The Rangers made it three-for-three on their four-game road trip, defeating the Coyotes 5-1 Saturday night. New York used their speed to create a myriad of chances, but were deadlocked 1-1 after two. That speed, possibly coupled with Arizona's wearing down a bit after playing Friday, resulted in four third-period goals and win for the Blueshirts. That victory moved NY, who are 9-3-1 in their last 13 contests, within one point of second place in the Metro behind idle Pitt with a game in hand. In addition, they are three points clear of Washington who lost yesterday, with the Rangers still having two games in hand. Interesting, the Rangers are now second behind Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference with 31 Regulation + Overtime wins and are now a plus-37, also best in the Conf., in goal differential.
New York's win gave coach Alain Vigneault his 500th career win. He’s the 21st coach to ever reach that mark and is now tied with Toe Blake. AV also needs just one more victory to reach Pat Burns, who is next up the coaching victory ladder. Remember all the questions and hand-wringing if AV would be willing to play and trust young kids? That has dissipated to a large extent. Granted, he has a longer leash for veterans, but just look at the past two years, especially this season with Kevin Hayes, and it looks like much of that criticism was unwarranted.
New York carried play much of the first, even though they were unable to generate any kind of sustained forecheck. Dominic Moore had a golden chance late, but the puck hit the heel of his stick while he seemed to have a wide-open net at which to shoot. All other good opportunities were stopped by Mike Smith, who was fairly good between the pipes.
In the second, Chris Kreider continued his hot play, streaking down the wing and then slipping a backhand past Smith. The play started on a good defensive play by Kevin Klein, who got the puck to Stepan. Step found a streaking CK20 down the left side and hit him with a hard pass in stride, enabling him to tun on the afterburners and create a breakaway goal.
Antoine Vermette tied the game at 6:33 of the frame, as he was left open in front, getting inside position on Tanner Glass. Vermeer stopped the puck with his skate and then had a yawning net in which to score. Arizona outplayed the Rangers in the second, out-shooting the Rangers 14-9 and out-attempting them 22 to 18. Talbot, who was very good for his second straight game, was excellent in this one, no more so than in the second as he stood tall between the pipes.
In the third, it was all Rangers. Rick Nash, who else, scored his seventh in eight games, beating Smith short-side, top-shelf. That was the same spot Columbus scored their game-winner Friday, so maybe a quick book was out on Smith. New York has tons of pressure after that marker, but were unable to breakthrough, then Talbot saved them again.
A backhand pass from their own zone found Arizona's Tobias Rieder streaking through the neutral zone. He was able to stay ahead of the D and drew a penalty. The officials awarded him a penalty shot, which looked to be a bit of a dicey call given the contact and that he didn't look completely in the clear. Talbot stood tall, stopping Rieder to keep in 2-1.
Hayes made it 3-1 scoring shorthanded. Oliver-Ekman Larsson broke his stick enabling Hayes to come in 2-on-1 with Glass. OEL took away the pass, leaving Hayes with a sharp angle chance, but he beat Smith short-side over the shoulder with an unreal goal for his second in as many games and 10th overall of the season. Yes, Virginia, that was Glass on ice for a goal for.
That goal took away any life from Arizona. all that was in debate was the final score. Marc Staal netted his fourth of the year at 14:16 and Lee Stempniak scored at 17:48 to make the final margin 5-1. Yes, Glass was on-ice for that final goal as well.
Many positives in this win - Despite getting outplayed in the second, NY never deviated from their game plan, using speed to create chances. - Talbot was brilliant for the second straight game, keeping NY in it in the second and making key saves in the third. The key for him can we be sen in this quote: "“One of the things I addressed with Benny (Allaire, the goalie coach) after the Toronto (win on Tuesday) was trying to attack the puck instead of letting the puck come to me." The Nashville, Dallas and especially Toronto games, Talbot was way too deep in his net. The last two, he has been higher in the crease, cutting down the angles while reacting better to high shots. - Kreider. When he gets going, forget it, you aren't catching him. Couple that with the skills and hands he has, it a heck of a combination. - Rolling all lines. The Kreider-Stepan-MSL was better. St. Louis is still fighting it, but he was bit better in this one. The top and third lines were pretty good once again, as the third trio is really meshing well lately. Beyond the Glass misplay on the goal, I thought the fourth line wasn't bad, and that's actually a compliment given how bad they were. - Staal and Klein. Once again, the best defensive duo. McDonagh was better this game, making a few nice plays, and Girardi was solid as usual, but they still have lots more areas to work on, especially in their own zone. Without the sick Dan Boyle, Hunwick and Moore were fine, no major glaring weaknesses or strengths. - Penalty kill. Steve Zipay wrote the following today: Even without Fast, the PK unit is 11-for-13 in the last four games, including the stifling of a long two-man advantage in Colorado and a 3-for-3 effort against the Coyotes -- plus their eighth shorthanded goal.
Missing Fast "hasn't really changed my first two units, with Dom [Moore] and Hags [Hagelin] and Step [Stepan] and Nasher [Nash]," Vigneault said. "I like having three duos, so without Quickie, I can rotate guys in and out on that third spot: Tanner Glass and Kevin Hayes, and Brass [Derick Brassard] and Zukie [Mats Zuccarello], so it depends on how guys are performing on that night."
Facing the Islanders on Monday, the PK needs to be good, given the weapons they have. - Road warriors. The Rangers are now 16-9-1 away from MSG. They have had four road trips of at least three games, going 12-1 heading into Monday's game. - Dads. The Rangers had their fathers with them on this road trip. They outscored the opposition 16-8. Can we take the dads to Long island?
The trade deadline is two weeks from Monday. We all know what we want Glen Sather to do. until then and beyond, if NY keeps playing as they have been, they should be in every single game and come on top of most. Nearly two-thirds of the season is gone and the home stretch is upcoming, settle in, it should be a fun ride.