Meh, Rangers lose 3-1 to the Bruins

Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) and Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) fight for a loose puck during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16) and Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo (25) fight for a loose puck during the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) scores on New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Taylor Hall (71) scores on New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (31) during the second period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Notes on the game

  • With the loss, the Rangers are 51-22-6 and will have to win two of their last three games to equal the franchise record for most wins in a season.  Five out of six points will tie the record for most points in a season.
  • With one more game left (against Montreal), the Rangers have a record of 19-3-1 against the Atlantic Division.
  • The Rangers finished the road portion of their season, finishing 25-14-2.   It was their best road record since 2016-17 when they went 27-12-2.
  • The Rangers’ power play accounted for the only goal of the game, coming on a delayed penalty while already on the power play.  They went 1-3 and are third overall in the NHL at 26.2%.   They have now scored with the man advantage in four straight after not scoring in four consecutive games.
  • The penalty kill was a perfect 3-3 and has not allowed a PP goal in 10 of their last 11 games and have allowed only one power play goal in their last 24 times shorthanded. They are eighth overall at 82%.
  • Chris Kreider didn’t score a goal and Artemi Panarin didn’t get a point so their pursuit of individual goals was stymied.  Kreider needs three goals in his last three games to tie Jaromir Jagr’s franchise record of 54.  Panarin needs four points in the last three games to reach 100 points for the first time.
  • Igor Shesterkin stopped 32 of 35 shots and still leads the league with a 2.03 goals against average and .936 save percentage.
  • The Rangers were without Andrew Copp and Filip Chytil and their loss as felt especially at the end of the game when they pulled Shesterkin.  The Strome line was also less effective with Dryden Hunt replacing Copp.
  • Charlie McAvoy threw a nasty check from behind on his childhood buddy, Adam Fox. Dryden Hunt retaliated immediately by tackling him and both Hunt and McAvoy got roughing minors.
  • The Rangers took a too many men on the ice bench minor in the first period, the fourth time that has happened this season. It was marginal call as the Ranger was headed to the bench when the extra player jumped on the ice a little early. It really didn’t affect play.   If there is any indication that the coaching is more disciplined, the four times in 79 games compares to the seven times in 56 games last season, the eight times in 71 games the year before and the absolutely absurd 14 times in 2018-19. The good news is that they have killed off the last 10 bench minors that they have taken.
  • The Rangers finished the season series with a 2-1-0 record against the Bruins. This was the first time that they have won the season series in three years.

Schedule