The Rangers swept back-to-back contests this weekend. In the team's 5-1 win over Anaheim,
the offense carried the load with Chris Kredier front and center while the team was.backstopped by another strong effort between the pipes by Jonathan Quick. Saturday, in the 2-1 overtime victory over the Bruins, the contest was a tighter checking affair. Vincent Trocheck ended his mild slump by tallying both goals while Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves in his best game in weeks. New York is off until Tuesday, when they aim to get revenge over the Maple Leafs in Toronto.
Lines vs Boston:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Wheeler
Panarin-Trocheck-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Bonino-Brodzinski
Vesey-Goodrow-Pitlick
Lindgren-Fox
Gustafsson-Trouba
Jones-Schneider
Shesterkin
Quick
Scratches: Jones, Edström
LTIR: Chytil, Kakko
Friday, Adam Edström dressed in place of Nick Bonino, who was sidelined with an illness. Edström tallied with three seconds remaining in the contest. He got the rookie lap Saturday against Boston even though he didn't end up dressing. In addition, K'Andre Miller missed his second straight game due to personal reasons with Zac Jones dressing in his place.
Friday's game recap:
Saturday's game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Kreider continues to move up the Rangers' all-time lists. His two goals Friday gave the winger 501 points in his career, the second, coming on the man-advantage, gave him 100 PPG overall. In addition, he is now third on the all-time goal list with 281 behind only Jean Ratelle at 336 and Rod Gilbert with 406 tallies.
He has gotten better as he has aged. Evidencing this is 104 of his 281 career goals have come after he turned 30, a span of just two-plus seasons. For years, many have felt that Kreider didn't maximize his talents, not using his speed to create chances or his strength to carve out open space. Recently, he has better maximized his skills and talents while also becoming a master in deflecting and tipping shots. In addition, he has become a stalwart on the penalty kill, paired with Mika Zibanejad.
All the talk that Kreider was overpaid after he signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension with the Rangers in February of 2020 has dissipated. Kreider could end the team's all-time leading goal scorer when his career is finally over. More important is his leadership on and off the ice. While he is not officially wearing the C, Kreider is a kind of de facto captain since he is viewed as the vetera ballast on the team and one who provides sage advice to all
2) Goaltending: Friday, it was Quick. Saturday, Shesterkin. When a big save was needed in either game, both goalies stepped up. Quick improved to 9-0-1 with a 2.09 GAA and a .926 save percentage in stopping 29 shots. Coming into Saturday's game, Igor needed a big performance, as his recent play had been less than solid. He answered the bell Saturday, likely earning the start Tuesday against the Maple Leafs as he looks to exact revenge following the rough start he had this week against Toronto.
3) Calls on the ice: The Boston goal was mildly questionable. On replay, it looked like Trent Fredric made contact with Shesterkin's pad before putting the puck in the net. This play looked similar to a goal overturned against Minnesota on Henrik Lundqvist jersey retirement night when the goal was overturned. Then later, the officials made a horrible penalty call on Hampus Lindholm giving New York a power play. Once again, no consistency in calls.
IMO, this is one of those plays that depends which angle you watch. In real time and from the overhead replay, I didn't think it was enough to garner a goalie interference call. But if you watch this one, you can make the argument that it is. https://t.co/fEBo1fNp6O
4) Ryan Lindgren: pure warrior. For the third straight game, Lindgren took a massive hit and was knocked down. Once again, he got up, wiped off whatever blood he had on and kept on playing. Saturday, David Pastrnak boarded him from behind earning a five-minute major and game misconduct. He and Pasta have a history and did have a few dust ups during the game, including one play where Lindgren maintained enough contact with Pastrnak to get his stick on his and prevents a possible breakaway. Pastrnak was annoyed no call was made and took that annoyance on Lindgren.
My concern with Lindgren is the cumulative impact of all the hits. A restricted free agent with arb rights, Lindgren will be looking for a big payday at the end of the year. A warrior, who has been the perfect pair mate for Adam Fox, Lindgren is deserving of a new deal, The only questions are for how many years and what type of dollars. His style of play must be factored into any contract discussions, but Lindgren to me is the modern day version of Dan Girardi, thereby making him almost a must-sign but within reason.
David Pastrnak received a five minute major and a game misconduct for this hit on Ryan Lindgren.
5) Power play: when needed Saturday, the man-advantage came up big. Friday, New York was 2-for-6 on the man-advantage, using the power play to gain and extend the lead. Saturday, facing the next penalty kill in the league, the Rangers scuffled early before breaking through.
Trocheck and Mike Zibanejad worked a perfect give-and-go with Trocheck finding the open space in the slot to beat Jeremy Swayman. The goal was similar to the one Jonny Brodzinski scored last week when he read the play, darted into the slot and scored. The game-winner also came on a give-and-go with Artemi Panarin and Trocheck with Trocheck getting open space low to beat Swayman for the game-winner in overtime.
5) US World Juniors Hockey Team: Congrats to Gabriel Perreault and Drew Fortescue for making the squad
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