|
Game 16: NYR 4 WAS 1, Panarin, Strome, Laf and Buch lead the way |
|
|
|
|
|
The Rangers notched a second straight win, defeating the Capitals 4-1 on Saturday. Playing one of their most complete games of the season, New York carried play throughout the contest. The absence of Kaapo Kakko, due to COVID-19 protocols, resulted in a shuffling of the lines, which paid dividends in the victory. K'Andre Miller returned to action after missing two games with an upper body injury, playing 20 minutes while paired with Brendan Smith, as Jack Johnson was scratched. New York is now off until Wednesday, when they face Philly.
Game recap:
David Quinn post-game:
Line shuffle:
Panarin-Zibanejad-Lafreniere
Kreider-Strome-Buchnevich
PDG-Rooney-Blackwell
Lemieux-Howden-Gauthier
Kakko, who missed the Feb. 1 contest against the Penguins after registering a false positive on a test, landed back on the COVID list this morning and was unavailable for Saturday's game. According to Quinn, Kakko does not have any symptoms. But because he has Type 1 diabetes, the concern level is raised with Kakko, who has been one of the team's best forwards all season. Julien Gauthier replaced Kako in the lineup, playing just under 10 minutes.
Quinn, in an attempt to jumpstart Zib, moved Panarin to his line and placed Laf on the right side. A beautiful dish from Panarin to Laf for his goal, scored in front of the net, an area he needs to go to more often. The first goal of the game came after Panarin shot the puck on net and Chris Kreider cleaned up the rebound on the power play. Ryan Strome tallied his 100th goal of his career and an assist in the win and has looked a heck of a lot better the past two weeks than he did the beginning of the season.
Games like today are why you love Pavel Buchnevich. A pair of assists, but on Zib's ENG, his first marker in 13 games, Buch pretending to take the monkey off of Zib's back shows how much the team knows this was weighing on Mika and Buch making light of the situation. You know my view on Buch. He has more to give, but you see his growth the last few years and would hate to see him explode elsewhere if he is not brought back.
Zib is still fighting it. Missing passes, failing to find holes and looking a step slow. Maybe the goal will get him going and the couple of extra days between games might help as well. zib needs to be out there daily, grinding to try and find a way through this slump. Keep Panarin and Laf with him. When Kakko comes back, then Quinn will have a decision who skates on the second line.
Igor Shesterkin was very good. I am sure he would love to have Dimitry Orlov's shot, which went between the glove and pad, back, as it was the only one that beat him, I would roll with Igor again Wednesday. He was aided by his defense. Vince Mercogliano noted that the Rangers allowed just four high-danger scoring cha. nces, according to Natural Stat Trick, including none in the final period
Jacques Martin gets a ton of credit for the improvement on the penalty kill. New York went 4-for-4 Saturday  and is now 31-for-32 in their last 10 games. A more aggressive forecheck, coupled with rotating new players and the reach of Miller have all helped.
After being embarrassingly bad between the dots, the Rangers have been much better the last two games. New York won 55% (34-for-62) of the draws in Philly and 57% (32-for-56) Saturday. Only Kevin Rooney struggled, and if Colin Blackwell remains on his line, let Blackwell take the draws.
Larry Brooks drops the mic and walks away at the end of his Slapshots column this week:
"Finally, just let me say that I hope everyone in the Professional Hockey Writers Association approves of this week’s subject matter."
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»