Blue Line Station
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Rangers blow lead and lose 3-2 on Lundqvist’s big night

By Steve Paulus

Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; The banner for New York Rangers former goalie Henrik Lundqvist is raised to the ceiling during a ceremony to retire his number before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; The banner for New York Rangers former goalie Henrik Lundqvist is raised to the ceiling during a ceremony to retire his number before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Cam Talbot (33) makes a save against New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Cam Talbot (33) makes a save against New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the game

The Rangers remain in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 28-13-4.  Before anyone panics, they are five points ahead of the Capitals, in the first wild card position and nine points up on Boston in the final wild card slot. Washington has a game in hand and Boston has five big games in hand.

The fact is that the Rangers have three games left against the Penguins and Hurricanes and two games against Boston and Washington.  Those meetings will be huge.

This was the first game this season that the Rangers have lost when they have been tied after two periods. They had come into this game with a 12-0-1 record.

This was only the second time this season that the Rangers have lost two in a row in regulation.

Chris Kreider scored his league leading 31st goal of the season.  He is now two goals ahead of Alex Ovechkin who was scoreless in Washington’s 5-0 win over Dallas and Leon Draisaitl.

Jacob Trouba took over the lead role on defense and assisted on both Ranger goals.

Barclay Goodrow scored his 10th goal of the season, two more than his career high.  He has now scored in three straight games.

Igor Shesterkin had a quiet first period, was bombarded in the second period and had to make some tough saves in the third.  He could have done better on the Wild winning goal.

The Rangers lost the special teams battle, scoreless on two power plays and allowing one PP goal to the Wild in two chances. That’s six goals give up in their last 19 times shorthanded.

  • The Rangers are getting into a nasty habit of trying to exit the defensive zone through the slot.  That’s a recipe for disaster and it led to a goal against in Columbus and a near miss in this game.

    • It was a good night for ex-Rangers as Mats Zuccarello had a goal and an assist while Cam Talbot got the win.

    The Rangers were outhit 23-18 and it looked like they were being manhandled by the Wild, especially Jordan Greenway and Ryan Hartman. If the Rangers want to be hard to play against, they should study the Minnesota Wild.

    We should have seen this loss coming.  On the nine prior nights when numbers have been retired, the team has won only twice going 2-3-4.

    This was one of the best crowds of the season, certainly the loudest.  The Rangers fed off the crowd in the first period, but couldn’t keep it going.

    Speaking of the ceremony, it was a lovely evening with numerous tributes, gifts and then the raising of the number to the rafters.

    Lundqvist was obviously gratified by the honor and he made an eloquent speech, thanking the fans and the Rangers and paying tribute to New York City.

    Who else has worn #30 before Henrik Lundqvist?  Here’s the list: Jack Evans, Cesare Maniago, Don Simmons, Gilles Villemure, Terry Sawchuk, John Davidson, Grant Ledyard, Larry Melnyk, Chris Nilan, Glenn Healy, Sylvain Blouin, Kirk McLean and Mike Dunham.

    Adam Fox was put on Injured Reserve and will miss the next two games.  His participation in the All-Star game is in doubt, but not confirmed yet.

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