last 11 games which all three players were in the lineup, including 38 points (16 G, 22 A) in the last nine games which all three players were in the lineup. #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) February 11, 2019
3) McQuaid - besides the goal, big shot block late, which is more his specialty. Has picked up his play lately, raising his trade value. I know GM Jeff Gorton took some criticism for this trade, but McQuaid has been a solid acquisition and if his pairing with Brady Skjei and others result in their improved play down the road, then his addition was well worth the pick and time he spent on the ice, even if at the expense of others.
4) Despite the 56 shots against, I thought the defense wasn't horrific. Many of the elite chances came on the power play but 5v5, the team was pretty solid. The forwards helped the blueliners, though Toronto, thanks to their talent level, still had several good opportunities. When they did, Georgiev was up to the task.
5) Zucc - two assists. Hayes - empty net goal. McQuaid - second goal of the season. If this was their last game as a Ranger at MSG, each went out on a high note.
K'Andre Miller injury update, which isn't much of one:
From Wisconsin athletic department: K'Andre Miller sore today, will be evaluated tomorrow for lower body injury after crashing into wall with left leg late in Saturday night's match v Ohio State.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) February 10, 2019