The Rangers and Islanders played a tremendously fun game to watch Wednesday. In the first match up of the division rivals at the Barclays' Center, the Islanders, now 4-0-1 in their last five, defeated the Blueshirts 2-1 in a shootout. The Rangers return home to face Colorado tonight.
A few thoughts on the game: - both goalies played great. Henrik Lundqvist was solid throughout, getting beat only on a 5-on-3 by John Tavares. Jaroslav Halak, who entered the game second in the NHL to Washington’s Braden Holtby with a 2.02 goals-against average, was beaten only on a deflection by Viktor Stalberg. Each netminder was strong positionally and came up with big saves when needed
- the Rangers were really good on the first, solid on the second and a nightmare in the third. The Isles turned the tide early in the second and that momentum to the Tavares goal. The Rangers were able to weather the storm in that frame and tied it late on the Stalberg goal. In the third, it pretty much was all Isles, as shot attempts were 22-16 NYI, scoring chances 16-6 NYI and high danger scoring chances 10-2 NYI.
- the goal against. With Keith Yandle and Dan Girardi (delay of game, as he missed the glass on his attempted) in the box, the Isles had a 53 second 5-on-3. The Isles won the draw, maintained position and moved the box around the top of the zone. Kyle Okposo fed Tavares just off the half boards and he weaved towards the slot from the right circle, then blasted his 12th of the season past Lundqvist. Of course, that's not the fully story, as Anders Lee pretty much interfered or hooked Marc Staal, preventing him from getting out on Tavares while Jesper Fast was a step slow in getting there.
John Tavares puts the Islanders up 1-0 https://t.co/wsSrJR6OkA
— Ryan Ohanesian (@ryanohan) December 3, 2015
- on the goal scored by the Rangers, Carp described it perfectly: "Stalberg won a battle behind the net, Dominic Moore wound it around the wall, Kevin Hayes smartly let it go back to the point and Marc Staal fired it toward the net. It hit Tavares’ stick and Stalberg pounced on the loose puck in one motion, knocking it through Halak." A much needed goal late in a period and a bit of a confidence boost for Stalberg, who has struggled lately.
- Now on the boys we love to hate. I admit I was one who questioned the Tanner Glass call up. But this type of game was perfect for his skill set and he might have had his best contest as a Ranger last night. Strong on and off the puck. Physical throughout. He played 10:01 and skated with Lindberg and Miller on the third line, which might have been the Rangers' most consistent like all night. I would expect to see him back him tonight, even if Emerson Etem is over the illness that sidelined him yesterday.
- Dan Boyle was pretty good throughout, again. For all the hate, he has been one of more consistent d-men all season. The shootout move had Halak dead to rights and the puck just rolled a bit or it would have been on to round four.
- As I wrote last night, Dylan McIlrath acquitted himself well in his first taste of the Rangers-Islanders rivalry. He played 15:21 and finished with three hits, two shots on goal and two blocked shots. With Kevin Klein out at least two weeks, McIlrath, who has played seven games, should be in the lineup daily. He was strong and physical, and more important, didn't appear fazed by the moment. I really like that AV had him out in the final five minutes of the game, rewarding him for how well he played and showing confidence in the rookie.
- a few things I disliked - 52 hits each really? Who is keeping that stats for the Barclays' Center.? Pretty sure I said when it was announced I didn't like the 3-on-3 overtime and I like it less now. It's a gimmick, like the shootout, and not reflective of true play. For a game like last night to end that way to me seems kind of a waste.
- If the NYR plays like they did in first 40 minutes, they will be fine, even without Stepan and Klein.