A bit of a tough game to watch following such exciting efforts over the weekend as the Rangers played a very Carolina type of game. Low scoring, low event and as the game went on, mostly all Carolina. There was at least a ten minute stretch where the Hurricanes kept the Rangers without a shot and played an overall conservative game until they were able to capitalize later in the third. Despite getting on the board first, the Rangers would fall short in an eventful third period by the score of 3-2, putting an end to the Blueshirts four game winning streak.
The Rangers had a solid start to the game as the first was probably their best. The majority of the period was spent with both teams getting some chances with most of the play getting clogged up the neutral zone. Finally towards the end of the first, Tyler Motte was able to get the team on the board finishing on a nice play by the fourth line. Motte now has three goals in four games and has really proven to be a vital part of this team. That fourth line of him, Goodrow and Vesey has been such an important piece to this team and very well could be one of, if not the best fourth line in the league.
I mentioned before the game yesterday that special teams would be a key factor in this one and that definitely proved to be true. The Rangers had three power play chances with two of which coming in the second period. Not only were they unable to convert on any of them, Carolina’s penalty killers played so aggressively that the Rangers really couldn’t even get anything set up. As a result, the Rangers were held to just the one goal from the first and were only able to generate five shots on goals throughout the entire period. Carolina was definitely picking up the pace as the game went on and a big part of why this game was as close as it was, was thanks to Igor Shesterkin and his brilliant goaltending.
One of the highlights going into this game was the return of Ryan Lindgren but a bit of a scare came when he got tangled up with former friend Jesper Fast that left him wincing over his shoulder. Lindgren was actually called for a penalty on the play but the Rangers had Tarasenko serve it so he could get attention from medical trainer Jim Ramsey. Thankfully, he was pretty quick to return but if there is any doubt of him being back to 100% the Rangers need to seriously consider holding him out or at least consider using him in a limited role. It’s more important to have him at 110% for playoffs then 85% right now.
The third would be the most eventful as about halfway through, the Hurricanes finally found the back of the net to tie the game up. Jalen Chatfield let a shot go that beat Shesterkin, ending the Rangers shutout streak of over eight periods of play. The Rangers were quick to respond as Kaapo Kakko regained the lead on a shot in front to make it 2-1. Kakko’s line was undoubtedly one of the Rangers best all night but unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough. Stefan Noesen tied it back up at two and with about two and half minutes remaining in regulation, Teuvo Teravainen, who Joe was talking about at the start of the broadcast as a player who needed to step up in Svechnikov’s absence, tipped in a Brent Burns shot to make it 3-2. With not much time left, the Rangers ran out of gas thus ending their four game win streak.
There’s no doubt the Rangers didn’t play great and defensively, they kind of fell apart especially on those last couple of goals. There’s no need to hit the panic button given how strong this team has looked but it’s quite clear they need to be better as they go into Carolina tomorrow. They’ll have an immediate chance at redemption Thursday Night as they need to find a way to get past the Hurricanes tight neutral zone pressure and outwork them on special teams.
Chris Feldman
Comentarios