It certainly wasn't the flashiest game of the season, however the Rangers did what they have continued to do all season and found a way to win. The Rangers got off to a strong start and it paid off about six minutes in when Mika Zibanejad let a slap shot go on the power play that beat Carter Hart to give the road team a one goal lead. The momentum wouldn't last too long as Oscar Lindblom would sneak a backhander off a scramble in front of the net past Shesterkin to knot the game at one about six minutes after Mika's goal.
Neither team really got much going in any aspect for a pretty long stretch after Lindbolm's goal. Lots of icings, lots of dead plays. The second period would be scoreless with each team taking a penalty, failing to convert on the advantages. The Flyers are a team that have just been struggling as of late while the Rangers are closing out a two week stretch of five games on the road. You never want to make excuses but it's somewhat justifiable that this game was missing that sort of spark you would normally expect in a rivalry matchup.
To the third we go and as tradition calls, a rookie player gets their first NHL goal against the Rangers, this time it was American born defender Cam York, beating Shesterkin with a nice shot from the point. Thankfully, the lead wouldn't last as Filip Chytil's bad luck would finally run out as he finished on the play, feeding from Panarin and Strome to tie this one back up. Chytil, who was on quite the goal scoring drought, rung a shot off the post earlier in the game, making the feeling of finally putting the puck in the net that much sweeter.
While the goals may not have been there for Fil, the assists have been as he was riding a three game point streak that now extends to four. Chytil's been great on the wing with Panarin and Strome as of late which not only helps the Rangers, but could help him become a more consistent piece to the lineup. While the plan always was for Chytil to be a center, he may be the Rangers best option as a right winger on that second line until they attempt to answer it via trade. This is a line that definitely deserves a longer look and if it continues to work, could allow for the Rangers to target a third line center option at the deadline instead of a right wing.
It wouldn't be long after the Rangers tied it up that Chris Kreider would get his stick on the puck to give the Blueshirts their final lead of the night, one that would hold til the buzzer. It wasn't a perfect night, nor that eventful of one but the Rangers took care of business and did what they had to do to ensure they left Wells Fargo Arena with a W. The Blueshirts will head back home and have a couple days to prepare for their next test against Toronto on Wednesday. The couple of days will prove beneficial as the Rangers gear up for a stretch of three games in four days against good teams with travel in the mix.
Chris Feldman
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