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Game 18: NYR 2 VAN 1, The kids shall lead them..

November 13, 2018, 7:41 AM ET [136 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers improved to 6-0-1 in their last seven with a 2-1 win over the Canucks in Monday. After an early power play chance, New York was outplayed by Vancouver in the first period and for good parts of the second. But the Blueshirts were able to stay with the Canucks, partially aided by a post-crossbar-post shot off the stick of Michael Del Zotto and crossbar by Nikolay Goldobin, who tallied Vancouver’s only goal in the second period. I know we all like to rip on Cody McLeod, but his fight did seem to wake up a sleeping team and he was pretty solid again in his play. Filip Chytil was rewarded with his first in the power play while Brett Howden netted the game-winner late in the third. New York, thanks to some good defensive work in the last 90 seconds off the game, was able to prevent the Canucks from tying the game.

Game recap:


Rebuild?:



I have no illusions that New York will remain in this place in the standings. In addition, we all know that the team has flaws, especially in their own zone. But the division has been weaker than expected so far and if you bring effort nightly, regardless of the talent level, you have a chance in each game. Plus, if Howden continues to play as he has to date, Chytil gets hot now that the weight of not scoring is off his back and Andersson forces the issue to stick around, the Blueshirts could stick around for a while longer and maybe change the mindset of the fan base. I still think looking to 2019-2020 or 2020-21 is the way to go, but the current streak is beneficial for the kids as they will see what it’s like to play in games that may be more meaningful than first thought.

David Quinn Post-Game:


Chytil's first of the season:



Good for Quinn recognizing how well Chytil was playing andnthat he deserved to be moved up to the top line and power play in place of Ryan Spooner. Chytil has six shots and was dangerous throughout the contest. He should open Thursday’s game against the Islanders as part of a trio with Vladislav Namestnikov, who has been very good the last few weeks and moved to right wing to make room for Chytil, and Mika Zibanejad. Also, love seeing Zib instructing Chytil while in the ice, Kevin Shattenkirk giving him advice as they came off the ice after the second period and Chris Kreider pumping up Chytil before the game.

Howden's goal:



Howden gets kicked out of the dots. Jesper Fast takes the draw, Howden tops the puck back to Jimmy Vesey, whose shot is blocked but Howden picks up the puck and whips it past Jacob Markstrom. Luck helped there but good puck recognition and skill by Howden, who didn’t wait to shoot, but one-timed the puck into the net.




Great defense down the stretch. Neal Pionk with a blocked shot. Fast with a great defensive play. Marc Staal with a solid play as well. Three saves by Henrik Lundqvist, including one on Elias Pettersson, to seal the victory:







Lundqvist win #437 from a historical perspective:



Lundqvist is eight wins shy of tying Terry Sawchuk (445) for sixth on the all-time list and 17 shy of Curtis Joseph (454) for fifth place.




Congrats to Larry Brooks who was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame yesterday.

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