This New York Rangers team keeps finding ways to win and this game was no exception. For only the second time in 12 tries, the Rangers won after going into the third period trailing. This game it took overtime and a shootout, but it was another improbable two points. The first place Rangers were the only Eastern Conference team to win in five games this night and they opened up a three point lead on second place Pittsburgh.
Once more, the Rangers were not consistent. They had a slow start, came on strong in the second period and sustained pressure in the third period led to a tie game. After a scoreless overtime it was a shootout and Igor Shesterkin prevailed. Another win and the Rangers have 60 points, only one behind league leading Tampa and Florida.
Gerard Gallant was not very happy with the Rangers even strength play, saying that “We didn’t create much, but again, we didn’t give up a whole lot up, but we didn’t create as much as we usually do.”
The numbers bore him out. The Kings had the 47-29 shot attempt advantage 5v5, but the Rangers had 21 shot attempts on the power play compared to 11 for the Kings. New York generated seven high danger chances with the man advantage compared to six at even strength.
While the Rangers were outshot in the first period, Gallant wasn’t entirely unhappy saying that he thought the Kings didn’t have many good chances. Of the Kings’ 21 shot attempts in the first period, only three turned into high danger scoring chances.
The Rangers lines were a total jumble with Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil out with injuries. Artemi Panarin started on the right side with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. It didn’t last long and he soon found himself next to Ryan Strome.
After game Panarin said that it was a confusing and he had one mix-up with Kreider. “I’ve never really played on the right side before, but it was a good experience. The situation is that you instinctively go to your wing and you see the number 20 right in front of you.”