The Rangers may have blown their chance at the fifth spot in the lottery by winning 2-1 win over Toronto. Alexandar Georgiev was brilliant in the victory, carrying the Blueshirts to the win. Pavel Buchnevich (#18) and Ryan Strome (#15) tallied the two Rangers' goals. New York, 2-6-4 in the last 12 games, faces Pittsburgh on home on Monday.
David Quinn Post-Game:
“Our goalie was huge!…
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) March 24, 2019
David Quinn reflects on tonight's OT win over the Leafs with our @jaygeemsg. #NYR pic.twitter.com/WVt9vehiSs
Lines:
Without Kreider, Fast and Staal:
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) March 21, 2019
48-93-89
90-72-95
26-50-16
24-21-42
D pairs:
33-77
76-22
58-44 https://t.co/yQ27f1VfBt
Lemieux-Zibanejad-Buchnevich Namestnikov-Chytil-Lettieri Vesey-Andersson-Strome Nieves-Howden-Smith
Claesson-DeAngelo Skjei-Shattenkirk Gilmour-Pionk
Ryan Strome Game-Winning Goal:
"@strome18 SCORES! AND THE #NYR WIN!!!…
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) March 24, 2019
Another great Sam Rosen call. pic.twitter.com/yFTwzmMH4J
GM Jeff Gorton on Vitali Kravtsov:
What's the latest on #NYR first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov?
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) March 23, 2019
GM Jeff Gorton answers that & more in his exclusive conversation with our Sam Rosen & Joe Micheletti. pic.twitter.com/tXKMlMuHjo
A few thoughts: 1) Solid game by the first line. Goal by Buchnevich, his sixth in the last 10 games and 11th at even strength, on really good work down low in front of the net. Lemieux was his agitative self while Zibanejad continues to create chances.
Pavel Buchenevich continues to have the hot stick! #NYR lead! 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LLaPGyyS2z
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) March 24, 2019
2) Georgiev was brilliant with his 44 saves. He kept New York in the game and was the sole reason for the win. Georgiev made 55 saves last time, so he clearly is slowing down (sarcasm dripping)
“That as good of a goalie performance as you're going to see!…@BillPidto, @AnsonCarterLA & @VallysView look at Alexandar Georgiev's awesome effort in tonight's OT win over the Leafs. #NYR
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) March 24, 2019
Full video 🎥https://t.co/wUlikJDkei pic.twitter.com/NGYicQzRFi
3) Ugly advanced metrics in the win. A 45-28 disparity in shots and a 104-58 overall disparity in attempts that was 82-45 five-on-five. That resulted in 33 blocked shots by the Blueshirts, a team-leading seven by John Gilmour.
#NYR vs #LeafsForever at 5v5 tonight. As always, the Rangers owe a huge thank you to their goaltender. Georgiev stopped 44 of 45 all situation shots & 33 of 34 at 5v5. pic.twitter.com/hCbfV7gTdE
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) March 24, 2019
4) Brady Skjei had a pretty solid game. He helped set up the first goal and was strong throughout. Same I thought for Kevin Shattenkirk, who has been better lately.
I wrote the below paragraph earlier. As I said, I will note the results of each of the final 10 games here and if New York’s place in the standings has changed. The paragraph reflects the standings as of the current day.
March 19 – Detroit 3 New York 2. Still sixth. Tied with Anaheim, one game in hand. Edmonton lost, so no change march 20 - Sabres lost (Buffalo has two more points than New York), Ducks lost (team has same number of points as Rangers but New York has two games in hand) March 21 - Oilers won, so they are four points north of NY with the Rangers having a game in hand March 22 - Anaheim wins, putting the Rangers for the time-being in fifth place in the lottery March 23 - New York 2 Toronto 1, OT. Devils win, Oilers lose, Sabres lose, Ducks lose in shootout (get one point)
If the Rangers continue to struggle, they could may slide down one more slot below Anaheim, now in seventh, as they are one point behind them but the Blueshirts have three games in hand. Buffalo and the Rangers have the same number of points and game played, but Buffalo is in sixth. In addition, Vancouver is three points north of the Rangers, with the same number of games played. Edmonton also has three more points than New York and have played one more game while Chicago also has 74 points with the same number of games as the Rangers. New York faces Detroit, Toronto, Pittsburgh, Boston, St. Louis, Philly, New Jersey, Ottawa, Columbus and Pittsburgh down the stretch.
After having three days in between games, the Rangers now finish the season with eight games in the next 14 days, with three in the next seven days, and five in the seven after that, including two sets of back-to-backs. They close the season on a back-to-back (home against Columbus April 5 and in Pittsburgh on April 6). That weekend could decide where New York lands in lottery, anywhere
