The Rangers started their critical road trip in fine fashion with a 2-1 comeback win over the Ducks on Wednesday. New York fell behind 1-0 in the first but tied it just after three minutes into the second period. The remainder of the second and first 13 minutes of the third were scoreless before New York notched the game-winning goal. The Rangers were able to hold off Anaheim late to get the win. They are right back at it tonight against Los Angeles.
A few thoughts:
- overall a strong performance up and down the lineup. Some bobbles and mistakes but unlike the past several games, the effort and jump were apparent early. New York gave no ground, matching Anaheim's physical play, which will be needed again tonight.
- Kevin Klein giveth and then taketh back, twice. After getting stripped by Corey Perry, who fed Jamie McGinn for the Anaheim goal, Klein rebounded. He scored the tying goal off Tanner Glass' shot. Then in the third, he went to daylight and was rewarded when Eric Staal's pass hit the defenseman and deflected off of Klein's stick for the goal. Klein and Ryan McDonagh looked pretty good together and that combination should hopefully stick together a bit.
- for all the continued criticism of Glass, lately, he has done exactly what you want from a fourth liner. Be physical on and off the puck, using the forecheck to establish positional play. It's become way too easy and the default position just to blame Glass for everything and say he should be out of the lineup. There are many others who deserve to be sat, as they have been passengers. Glass has earned and deserved his recent playing time.
- when the point shot deflected off I believe Perry's stick and hit McDonagh, my first thought was please don't let it be his eye. In addition, I was wondering if karma wasn't catching up after he injured Lundqvist and Zucc last year. When I saw the replay, my concern moved from that to did McDonagh end up with a concussion and how badly did it hit his ear through the ear hole. Fortunately, it looks like McD is fine and should be in the lineup again tonight
- JT Miller wasn't great early but he got better. Strong and physical as the game wore on. His drive to the net helped set up Klein's game-winning goal. Miller just missed scoring in the third when he deked two defensemen and went hard to the net. If Miller plays like this, which is how he needs to, he should get rewarded with a goal.
- as he done a lot lately, Antti Raanta came up big. Big save after big save. His performance kept the team in the game, giving them enough time to get the win. Raanta has shown he deserves time down the stretch in order to keep Henrik Lundqvist fresh.
- the blue line overall was pretty good. AV doled out the playing time fault evenly with McDonagh and Klein seeing most of the ice time. Yandle saw four minutes on the power play, so his 5x5 time was the least of the sixth defensemen, which is somewhat odd. Maybe AV was trying to keep Yandle fresh for tonight. With the back-to-back, this is where I wish that even with the cap constraints, New York would have taken Brady Skjei on the road with the team. Tonight would be a perfect opportunity to sit Boyle and play Skjei, especially with another game Saturday and one Monday after a cross-country flight.
A good start to the trip, made a bit easier by staying out of the penalty box. But to really impress me and make me believe they have at least started to turn the corner, do it again tonight. Then repeat it Saturday. But a win over a real good tea on the road has to make you to take notice and should put the team in a good mindset for the game against LA.