New York Rangers defeat the Cancucks, Yandle Stock Rises

Yesterday night, Madison Square Garden was rocking as the clock struck Miller. The New York Rangers never stopped fighting as they continuously came from behind to bring last nights game into overtime where they put the Vancouver Canucks away for good. J.T. Miller with a swift wraparound goal put the kibosh on the Canucks and put the Rangers back in front of the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan division standings.

Last nights game was as much about Ryan Miller, the Canucks goaltender, as it was about J.T Miller’s game winning move. Ryan Miller played extremely well. The New York Rangers had 17 shots on goal in the first, 13 in the second, 16 in the third and 3 more in OT. Miller looked like a genuine Hoover vacuum between the pipes, giving the Blue Shirts a very difficult time all night.

The New York Rangers got to overtime by coming back from an early 0-1 deficit. Derek Stepan was able to find the back of the net first for the Rangers. Credit Nash and Kreider with the assist. The game sat at 1-1 for a couple of minutes before Alexandre Burrows put the Canucks back in the lead.

The Rangers were down 2-1 going into the third. Not to be denied, Mats Zuccarello took a sweet centering pass from Yandle and went 5 hole on Miller, who lost his stick seconds earlier. This goal ties the game up about half way through the third. The New York Rangers then were able to keep the Canucks at bay, while Ryan Miller went back on SWAT patrol.

The third ended and last call was made. Overtime ended when J.T. Miller took a shot at Ryan Miller that was stopped, but not gloved. The puck sat near the left corner of the net where J.T. put it back on his stick, wrapped around the back of the net and squeezed it between the right post and left skate of Ryan Miller to end the game.

A lot happened throughout this game.

Lundqvist was caught admiring the play of his counterpart.

"“Miller was just standing on his head there and made so many good saves to keep that team in it, but we didn’t give up and we didn’t force anything. We stayed patient, and that was the key.”"

Overal communication between Blue Shirts seemed to improve immensely, compared to Sundays loss in D.C.. After the game McDonagh explained to the media what that does for his team.

"“I like the fact that we were really communicating, which allows us to play fast. We had the puck on our sticks a lot, which allows us to make creative plays.”"

Most notably, Keith Yandles stock soared. Whether that is good or bad news depends on what side of the free agency fence you are on.

Credit Keith Yandle and Rick Nash with the assists on Zucc's team-leading 17th goal for the #NYR #Zuuuuccc
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 20, 2016

Yandles going to enter free agency this year and talks of trading him before the deadline are constantly brewing. The Rangers team leader in assists, with 21, played a season high 23:33 minutes last night.

Yandle looked much improved from the Caps game, where he made a few costly mistakes, one of which lead to an Ovi goal. Last night he played like the Yandle of years past and that caught the eye of head coach Alain Vigneault.

"“He was real solid with the puck. I thought he beat their forecheck any time they wanted to establish it. He allowed us to come out of the zone clean. That’s what we need from him on a nightly basis.” Vigneault explained to the press after the win."

When questioned about the future of Yandle, Vigneault told the media Tuesday morning,

New York Rangers Defeat Canucks, Yandle Stock Rises

By Frank Pickel | Jan 20, 2016