A 5-3 win that was closer than it needed to be

One thing about the New York Rangers is they usually don’t make it easy.  While there may be the occasional 9-0 laugher, there are too many games like the one they played against the Sabres on Monday.  Five minutes into the second period, they were losing 1-0 to the worst team in the NHL and the fanbase was nearly hysterical.

There was one subtle change in the lineup and it paid off immediately.  Kaapo Kakko found himself playing on the right side of Ryan Strome and Artemi Panarin and the newly formed line scored to restore sanity to the Rangers universe.

They took a 3-1 lead into the third period and allowed two quick goals by the Sabres (cue the hysteria), but the power play came through and the Rangers escaped with a 5-3 win.

Kris Knoblauch has been bending over backwards to acknowledge that he is following David Quinn’s game. He said that they had discussed juggling the lines to get Kakko more ice time, “We actually planned this before the game, giving him some extra ice time when the opportunity arises…but ultimately it was mostly Kaapo.  His play made determined us making that switch, he deserved it.”   Still, it had to be Knoblauch’s call to make that change and he did it at the right time.

Kakko was also on the ice in the waning moments and was able to score the empty net goal.  Keeping Kakko on the ice in that situation was something that has rarely, if ever happened when Quinn was behind the bench.

Despite the difficulties in getting past the Sabres, there were a number of positive takeaways from this game.  The power play won the game for the Blueshirts on two goals from Chris Kreider.  Keith Kinkaid made some game saving saves in the first two periods. Adam Fox was spectacular in his 100th NHL game. Artemi Panarin had three assists.  Kakko broke a long goal-less schneid with two scores.

The Rangers have now gotten points in five of their last six games including four wins.  They are two points behind fifth place Philadelphia and four points out of a playoff spot.  They have three tough road games coming up against the Flyers and Capitals.  This is the stretch of games that will tell the tale of this Rangers’ season.

Here is a full video recap of the game.

My 3 stars of the game

1. Adam Fox added another brilliant performance to a season of brilliant performances.  Besides leading all skaters in ice time, he scored a goal and assisted on two others.  He marked his 100th NHL game in grand style.
2. Chris Kreider may have scored two “garbage goals” but that is what he is best at and they came at a crucial time. He’s having his best scoring season in his career.  Critics say that he produced the most against bad team, but in this case it got the Rangers a win.
3. Kaapo Kakko finished the game with six shots and two goals, but it was the timing of the first goal that was significant.  Trailing 1-0 in the second period, the Rangers desperately needed a goal and Kakko got it.  After the game he said that his job was to go to the net and let Strome and Panarin get him the puck.  That’s what he did and it paid off.

The official 3 stars

1. Adam Fox
2. Chris Kreider
3. Artemi Panarin

East Division

Tonight’s games

Rangers 5, Sabres 3
Islanders 2,  Flyers 1 (OT)

Standings

1-  Islanders          33   21-8-4     46 points
2- Washington     31   20-7-4     44 points
3- Pittsburgh        32   19-11-2   40 points
4- Boston              28    16-8-4     36 points
5- Philadelphia    30   15-11-4    34 points
6- Rangers            31   14-13-4   32 points
7- New Jersey       29  11-14-4   26 points
8- Buffalo              30    6-20-4    16 points

What’s next

Mark Thursday night on your calendars. That;s when the Rangers begin a two game road trip in Philadelphia against a team eager to get revenge for that humiliating 9-0 loss.  Game time is 7pm.   After Thursday, the Rangers have two back-to-back matinees on the road against the Flyers and Capitals.