The Rangers had a ceremony befit for a King and played the game closer to that of a commoner. On a night when Henrik Lundqvist had his number/jersey raised to the rafters, New York came out like a team possessed. But as we have seen all too often lately, they either lost focus or were unable to adjust, resulting in a nightmarish second period and game-winning goal surrendered in the final period. a potential tying goal was overturned and the result was another loss. The Blueshirts face the Kraken this afternoon and Panthers on Tuesday night before getting two weeks off for the All-Star break.
Game recap:
A few thoughts: 1) Defense: Adam Fox's upper body injury suffered Thursday night landed him on injured reserve. attempting to step up in his place was Braden Schneider, who was paired with Ryan Lindgren. Schneider had a solid enough game paired with Ryan Lindgren while Libor Hajek was opposite Zac Jones, who dressed in place of Fox with Patrik Nemeth still sidelined due to personal reasons.
Scheider possibly screened Igor Shesterkin on the power play goal by Mats Zuccaello, yeah, like we didn't him scoring, tying the game at two. But on balance, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Lindgren missed Fox, who wouldn't, but this is a pairing we likely will see in the next two games. Today's game won't be easy, Monday against Florida is a major step up.
2) Offense. Humming the first period, stagnant and non-existent in the second. Better in the third, but not enough. We have spilled a ton of ink speaking of the deficiencies, they are well known. The second line of Panarin-Strome-Goodrow has been the team's best line lately. The first line is 2/3 of a line with Kreider and Zib, figuring out the third piece has been the challenge,
One possible option not added to the original mix is Conor Garland. J.T. Miller has been the name most prominently mentioned as being available from Vancouver. But the Canucks are taking calls on Garland with the Rangers, one of the teams mentioned as a possible destination.
Garland is signed at $4.95 million, and has four years left on his contract after this season. To add him would require some financial gymnastics, especially if the team wants to retain Ryan Strome. Garland is in his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, and has posted a line of 10-14-24 in 38 games thus far. He would be a great fit on the first or second line on the right side with the belief/expectation his numbers would rise playing with the talent on either line. As noted by Tom Urtz, Garland is also rocking a 64.79 goals for percentage, a 52.21 Corsi for percentage, and a 54.48 expected goals for percentage. Those numbers evidence his ability toi drive possession which is a crying area of need.
32 Thoughts, HNIC version: Canucks/Mrazek/Mack Guzda/Manson/Ducks GM, Verbeek/Owen Tippett/No Chara at All-Star -- https://t.co/PkGH3zs4qe
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 30, 2022
3) The no goal. We can debate all we want how Cam Talbot was pushing forward on his stomach, moving his legs backward. Plus if the original call on the ice had been a goal, would the league official have overturned it? But contact was clearly made, making the call easier, even though Strome was getting cross checked while he did make contact. In addition, and more important, the Rangers should have never been in that position needing a last-minute goal to tie the game.
Strome CLEARLY pushes the pad into the net before the goal is scored. That's goalie interference every time pic.twitter.com/5Ys75oumBu
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) January 29, 2022
4) Lundqvist ceremony. Top-notch as always. Lundqvist spoke from the heart and let his veneer down once or twice. The number #30 will never be worn again and hands from the rafters forever.