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Gallant on 7-3 loss: “We’ll bury it and go on to the next one”

By Steve Paulus

Dec 8, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) falls on top of New York Rangers goaltender Adam Huska (32) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2021; New York, New York, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (49) falls on top of New York Rangers goaltender Adam Huska (32) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 08: Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche kicks aside a shorthanded attempt by Kevin Rooney #17 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 08: Darcy Kuemper #35 of the Colorado Avalanche kicks aside a shorthanded attempt by Kevin Rooney #17 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on December 08, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Notes on the game

Despite the final score, there were a few positives to note.  The highlight was Nils Lundkvist first NHL goal, scored on the power play to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

He was calling for the puck at the point and  let a wrist shot fly on a feed from Filip CHytil. Not only that, he led the team with four shots on goal and he and his partner, Patrik Nemeth, were the only defensmen who were not on the ice for an Avalanche goal.

Jacob Trouba had another notable game and laid out Nate MacKinnon with a second period hit that was reminiscent of his hit on Jujhar Khaira in Chicago.  He also scored the Rangers first goal on a nasty shot from the blue line, his second straight game with a goal.

Trouba got the primary assist on Lundkvist’s goal as well.

After his hit on MacKinnon, he was challenged by Gabriel Landeskog and had his fourth fight of the season.

That meant two straight days with a Gordie Howe hat trick, something that has only been done once before in the NHL.Doug Risebrough of the Montreal Canadiens did it in 1975.

Trouba is third in the NHL with his four fighting majors. Liam O’Brien of Arizona leads with six with Jacob Middleton of San Jose in second with five fights.

The NHL is becoming a league where you are assaulted if you throw a hard, but legal check.  Two days in a row for Trouba and at least in this game the instigator penalty was called. Only it wasn’t.  Gabriel Landeskog got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty instead of an instigation call that would have gotten him a ten minute misconduct.  It’s a flaw in how games are officiated.

The first power play unit was not very good and Gallant put the second unit out and got results with the Lundkvist goal.  The Rangers finished 1-5 with the man advantage.

The penalty kill allowed the first goal against in seven games and their success streak ended at 22 straight.  Barclay Goodrow and Kevin Rooney failed to score a two-on-one and a two-on-none and Filip Chytil missed on a breakaway, three scoring opportunities that could have altered the outcome. They still were able to kill four of five penalties.

The third line scored a goal in the third period, with Filip Chytil scoring on a feed from Alexis Lafrenière. It was Chytil’s first goal in 11 games and his third of the season.

Adam Huska didn’t play badly, making 17 saves in the first period.

Jacob Trouba admitted that they “hung him out to dry” especially in the second period. He ended up making 32 saves as the Avalanche piled on with 39 shots.

Gallant was asked if Igor Shesterkin had resumed skating and he said that he didn’t know.  The target date after the injury for him to try to skate was going to be Thursday.  There’s always a chance that this injury is worse than they have let one and we won’t know more until we see him back on the ice. Last season his groin injury was called “minor” and he still missed 10 games.

The Rangers haven’t allowed seven goals in a game since December 31, 2019 when they allowed seven goals to Edmonton in a 7-5 loss. It’s the fifth time the Avalanche have scored seven goals in a game this season.

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