The undefeated Florida Panthers are no more as the Rangers come out with fire and get a much needed win by a score of 4-3. Despite being out-shot 45-18, the Rangers played pretty darn well against one of, if not the league's best team. They played with a sense of urgency and with chips on their shoulders, out hitting the Panthers, blocking more shots and surprisingly, winning more face-offs. Per usual, Igor Shesterkin was locked in, standing on his head as he ended the game with 45 saves, certainly bailing New York out on more than one occasion.
The first period was New York’s best, and the only period they were really able to keep up with Florida in the shots tally, getting nine pucks to the net while Florida had eleven. About eight minutes in, the Rangers headed to the power play and who else but Chris Kreider buried a puck in front of the net to give the Rangers a lead. In the period's final seconds, on a Panthers power play it was Adam Fox who found the puck, time and space and slipped a backhander past Spencer Knight to give his team a two goal lead heading into the second.
In the first intermission, Ryan Reaves stressed the importance of his team learning from their mistakes on the road trip and making sure that they play a complete game, not letting up when playing with the lead. The Rangers would get out-shot 17-6 in the third but they were able to score three more goals. Unfortunately, one of which would be called for goaltender interference even though it was really Aaron Ekblad keeping Ryan Strome in the crease, forcing him to interfere with Spencer Knight. Which was a shame because Kaapo Kakko, who would’ve gotten his first point of the season on the play, pulled off a beautiful move and gave Panarin a perfect pass to give the team a short lived 3-0 lead.
Approaching the halfway point of the game, K’Andre Miller scored arguably one of the nicest goals of the Rangers season so far, going coast to coast, catching Brandon Montour flat footed to cut around the crease and roof one past Knight to make it 3-0. Less than a minute later, Ryan Strome made up for his goaltender interference that negated Panarin’s goal by finishing off a perfect feed from Panarin to make it 4-0. Bread and Butter back at it again.
Of course nothing can be easy in Rangerstown, just twenty seconds into the third period it was Eetu Luostarinen getting his fourth of the season off a scramble in front that Gallant probably could’ve challenged for goalie interference. Nevertheless, the Panthers checked in and warned the Rangers not to let up. About a minute later, Sam Reinhart found the back of the net to make it 4-2 and to put Rangers fans on the edge of their seats as we’ve all seen this movie before. Thankfully, the Rangers held the Panthers off and a lot of that is once again thanks to Igor Shesterkin. With a minute to go, Patric Hornqvist scored to bring Florida within one, oh no.
The Rangers killed the final 40 seconds off and they were on their feet at the Garden. Rangers win and can breathe a little easier this week as they await take off to Columbus, to take on the Blue Jackets on their home ice Saturday Night. Couple things of note, as long as Chytil’s out, Barclay Goodrow is fine at the third line center spot. Keeping him and Chytil on that third line and having them switch off at center and wing might even be a good idea going forward. You have to continue to worry as long as Kakko and Lafreniere aren’t scoring but remember, they’re young, it’ll come. Same with Julien Gauthier, who arguably needs and deserves a goal more than anyone. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one feeling for the guy when he didn’t bury one on the breakaway he had earlier in the game.
Through thirteen games to start this season, it’s easy to break the team apart and over-focus on their problems and what they need to be better at. At the same time, as long as they keep finding wins, you have to consider that things may just be alright. It’s a long season, things will start to click. The Rangers are back at it in Columbus on Saturday and will come back home for a rival match up with the Devils on home ice Sunday. This will be a key back to back weekend against division opponents that the Rangers will want to come out of with four points.
Chris Feldman
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