The Rangers were substantially outplayed Sunday but we're able to eke out a 2-1 win over the Panthers. Cam Talbot was a wall while Matt Hunwick, who is stepping in for Kevin Klein, added a goal and an assist. In addition, James Sheppard, possibly in only because Tanner Glass was scratched with an upper-body injury, tallied his first of the year after getting rewarded for a strong shift.
The numbers from the game weren't pretty. Florida had 98 shot attempts, Talbot made 38 saves while the Rangers blocked a franchise record 36 shots. Just looking at the number 98 has to make you shake your head and realize just how fortunate the Rangers were to win Sunday. We knew that eventually there would be a stinker in this current run; thanks to Talbot and a few others, the Rangers were able to overcome that stench and win the game.
Talbot just continues to impress. He is 13-2-3 with a 2.20 goals-against average and .945 save percentage since stepping in for Henrik Lundqvist on February 4. It has gotten to the point that I know friends etc. who are questioning whether the Rangers should roll with Talbot even when Lundqvist is ready to return. Part of that call might come down to when Lundqvist returns.
There are four weeks and 14 games left to the regular season. Let's say Hank comes back in two weeks. Seven games likely would be enough for him to be at close enough to peak level for the playoffs. What happens if that return is delayed a week? How about two? Would you roll with Lundqvist if he had just a few games or none before the post-season, especially if Talbot stays hot? This decision, presuming the above scenario plays out, will be the one that dominates the conversation surrounding the playoff for the Rangers.
Beyond Talbot, the fourth line was good again. On for both goals for, with Dominic Moore having assists in each. The newly formed trio of Sheppard-Moore-Fast gives NY the ability to cycle deep, control the puck, chip in some offense while also not losing any defensive responsibility. Other than that line, there are few positives from the other three last night. I thought they were outplayed and spent a lot of time chasing rather than possessing the puck.
The two other concerns are Martin St. Louis and the power play. St. Louis left Sunday game with what looked to be a knee injury after getting tangled up with defenseman Dmitry Kulikov with just over three minutes to play. While MSL, who has 20 goals and 27 assists, has struggled again lately, losing him for any length of time would be a big blow for a team with not much forward depth. St. Louis was favoring the leg and had trouble hoping over the boards to leave the ice. After the game, coach Alain Vigneault said that the initial review was that the injury "doesn't seem to be serious, but we'll know more [Monday].'' Hopefully he is right, but it didn't look pretty.
The power play continues to be a source of concern. The Blueshirts went 0-for-2 Sunday and are 0-for-14 over the past five games and 1-for-18 over the past seven matches. AAV talked before the game of going with four forwards and one defenseman but decided against it as he tough they had good looks Saturday, maybe Wednesday we will see that change. Fortunately, the other side of the special teams ledger is excelling. keep going in opposite directions. The penalty-kill was 3-for-3 Sunday and is 16-for-17 in the last five games, with all the combinations rolling.
It is the first time since 1971-72 that the Rangers have 95 points in the first 68 games of the season. They lead the NHL in wins with 44 and are 8-0-2 in the last 10 games at the Garden. New York is on top of the Metro, Eastern Conference and President's Trophy race by virtue of points, wins or games in hand. Whatever it takes.
There are games where you don't deserve to win and you do. Sunday was one of them. New York has allowed a total of six goals over the past seven games while going 6-0-1, 14-1-2 over their last 17 and 33-7-3 in their past 43 contests since December 8. It's a great run and occasionally you will have one that sticks out like a sore thumb; Sunday was it