For the second time this season, the Hudson River Rivals faced off against each other and for the second time this season, the New York Rangers came out on top. The Rangers have certainly bounced back from the back to back losses and have come up with a pair of big, much needed wins to head off onto a four game road trip with. A couple changes to the lineup going into last nights battle as Jonny Brodzinski replaced Kevin Rooney, who was injured in the St. Louis game, and Morgan Barron replaced an under the weather Greg McKegg.
The Blueshirts got off to a good start, playing strong, generating offense that led to them outshooting the Devils 16-12 in the first period. This first was without a doubt the most exciting period of the game as the pace sort of slowed down afterwords. After half a period of play, the Rangers finally capitalized as Mika Zibanejad tucked in a backhander off a loose puck in front of the net, 1-0 Rangers. It wouldn't be long however, until the Devils found a way to beat Igor Shesterkin who was otherwise perfect the entire night, making several highlight reel saves that further solidify his case for not just the Vezina Trophy, but the Hart as well. Nico Hischier snuck through the Rangers defenders and let a heck of a shot go to tie the game up at one.
That would do it for the scoring side of the first period but the action wouldn't stop there. The Garden Faithful were quick to let the Rangers know P.K. Subban was on the ice, as the World's Most Famous Arena erupted into boos every time the Devils defender touched the puck. Not only did Subban leave Ryan Reaves banged up from a slew foot in preseason, but he ended Sammy Blais' first campaign as a Ranger with a similar play in the teams first meeting. Like many of us, Barclay Goodrow did not forget about Subban's history as the two dropped the gloves in the final minute of the first. Smart play by Goodrow to get Subban to drop the gloves first, avoiding any potential instigator penalties against a player who's known to be a flight risk when it comes to fights.
To the second we go and the action would slow down drastically, shots being 9-5 New Jersey throughout the next 20. The Devils are one of, if not the worst second period team in the league, giving the Rangers a bit of the upper arm. There wouldn't be a surplus of chances with only five shots, however Filip Chytil would certainly take advantage of his, putting away a rebound with about eleven minutes to go in the period. The energy would slightly increase in the periods final minutes but Chytil's goal would be the lone highlight as the Rangers took a 2-1 lead to the third.
New Jersey wasn't going down without a fight as they would have another twelve shots on goal in the third period but Igor Shesterkin stood up tall to the test, keeping everything out of the Rangers net, making it look easy in the process. Early in the final half of the period, Chris Kreider finished on a beautiful pass from Mika Zibanjead on the other side of the net who got the puck off an even better cross ice feed from Adam Fox. Kreider, who prior to this season never scored 30 goals in a season, is now threatening to hit 40 as this would be his 36th of the season. And while he didn't have much to do with the play, you can't help but appreciate Alexis Lafreniere, as the chemistry that top line is building is becoming just what this team needs.
The Rangers would hold the Devils off, beating them for the second time this season, for their 35th win of the year. Overall, it wasn't the best game by the Rangers but they got the job done much of the credit to Igor Shesterkin. For what it's worth, Jonny Brodzinski had himself a great showing in his first game since his call up. With McKegg out, Brodzinski filled in on the penalty kill and did a great job. He played well and hard in both ends of the ice, blocked shots, one of which coming in the final minute of the game resulting in his skate blade shattering. He also fed Ryan Strome with a perfect back door saucer pass that Strome unfortunately struggled with, not being able to put away.
Nevertheless, this team got the job done and continue to get the points they need. They still sit third in the Metropolitan division, two points behind the Penguins , six behind the Hurricanes. Two teams that are playing incredibly well night in and night out. The Rangers now gear up for a four game road trip as the schedule continues to get tougher and tougher nearing the final stretch of the season. They will take on the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday and play every other day this week, revisiting the Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars. While it's a tough stretch, it'll be a great opportunity for the Rangers to continue to show what they can do and exactly why there's no quit in New York.
Chris Feldman
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