The Rangers defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday. Goals by Chris Kreider, on the power play, and a Kevin Hayes, on a one-time howitzer (something Hayes needs to do more often) were matched by tallies by Tyson Jost and Nathan MacKinnon. In the shootout, Kevin Shattenkirk scored the winning goal to make New York 2-4 on the year with a game tonight in Washington.
Line combinations and lineup:
Pavel Buchnevich, as expected, was a healthy scratch. As noted in the NY Post, “we have to have more of a grit element to our game offensively,” Quinn said before the game, in expanding upon his decision to scratch the underachieving, albeit talented Pavel Buchnevich. “We have to get to the net, there has to be less B.S. to our game offensively.” I’m just asking you to be physical enough and hard enough to allow your skills to influence the game,” that’s as good of an explanation as to why Buch was scratched. Not enough grit and willingness to go to the net while playing much on the perimeter. Buch isn’t the only one with this issue but he also hasnt played up to his talent level since Opening Night, which is why he was on the pine.
Quinn post-game:
A few thoughts:
1)
Henrik Lundqvist - Hank sure looks like vintage Hank. He is playing like the Lundqvist of old not an old Lundqvist. Two goals allowed on 33 shots, a pair of ridiculous saves late in the second before the double-deflection goal off MacKinnon. Stoned two of three shots in the shootout, including using a poke check on one.
Expect him to be between the pipes tonight with three days off upcoming. Per Carp: “Lundqvist has started both games of a back-to-back 83 times. In the second games of those 83 he is 53-23-7, 2.09 goals-against, .928 save percentage, nine shutouts.” Pretty darn good.
2)
Filip Chytil- played 20:08 yet didn’t get into the overtime. Wonder if Quinn was concerned about his defense in the extra session. But an odd decision
3)
Kreider - nice deflection goal. Said after the game that the team needs to play with a “little snarl.” We saw a little of that yesterday.
4)
Marc Staal-Brendan Smith - solid game overall by the duo. Staal May have been a bit too high in the MacKinnon goal, leaving Smith to guard two forwards in front. But unsure if Staal was there if the deflection would have been stopped. Pair did a pretty good job against Colorado’s top line, joined by the KZF trio.
5)
Shattenkirk - said all the right things when he was benched. Didn’t mope, took the criticism appropriately, including calling himself out for his poor play. Notched two assists, looking much more comfortable on the ice. Maybe the hurdle to be climbed was more mental than physical, as alluded to by Quinn when he scratched Kirk and yesterday after the game.
Shattenkirk game-winner in shootout:
6)
Lineups to start the season - Brooks wrote the following, which is something we have discussed in the past:
Quinn has not dressed the same lineup in consecutive games. Coming off of this one, this should be the time. At some point, familiarity breeds cohesion. Six games, and Brett Howden has started with six sets of linemates. Kevin Hayes has started between four different sets of wingers. Indeed, the Blueshirts have used 17 different line combinations and eight distinct defensive pairs to start their half-dozen matches. This lineup, with Filip Chytil on the wing, merits another look.
Quinn is evaluating talent while determining best combinations. After the win yesterday, I would keep the same 20 dressed. We have seen that he is willing to make changes after a victory, well at least once so far. But for today, go with yesterday’s lineup. Cohesion is needed but I would rather than see the team mix-and-match to see who best fits together or in the lineup in general rather than focusing on short term chemistry.
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