The Rangers completed their sweep of Western Canada with a 7-2 win over Vancouver on Tuesday. Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller each scored twice while Mats Zuccarello added a goal and two assists as New York continued to pile up goals. Somewhat lost in the win may be the performance of Henrik Lundqvist, who made 35 saves overall and 17 in the first period, enabling the Rangers to end that frame with a 1-0 lead.
The stats and numbers continue to pile up in an impressive manner. Here are some of the post game notes, similar to what I noted in my last blog:
The NYRangers (13-4-0) have won 13 of their first 17 games to start a season for the 2nd time in their 90-year history (2015-16: 13-2-2).The Rangers are the first NHL team to record five or more goals in nine of its first 17 games since the Buffalo Sabres in 2006-07.
NYR have tallied five or more goals in nine of the first 17 games in one season for the second time in franchise history (1972-73)
In his last nine starts, #NYR @HLundqvist30 has posted an 8-1-0 record, along with a 1.89 GAA, a .936 SV%, and 1 SO.
I will focus on a few of these stats in the blog but will cover the Lundqvist one first. Lundqvist got off to what has become his traditional slow start this season with last year's hot one an aberration. Whispers of his decline began in last season's playoff loss to Pittsburgh and then continue into early this year. As seen from those numbers above, rumors of his demise appear to have been greatly exaggerated. Lundqvist was brilliant last night, both positionally and in his quick reaction times. He kept New York in the game in the first, and when Vancouver dominated the puck, which was often yesterday, Lundqvist made big save after big save. Having a trusted back up like Antti Raanta allows coach Alain Vigneault to not overuse Lundqvist and hopefully stick to the plan of having him make just 55-58 starts. If that ends up to be the case, we will have a fresh Lundqvist come the stretch drive and playoff time.
The offense has gone from sublime to ridiculous. Steve Zipay tweeted the following last night: "The seven NYR goals were a season high, and so were the four in the third, for any period. They came on seven shots." Normally, we would look at that tweet and be amazed. Now, we have come to expect an offensive explosion nightly so we shrug it off and say meh, that's nice. What concerns me is the four shots and seven goals, so let me explain.
Certain stats are sustainable while others are not. Last year, the Rangers were carried early by Lundqvist playing at an unbelievably high level. We all knew some regression would happen. This year, it looks to be the shooting percentage coupled with the recent cracks in puck possession. I know most of if not all hate advanced metrics. Plus, I also realize this is a results driven game like any sports, so wins are what matters. But to go all Mike Tannenbaum on you, the process does matter as well.
In October, the Rangers historical issues with puck possession seemed to dissipate. They were carrying the play and the action, leading to the high volume of scoring. In November, that former trend had returned, whereby the Rangers are once again getting dominated in puck possession stats. But, their ridiculously high conversion rate on quality shots - and in fact, all shots - has maintained that high scoring total. Eventually, that too will reverse, resulting in a recession. So, the question is was October the norm or the aberration or is November? Also, let me clear, the regression may mean scoring three and not four-plus goals nightly, so if Lundqvist and Raanta continue to play well, it may not matter. But, if New York can somehow return to that puck possession form they displayed in October, we may really have something special this year.
Yesterday, the goals came in waves. Despite being outshot in the first period, New York headed to the locker room up 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Miller, who redirected a pass from Mats Zuccarello in the slot that beat goaltender Jacob Markstrom at 18:42. Great pass by Zucc, better deflection by Miller, who also showed smarts in lifting his leg so that the deflection wouldn't hit it or his skate.
In the second, great patience by Hayes to extend the lead. He came down the left wing, watched the defense fall back and not challenge him and instead of forcing a pass, blasted a slapshot short side to beat Markstrom from the circle at 9:08 for his seventh of the season. Brady Skjei picked up the secondary assist on the goal and is currently tied for fourth among defensemen in assists with 10, which is also the most by any rookie this season.
Brandon Pirri would make it 3-0 with his fifth of the season and third on the man advantage on the power play with 5:22 left in the second. Ryan McDonagh'a initial shot was stopped by Markstrom, but he left a rebound which Pirri put into the wide open net from the slot. McDonagh'a assist gives him 11 on the year and ties him for second in assists by a defenseman. Vancouver scored with under a minute to go to make it 3-1, as Henrik Sedin a great screen on Lundqvist, who never saw Brandon Sutter's shot.
Vancouver had four come back victories in the third period this season as I expected them to come out flying on the period. But Hayes and Miller scored 42 seconds apart in the opening minutes of the third period to blow the game open and remove any doubt. Hayes beat Markstrom on a breakaway top shelf with credit to Jesper Fast for pushing the puck forward to spring Hayes on the breakaway. I was wrong in my suggestion to have Oscar Lindberg move up to the third line over Fast, as Fast was all over the place and fit in well on the trio last night. Miller buried a nifty pass from behind the net from Zuccarello for his second of the night and seventh of the season. Zuccarello and Nick Holden added goals to cap the scoring in what was another great night for the offense, as 10 different Rangers had points, including multi-point performances by Miller, Hayes, Zuccarello, Mika Zibanejad, Fast and Holden
The one concern coming out of the game may be the black and blue marks in several players from blocking shots and absorbing hits. Derek Stepan left the game after blocking a shot in the first but he came back. Fast similarly in the second. Hayes took one off the top of his foot. Michael Grabner was slashed in the third, so lots of possible bumps and bruises. The good part is New York is off till Friday. AV summed it up nicely, “There’s no doubt we’re scoring a lot of goals. Tonight, for me though, the word was more like ‘ice pack.’ They put their bodies on the line to block shots, came back and continued to play through the pain. That was a big statement, the willingness to pay the price in defensive situations and we were opportunistic at the right time.…