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You can’t win them all as Rangers lose 2-1 to Toronto

By Steve Paulus

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 18: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs kicks a rebound away against the New York Rangers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 18, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 2-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 18: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs kicks a rebound away against the New York Rangers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on November 18, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 2-1.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Dryden Hunt #29 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal with teammate K’Andre Miller #79 (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Dryden Hunt #29 of the New York Rangers celebrates a goal with teammate K’Andre Miller #79 (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

Notes on the game

It was the third straight game with a Ranger player scoring his first goal of the season as Dryden Hunt followed Kaapo Kakko and Julien Gauthier. It was Hunt’s first goal as a Ranger and came on his 20th shot of the season.  He scored three goals in 26 games last season for the Coyotes.

Kaapo Kakko assisted on Hunt’s goal and that means a three game point scoring streak.  He had a four game point streak last season.

For the first two periods, the “kid line” of Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere and Julien Gauthier was the most effective threesome for New York.  Gauthier had a career high five shots on goal and drove the net on several occasions.  Chytil continued his fine play in the offensive zone and Lafrenière threw his body a few times.

To spread the blame, here are the faceoff numbers for the four Rangers centers:  Strome 1-12, Rooney 1-9, Chytil 1-5, Zibanejad  4-2.  Yes, Zibanejad was positive on the night.

Jacob Trouba had another dynamic game with five shots, three hits and two blocks.   He played a team high 23:44.

Adam Fox played 22:44 and was notable in joining the offense.  When he crashed the net in the third period, Jake Muzzin threw both arms around him and prevented him from getting a shot off.  No penalty.

In the third period, Michael Bunting could easily have been called for roughing when he dropped his gloves and tried to goad Ryan Strome into a fight.  No penalty.

The Rangers finish their season series with Toronto on January19 at Madison Square Garden.  They haven’t lost a season series to the Leafs since 2017-18.

The Rangers ended up with 28 shots, but 14 came in the third period.  They were limited to seven shots in each of the first two periods.

Jack Campbell played very well in goal for the Maple Leafs, especially in the first period.  After the first five minutes, the Rangers turned it on and finished the first period with 14 shot attempts including five high danger shots.

Igor Shesterkin was very solid in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots.

He is sixth overall with a  Save Percentage of .930 and 10th with a 2.39 Goals Against Average among goalies who had appeared in at least 10 games.

Look who is on the cover of

The Hockey News.

Yup…it’s Igor time.<

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In losing to Toronto, it was the first loss in six games against the Atlantic Division.

The Rangers did a good job on Toronto’s best forwards, holding Auston Matthews scoreless and to only three shots.  Same for Mitch Marner.

Ranger fans shouldn’t feel so bad.  Look at what Connor McDavid did to the Winnipeg Jets tonight.<

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