In a much better all around effort, the Rangers were able to get one of two points in an overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. Things can go either way in overtime and unfortunately for New York, it went in favor of Dallas. There was lots to like about the way the Rangers played this game but with the stakes being the height that they are this season, we have to be accountable for each loss. Right now, the team has to buckle down, focus on getting that first win and go from there.
There are few things more exciting than the home opener at the Garden, the introduction of the players and staff, the atmosphere, the build up. The Rangers may not always do the right thing on the ice, they certainly do off the ice. One of the classiest organizations in sports, the Rangers started the night off in a touching way, paying tribute to the late great, Mr. Ranger, Rod Gilbert. With his family in house and Mrs. Gilbert dropping the ceremonial puck before the game, there were few dry eyes in the World's Most Famous Arena.
Underway we went in what was almost a scoreless first period, the Rangers carried the physical presence from the day before into this game but did a better job of possessing the puck and generating offense. It's not a New York Rangers hockey game if they don't allow someone to score their first career goal and that's what Jacob Peterson did, sneaking a nice backhander past Shesterkin. The Rangers stepped it up in the second period, out-shooting Dallas 18-8. Penalties would of course play an effect on this game and the Rangers would allow Radek Faksa to extend the Stars lead to two on the power play.
Luckily, the Rangers didn't let the game get away from them like they did in Washington. Two minutes later, Adam Fox, who already looks like he is going to top his Norris Trophy season this year, scored to cut the lead in half. The Rangers would stay the course and continue applying pressure and it would pay off with about five minutes to go when Chris Kreider got another tip-in for his second goal of the season off a brilliant shot from K'Andre Miller.
After a scoreless third period, the game would go to overtime. The Rangers won possession early and had a couple good looks but unfortunately after an Artemi Panarin attempt to win the game, play went the other way and Miro Heiskanen called game. Obviously not the end result you want, but you have to like the Rangers fighting their way back into the game and forcing overtime and leaving the game with a point. As I mentioned earlier, the team played a better overall game, and while the stakes and expectations of this team are high, the Rangers are notorious for starting the season off slow, and with a new coaching staff, there's bound to be some growing pains.
While this isn't an excuse it is a reminder that the season isn't out the window already. This team will turn it around it just might take longer than we want. The Rangers head right out to Montreal as they prepare to take on the Canadiens at the Bell Center on Saturday. Look for them to carry that same style of play and to continue to clean up in the sloppy areas. As long as they keep progressing and gelling with each other, there's no reason that this team can't find themselves on a hot streak when they get that first win.
Chris Feldman
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