Blue Line Station
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A third period comeback & a shootout win over the Kings

By Steve Paulus

Jan 24, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) scores on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during shootouts to win the game 3-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (23) scores on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during shootouts to win the game 3-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) makes a diving save on New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) makes a diving save on New York Rangers center Barclay Goodrow (21) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the Game

The Rangers record is now 28-11-4 for 60 points.  They improved their home record to 13-3-2.  The Rangers have played 43 games with only the Anaheim Ducks having played more games.

Gallant said that Fox prefers not to participate in the shootout. Early in the year Fox had said that he wasn’t comfortable. Gallant said, “After tonight’s goal he’s going to get  lot of confidence from it, he’s got skill, he’s got talent. He made an incredible move.”

After the game Fox said that it was his first shootout since his junior hockey days.

Chris Kreider took over the league lead in goals with his 30th, one more than Alex Ovechkin who was shut out by Vegas.  He moved two up on Leon Draisaitl for the league lead in power play goals with his 15th.

It took Kreider nine seasons to finally hit the 30 goal milestone.  He’s on a pace to score 57 goals, a number that would set a franchise record.

Mika Zibanejad had his eight game scoring streak stopped.

Adam Fox added an assist and now is three assists behind NHL leader Jonathan Huberdeau.  He opened a two point lead with 46 over Victor Hedman as the leading scoring defenseman.

Artemi Panarin had two assists and continues to move up the scoring chart into 11th place overall with 45 points in 38 games.

The Rangers power play was one for five, but they were dominant with 18 shots.

The penalty kill was absolutely outstanding despite giving up the one goal. They held the Kings to eight shots on the power play with only two high danger chances.

Brendan Lemieux continues to play moronic hockey. That was his sixth five minute major of the season and his first game misconduct.  He has one match penalty and was suspended five games for biting Brady Tkachuk of the Senators. He is sixth in the NHL in penalty minutes.

Filip Chytil missed the game with a lower body injury while Kaapo Kakko is on injured reserve, meaning we may not see him until after the All-Star break.   No word on the nature of the injury except it is an upper body.

With the injuries, Julien Gauthier ended up playing right wing with Zibanejad and Kreider and they weren’t great.  In terms of 5v5 possession, the best line by far was Strome, Panarin and Goodrow.

Ryan Reaves wasn’t very visible, playing only 7:49, the fewest minutes of any Ranger.

Igor Shesterkin made 34 saves, giving up only one even strength goal.

He has won both of his shootouts this season, evening his career record at 2-2.   He improved his save percentage to an NHL best .937 and dropped his goals against average to 2.07, second best in the league. In 25 starts, he has lost only four times in regulation with a 20-4-2 record.

Congratulations to former Ranger Keith Yandle who played in his 964th straight game, tying the iron man record held by Doug Jarvis.  Yandle played 103 of those games in a Rangers uniform from 2014-16.

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