This ended up being quite a chippy affair between the two teams. Scuffles, brawls, and a genuine fight outline just how physical a game this was. New York was able to cope with the physicality of the Vegas Golden Knights and even use that against them. This was a game that seemed like the Rangers just had dominance in the physical aspect. New York was winning puck battles, laying hits, fighting, and standing up for each other.
Artemi Panarin’s two assists in this game were point number 600 and 601 of his NHL career. He’s been in the NHL for only a few years but that really does outline the pure talent that the Russian winger possesses. He’s a dynamic weapon and the Rangers having him makes this team a lot better. He’s one of the best passers of the puck in this league and the fact he is a New York Ranger gives this roster an edge.
This top six seems to just work for whatever reason. The Lafreniere – Zibanejad – Kakko line scored the first goal and the fourth goal of this game, Zibanejad himself also grabbed two on the powerplay. Panarin – Chytil – Goodrow grabbed the third goal of this game and it was just a complete game for the top six. Scoring like this makes this team scarily deep. New York needs this production to carry over.
5-on-3s are the takeaway of this game. New York scored 4 seconds onto a 5-on-3 to put itself up 5-1. Vegas’ only goal was on a 5-on-3. They are difficult to defend. Scoring on the two-man advantage is obviously a good sign but being down two men to give Vegas a shot is a worry. This was back when the Rangers’ lead was only a single goal. It’s concerning, but two powerplay goals will make you feel a lot better about life.
This win puts the Rangers level on points with the Tampa Bay Lightning who sit in the second wild-card spot. They remain above the Rangers because the Blueshirts have played three games more than the Bolts but the fact New York is hovering around the cutoff line is promising. As the team starts to stem the tide of this recent run of results. If they just keep winning, they’ll be there in the end.