The New York Rangers ended their three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Vancouver on Tuesday. New York was strong defensively in the first two periods, before faltering a bit in the third. Jonathan Quick was strong when he needed to be, carrying the Blueshirts to the victory. The Rangers complete their three-game Western Canada trip Thursday in Edmonton.
Game recap:
Quick
Quick notched the 64th shutout of his career, tying Henrik Lundqvist for 17th all-time. Both are two whitewashes behind Patrick Roy for 16th on the list. Quick showed his flexibility and speed going post to post in the win. He was slightly tested in the first two periods, but really shone in the final seven minutes or so of the game when he repeatedly came up big while under fire.
New York needed Quick to be good. Reeling after three straight losses and in danger of the season slipping away, they were in desperate need of a win in any way, shape or form. This victory stems the negative tide for a while, though the team’s performance was not dominant, so the prior questions remain.
Performance
New York played a lunch pail close to the best game. This was especially so in the first two or so periods. The Blueshirts didn’t generate much, but did just enough to notch the win. JT Miller was rightfully honored during the game but chose to before and after the game to put much of the focus on the need to get a victory and then the win.
Beyond the play of Quick, if one major positive came out of the game, it was the play of Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov. That duo had a brilliant game, displaying the shutdown ability we all hoped would transpire when Gavrikov was signed. If the pair can continue to perform as they did last night, at least one defensive duo can be counted on nightly.
Vince Mercogliano noted that the advanced metrics from the newly reconstituted top six provide some home. Artemi Panarin reunited with Mika Zibanejad and Will Cuylle on the top line, while Miller skated on the second line with Alexis Lafrenière and Conor Sheary. They produced encouraging results, with Zibanejad providing the winning goal, assisted by Cuylle, and Miller’s line registering a 6-1 advantage in HD chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Special teams
The Ying and Yan of the Rangers. Remember when the power play was good? Me too. New York had moments where I thought they put it all together and just missed connecting in each man advantage. But they were just disparate, individual moments rather than a sustained attack. Additionally, the second unit outperformed the first in one of the three opportunities.
The overall numbers are ugly. New York went 0-for-3 on Tuesday and is now just 4-for-28 on the season, dropping their success rate down to 14.3 percent. That’s even worse than last year’s 17.6 percent, which ranked 28th in the NHL. The four goals came in three games, meaning in the other eight, goose eggs, which is another reason why they are 4-5-2.
New York misses Vincent Trocheck, though he is not that big of a difference-maker. Chris Kreider’s ability to tip pucks and screen goalies, each of which took a step back last season, has yet to be replaced, so goalies are getting a clear view of shots. A lack of movement, both player and puck, is evident, meaning that the five on ice are too stagnant and predictable. Move the puck quicker, switch from high to low, and behind the net at times. Make the D box move to create gaps.
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