New York Rangers’ Keith Yandle Scores, Fans Enjoy Duclair Trade for Split Second

The New York Rangers battled the Arizona Coyotes at the Garden last night in a highly anticipated game as all eyes were on ex-Coyote Keith Yandle and ex-Ranger Anthony Duclair.

Both were involved in an insanely controversial trade last year that became even more questionable recently when Duclair scored a hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks. And we’re not even past October yet.

But alas, New York was able to avoid the ex-Rangers curse this time (although barely) in their 4-1 win over Arizona.

In the game, the Coyotes got on the board first, deflating the Rangers. The Blueshirts were having a seriously tough time finding the back of the net in the first and halfway through the second period. But it wasn’t for long as Chris Kreider tied things up with a very Kreider-esque goal by the third.

The boys in blue then rallied back in the final twenty minutes as Kevin Hayes took home his second goal of the season and Yandle restored some faith in the power play with this quick goal.

Then Rick Nash finally recorded his first goal of the year without even shooting the puck or actually scoring a goal. Nash was hooked on a breakaway to an empty net and was awarded the point, hilariously.

Earlier, Hank had tried to play the puck behind the net but he ended up turning it over instead. The puck went straight to Duclair, of course, who had a look at a wide open net. The former Blueshirt took the shot, but was denied by a diving Lundqvist in highlight reel fashion.

New York Rangers

Crisis. Averted.

So, because Yandle scored and Duclair didn’t, the trade was a great idea after all. Right guys?

Well in the very short run, meaning last night’s game, it’s a very clear yes. But how things will play out the rest of the year and in the long run, who knows?

This will be, hopefully, Yandle’s first full season with the Rangers. He knows what to expect and he knows exactly what he has to do to be successful this time around. Last year, the defenseman tallied two goals and 11 points in 21 games with the Rangers. After just eight games this year, Yandle already has one goal and five points.

He’s on track for a 40 point season. And for a defenseman on a team that needs all the offense it can get, 40 points can be huge.

With his first goal of the season against his former team, and it being a power play goal no less, Yandle must have a ton of confidence right now. If he can take that and build on it, perhaps we’ll all be looking back on the Duclair trade in a different light soon.

Next: Yandle Secures a Spot on the Roster With Goal Vs Flyers

Next: If Yandle Has Breakout Year, What Should the Rangers Do?

Next: Rangers Acquire Keith Yandle from Coyotes for Anthony Duclair

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