New York Rangers win Despite Lundqvist Injury Scare

The New York Rangers defeated the Dallas Stars by a score of 2-1 on Thursday Night. Henrik Lundqvist was the game’s first star after briefly exiting the game to be checked for a concussion.

In a feature here at Blue Line Station, we will be providing thoughts and analysis following every Rangers game. Make sure to stop by after games to see what you might have missed!

Game Action:

• When the Rangers were scoring at a high pace to start the season, they were aided by goals in the opening minutes of the first period. New York started great against Dallas, creating pressure off of turnovers from the opening faceoff. The defenseman played a big role in holding the zone and keeping pucks down deep.
• In his first game back since returning from the flu, Ryan McDonagh gave the Stars the game’s first power play six minutes into the first period with a high sticking call behind Henrik Lundqvist. Dallas moved the puck with ease, connecting on cross ice passes and creating multiple opportunities in the slot. Lundqvist made some big saves and the Rangers killed the penalty.
• Cody Eakin made things interesting when he ran into Lundqvist behind the net, making contact with the goaltender’s mask with his shoulder. Lundqvist was replaced briefly by Antti Raanta to be examined in the league’s concussion protocol.

• Eakins was handed a 5-minute major as well as a game misconduct. On the ensuing long power play, the Rangers were unable to get the puck past Antti Niemi despite a number of high-quality chances. Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, and Mats Zuccarello all had opportunities at wide-open nets but couldn’t convert.
• At the end of the first period, the Rangers led in shots 11-6 but the score was tied 0-0.
• As the second period started the Stars applied pressure with contributions from the defense, namely John Klingberg who rocketed multiple shots over Henrik Lundqvist.
• Midway through the period, the Stars continued to move the puck well on the power play, finding success with shots from the point as well as carrying the play down low. The Stars had 3 power play opportunities in the second period.
• The second period was played much more in open space, with the teams exchanging chances on either end of the ice. The teams went into the second intermission tied, Dallas led in shots 25-20.

• The Rangers started the third period on the penalty kill but continued to hold strong on the back of Henrik Lundqvist. The Stars started to close down skating lanes early in the third period and the Rangers were having troubles gaining zone time. With the game slowing down the Stars picked up their fifth power play of the game on an interference call against Jesper Fast.
• On the Stars fifth power play of the game, Rick Nash broke up a pass from Jamie Benn and broke away for a shorthanded goal. The Rangers took the lead 1-0 and successfully killed the penalty.

• With the Stars net unmanned for the extra attacker, Mats Zuccarello cleared the puck into the goal for an empty-net tally. The Rangers took the lead 2-0 with under a minute to play.
• Final Score: New York Rangers 2 Dallas Stars 0. Final shots on goal 30-27 in favor of the Rangers.

Final Thoughts:

• In his first game back after a four-game break behind Antti Raanta’s stellar play, Henrik Lundqvist looked like a rejuvenated man. The Eakin hit gave the Rangers a scare, but Lundqvist cleared the league’s concussion protocol and took over the game. Dallas moved the puck well all night long, and Lundqvist was forced to look like his old self. These are the games that remind Rangers fans there will never be any goalie controversy.
• The Rangers found a lot of success throwing the puck in front of the net early against Dallas. Once they gained the zone they found ways to thread the puck to the goal crease. Games like this are an anomaly with the number of missed nets the team had, they could have had 3 or 4 goals through 2 periods.
• Nick Holden got mixed up in some after the play nonsense that the Rangers haven’t been known for. He’s been strong for New York recently and has played a role in the team’s offensive and defensive success.

• Rick Nash has been great for the Rangers all season and finds a way to justify the “A” on his sweater on a nightly basis. His awareness and speed on the shorthanded goal is an example of what makes him one of the league’s top two-way forwards.

Next: New York Rangers Rapid Reaction: Cody Eakin’s Hit on Henrik Lundqvist

• The Rangers get a break Friday before they take on Nashville Saturday night on the road. Antti Raanta could make a quick turnaround to help relieve Henrik Lundqvist after his injury scare in this one.