It wasn't pretty by any means but a win is a win and that's what the Rangers walked out of the Garden with. The Rangers came alive in the third period to come out on top against the Buffalo Sabres who for the majority of the game, hung around and outplayed the Rangers. You do have to applaud Don Granato, Dan Girardi and the rest of Buffalo's interim coaching staff as this team has turned it around and began to create a new identity since the coaching change and the trade deadline. For the Rangers however, that is not an excuse. They are the better team and needed to prove that with a win.
The first period got off to a slow start for the Rangers and thank goodness Igor Sheshterkin came to play. He was tested early and often and stood tall against each of Buffalo's 16 chances in the first period. On the Rangers end, they only generated six shots on goal and most of which came from defensemen. No goals, no penalties, very little action, to the second we go. I won't get too into it since I already have but man, Brendan Smith has truly stepped up in Trouba's absence and at times, had dragged this team to success. Tonight was no exception as he let a rocket of a slap shot go to get the Rangers on the board about two and a half minutes into the second.
The Rangers would show some form of life following the goal and would pick it up in the shots on goal department, throwing 20 shots on net during the second period. A heck of a better effort than the six shots in the first period. However all it would take is one mistake when in the final minute of the period, Filip Chytil took the games first penalty and went off for tripping. Sam Reinhart would almost immediately score of a blast from the slot to tie the game up to head to the third.
It would be interesting to know what exactly was said in the locker room during that intermission but at the end of the day nothing really needed to be said. The Rangers needed to be better in a game they had no business losing and especially needed to sharpen their efforts before two crucial games against their third place rivals of Long Island. There was a bit of a scare at the six minute mark when Kevin Rooney took a bad penalty resulting in another Sabres power play which considering how quickly they scored on the first one, was the last thing we needed. Dylan Cozens would stick up for his teammate and drop the gloves with Rooney causing hope for the Rangers that he would get a third man in penalty canceling the power play. Alas, no call there and the Rangers would be short handed, eventually killing off the man advantage.
The Rangers came out stronger, continuing to apply the pressure and get pucks to the net. Around the halfway mark of the third, the bright little star that is Alexis Lafreniere shined and got the Rangers the lead once again. A beautiful pass from Strome to set him up perfectly and what makes it even better is Laf apparently called his shot. Prior to the shift, Laf told Strome they were going to get one. Leadership. Every aspect of this kids game is improving and showing, his presence on and off the ice is electric and it's going to be an absolute treat to watch him play every night for this team for so many years to come. Not too long after the Rangers got a huge chance with two Buffalo penalties, Mika Zibanejad would give the team some insurance with a perfect wrist shot destined for the back of the net following several other chances from our power play unit.
The Rangers would close out the game out-shooting Buffalo 41-37 despite being out shot 16-6 in the first. Again, not the prettiest effort by any means but the team stuck together and came out on top. Unfortunately, the Bruins also won so there isn't much progression on the playoff chase. The Islanders however did lose to the Capitals and with two games against the Rangers coming up, could start to fall down the standings and perhaps lose their spot to the Bruins and eventually the Rangers. A lot of hope, what ifs and long shots all surrounding the Rangers playoff chase but at the end of the day, you can't not be proud of this teams efforts. The future is here and it is looking so so good. Keep pushing for the wins, keep hoping for the best but all in all, everything we want for this franchise is happening and we just need to sit back and let it happen.
Chris Feldman
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