The Rangers saw their four-game win streak end with a 5-4 shootout loss to the Canucks. New York scored twice in 21 seconds early in the third but allowed Vancouver to spend 90+ seconds in their zone late in the period and tie the game with two minutes to go. While the Rangers did earn a point, they tossed one away.
New York possession for large stretches of the game. Even though they were down 3-2 four minutes into the third, you had the sense they would come back, which they did just 1:24 later. For the next five minutes, the Rangers still carried play, then it all turned, with the Rangers parrying the Canucks' forays forward but not generating any attack. That came back to burn them.
Early on, it was all Vancouver, as they had three shots the first 19 seconds of the game and four in the first 2:46. But New York rebounded to outshoot Vancouver 14-5 in the period and score the only goal. The Rangers created pressure in the offensive zone and a beautiful feed from Martin st. Louis behind the net to Derek Stepan resulted in a one-timer and a goal.
Unfortunately, that lead was lost just 1:43 into the third. Jannik Hansen, who in my opinion was one of the best players on the ice Thursday, outfought Ryan McDonagh on the corner boards behind the net to put the puck out in front. Cam Talbot deflected it to the front of the goal, then got caught up with Dan Girardi, causing him to lose his edge. The puck went to Shawn Matthias and he put it in the empty net.
The Rangers responded and it was Rick Nash with his 36th of the year. New York was able to bottle Vancouver up by center ice with the puck ending up on Derick Brassard's stick. He made a beautiful feed to a breaking Nash, who was able to beat Ryan Miller. The 2-1 lead lasted just 2:18. McDonagh got caught pinching resulting in a 2-on-1. Girardi overcommitted to the pass rather than sticking with the possible recipient and Ronalds Kenins made a nice feed to Bo Horvat, the other best player on the ice last night, for the easy deflection and 2-2 tie.
In the third, Kevin Hayes got caught flatfooted and took a hooking penalty, giving the Canucks a PP. Vancouver, unlike the Rangers on their three man-advantages, created space with puck and player movement. Adam Clendening took a shot from the point that Henrik Sedin deflected past a screened Talbot for a 3-2 lead. Then the Rangers responded.
First, it was MSL, who has really rebounded since that third period benching against Colorado. St. Louis jumped to allowed Stepan's cross-ice pass to hit the boards so he could take it in stride. Then he had a patented St. Louis goal with a quick wrist shot just under Miller's pad. Just 21 seconds later, Carl Hagelin had a beautiful deflection off a Girardi shot that came about due to a horrific Henrik Sedin backhand pass up the center of the ice in his own zone.
Vancouver then pushed for the equalizer. They were able to keep the puck in the Rangers' zone wearing them down, resulting in an icing and timeout. that did little to slow them. The Rangers failed to get the puck deep. Vancouver came up ice and Daniel Sedin got the puck to dan Hamhuis, who went past a flatfooted Chris Kreider. Hamhuis put the puck on net and Henrik Sedin got to the big rebound to tie it up.
Not much occurred in overtime, so it was shootout time. Zucc and Stepan were stopped while Burrows and Vrbata scored. What should have been a win and two points became a shootout loss and one.
A few thoughts:
- the D overall has been a sieve lately. Tonight, no one played really well. McDonagh had a aggressive but bad pinch. G failed to play the 2-on-1 right and was so-so. Staal was beaten by Hansen. Klein was actually the best of the bunch while Boyle and Moore were non-descript. With Lundqvist out, the six that play have to be better in their own zone, like they were against Boston. Of course, the forwards didn't do a great job of coming back to help, but the d must be better.
- Talbot was average. His puck moving skills are great but he has to avoid big turnovers. He did make some very big saves, but that's lost in the four goals allowed. Talbot is 5-1-2 since hank went out but has allowed 25 goals in those games, including at least four in three of his last four games. he has to be able to make a save and get a stop, rather than leaving a rebound.
- I would start Skapski tomorrow against Buffalo. Both teams played tonight, so not as if the Sabres are a rested squad. Talbot could use a break especially with a big upcoming schedule looming in early-March with five tough games. If you are going give the rookie netminder a game and let him have a lasting memory, tomorrow seems to be the right place to do it.
- AV should have shifted up the D pairings or at least tweak who was out there. I don't think he did a great job managing the contest. This was one of those when the Rangers got the lead, you change the pairings and manage the shifts to keep the lead.
- It's great to see MSL back on the beam. They need him down the stretch and now the Kreider-Stepan-MSL line is a weapon. When you add that trio with the Nash one along with Hayes and Hagelin, scoring overall has not been an issue, save for one place...
- the power play. it went 0-for-3 again and the changes made have had little effect. It would be half bad if they were generating lots of big chances, but that hasn't been the case. Another tweak may need to be made, possibly giving Klein a shot at the point.
- Kreider. Love seeing him kick Burrows' rear. That was payback for McDonagh last season and his garbage with Zucc in the first. Kreider has the skills but when you add in that edge, it means he will have even more room on the ice.
- Zuccarello reportedly had his shoulder checked out after the game. He says it's fine and he'll be fit for tomorrow. I am unsure when the problem could have happened, possibly when he got into with Burrows, but glad he is okay.
- JT Miller has two points his last 14 games. He may not be a big scorer but his presence has helped the third line. When Jesper Fast returns, maybe he slides back there or the Rangers add a third line winger. But I am not ready to pull the plug on Miller and he wasn't the reason the team lost.
The Islanders won and are now 39-19-1 for 79 points. The Rangers point make them 34-16-6 for 74 points, second place in the Metro, five points behind the Isles with three games in hand. Washington won again and there are 32-17-7, tied with the NYR in points but behind them due to less wins and the Rangers with three games in hand. Pitt lost again and are now 32-17-9, one point behind Wash and the Rangers, but Wash has one game in hand and the Rangers two.
The goal for Friday is find a way to win by any way possible. If Skapski is in net, as i expect, his presence should make sure the Rangers focus on the task at hand and don't overlook Buffalo.