The New York Rangers put together a complete performance in their 5-1 win over the Lightning. Igor Shesterkin became the 18th goalie in NHL history to score a goal, and the first in franchise history to light the lamp. The penalty kill played a huge role in the victory, going a perfect 7-for-7 on Thursday. New York is in Detroit facing the Red Wings tonight.
Following a disappointing Opening Night, the Rangers came into MSG on Thursday with a small cloud hanging over them. Another poor performance, and the boo-birds would be out in even greater force. New York was brutal at home last season, going 14-20-7, including a disastrous 0-6-1 start that saw them shut out five times, and was shut out by the Bruins on Tuesday. If they spit the bit against the Lightning, the fanbase would be loaded for bear, commenting “same old Rangers,” especially after how poor the offense looked versus the Bruins. This proved to be a non-issue based on how well they played. Not perfect, but a vast improvement.
A few thoughts:
1) Igor. Igor. Igor. Everyone felt it was just a matter of time before Shesterkin scored. After years of trying, he finally got his first goal yesterday. While the goal was nice, the team’s reaction and Igor skating down the handshake line like any goal-scorer were the best parts of the tally. Besides the goal, Shesterkin was a stalwart between the pipes against the Lightning, stopping 24 of 25 shots, helping lead the Rangers to the 5-1 win.
Tonight, Dylan Garand should be between the pipes. Unless you were under a rock, you know Joonas Korpisalo landed on the IR and is week-to-week with a lower body injury. Fortunately, no one claimed Garand when he was placed on waivers earlier this week so New York could keep Korpisalo as the backup. We don’t know when Korpi was injured or the nature of his injury. Consider this: if Garand had been claimed, Spencer Martin might be starting tonight.
2) Balanced scoring: As Vince Mercogliano noted, Pavel Dorofeyev assisted on Mika Zibanejad’s power-play goal to open the scoring, then added his first tally as a Ranger later in the first period. Zibanejad and Adam Fox also had two points apiece, while another new addition, Eeli Tolvanen, scored, as did a critically important young player, Gabe Perreault.
As seen, scoring came from players on the top-three lines. Dorofeyev has looked the part of a play-driver, desperately needed in New York. Tolvanen tallied a follow-up goal while good vision by Fox led to the beautiful deflection goal by Perreault.
The performance was night and day compared to Tuesday. Part of that is the opponent. However, credit must go to the players. The lineup was the same as versus the Bruins, save for Jaroslav Chmelar who replaced Matt Rempe on the fourth line.
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