The Rangers rallied from 2-0 down to defeat the Hurricanes 3-2 Tuesday at MSG. Better an ugly win than a pretty loss and the victory certainly qualifies under this adage. New York put on their bootstraps to a certain extent to find a way to win.
The lines to start game were:
Vesey-Hayes-Nash, Kreider-Stepan-Zucc, Grabner-Miller-Fast, Puempel-Lindberg-Pirri
For most of the first period and first half of the second, the offense was non-existent. That lack of an attack was so prominent that questions are to whether the lines should be shifted again back to what worked earlier in the season started to be brought up again. Maybe restoring the trios of Grabner-Hayes-Miller and Vesey-Stepan-Nash should be the way to go, leaving Kreider with Zuccarello and possibly Pirri, who would sub in for the injured Mika Zibanejad. The three goals scored by New York may dampen the ire of some but the lack of consistency up front could mean another change is forthcoming.
Just 12:55 into the game, New York found themselves down 2-0 on a pair of Viktor Stalberg goals. The defense, specifically Kevin Klein, did little to prevent either goal while Rick Nash was caught in front of the net on the second Stalberg tally. Klein's own zone turnover directly led to the second goal while the team's inability to clear the defensive zone resulted in the first marker against. At that point, the boo-birds came out in full force at MSG.
The fans' unrest continued into almost midway through the second stanza. Nick Holden cut the lead to 2-1 at 9:13, taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce back to him and good patience to wait out Cam Ward and put the put in the open net. Despite the goal, the Rangers were outshot 20-12 and out-attempted 46-26 through two periods, so lots of work remained to be done.
The third was the period of Nash. Kevin Hayes blocked a shot, and with he and Nash having switched sides during the play, Nash was in position to pick up the loose puck. He corralled the puck in the defensive zone, controlling it with one stick and splitting two defenders, including Justin Faulk, before scoring on a backhand shot from the right circle that ticked off Faulk's stick and went bar down over Ward’s left shoulder into the net to tie the game. After scoring 15 goals in 60 games last season, Nash has 10 through 24 games this year. His goal rejuvenated a somnambulant Garden crowd.
A hook and unsportsmanlike by Ron Hainsey gave New York a four-minute penalty with under seven minutes to go. Strong puck movement have Brady Skjei an open lane to put a shot towards Ward. Nash picked up the rebound and his shot was stopped but Jimmy Vesey was the right man at the right spot, putting in the rebound for the 3-2 lead and win. Vesey's tally was his eighth of the year ending an eight-game goal-less drought.
Lundqvist, who came up big in the first to keep the deficit at two, stopped all 20 shots he saw after the first period for 26 saves total. His play keeping the game close early was a huge factor in the win. Then, when he was needed late, Lundqvist was strong again.
A few thoughts:
Sorry TPC, but whither Chris Kreider? After a tremendous start to the season, he has been nowhere to be found. It's quite possible he still is dealing with some after effects of the injury that sidelined him after the first four games of the season. But he has been invisible since returning to action.
For all the criticism of Nash, his overall play has been consistent. You pretty much know the effort you will get nightly. The production may come and go but the effort is there. Last night, he put the team on his back and willed them to a win. So be careful before we all hope he is claimed in the expansion draft or traded.
New York finally chip the puck in the zone and then used their forecheck to create chances. After watching the team bang their heads against a wall trying to breakout against a team clogging the neutral zone, it was nice to see them finally adjust. This also applies to the PP, where the blue line has been stacked, yet they keep trying to skate the puck in and lose it.
For the love of all that is holy, can AV please shake up the D pairings and/or sit Klein? Move Skjei to play with McD or at least Staal. If playing Klein, slot him with Holden and not Skjei. Sit a slumping Klein and play Clendening against Buffalo on Thursday. Do something to shake it up like you have tried with the offense with Zib and Buch out.