The New York Rangers rode Gabe Perreault‘s first career hat trick and Jonathan Quick’s brilliant start to a 4-1 win over the Red Wings. New York has four wins in their last five games, moving the Blueshirts to 29th in the league (more on this below). The Blueshirts face the Capitals, who are fighting to make the playoffs, at MSG on Sunday.
Game recap:
Rangers’ lines vs. Red Wings:
Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Kartye-Miller-Sheary
Cuylle-Trocheck-Brodzinski
Sýkora-Laba-Chmelař
Gavrikov-Fox
Fortescue-Schneider
Robertson-Borgen
Quick
Shesterkin
A few thoughts:
1) Perreault, with his three goals Saturday, became the fourth Rangers rookie in the past 30 years to score a hat trick, joining Chris Kreider (Nov. 30, 2013), Derek Stepan (Oct. 9, 2010), and Jan Hlavac (Feb. 11, 2000).
After failing to make the Rangers out of training camp and to stick when he was promoted in November, Perreault got the call again in late December. Perreault’s move to the top line, resulting in increased responsibility and ice time, was the difference-maker in his improved performance since the Olympic break. The three goals and assist Saturday give the 20-year-old forward seven tallies and 17 points in 20 contests since the NHL resumed action.
Perreault was known for decision-making and vision when drafted, with his foot speed a negative, causing his fall to 23rd in the 2023 draft. Strong anticipation and the ability to read plays in advance (similar to Derek Stepan) were to be his weapons against a slow skating style. Those have certainly been the cause, but he has improved his skating since his promotion, as noted by head coach Mike Sullivan.
“When you look at Gabe’s growth here over the course of the season, I think he’s picked up a couple of steps just in his quickness, not only that, but how quickly he thinks the game,” Sullivan said. “It’s one of the biggest hurdles. I think young players, all young players, regardless of what their strengths are as players, is just the speed of the game, the physical speed, the foot speed itself, but also how fast you have to think the game.
“The windows of opportunity open and close way quicker in this league than any in the world. That’s what separates the NHL from the rest. I think the game is slowing down in his mind. And obviously his hockey IQ is probably his greatest attribute… With his vision, and his brain, and his stick skills, he’s finding ways to have success in those areas in that environment. That’s the experiential learning that’s so critical. It’s essential to the young players’ growth. I just think with each game that he plays, he’s getting better and better in all those areas.”
2) Quick: David Perron ended Quick’s big for a shutout with 33 seconds left, knocking in a loose puck at the far side of the net after a wraparound attempt by Emmitt Finnie for the 4-1 final. That goal somewhat ruined what a great story Saturday was.
Coming off of a seven-game absence from an upper-body injury, Quick came back strong on Saturday afternoon, making 31 saves on 32 shots, helping propel the Rangers to a victory over the Red Wings. Quick was especially good in the third period when Detroit outshot New York 18-6 in the stanza.
This might have been Quick’s last game played as a Ranger and in the NHL, as he is a free agent after the season, who might retire. Quick has struggled since the 2023-24 campaign, but he has not given any indication which way he is leaning. If this is it for the future Hall of Famer, he gets to ride into the sunset off a solid performance.
“I believe he’s a first ballot Hall of Famer. When you look at his body of work in the league, he’s a multiple-time Stanley Cup champion,” Sullivan said of Quick. “I think what he means internally to our organization, I think maybe flies under the radar. I think his teammates have so much respect for him, certainly his coaching staff and the management team.
“The example, what he represents, and how he goes about his business every day, I think, is inspiring for all of us. His work ethic is second to none. He has such a passion for the game. He just loves hockey, he loves being on the ice, loves competing, and those are the types of players that we believe you win with, and so I think he’s a great inspiration for all of us.”
3) The Rangers rightfully honored Howie Rose, who is retiring as the Mets’ radio play-by-play announcer at the end of the season. Rose, who filled a similar role for the Rangers before moving to the Islanders, is best known for his Matteau, Matteau, Matteau call in the second overtime of Game 7 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals win over the Devils.
4) Ping-pong balls: as noted above, the Rangers (32-36-9, 73 points), with four wins in their last five games, are now 29th in the league standings. Vancouver has clinched the worst record in the league while Calgary (72 points, one game in hand) and Chicago (70 points) trail New York.
Just ahead of the Blueshirts from the West are the Kraken (75 points, two games in hand) and Blues (76, two games in hand). In the East, Florida (77 points, game in hand) and Toronto (78 points, same number of games). North of these teams are Winnipeg (78 points, game in hand) and San Jose (79 points, two games in hand).
New York’s next five games have some meaning. First and foremost, continued growth for several rookies in the lineup. Second, what odds are the Rangers to end up with the first pick and one in the top three? Following today’s game against Washington, New York faces Buffalo in their final home game on Wednesday. The Blueshirts close the season on the road against Dallas Saturday, Florida on Monday, April 13, and Tampa Bay on Wednesday, April 15, Tax Submission Day
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