Ahhh, the sweet sweet smell of a New York Rangers victory. Better yet, this was a blowout of one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Coming into the game last night, the Rangers had a 12-10-4 record with 28 points. The Vancouver Canucks, however, had a 18-9-2 record with 38 points.
The game last night was a nonstop fast paced one. There were very few hits, and not many whistles. It was a great hockey game, north-south style and that is always a great hockey game to watch.
As the days approaching this game took many by surprise, the fact that Chris Kreider would be moved down to the fourth line and J.T. Miller would take his place on the second line, it led many to believe that the game would be a disaster. To add to the already speculating Rangers fans, the Canucks had a 18-9-2 record which is one of the best in the West. But the Rangers held it out and played a very hard, fast style of hockey.
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Less than three minutes into the game Rangers’ captain Ryan McDonagh opened the goal scoring off a sweet assist from Jesper Fast. Fast read the play from the blue line, and saw McDonagh coming down the ice as the trailer. As McDonagh moved in, so did Fast and at the last second hit McDonagh with the cross crease pass. Complete beauty, McDonagh looked a little like Brian Leetch out there…
Less than a minute later, Miller followed up with another goal giving the Rangers a two goal lead. The Canucks looked dazed and unprepared for the game at this moment. With 13:14 left to go in the first, Mats Zuccarello scored to give the Rangers a three goal lead. In the second period, Marc Staal and Mats Zuccarello both scored, giving the Rangers a big 5 nothing lead.
The best thing to come out of the game last night is this; players are scoring. Even if some weren’t scoring, they were trying and came very close.
Eyes On Isles
McDonagh seemed to be much more comfortable last night, he played a pretty solid game in his zone but also put the puck in the net to lead by example. J.T. Miller proved that he can play at the NHL level, but what will be the true test will be if he can remain consistent and continue to do it night in and night out. Staal finally showed something good, although I think his play in his end tonight was also solid as well. And the fact that Zuccarello got two big goals tonight, lead me to believe that he is back.
Kevin Hayes played very well, his play has gotten better and better since the beginning of the season and now knows when to hold the puck, and when to let it go. That was his biggest problem for a while, but it seems that Hayes has gotten over it and can make very good plays.
Henrik Lundqvist faced 23 shots and saved 22 of them, and his game tonight was one of the best he’s played all year. His lateral movement, his ability to track the puck through traffic, and his ability to find the puck while it’s in the air, get into position, and make the save. Although his high glove side seemed to be a little weak, it’s something that can be changed
The Rangers played well last night, and although Lundqvist didn’t get the shut out, the Rangers didn’t stop playing and didn’t let that goal falter their style. The few days off could have effected them negatively, but it didn’t. The win tonight is the beginning of a long road trip, playing the rest of the western Canadian teams in the next 3 days.
The Rangers, after the win last night, have a record of 13-10-4.