As we approach year two of the pandemic, it still seems that every step forward is resulting in a couple steps back and the NHL is no different. Things were finally starting to feel normal as the season was in full swing however, almost overnight several teams were left with almost no players, as the names on the leagues COVID protocol list grew longer and longer. By the middle of last week, it seemed there was almost no choice other than to pause the season but alas, the league wants to avoid that at all costs. The final decision came over the weekend that some teams like Boston and Detroit who are dealing with it more heavily than others, will postpone until after the Christmas break. The other final decision was to postpone any games that require over the border travel between Canada and the United States, officially putting the Rangers on Christmas break.
First, let’s recap what would become the final game before the Rangers premature break that will now last for nine days. By no means is this a perfect way to go into break but one point is better than no points, and the Rangers have a lot of positives to take away from their shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Rangers played a pretty complete game, including a perfect second period, proving they can skate with a team as skilled as Vegas. The teams got off to a pretty even start until Vegas found the back of the net first. Who would score first for Vegas? Of course none other than Rangers fans favorite guy to tweet about, Brett Howden! You can’t make this stuff up.
The rest of the period would remain scoreless but less than twenty seconds into the second, Mika Zibanejad would pull off his best Alex Ovechkin impression to let an incredible wrist shot go through the legs of the defender into the back of Vegas’ net to tie the game up at one. About halfway through the period, Chris Kreider would find his 18th of the season on a tip-in on the power play to give the Rangers a one goal lead. Overall, this was absolutely one of the Rangers best periods of the season, out-shooting Vegas 11-4, drawing two penalties and maintaining puck possession through most of those twenty minutes.
Unfortunately, the Rangers would let off the gas pedal a bit, playing too defensively against one of the league's best at generating scoring chances and with almost five minutes left in the game, Dylan Coghlan let one go by Georgiev to tie the game up at two. Brett Howden with an assist to give himself a two point night. The teams would each secure a point as they geared up for overtime, one that would be a very exciting five minutes of 3 on 3 hockey. Chance after chance for both teams, neither could seem to find the back of the net which resulted in everyone’s favorite ending, a shootout.
Kakko would start us off, a decision I was thrilled with however, he could not find the net. Evgeny Dadonov would lead off for Vegas and Georgiev would shut him down. Zibanejad would go next, shooting one right into the glove of Laurent Broissoit. I’m all for Mika finding his shot again but really would’ve liked him to pull off his usual move as it likely would’ve worked against Vegas’ backup. Jonathan Marchesasault, another former member of the Rangers organization (people forget) beat Georgiev leaving the fate of the shootout and the game to… Ryan Strome. I get it, shootouts are pretty much a free for all but I’m not sure Strome was the best choice there. Nevertheless, Broissoit made the save and gave his team the win.
NHL’s Covid Problem, Montreal Game Postponed
Given the circumstance of COVID spreading around the league, it makes all the sense in the world to put some teams on pause. In theory, the league should’ve just put all teams on pause until after Christmas, especially as the chances of the NHL going to the Olympics grow less and less likely. The league will have a three week period that has been reserved for the Olympics to make up the games that wouldn’t happen during this time but nevertheless, some teams will pause, some will continue to get their games in. Due to the border crossing decision from the league, the Rangers will not be able to host the Canadiens, resulting in that game being postponed.
For the Rangers, this is probably a blessing. Artemi Panarin is dealing with an injury, Igor Shesterkin just came off IR, the team could use this break. Not to mention, Patrik Nemeth was just put on the leagues COVID protocol list so hopefully an outbreak isn’t on the brink of happening within the Rangers and if it is, hopefully this extended break will give them the time to be ready for Detroit on the 27th. The Red Wings have also been shut down until they are scheduled to come to New York as they are dealing with their own team outbreak so hopefully this nine day stretch will be more than enough to ready them for a return after break. Especially since I have tickets on the chase bridge for this game.
All in all, you have to be happy with how the Rangers have performed so far this season. With a record of 19-7-4, bouncing around in the top three of the Metropolitan Division with Washington and Carolina, they’re in a good spot as they approach the halfway point of the season. It is clear where the team needs to improve and none of those improvements are too concerning or difficult to find solutions for. Hopefully the nine days off will get everyone healthy and the Blueshirts will be ready to go in a week when they host Marc Staal and the Detroit Red Wings for his first time back at the Garden.
Chris Feldman
Comments