New York Rangers-Canadiens Thoughts Following Game One Win

After every Rangers playoff game, we will bring you thoughts on the action that occurred. Let’s take a closer look at New York’s Game One victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Henrik Lundqvist-

-Henrik Lundqvist.

-Wait, you want more? Henrik Lundqvist should be enough said after game one. All of the struggles Lundqvist went through in the regular season. He was the best player on the ice for either team from start to finish. It was no coincidence the Rangers did not give up a goal.

-But how did Lundqvist play so well, you may wonder? First of all, his positioning was much improved. More importantly, the Rangers stopped screening him. The defensemen got out of his way, and the forwards avoided breakdowns in their own zone. It made Lundqvist’s job easier, but as a whole he still was a monster. With most other NHL goalies the Rangers would have lost that game.

Tanner Glass and the Defense-

-How about Tanner Glass? Glass scored a wicked back-hand goal in what turned out to be the game winning goal. He played a terrific hockey game. We criticize him constantly here, which is well warranted, but we have to hand it to him when he plays well. When all is said and done, we all want Glass to play well.

Glass’ goal wasn’t the only positive he brought to the table. He stayed in position. He contributed to the puck possession play. If Glass plays like that moving forward, he deserves his lineup spot. The expectation here is that will not happen, however.

-While Glass and Lundqvist were outstanding, J.T. Miller was terrific all night. He couldn’t find the back of the net, but his swarming caused the Canadiens plenty of headaches. Miller took some major steps forward this season, and appears primed to continue to do so this post-season.

-Continuing with the positives, the Rangers’ defense was terrific. Yes, you read that correctly. The Rangers’ defense was terrific. Dan Girardi had a fine evening. Brady Skjei looked like a veteran out there. Brendan Smith played a strong two-way game. However the best on the ice? Of course none other than the captain, Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh was the best defenseman on the ice all night. The Rangers won. Not a coincidence.

-Not all of the defensemen played well, however. While the four previously mentioned played well, Marc Staal and Nick Holden played awful hockey all night. Holden particularly turned the puck over in crucial situations. Alain Vigneault must either shelter the pair, or replace Holden with Adam Clendening. Don’t expect him to do either, however.

Meet the New Rangers, Not the Same as the Old Rangers-

-The Rangers finished with the second most losses of any team in the NHL when leading after two periods this season. While New York held a 1-0 lead going into the third, Montreal looked poised to carry play. However, the Rangers did not allow it.

-Rather than the usual shenanigans of allowing the opposition to control play, the Rangers played even hockey in the third. They pushed rather than letting the Canadiens skate all over them. By the time Carey Price was pulled, it felt like the Rangers played with the same urgency the Canadiens did in the third. That was beautiful to see.

-Speaking of Carey Price being pulled, Michael Grabner’s speed in late game situations will be huge. Nice to see him get a goal.

Rangers-Canadiens Game One Final Thoughts

-Everyone knows one of the narratives in Rangers-Canadiens is the Canadiens trying to get under the Rangers’ skin. New York handled that perfectly in game one. While New York got pushed around some, they pushed back. When Brendan Gallagher took a penalty in the first period, they didn’t pull a Dylan McIlrath and take a retalitory minor. They took the power-play.

Letting the Canadiens make stupid plays, but using a strong physical presence at the same time will lead to success for New York. They realized that in game one.

-How about New York’s play on the road? However flukey it may be, New York has to ride it. A game two victory would be huge, of course. Regardless, winning on the road this often must give the Rangers confidence in hostile buildings.

-Meanwhile, Rangers-Canadiens narratives all went out the window once the puck dropped, huh? Reminds of the 2014 series. Suddenly Henrik Lundqvist can play in Montreal. Suddenly the Rangers can beat Carey Price. It’s almost like the only thing that matters in the playoffs is the playoffs. That can’t be, can it?

Next: Rangers, Lundqvist Win Game One Goaltending Battle

-Altogether, the Rangers may have played their best game of the entire season last night. If the team plays like that moving forward, they will be a force to be reckoned with. New York has always possessed the pieces to make a run despite their defense, they simply haven’t played to potential. Was Wednesday a fluke, or a sign of things to come? If it’s the former, the Rangers are in trouble. If it’s the latter, I’ll be bringing plenty of thoughts to you in the coming months.

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