The Rangers finished off a solid weekend by beating Washington 4-1 Sunday to complete a sweep of their back-to-back contests with the Senators and the Capitals. New York burst out to a 3-0 lead in the first, and after surrendering a PPG to Alexander Ovechkin on a howitzer top shelf to the short side on a 5-on-3, a short-handed goal by Captain Cally regained any momentum lost. The game was somewhat choppy due to all the power plays the Rangers had, but they did a solid job of controlling play to earn their sixth victory in seven games to move into second place in the Metro Division.
Game Highlights:
The game turned early on, as the Rangers' sniper, Rick Nash, put his stamp on the contest, something he has done a lot of recently. Nash, aided by an excellent forecheck by Chris Kreider, forcing a turnover by Dimity Orlov's, drove hard to the net and put the puck past Philipp Grubauer. Later, on a 5-on-3, Nash added his second of the game, with a quick shot through Grubauer's five-hole. Just as the 5-on 4 penalty ended, Derek Stepan got his second in as many nights, using a screen in front of Grubauer to make it 3-0 and chase the Washington netminder. Ovechkin got one back early in the third, capitalizing on a Kreider penalty, one that maybe could have been avoided, but you can live with because he is being aggressive. To me, one major key was Callahan's goal to take back the momentum. Cally has struggled to score, with just one goal his last 13 games and two in 22, but Dominic Moore made a good play to create the opportunity, then blasted the puck low to the pad side and Callahan outmuscled Orlov to get to the puck and make it 4-1.
A few quick thoughts: - Speed kills. Speed mixed with effort really kills, then when you add in the team's commitment to block shots (23 more yesterday), even though it's not a major focus, you have a great recipe for success. As Cap wrote: Kreider on the first Nash goal. Zuccarello, who like Brian Boyle took one in not a great area but also looks to be fine, used his speed to create a man advantage. Callahan to beat Orlov to get to the rebound. - Nash. While most will focus on the end result, seven goals in eight games, to me, more important is how and why those goals are occurring. Nash is going hard to the net, which is creating room and chances for himself and others. Early in the season, whether it was due to injury, a lack of confidence or both, Nash was too often on the outside looking in, now, he is wreaking havoc down deep. - Lundqvist. Back to being the King. Hank is 7-2-1 in his last 10 starts, posting a 1.98 goals-against average and .934 save percentage with a 5-1, 1,34 GAA and .958 SV his last six. Fortunately, the tweak in either his back or leg, which happened when he made a save with a bit under three-and-a-half minutes left and looked to get his right leg caught underneath him, appears to be nothing serious. - The Rangers, 11-3-1 in their last 15 games and 27-21-3, 57 points for the year, are now in second place two points ahead of the Flyers, who hold two games in hand. New York has a five-point bulge over Columbus, though the Blue Jackets have three games in hand and the same five-point lead over Washington (22-19-8, 52 points), who have just 12 regulation wins in 49 games. - The Rangers amazingly have allowed an even-strength goal in only two of their previous 16 periods. They are 13-3-1 when leading after the first period and 17-1-1 when leading after two, sounds like the past few seasons when Tortorella was the coach.
The big discussion today has been chemistry versus size. In defense of chemistry, the Rangers have benefiting from the "Carcillo Effect," posting a 6-1-0 record using the same lineup since Daniel Carcillo made his team debut in Chicago on Jan. 8, scoring the first goal in five of those seven contests. The question is do you mess with that chemistry to get size? Would you deal someone like Hagelin for Andrew Ladd or go after a Scottie Upshall or Shawn Matthias or Matt Moulson or Steve Ott or Curtis Glencross or Michael Cammelleri, even though it would displace someone in the top-six, nine or 12? Plus, where do you re-insert Derek Dorsett when he returns? Now, as Pete said, if you could get a Dustin Byfuglien, you likely do it, as his shot would be great on the PP, though I wonder if he has the capacity to move around as well as others have to create the chances that have been there later. In addition, will he bring it nightly to use his size and skill to the maximum of his abilities?
This is a debate that will rage until March 5, and then again after the season. My view is as such, if you can get a talent like Buff, despite his warts, or another solid winger/defenseman with size, as long as it doesn't cost Hagelin, then count me in. Since it would create depth and allow further options on what is not an interchangeable second and third lines. If not, then it's hard to argue with the chemistry and confidence evident on this team now and breaking that up would be very difficult.