The Rangers rallied from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits to defeat the Wild 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday. New York tied the game late in the third on a grit goal where they outworked Minnesota to keep possession of the puck leading to Filip Chytil's dirty tally. Artemi Panarin had the winning shootout goal. Both Julien Gauthier and Chris Kreider were injured during the contest, putting their availability for Thursday's game against the Stars somewhat in doubt.
Game recap:
A few thoughts: 1) Adam Fox and K'Andre Miller - the dynamic duo were paired at times during the game and brilliant in the win. Each player had a goal and an assist to help pace the win. Fox played 28:11 while Miller was on the ice for 25:03.
Miller had a brilliant goal, where after Jimmy Vesey poked the puck away from Matt Boldy, Miller was able to fend off Boldy, beat Jon Merill, who scored Minnesota's first goal, and put the puck shortside over Marc-Andre Fleury's shoulder. He has already set career-highs in points (22) and assists (18). Four more goals and he's got a career-high in that too. GM Chris Drury will have to do salary cap gymnastics with Miller up for a new deal.
Fox scored New York's second goal, getting the puck past Fleury on a 2-on-1 breakaway. His assist was even better, as Fox went around MAF and put the puck in the crease where Fili Chytil poke it home. Fox is just steadily brilliant that we almost take for granted how good he is.
2) Injuries - with Gauthier leaving early in the game and Kreider in the third resulted in New York having 10 forwards. coach Gerard Gallant went with three lines, basically benching Jonny Brodzinski. Alexis Lafreniere was moved up part of the time to the top line, which could be the case if Kreider can't go Thursday. If one player is sidelined, look for Sammy Blais - scratched today - to be the replacement. If both are out, Gustav Rydahl, who was promoted last week but did not dress, is the likely promotion, though Will Cuylle could get the nod.
Gauthier was smushed by both Reaves and Duhaime. Possible concussion or whiplash.
Concussion. pic.twitter.com/yHJMlOxGr4
— David (@DaveyUpper) January 11, 2023
Kreider was hit on the shoulder by Marcus Foligno. Caught Kreider extending to reach the puck. Have to hope not a subluxation of the shoulder.
Now Kreider has left the game. I'll help you out on what GG going to say after the game: "Upper Body, Day to Day" #NYR pic.twitter.com/aqEcNKURTU
— David (@DaveyUpper) January 11, 2023
3) Igor Shesterkin had a so-so game. Minnesota's first goal came as a result of a screen in front by Ben Harpur and Braden Schneider. Kirill Kaprizov's tally was a sniper's goal, but Igor was beaten top shelf wide. The third goal, scored by Mats Zuccarello, was woof bad. Zuccarello's wrist shot, which looked like it would go over the net, hit Igor's glove, spun into the air and over his head, then landed in the Rangers' net. Shesterkin rebounded to stop the Wild's last two shootout attempts to notch the win, but not his finest performance.
4) The game-tying goal - Chytil, Vesey and Barclay Goodrow spent 1:39 in the offensive zone on a shift that resulted in two shots on goal and five shot attempts. Fox had the move that pulled Fleury from the net and resulted in the scrum in front, Chytil was able to get his stick on the puck and get enough of it to put it in the open net.
Chytil is now up to 12-10-22 this year. Three goals, five assists, and two points away from setting career highs in all three categories. That next contract cost is going up each game.
5) Solid performance overall - the Rangers racked up 43 shots on goal and 25 high-danger scoring chances, according to Natural Stat Trick. Many of these occurred in the second period when New York tied the game at two. The top-nine was very solid, with the first line leading the way, at least until Kreider went out. New York's second line has shown signs of putting it together while the third line is a gritty line that can score.
The power play went 0-for-3, including a failed attempt in the overtime. But Fleury did make third brilliant saves in the overtime, even though the puck movement was a bit disjointed. If Kreider does not play Thursday, will we see Laf on the top unit?