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Game 41: NYR-NYI meet again as Blueshirts look for two in a row vs. Isles

April 11, 2021, 4:12 PM ET [170 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers, in their final game before the trade deadline, meet the Isles again tonight at MSG. The Blueshirts defeated the Isles 4-1 on Friday, keeping the playoffs in striking distance. But the win one, lose one performance of late won't help that endeavor.

Friday, the Rangers played a very solid overall game. They limited the Isles' high-danger chances, and when they didn't, Alexandar Georgiev was a wall between the pipes. Georgiev came into the contest with career numbers versus the Islanders of 6-2 with a 1.80 goals-against average, .941 save percentage and two shutouts. Other than the last stat, Georgiev improved his numbers across the board, allowing just one goal on 31 shots while notching the win.

Despite the fine outing, Georgiev's first start since March 19, the Rangers are turning back to Igor Shesterkin tonight. The move is not a major surprise, as Igor is the team's #1 netminder, a role that coach David Quinn is trying to allow him to run with the past few weeks. I might have rolled with Georgiev again after the way he played Friday and his career numbers against the Isles. If Shesh gets the win, no harm, no foul, if not, then Quinn will rightly get the blame, dependent somewhat on how the team overall performs. Plus, we may get to see Shesterkin versus Ilya Sorokin between the pipes.

Colin Blackwell has made Quinn look brilliant for moving him up to the second line. Goals in back-to-back games and 12 overall on the year has made him the belle of the ball. Regression in terms of shooting percentage, but if he keeps doing the dirty work and staying on that line, points also will continue to flow. Vitali Kravtsov, good again on the fourth line Friday, will eventually need to move up as will Kaapo Kakko. Until that change occurs, Quinn will ride with Blackwell alongside Artemi Panarin, who despite playing just 29 games, has 42 points, tied for 12th in the league, and Ryan Strome, tied with Adam Fox, whose 12-game point streak was snapped Friday, for second on New York with 37 points. Plus, I am not going to worry now who they expose or will lose to Seattle, plenty of time for that debate and discussion.

By the way, that Lafreniere-Chytil-Kakko combination is starting to cook. Leave the kids together and allow them to build chemistry. Down the road, move Kakko or Kravtsov up to the second and you still have a kids line. In future, CK20 likely will slide down. But for the love of all that is holy, just enjoy this rather than criticizing and worrying. Try it, you might like it.

The Blueshirts, when play started today, were one point behind Philly, each team with 40 games players, for fifth place. A suddenly resurgent Boston, despite starting third and fourth string goalies, were still up by five points with a pair of games in hand. Tuukka Rask could return this week with Jaroslav Halak (COVID) possibly not far behind. Pittsburgh is 11 points up on the Rangers with New York having a game in hand. 

If the Rangers have any hopes of making a run for fourth, a win tonight is pretty much a must. In fact, reeling off several in a row will be critical. New York faces New Jersey, who are making life difficult for others in the division, on Tuesday and Thursday. A victory tonight and in those two contests will likely narrow the gap with Boston taking on Washington tonight, Buffalo on Tuesday and the Isles on Thursday. 

I would be surprised if the Rangers do much of anything tomorrow. Seems pretty clear that Brendan Smith will finish the year in New York and bringing in outside help looks unlikely. I could see Morgan Barron and Tarmo Reunanen getting a look see later in the year, with Tramo a possibility before then. Maybe Ty Ronning gets rewarded for his fine year at Hartford with a spot on the taxi squad. Besides those move, little else is likely.

Congrats to Zac Jones and UMass for winning the College Hockey Championship. Jones, voted first team, could remain in school and not sign with the team. He spoke in February about the need to get stronger and the probability of remaining in school. Though it is possible winning the title could change his mind.

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