4 takeaways from the Rangers' 5-3 win over Utah

With Thursday's 5-3 win against the Utah Hockey Club, the New York Rangers have now recorded at least a point in each of their last six games (4-0-2), collecting 10 out of a possible 12 points since a 7-4 loss against the Washington Capitals on Jan. 4.

The Blueshirts' latest victory also means they jump the idle Pittsburgh Penguins (44 points) and are now four points behind the Bruins (49 points) for the second and final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Head Coach Peter Laviolette said while two wins on a three-game road stretch is a success, the lone loss is not to be overlooked.

“We’re still frustrated about the one we lost,” Laviolette said postgame. “It was a good road trip. Even going back prior, I think we’ve been playing some good hockey. We’ve just got to continue to do that. We’ve got to remember what’s gotten us here. We’ve got to take that into every game, that mindset of what works for us right now. If we can do that, then we’re going to get a chance.” 

With that in mind, let's breakdown exactly how the Rangers got their latest win with four key takeaways from the matchup.

1. Arthur Kaliyev Scores First Goal as a Ranger

With just 3:35 remaining in the first period, a shot from Filip Chytil snuck through Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka, and bounced into the Utah crease. Kaliyev drove into the blue paint and poked home the puck-tying the game for the Rangers, and earning his first goal as a Blueshirt.

Kaliyev remains the only player in the history of the NHL born in Uzbekistan to score a goal. However, he did grow up on Staten Island though, so he's New York local enough to really enjoy the scoring moment for New York.

He was claimed recently on Jan. 6th off of waivers from the Los Angeles Kings in an effort to help with what was then a disappointing season. And it seems to have paid off.

Since the beginning of January, the Blueshirts have points in seven of eight (5-1-2) contests.

2. Shesterkin's Empty-Netter Attempt

Towards the end of the third period, Utah made the adjustment to an empty-net as they were down 4-3. By the 18:23 mark, goaltender Igor Shesterkin went for it with a snap shot going just wide left.

He almost had a goalie goal, and it was fun to see with the crowd at the Delta Center reacting loudly. And the move did fire the offense up.

Artemi Panarin recorded his second goal of the night seconds later, making the final score 5-3.

3. Matt Rempe Benched

In order to try and get more of an offensive spark, it appeared Laviolette made the decision to bench 22-year-old Matt Rempe midway through the second period.

The forward and enforcer saw only 5:33 TOI on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. This marked his fourth lowest total in the regular season.

Forward Will Cuylle replaced the 6-foot-7, 241-pound Rempe on the fourth line during that time, seeing his ice time increase from 13:28 time on ice (TOI) on Tuesday against the Avalanche to 16:18 TOI in the win over Utah thanks to double shifting after taking over Rempe's spot in the lineup.

4. A Strong Third Period

Entering the third period trailing 3-2 and starting on the penalty kill, it seemed as if Utah would add to its lead on the man advantage and be the turning point it would need to take a two-goal lead and secure two points.

Only 28 seconds into the final frame, Reilly Smith's shot deflected off of a Utah stick and found the back of the net to tie the game.

After Smith's game-tying goal, the momentum started to go in the way of the Rangers, who limited the Utah Hockey Club to only five shots on goal over the last 15 minutes of action, including Utah going nearly 11 minutes without a puck on net during that stretch.

This momentum of it led directly to veteran Chris Kreider scoring thegame-winning goal right off of a faceoff win in the offensive zone on a knuckleball that found its way past Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka — under 30 seconds after their final man advantage expired.

The previously mentioned Panarin empty-netter followed and close out the third period and the game.