Despite falling behind early in this one, the Rangers persevered and brought the Wild to overtime where they managed to come out on top in the shootout to secure the extra point. Feels like it’s been too long since the Blueshirts last had an overtime/shootout result in their favor but thanks to goals from Kaapo Kakko, Artemi Panarin and some help from Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers won the shootout and are onto Dallas. It wasn’t a great start for the Rangers but they stuck to their script and gave Marc-Andre Fleury and the Wild plenty of work as they fought to climb back in the action and tie the game up twice throughout regulation.
The Rangers had every opportunity to take this game and run with it as Minnesota spent a majority of the game's first five minutes playing shorthanded. A Matt Boldy leg trip just a minute and a half into play resulted in the Rangers first power play chance and just eight seconds after the teams returned to even strength, Mats Zuccarello got called for slashing. Despite the two man advantages, the Rangers couldn’t capitalize. For as great as the Rangers power play unit can be, Gallant really needs to consider mixing it up and perhaps opening up to the idea of having two capable power play squads. Especially with how impressive Kaapo Kakko has been, he deserves a look on that top unit which would open up the option for one-timers on either side. Nevertheless, Zucc returned to the ice and play continued with a scoreless game.
For what it’s worth, the Rangers did have some chances throughout the period which included a brilliant two on one opportunity for Zibanejad and Kakko where Marc-Andre Fleury committed larceny, absolutely robbing Kakko of a rocket of a one-timer. Honestly, it was kind of hard rooting against Fleury last night. Not just because he’s a class act, future hall of famer that’s been a joy to watch throughout the years, but with this being his first game back after a brief absence from the team, it was good to see him playing as well as he did. (Fleury left the team over the weekend for a brief trip home after a close friend of his unfortunately passed away). About halfway through the period, the Wild found the back of the net from a Jon Merril wrister for his second of the season.
As the period was coming to an end, Kirill Kaprizov was able to extend Minnesota’s lead with assists coming from Sam Steel and of course, former Blueshirt Ryan Reaves. A clean shot that Igor probably would’ve liked back, but at the same time, it is Kirill Kaprizov. Lots of skill in his game so can’t blame Igor too much on that one. Nevertheless, the Rangers were all of a sudden down significantly despite all their early chances to take control of this game. With two periods of hockey ahead of them, the next one would be crucial in defining the potential outcome of this game.
Thankfully, a couple of minutes into the second, K’Andre Miller did what K’Andre Miller does best and rushed into the offensive zone and let a quick shot go past MA Fleury to cut the Wild’s lead in half. Miller would be one of two major keys to this game as he and Adam Fox had truly standout performances that helped the Rangers secure the lead. The second period would also be the start of some injury problems as the Rangers lost Julien Gauthier to what of course has been vaguely labeled as an upper body injury with further assessments to come. Hopefully it’s nothing long term as Gauthier had been a great presence in the Rangers bottom six putting up the best numbers of his career.
Later on in the period it was Adam Fox tying this one up while the teams skated at 4-v-4 after Brandon Duhaime tripped up Alexis Lafreniere who was called for embellishment. A bit of a questionable call and it still doesn’t really make sense how officials can call penalties on both teams when there is embellishment at play but nevertheless, it worked out as Fox was able to convert. He had Vincent Trocheck with him on a 2-on-1 but opted for the shot, which ended up being the right decision as he beat Fleury blocker side to tie the game up at two with lots of time left. The Rangers had a much better showing in the second period as they outshot the Wild 20-10 in the second period alone.
Wouldn't be long into the third period before the Wild regained the lead from a Mats Zuccarello goal that Shesterkin definitely wished he could’ve had back. While Shesterkin was far from bad in this game among others this season, there have definitely been points throughout the year where he hasn’t been the stellar Vezina Trophy Winner he has been in the past. Goals like this one are a humbling reminder of that but the good news with Igor is that if this is how he is at his worst, he’s still a pretty damn good goaltender. Aside from a couple of the goals in this one, he had a solid outing with 30+ saves on the night.
With about five and a half to go in the game, Adam Fox took control of the play and pulled off a seemingly flawless deke to move around the defender and cut in close to the net. The puck appeared to redirect off of Matt Dumba and go into the back of the net but Filip Chytil would be credited with the goal as he may have gotten his stick on the puck prior to it crossing the line. Regardless of who was credited with the goal, both Fox and Chytil have been outstanding for the Rangers. Fox was no question a stand out last night and Chytil is just points away from career highs in all aspects of his game. Unfortunately, more injuries would come in the third as Chris Kreider took a hit that very well may have dislocated his shoulder. While that is all just speculation right now, we’ll likely find more information later today or tomorrow. Hopefully, he doesn’t miss much time but a chance to get Lafreniere some minutes in the top-six would not be the worst thing in the world.
The game would essentially finish how it started with the Rangers getting all the chances in the world to capitalize on the power play. The Wild would get caught with too many men on the ice which resulted in a four on three power play. Lots of puck moving, lots of trying to force that one timer to Mika or Fox or whoever happens to be on that left side with the occasional rush shot from Panarin. Nothing gave as time ran out and the teams headed to the shootout. Fleury would make the save on Kakko’s move but ran out of space as the puck ended up crossing the line. Zuccarello would follow up Kakko with his signature fake move quick shot five hole to tie it back up. A pair of saves either way led to Artemi Panarin sneaking a high backhander past Fleury putting the Rangers in the position to win. Freddie Gaudreau would have the game on his stick but Shesterkin shut him down to put an end to this one, Rangers win 4-3.
A much needed two whole points for this team who has definitely struggled in overtimes and shootouts, especially in recent games. While the race for top three teams in the Metro Division continues to be tight, the Rangers are holding up as a contender for one of those three spots with New Jersey not far ahead of them. The Blueshirts are back at it Thursday Night where they will revisit the Dallas Stars who have sneakily become one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Chris Feldman
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