Blue Line Station
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Another comeback win salvages the Rangers’ road trip

By Steve Paulus

Mar 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate the win over the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate the win over the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) and Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) and Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) chase the puck during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Notes on the game

  • The Rangers improved their record to 37-17-5 and 79 points.  They are tied for second place in points with the Penguins, but own the tiebreaker.  This was the Rangers’ 18th road win of the season, tied with seven other teams for second most in the NHL between Pittsburgh with 19.
  • This was the Rangers’ 19th come-from-behind win of the season,  second most in the NHL behind Colorado with 20.  It’s the most in one season they had 20 in 2016-17.
  • Despite the two road losses, the Rangers are on pace to finish with 110 points, a total they’ve reached only twice in Franchise history.
  • 12 different Rangers made the scoresheet.  The first goal was scored by Greg McKegg who had not accompanied the team on the road trip due to personal reasons. He met the team in Dallas and made a contribution immediately.
  • Gallant went with 11 forwards and seven defenseman for the second time on the trip. The Rangers won both games and Gallant explained the strategy, saying that he wanted to ease on ice time for some of his blueliners  Ryan Reaves was a healthy scratch, something Gallant called a “coach’s decision.”
  • Artemi Panarin had a five point night, scoring one goal and adding four assists. It was the second time he has accomplished that as a Ranger and the third time in his career.  He moved into 10th place overall in scoring in the NHL. He is second in the league with 52 assists, 12 behind Jonathan Huberdeau.
  • Dryden Hunt had three points for the first time in his career, all assists.
  • Chris Kreider was held pointless for the third straight game.  He had one four-game scoreless streak earlier  this season.
  • Mika Zibanejad scored the 23rd goal of his season, the 12th on the power play.  That puts him in a tie for fifth most power play goals in the NHL.  Kreider still leads with 19.
  • The Rangers have the second best power play in the NHL, successful 26.5% of the time, behind only Toronto with 29.9%.   The penalty kill (82.7%) is eighth best in the NHL.
  • With the win, the Rangers are guaranteed of finishing with a plus .500 record against the Central, Pacific and Atlantic Divisions.
  • The Rangers scored four goals in the first period, the third time that they have done that in the last ten years.
  • The Rangers have scored seven goals in a game once before this season, a 7-3 win over Arizona in January.
  • The 15 goals allowed in three games matches the 15 goals they allowed in three games in early November.
  • The Rangers have still not lost more than two games in a row in regulation.  They have a 14-6-2 record after a loss.
  • Igor Shesterkin has allowed four goals in two straight games for the second time in his career, the first last April against the Penguins.   He is tied with Jeremy Swayman for the lowest goals against average in the NHL (2.06) though Swayman has appeared in only 28 games to 40 for Shesterkin.  The Ranger goalie still leads the league with a .938 save percentage.  His 29 wins are one behind  Sergei Bobrovsky, Andrei Vasilevskiy and Frederik Andersen, all with 30.
  • Shesterkin is determined to score a goal and it almost cost him when he fanned on his shot and gave the puck to the Stars.  He had to make two good saves to prevent Dallas from pulling with a goal with about a minute left to play. It was a risky play.
  • For what it’s worth, the Dallas third jersey with neon green lettering is really, really ugly.
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