The New York Rangers (19-16-4, tied with Utah for most games played in the league) closed out their pre-Xmas break, rallying for five goals in the third period for a 7-3 win over the Capitals. In the victory, Alexis Lafreniere – who missed several prime chances in the first period – notched his 100th career goal. The Blueshirts, like the rest of the league, get three days off before facing the Islanders on Long Island on Saturday.
The first hope is by then, the illness making its way around the organization will be gone and everyone 100% (which includes associate coach David Quinn, who missed yesterday’s game). In addition, could we see the return of Adam Fox from his shoulder injury that day?
MERRY XMAS TO ALL THOSE CELEBRATING!!!
Game recap:
Rangers lines in D.C.:
Panarin-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Perreault-Trocheck-Cuylle
Brodzinski-Laba-Raddysh
Othmann-Carrick-Rempe
Gavrikov-Schneider
Soucy-Borgen
Robertson-Morrow
Shesterkin
Quick
Scratches: Berard, Sheary
IR: Miller (upper-body injury)
LTIR: Fox (upper-body injury), Edström (lower-body injury)
A few thoughts:
1) Lafreniere, who either is snakebit, lacks finishing touch or both, finally netted goal #100 in game 419 as a Ranger. His play certainly has been better lately, though that has not consistently translated to production. Coach Mike Sullivan noted this in his post-game press conference. If Laf – and it’s a big if – Laf can pick up his production, the top line and roster becomes that much more dangerous. But that has been too infrequent and far between this season.
2) Third line production – Taylor Raddysh broke a 23-game scoreless streak with a pair of tallies. Noah Laba added an assist while Jonny Brodzinski aided the cause with two helpers. When JT Miller returns from injury, this trio likely will include either Gabe Perreault or Will Cuylle with Brodzinski or Raddysh sliding down a line or to the press box. But for one game, they were productive as a unit. Laba consistently makes plays while Brodzinski finds a way to contribute when he is in the lineup.
3) Igor Shesterkin almost – and might have – had one of the top-five saves of his career, stoning Dylan Strome on the power play. Upon replay though, the call was changed to a goal. The still shot of the save from inside the net as sent by the NHL Situation Room shows the glove inside the net, which would mean it’s a goal. People are still questioning the still shot, plus, why does it take so long to get this picture and why is it not available for all, especially on the broadcast?
4) The Rangers accomplished something they had not done in 50+ years. Down 3-2 heading into the third, New York notched a pair of goals 68 seconds apart to take the lead, then added one more four minutes later, and a pair of markers 25 seconds apart late in the frame. Will Cuylle had a pair of assists in the stanza to go with his power play goal in the second and is now up to 23 points in 39 games. Vincent Trocheck lit the lamp twice in the period and also finished with three points.
