This was the kind of game the New York Rangers needed. It wasn’t pretty but the Rangers managed to overcome being behind multiple times, they overcame the strength of this Dallas Stars team. There wasn’t a great defensive performance for the Rangers and the Rangers didn’t have to have Shesterkin stand on his head metophorically, despite Ty Dellandrea’s best efforts to physically make it happen.
To say this was the definition of an ugly win would be too easy. In a game that started out kind of free-flowing but ended with bad blood between the two hockey clubs shows the intensity this one was played at. It all started when Dellandrea tripped Shesterkin. I’m not going to say slewfoot because I honestly do not think it was intentional, but that got the Rangers fired up and from there, it looked like a game both teams could win.
The big turning point in this one for the Rangers was when Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger had to exit the game due to a minor lower body injury. He’d be well enough to return to the Dallas bench, but once Scott Wedgewood entered the game, this felt like a game the Rangers had to win. It did help that towards the end of the game, Wedgewood decided winning was overrated and that he would rather not.
Vitali Kravtsov exited this game for the Rangers and this kid is just so unlucky. He’s played in four games this season and has exited three of them with an injury. It’s been different every time too. Hopefully, Kravtsov is healthy enough to return soon but you cannot help but feel bad for him. He’s come back across to North America and he’s kept his nose clean for the most part. He just cannot stay healthy.
Vincent Trocheck had himself a three point night as he helped the Rangers a lot. That line was really good and the Rangers needed it to be. Zac Jones tallied his first NHL goal and wouldn’t you know it happened to be the game winner. Julien Gauthier had a two point night as he looks a lot better than he has in previous seasons. That extra motivation with clearing waivers and being sent down probably helps fuel that fire.
For the very early season standings, this puts the blueshirts level on points with the two wild card teams, but they are still 4 places out of the playoff spots right now. With the Rangers only being one point of the division leading Philadelphia Flyers, they’re not adrift or out of it at all. But this is not an ideal position to be in at this time of year. Now, the Rangers need to start putting points in the bank.
Next, the New York Rangers will visit the newest and weirdest arena in the NHL, Mullet Arena. Home of the Arizona State Sun Devils because that is where the Arizona Coyotes are playing their home games as of right now. That game will be tomorrow at 8 PM Eastern from the desert. Arizona will be another team the Rangers need to beat as they look to sweep this back-to-back and return to New York with a winning record on this road trip.