The Rangers weren't great but they were opportunistic in their 5-2 win over the Bruins. Antti Raanta was strong between the pipes making 35 saves while the penalty kill contributed two goals to off-set a so-so performance in Boston. But the end result was a win, the team's fourth in a row, making New York 9-3 on the year heading into tonight's game against Winnipeg.
The Rangers tweeted two interesting stats last night following the game:
#NYR +23 goal differential through 12 games this season is the best through the first 12 games of any season in franchise history. #NYR90#NYR 9 wins through the first 12 games of this season are tied for the most wins in the first 12 games of any season in team history! #NYR90
Both stats came as mildly surprising, as given the team's history, I would have thought that each would have occurred in the pass. On the first one, with five goals last night, it's now 50 goals in 12 games for New York, as they continue get contributions up and down the lineup. Last night, it was Nick Holden, aided by David Krejci's glove, Derek Stepan and Pavel Buchnevich each getting their first of the season. Buchnevich's was a snipe on the power play, top shelf over Tuukka Rask.
Buchnevich has impressed me early this season. He has shown a willingness to mix it up, despite his smallish size. Then, even though he had failed to score though his first seven games in the lineup, it didn't look like he was pressing on the ice to get one. Buchnevich continued to just play his game and allow the action to come to him, rather than forcing it, trying to get that first marker.
The other two players really impressive yesterday were Michael Grabner and Raanta. Grabner just continues to make plays in all three zones. On the first goal, shorthanded, he was able to deflect the puck, use his speed to create separation to create the 2-on-1 and then backhand the puck to Derek Stepan for the goal. On his unassisted goal, Grabner stole the puck in the neutral zone, using his stick to block an attempted pass by Krejci, who had a horrific game, and then beat Rask. Grabner, beyond the surprising the seven goals, pressures the defense with his speed, which is a major weapon on the penalty kill.
Between the pipes, Raanta improved to 3-0 with the win. Every time Raanta plays, he puts forth an excellent effort. New York wasn't great defensively last night, but Raanta stood tall between the pipes. The work he does with Benoit Allaire between games and in practice has him ready each time he steps on the ice to play. The Rangers talked about playing Raanta 24-28 times this year. Based on how he has looked early on, that number should be easily reachable. Tonight though, it will be Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes.
Stepan very quietly has 10 points, a goal and nine assists. He doesn't dominate action nor does he the look the part of a top center, but all he has done in his career is produce. Stepan lacks speed, but he just knows how to play the game. The pass to Buchnevich was a tremendous feed, evidencing the talent he possesses.
I would like to see Mika Zibanejad find the game he had early in the season, as he scuffled lately. The same can be said about Kevin Klein, who even after moving down a pairing hasn't been great. It's doubtful AV shuffles the lines again, but I could see him pair Buch and Chris Kreider with Zib again as a way to get Zib going. Despite Zib's struggles, don't expect him to sit a game, as Oscar Lindberg should be the healthy scratch again tonight.
On the blue line, Adam Clendening has sat six games in a row. Coming off the back-to-back and given AV's comments that Clendening should be play in the near future, I would expect Clendening to play today. Sitting should be Klein. Holden has played fairly well this season, especially lately, Marc Staal has been okay not great but he too should play while Dan Girardi, who saved a goal last night, has been fairly solid. That would make Klein the odd man out, since Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei are obviously locks nightly.