New York Rangers: Another OT, another loss as Edmonton wins 3-2

The New York Rangers played their 20th overtime game of the season and lost for the 13th time.  It was another hardworking, entertaining effort by the Blueshirts.

Face it, the New York Rangers would be a playoff team if they were in the Western Conference.  Except for a two minute lapse in the first period, the Rangers were the better team, outhitting, outplaying and almost outshooting the Oilers.   It was another excellent effort but for the fifth time in the last eight games they went to overtime and lost.

The excellence of two players won the game for the Oilers as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl combined for five points including the game winner.  Three-on-three hockey is tailor made for McDavid and Draisaitl and they were unstoppable.

There were numerous highlights for the Rangers.  Brendan Lemieux had the “Gordie Howie Hat Trick” as he scored, had an assist and second period fight with Jujhar Khaira.

Brett Howden broke a 35-game scoreless streak, tying the game early in the third period.

Alexandar Georgiev was simply outstanding, making numerous excellent saves.  He had no chance on the three goals he gave up.

This game felt just like the game against New Jersey as the Rangers fell into an early two goal hole and came back over the last two periods.

Notes on the game

In looking at the schedule and discounting empty net goals, the Rangers have played 38 one goal games this season with a record of 16-9-13.

There was a crazy moment in the third  period when Alexandar Georgiev left the net and went to the bench.  No one, including the Ranger coaches, knew what he was doing and it looked like the Oilers would have an empty net to shoot into.  Georgiev was actually making a smart play as the Rangers had the puck and the net was off the moorings.  There was no way that Edmonton could score and the whistle wouldn’t come until the Blueshirts lost possession.

The Rangers only had one power play and of course, they didn’t score.  That makes the streak 22 in a row over seven games.  The Rangers need to do more to draw penalties, especially against a team like Edmonton with a lousy penalty kill.

The Rangers should have had a power play after Connor Brickley checked Brad Malone into the boards.  He was immediately challenged by Kyle Brodziak and the two fought. Brickley was called for an illegal check to the head, a very soft call on what was a solid bodycheck.

The Oilers went one for three on the power play with Connor McDavid scoring.

The second Oiler goal was initially waved off due to goalie interference.  Ken Hitchcock challenged the ruling and on review, the goal was counted.  While an Oiler did make contact with Georgiev with his stick, it was Fredrik Claesson’s stick that hit Georgiev and turned him around so the Oilers could score.

What on earth is going on with Tony DeAngelo?  He was a healthy scratch and coach Quinn had this to say before the game

“There are certain things that are non-negotiable. He’s made a lot of progress and a lot of strides, we’ve all watched what he’s done on the ice and he’s made a lot of strides off the ice just like all young players have to make, but there are certain things that are non-negotiable…I told all of them, I’m looking for reasons to take people out….he gave me a small reason to take him out…he’ll be back soon.”

He wouldn’t elaborate on what DeAngelo did, preferring to keep that between the two of them.  It makes you wonder.

Lias Andersson was the other healthy scratch as Brickley got into the game after suffering from the flu bug.

Former Ranger great Harry Howell was  honored with a moment of silence before the game.  He was also a scout for the Oilers, winning a Stanley Cup ring with them in 1990.

The Neal Pionk/Marc Staal defense combo was reunited for this game and both played well.

David Quinn reported that Libor Hajek had an MRI and his shoulder injury is less serious than they thought.  It’s doubtful he will play again this season, but he won’t require any surgery.

The Lemieux goal was a result of quick snap shot after he took a pass from Kevin Shattenkirk.

Howden’s goal was a second effort goal as he followed up a Lemieux shot, chipping the rebound past a surprised Mikko Koskinen.  Howden looked

very

relieved to finally score.  It must have felt great for the Alberta native to score in Edmonton.

The Rangers were credited with 49 hits to 21 for the Oilers.

The Rangers had a bad night on faceoffs, winning only 26 of 61 (43%).

Jesper Fast was moved up to the top line and had a wide open net late in the third period, but missed the one-timer.  Chris Kreider had another so-so game.

Lemieux must like playing the Oilers.  In four career games he has three goals and an assist.

In the overtime it was the McDavid-Draisaitl show with a little help from Darnell Nurse.  McDavid’s feed to Draisatil was perfect for the game winner.

The Lottery Look

Sometimes NHL hockey is inexplicable.  Arizona had one of its biggest games of the year.  A Coyotes win and a Wild loss would put them into the wild card.  Instead, they are blown out by the Blackhawks 7-1.   A Colorado win combined with a Wild loss would have put the Avalanche into a tie for the final wild card spot. Instead, they lose at home 3-0 to the Hurricanes.  Minnesota desperately needed a win to hold on to the wild card, but were shut out 3-0 by the Sharks in their home rink. There is no explanation.

As for the Rangers’ lottery hopes, even though they picked up a point, they dropped to 7th worst as they were passed by Chicago and Edmonton.  All three teams have 69 points in 69 games, but the Rangers have the fewest regulation or overtime wins.

In other games, the Flyers beat the Senators 3-2 and moved to within three points of a wild card spot.  They are also seven points ahead of the Rangers, so the Blueshirts probably don’t have to fear them dropping.

The standings (Worst is first)

Teams                    GP      W-L-OTL    PT    ROW
1. Ottawa               70     23-41-6       52     23
2. Detroit                69     24-35-10    58     21
3. Los Angeles      69     25-36-8       58     23
4. New Jersey        69     25-35-9      59     24
5. Anaheim            70      27-34-9      63     24
6.  Vancouver        69     28-32-9       65     25
7. Rangers             69    28-28-13     69    22
8. Chicago              69     30-30-9       69     28
9.  Edmonton        69     31-31-7       69    28
10.  Buffalo           68    30-29-9        69     26
11. Florida             69     30-27-12    72     27
12.  Colorado        70     30-28-12    72     29
13.  Arizona          69     34-30-5       73     30
14. Philadelphia   69    34-27-8       76     32
15. Montreal         69    36-26-7       79     34

Second East Wild Card Cut Line:  79 points
Second West Wild Card Cut Line:  74 points

Who to root for

Eight games on the schedule Tuesday night.  Five games involve lottery teams and Ranger fans should really be concerned with the games involving Anaheim, Buffalo and Arizona.

Predators @ Ducks – The Ducks are in fifth place, six points worse than the Rangers.  They have to win this game if the Blueshirts have any hope of catching them.

Coyotes @ Blues -Arizona is only four points better than New York.  A Coyotes win would help widen that gap.

Stars @ Sabres – There are four teams with 69 points including the Rangers.  Buffalo is the fourth and a win would push them two points better than New York.  The Stars have a lot to play for, but root hard for the Sabres to win.

Devils @ Flames – One of the worst teams in the league vs. one of the best.  The Devils are firmly ensconced in the bottom four and should stay there.

Red Wings @ Canadiens – Montreal must win to get back into the wild card.  The Red Wings are the second worst team in the NHL.  This will be a fun game to watch, but of little consequence to the Rangers.

With the Canucks only four points worse than the Rangers, Wednesday’s game in Vancouver looms large as a four point lottery game.  If the Rangers play the way they did in Edmonton, Vancouver will be hard pressed to win.  All eyes in the NHL will be on this game as it could be the professional debut of Quinn Hughes, first round draft pick who just signed his ELC.   He is the brother of the consensus top pick in this June’s draft, Jack Hughes.