For the New York Rangers, consistency is a myth. For the first 20 minutes of this game, the Hartford Wolf Pack may have put up more of a fight. That isn’t to take away from Igor Shesterkin who had some huge saves in the first to keep the team in it but there were clear struggles. This isn’t a perfect game for the Rangers, but in the end, they hold on to defeat a potentially tricky opponent in the LA Kings 5-3.
Despite trailing 2-0 after the first period, the Rangers seemed to realize they were playing after the first 20 minutes with a big performance from the kid line in particular. Both Chytil and Lafreniere had multipoint games and Kakko had the goal that gave New York a lead they would relinquish briefly during the third period but take right back to hold on for the big two points.
Chris Kreider would get the game-winning goal on what most people would call a bad-angle shot off of a beautiful set play off the end boards that showed off just how lightning-quick Chris Kreider is. However, the shot was fluttering and it seemed to deceive Cal Peterson in the LA net. Kreider would also grab the empty net goal with 50 seconds left in the game to put the cherry on this one.
Adam Fox had a multi-point night with two assists as he pushes his point streak to 10 games. With the beating heart of the Rangers’ blueline production seeming to be heating up, the tide seems to be shifting on the Rangers’ hot and cold start to the season seeing it improve for the better. This is only the first half of a back-to-back but there is going to be a lot to like for the coaching staff from this game after the first 20.
This win moves New York to 10-6-4 on the year for 24 points. They sit in the top Wild Card position in the East tied on points with the Islanders and Hurricanes above them having played more games than Carolina and just having fewer wins than the Islanders. As the team continues to knock the rust off the machine, there will be hiccups. It’s going to be about overcoming them. This team did that well tonight.
For the Rangers, their next game is later on today since it’s officially 1:30 at the time of writing this. They will be taking on the other Southern California team, the Anaheim Ducks. Not a team that should be outright dangerous for the Rangers to take on but a team that will pose its own issues for the Blueshirts to overcome. After what could have been a long night for the Rangers, they bank two points.