The Rangers exorcised some ghosts and demons, shutting out the Canadiens 1-0 for their first win in Montreal since a 4-3 shootout win on March 17, 2009. The regulation win was their first in Montreal since February 3, 2008. A power-play goal by Ryan Callahan, strong goaltending by Cam Talbot, excellent forechecking and four lines rolling were the keys to the victory.
Game Highlights:
It's hard to overstate just how good and important Cam Talbot has been. He helped right the ship when the team and Henrik Lundqvist were struggling. Now, he afford coach Alain Vigneault the option of sitting Lundqvist without too much worry of a major drop-off between the pipes. Playing him at the Bell Centre was something we spoke about a lot as to how right of a move it was, regardless of the result, as Hank is 4-5-2 with a 3.87 goals-against average and .876 save percentage in his own personal House of Horrors. Talbot made 22 saves, coming up big early while the Rangers found their legs, in notching the team's first shutout in Montreal since February 25, 1967.
Offensively, the Rangers created pressure all night on Carey Price, who made 33 saves. If not for Price, the Rangers would have had more than the one goal, as they forechecked with abandon all night, forcing Montreal into at least eight icings in the third period. The team neutralized P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov, by physical with them, while matching the speed of the Canadiens throughout the contest. They took advantage of the fact that Montreal played Columbus on Friday, keeping presure on throughout. New York blocked 21 shots to Montreal's 15, outshot them 34-22 and possibly just as important were dead even 27-27 against a good faceoff team. It doesn't get easier Sunday with the Kings fresh off two wins in their first two games in New York-New Jersey. Ben Scrivens has done his best Jonathan Quick impersonation and LA brings some of the speed that Montreal has but with even more of a physical edge to them. In addition, the Kings are well rested while the Rangers are obviously on the back end of a back-to-back.
The fourth line may have stolen the show. AV played them late in the game because they were the team's best trio. Dominic Moore was effective in his first game back after missing seven contests with a strained oblique (which for Colorado may be a best case scenario with Matt Duchene suffering a similar injury). Justin Falk was effective enough in 12:11 of ice time, and with the Rangers winning, he likely will be in the lineup again Sunday. Beyond the win, with Rick Nash going through contact in practice with no ill-effects to date, he is expected to get back in the lineup this week, possibly against Boston on Tuesday but more likely versus Dallas on Thursday. His return should make the lines even more balanced and dangerous. Getting Del Zotto to as he put it, "improve his consistency offensively and make a positive impact with the puck" would be big as well, but the return in general, and hopefully to form, by Nash should have a huge impact on this tea,
Carl Hagelin-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello Brian Boyle-Derick Brassard-Derek Dorsett Benoit Pouliot-Dominic Moore-J.T. Miller
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi Marc Staal-Anton Stralman John Moore-Justin Falk
Henrik Lundqvist
The only change from Saturday should be the return of Lundqvist to the lineup, as the Rangers go for the weekend sweep.