It was the Alexandar Georgiev show in Carolina on Sunday, as he was the sole reason New York pulled out a 2-0 win. Chris Kreider scored his 41st and Frank Vatrano tallied his first as a Ranger in an empty-net, but neither was the story. Georgiev could have been the first, second and third star as he stopped 44 shots for his first shoutout of the season and seventh of his career.
Game recap:
A few thoughts: 1) The game itself - for what seemed like 55 of the 60 minutes, the Rangers seemed to be playing shorthanded, as Carolina pinned New York so often in their own zone, that it looked like it was a 6 on 5. Wave after wave of Hurricanes washed over the Blueshirts, and when they cleared the zone, which was rare, as they also made 27 turnovers, the puck came right back in to stay. The good news - if there was any besides Georgiev - is that the team did not panic or take stupid penalties, as they were called for just three infractions in the contest.
Carolina right now is not a good matchup for New York, as their fast and aggressive forecheck has given the team fits. Because of this, it's key that the team stays in the top-three of the division to avoid a first round series vs. the 'Canes. Yes, a second round series would be in the cards, but injuries etc. could result in the first round, potentially making that contest a bit easier.
2) Georgiev - I admit, I thought coach Gerard Gallant might go back to Igor Shesterkin again and play Georgiev on Tuesday against the Devils. In addition, when I heard it was Georgiev, my view was that he was going to be a sacrificial lamb. This proved to be the case, but as March normally comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, this lamb had a little bit of kick and bite to it.
Alexandar Georgiev =
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 21, 2022
Georgiev (44 saves) became the fourth different @NYRangers goaltender to record 40+ saves in a shutout (since 1955-56 when shots on goal began being tracked). #NHLStats: https://t.co/gijpiRCzYv pic.twitter.com/1XZ2Td53Bc
Georgiev has said he plays better with more work, which Gallant has alluded to as well. Recently, Georgiev has received additional playing time, though he hadn't done much with it, even in the win Tuesday against Anaheim. Sunday, he was brilliant, stopping everything, allowing the Rangers to pick up two points they had no right in earning after getting outchanced 58-20 in the contest. I could see Georgive starting next Sunday against Buffalo, but more likely the back-end of the back-to-back March 30 versus Buffalo after Igor takes on Pittsburgh the prior evening.
3) Standings - New York won both games over the weekend and have notched victories in four of five. The team sits at 40-18-5, tied with the Penguins and three points shy of the 'Canes, who have a game in hand. Washington lost today, remaining at 80 points while playing one more game than the Rangers.
4) Kreider's goal came as so many have come this year, in front of the next on a deflection. The tally came on one of the rare sequences where the team got possession after a face off, nearly scoring on a set play, After missing, Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere did yeoman work to regain possession of the puck leading to Jacob Trouba's point shot and Kreider's lamp lighter. CK20 is nine goals shy of the magic 50 plateau with 19 games remaining.
5) Trade deadline - two more possible targets came off the board Sunday following the trade activity the past few days.
Marc Giordano and Colin Blackwell went from Seattle to Toronto for a second round pick in 2022, a second round pick in 2023 and a third round pick in 2024. Gio only wanted to go to the Maple Leafs and GM Ron Francis acquiesced to the wish, even eating 50% of his contract to help facilitate a deal. Toronto added two useful pieces at minimal cost.
Nick Paul went to Tampa from Ottawa in exchange for forward Mathieu Joseph and a fourth-round selection in 2024. The additions of Paul and Brandon Hagel help the Lightning bottom-six. Paul was a possibility to fill a similar role in New York before landing in Tampa.
The Rangers were mentioned in connection with Jack McBain, but were never viewed as serious contenders for his services. Arizona has a ton of picks upcoming, so acquiring him from Minnesota for a second round pick makes sense. The receipt of the pick is dependent on McBain signing with the Coyotes.
The Rangers have a ton of cap room. They answered the bell the last three games. The loss to the Islanders could have gone either way, same with the win over Tampa, but the team played both games even against hard to face opponents. Sunday was a different story, yet the resilient Rangers notched the win.
New York is short one top-nine winger, who can generate play 5x5 and score. Vatrano was a solid addition and the hope is that Kaako Kappo will be back. But another winger or center is needed, which has been the case all season. Another bottom-six piece would be nice, but not required. I still believe a solid d-man who can slide up if needed should also be targeted. Though the team may view Zac Jones as that piece, though Gallant is reluctant to keep Jones and Braden Schneider as apir due to their youth.
Will it be Phil Kessel? Maybe Andrew Copp (though with Mason Appleton headed to the 'Peg, it's not clear if Copp will be moved or the team is trying to get the last Wild Card spot as they are four points out with a game in hand)? To me, the player to get should be Rickard Rakell, though Drury is hesitant - understandably so - to move the first round pick required. Alex Radulov has been mentioned, but with Dallas in playoff contention, you have to wonder what they know and why they want to deal him. Arturri Lehkonen, and RFA after the year, would fill multiple roles, but Montreal has been loath to move him seeing how well he has played under Martin St. Louis. In addition, because he has term remaining, the cost to acquire will be higher. Mark Scheifele and Yanni Gourde have each been mentioned, though I view those options as unlikely probabilities.
The trade deadline is at 3pm tomorrow. I think it's even money if a deal is made, though it might be around the edges like Nick Leddy, Calvin de Haan, Brett Kulak, Carson Soucy (though, he would require moving Patrik Nemeth at some point) or Jacob Middleton on the back end or Ryan Carpenter or Tyler Motte for the bottom-six rather than a big move. We can't discount the possibility of no trades occurring, which would be a waste of all the available cap space this season while also failing to inspire the fan base or the team to show management believes they have a shot thanks to Igor in net and the high-end fire power up front.