The Rangers will head back to Madison Square Garden with an extra pep in their step as they are now riding a four game win streak, going undefeated on their first road trip of the season. Despite being down 2-0 late in the game, the Rangers fought their way back and came out on top against a sparky Senators squad. The Rangers now lead the Metro, and sit in the top three for the league standings. It's early, and there's a long season ahead but the Rangers have absolutely gotten off to a good start.
A good start however, was not how this game began. Nick Paul would score within the first couple minutes to give Ottawa the 1-0 lead. With Alexandar Georgiev in net for the Rangers, allowing the first shot on goal to go in, the conversation about Georgiev being a legitimate NHL goalie was very much being put into question yet again. Nevertheless, Georgiev turned it on, stopping the next nineteen shots he would face, bailing the Rangers out on a couple of them. Aside from that, there weren't many highlights in the first 40 minutes of the game for the Rangers.
Georgiev would allow a Josh Norris shot you have to think he would want back early in the third, giving Ottawa the 2-0 lead. As the game went on, the game continued to be a little on the chippy side. Trouba and Tkachuk dropped the gloves earlier in the game and Sammy Blais would drop them with Nick Paul closer to the come back. The Rangers, who were still struggling to get anything generated on the power play, got their third crack at it about thirteen minutes into the games final period. Wouldn't you believe it, the Rangers convert on a power play and cut Ottawa's lead in half. Chris Kreider doing what Chris Kreider does best in establishing a net front presence, getting his fourth goal in six games to start the year.
Matt Murray would end up leaving the game with an injury following Kreider's goal which certainly played a role in the games change of pace. Murray was standing on his head throughout the night prior to that. Less than two minutes later, with Anton Forsberg now in net, it's Adam Fox once again setting the team up for a great chance and Ryan Lindgren finishing to tie the game up. Makes up for his goal getting called back in the last game. Another two minutes and another Rangers goal, this time it's Barclay Goodrow tipping a shot in to complete the Rangers comeback.
Ottawa made a push to get themselves back into the game but the Rangers weren't giving, the clock winds down and the Rangers get their fourth win in a row and of the season. It wasn't pretty, and there's been plenty of areas where the Rangers need to improve in, but the important thing here is this team finds ways to win. The Rangers still need more from a lot of guys, especially some of their top players but it's clear this team is clicking and forming that true "no quit in New York" identity. The Rangers are back at it at home against the Calgary Flames on Monday, you have to hope that they come out stronger and keep the win streak going in front of the fans at MSG.
Chris Feldman
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