The Rangers maintained pace with the Hurricanes by shutting out the Jets 3-0 on Tuesday. New York wasn't as good defensively as they had been in the prior two games - also shutouts - but Igor Shesterkin was a brick wall between the pipes. This was the first time since 1973 that the team posted three straight shutouts. The victory gave the team 50 wins for the fifth time in franchise history. It's New York-New York tomorrow night at UBS Arena.
Game recap:
A few thoughts: 1) The beat rolls on - irrespective of some Twitter hate from a Devils fan, ESPN reporter, the team continues to roll on. Last night, the offense wasn't dominant, but did enough. The defense had a little bobble in the second, but were solid for the most part in the first and third. When either faltered, Igor cleaned up the mess.
Slimtj posted the following, kind of says it all:
Do we care about the Jennings trophy? Flames 193 GA Canes 190 GA Rangers 191 GA All have 5 games leftShesterkin Last 5 games - 4-1 / 3 SO / 127 Saves
Georgiev: Last 5 games - 5-0 / 2 SO / 136 Saves Those numbers represent dominance between the pipes and why Sheshterkin should win the Vezina and be a top Hart Trophy candidate
2) Artemi Panarin - just when you think you have seen it all, Panarin amazes. The shift below on Adam Fox's goal is evidence of just how dominant he can be on the ice. Panarin has found another gear the last few months, dancing and dangling with the puck, setting up others while controlling play almost like the Rangers are on a power play.
Here’s that entire shift by Panarin last night which ended in the Fox goal pic.twitter.com/WSsD2RuoN5
— Andrew (@based_shesty) April 20, 2022
Panarin notched a pair of helpers in the win, putting him at the 70-assist mark, which has him in rare air in Rangers' history as only four others have hit that mark. With 22 goals and the 70 apples, Panarin is three points shy of his career-high 95 set in 69 games from 2019-20. In the three seasons he has been in New York, Panarin has 71 goals and 174 assists in 183 games, pretty, pretty good.
3) Standings: Carolina holds the tie-breakers, including more regulation+overtime wins, so the Rangers will need to finish with more points than Carolina to win the division. At this point, I honestly don't care who they face. Just because they beat Pittsburgh in the regular season means little when the playoffs begin. More of a factor may be that the Penguins are without Tristan Jarry, but surprising heroes rise up every postseason.
Pittsburgh is only a point up on Washington, who have a game in hand, for third in the Metro. In addition, Boston is just three points up on Washington with the same numbers of games and two up on Pittsburgh. The last spot in Metro and placement of two Wild Card spots remain to be decided. Deciding better matchups now or in general is kind of a waste, though on paper, facing Pitt would look to be the desired opponent.
4) Lineup: with Kakko Kappo out, as expected, Alexis Lafreniere moved up to the third line alongside Filip Chytil and Barclays Goodrow. Dryden Hunt skated with Kevin Rooney and Ryan Reaves. Coach Gerard Gallant looks like he will roll with those lines and the usual top-six, resulting in Julien Gauthier and Greg McKegg remaining as healthy scratches.
Ryan Strome notched a pair of goals, tying his career-high of 19 goals set in 2018-19. Andrew Copp posted two assists against his former team, giving him points in seven of his last eight and 13 of his last 15 games. Fox, with his goal, his first since March 22nd against New Jersey, sits one point shy of hitting the 70 point mark. When he reaches that mark, Fox will be the first Ranger since Brian Leetch in 2000-01 to record that total.
Patrik Nemeth has played better recently and should remain paired with and in the lineup next to Braden Schneider. The top-four remains the same and Justin Braun will spot in when needed. Overall, the D has been much improved the last few weeks.
As a reminder, I am out of pocket tomorrow night through Saturday night.