Gavrikov, Fox Lead Rangers to Win

The New York Rangers ended a four-game losing streak Monday with a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues at home. No, that first sentence is not a misprint. Three goals and a victory at home – plan the parade. Igor Shesterkin made big saves when needed, New York withstood a four-minute power play late in the third period and the offense did just enough to notch the win. 

Game recap:

Lines versus the Blues: 

Cuylle-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Panarin-Trocheck-Brodzinski
Sheary-Laba-Berard
Edström-Carrick-Raddysh

Gavrikov-Fox
Soucy-Schneider
Vaakanainen-Robertson

Shesterkin
Garand

A few thoughts:

1) Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox

The Rangers signed Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal this offseason to pair with Fox, providing him the perfect blueliner opposite him. Watching the two together, that thought process is accurate. Gavrikov, who returned after getting hit in the head with a shot early in the contest, is as steady as they come. 

Late in games, you want Gavrikov on the ice as he almost always makes the right read and play. What has been surprising is how good he is at pinching and filling open spots offensively to create plays or extend zone time and possession. Monday’s third goal was evidence of that, as Gavrikov went down low in the O-zone, which led directly to the score that proved to be the game-winner.  

Fox is Fox. He showed his awareness and ability to slow down the game and create on the first goal. Fox had the puck near the blueline in his own zone, pivoted, spun and then found Jonny Brodzinski with space at the far blue line. That pass led to the 2 on 1 and goal by Vincent Trocheck, who missed the morning skate and was a GTD yesterday. The duo of Fox and Gavrikov should be fun to watch for years (per Natural Stat Trick and as pointed out by Vince Mercogliano, Fox and Gavrikov had an 80.29 percent xGF in 17:49 of ice time together, pure dominance)

Overall, the defense was very solid last night. New York limited the Blues to just 22 shots overall and five high-dangler chances at even strength, including just two in the first 40 minutes. Shesterkin made a pair of pad saves on slot chances to thwart two of the high danger attempts. I thought Braden Schneider had one of his better games, playing physically, smart, sound, positional hockey. 

2) Lineup

Brett Berard got his chance to play. I thought he was engaged and his usual agitative self early on. New York has been missing someone who is willing to stick his nose in the mix and get dirty. Berard brings needed energy and had a few good scoring chances. Coach Mike Sullivan needs to find a place for Berard even when JT Miller is ready to return to action. 

Brodzinski is not a true top six winger but he has shown he can move up when needed and be somewhat effective. He brings speed and offensive instincts, just not closing ability. Brodzinski made a great read and feed on the 2 on 1 to Trocheck for the first goal of the game. When Miller returns, maybe put Brodzinski with Noah Laba and Berard as a new third line with Will Cuylle in the top six. That said, as Mercogliano noted, the Conor Sheary-Laba-Berard trio out-attempted the Blues 12-5, and outshot them, 6-2 in the win. Keep Berard on the ice. 

3) Schedule

New York needed this win because the next seven games are brutal. At Carolina on Wednesday, at Boston on Friday, home for Tampa on Saturday and Dallas next Tuesday, at Ottawa next Thursday and then home for Colorado on Dec 6 and Vegas on Dec 7. You can extend that thought a few more games, because the Rangers face the Blackhawks on the road Dec 10, then welcome in Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba and Anaheim on Dec 15.