The Rangers extended their win streak to a franchise-tying best 10 games with a 2-1 win over the Flyers. It’s the third time New York has won 10 in a row. They also did it from Dec. 19, 1939-Jan. 13, 1940, and Jan. 19-Feb. 10, 1973. The Blueshirts take on the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Sunday with a chance to set a new record. In addition, their 39 wins and 81 points are the most in the league, the latter tied with Boston, who lost in OT on Saturday with New York having a game in hand. Vancouver also had 80 points entering Saturday night's game.
Game recap:
Miller-Trouba Lindgren-Fox Gustafsson-Schneider
Shesterkin Quick
Scratches: Jones, Belzile LTIR: Chytil, Wheeler
A few thoughts:
1) Matt Rempe - of course I have to start with Rempe. Up for just a week, he - and Adam Edtsrom - have made a massive difference to the fourth line. That trio now has an identity, as the Bash Brothers, led by Rempe, have brought a level of physicality and edge that was previously lacking. The effect of what those two rookies have brought is very palpable.
Rempe has not played more than 5:16 in a game, so while he has brought an edge, he clearly does not have the full confidence of coach Peter Laviolette. Part of the low ice time has been because Rempe has fought in three of his first four games, and in the fourth, he played just 13 seconds before getting a match penalty for his hit on Nathan Bastian. Saturday, Nic Deslauriers, just like Matt Martin, asked Rempe to dance with him during pre-game warm ups.
Rempe answered the bell in a bout that lasted a while and resulted in both sides landing several haymakers. It looked like Rempe did more damage and the fight clearly energized both sides. Rempe notched his first goal of the game as he was hit by a Barclay Goodrow shot while in front of the net. His big body is almost impossible to move, which adds to his value and could be another reason he sticks even after the trade deadline.
On a line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck, Lafreniere continues to excel. For those of us who watched him last year and saw how dominant he looked at times on the ice, the next step seemed in reach. As Vince Mercogliano noted, "the 22-year-old winger has consistently put himself into quality scoring positions this season − prior to Saturday's game, he was tied with Chris Kreider for the team lead with 72 individual high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick."
Lafreniere tallied his 17th of the year - and third in two games - Saturday. The 17 goals leave him two shy of his career-high of 19 set two years ago. He is also just three points shy of tying his career-high of 39 points, set just last year. The confidence in Lafreniere is evident each time he is on the ice, auguring well for continued future success.
3) Igor Shesterkin - the concerns over Shesty seem to have dissipated. His win Saturday was his sixth in a row. During that stretch. he has stopped 212 of 223 shots and with 25, he has an outside shot of exceeding the career-high of 37 victories he posted last season.
Igor just looks different on the ice. Confidence begets confidence, and right now, Shesterkin is playing with a ton of it. He is completely locked in between the pipes and is making the key save at the key moment, especially early and late in games, giving New York a chance to rally or maintain the lead when needed. This was certainly the case Saturday, as he made 18 saves in the first and 17 in the final stanza to hold off the Flyers.
4) Trade deadline - during the ESPN broadcast Saturday, Emily Kaplan reported that the Rangers have informed all teams that Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault are off-limits, as they should be. The team's first rounder and other assets will be in play, but the two top prospects in the system are going nowhere.
Even with the 10-game win streak, the Rangers still need a first-line right winger and likely a third line center. Jimmy Vesey is miscast on the top line. He is not the reason why Mika Zibanejad has not scored a 5x5 goal since Xmas, but a better winger certainly wouldn't hurt. We know the names, Frank Vatrano continues to be mentioned, as does Vladimir Tarasenko, and we need certain teams to fall out of playoff contention over the next 10 days to further open up the marketplace.
While Jonny Brodzinski has played well, New York still will look for an upgrade at his 3c spot. Adam Henrique fills a need, as does Alexander Wennberg, the latter coming up a lot this week. Tyler Johnson certainly could end up a target, as he would be a solid fit for the third line at likely not a high asking price, but Chicago would have to eat half of his $5 million salary.