The shutout streak continues as Sheshterkin and the New York Rangers blank the Devils by a score of 4-0. As the Lady Liberty jerseys made their last appearance for the season, the Rangers kicked the night off with an electric start and played one of their best periods of the season. We stress the importance of these games as the season starts to dwindle and if the Rangers keep playing the way they are, we might just have a shot at this thing.
The Rangers wasted no time once the puck dropped, immediately generating possession and plenty of scoring chances. Before we even hit the one minute mark to the period it was Jacob Trouba who let a clapper fly past Mackenzie Blackwood to make it 1-0 for his second of the season. Trouba's contributions to this team can't be overstated, there was a lot of doubt initially following the signing of his big contract but he's been stellar for the most part this season and more importantly, a leader on this team. In the last game it was talked about how the coaches didn't talk to the team in between periods, he did. It's little things like that that go a long way, especially with such a young and impressionable team.
Speaking of guys who's contributions to the team are so significant and impossible to be overstated, Ryan Lindgren FINALLY gets his first of the season on a beautiful fake pass shot to make it 2-0. Again, you can't talk enough about Ryan Lindgren and how solid he is defensively, it's easy to overlook it when his partner is Adam Fox but man, he has been so instrumentally good for this team. His confidence and poise with the puck is so strong, and on top of that, absolutely has the potential to be a future captain of this team. That top two pairing of Lindgren-Fox and Miller-Trouba is going to be DANGEROUSLY good for this team for years to come and that's without even considering Lundkvist, Jones, Schneider, Reunanen, Robertson... So much talent and potential.
12 minutes Artemi Panarin decided to enter the chat ripping a shot from his sweet spot with assists from Ryan Strome and Colin Blackwell who had a helper on Trouba's goal earlier. I should note that Panarin's sweet spot is literally anywhere on the ice, he is such an elite talent and we are so lucky to get to watch him night in and night out as well as for the next seven years. Truly blessed. The Rangers would carry the play throughout the period and head into the second with a three goal lead.
Almost 12 minutes into the second it was Artemi Panarin again scoring back door off the Ryan Strome pass from Colin Blackwell. That would be Blackwell's third assist of the night. I'll say it because we're all thinking it and if we aren't thinking it, we should be. Maybe, just maybe Colin Blackwell on the second line isn't the worst thing in the world. As long as the points keep coming like they are. Obviously Kravtsov needs more ice time and will only continue to prove so but it's hard to really complain about it on nights like this where Blackwell's putting up several points.
Speaking of Vitali Kravtsov.... Lindy Ruff is officially on my you know what list. I understand the right of a coaches challenge, it can be a very important thing to use during a game. However... In the third period of a game when you're down 4-0 and have no chance of coming back in this game and a kid scores his first career NHL goal.. Do you really have to be THAT guy and ruin the moment? The Rangers were BARELY offside entering the zone and this game would have 0 impact on the result of this game, just accept the fact that you lost the game and try again next time. Nevertheless, Kravtsov's goal would get waived off seemingly having a laugh about it and as much as we all wanted this kid to get his first of his career, I suppose there's no reason to get too worked up over it, he's going to get plenty more.
All in all the Rangers played a complete game and are halfway through the four in a row with the Devils and have yet to even allow a goal. It will surely get tougher over the weekend, with each tick of the shutout clock the pressure will be more and more on. Unfortunately, Boston keeps winning as well so nothing is changing in the standings but the Rangers are keeping the hope alive, staying in the chase. All they can do is keep playing the way they are, refuse to lose and hope the Bruins start losing. Go Buffalo!
Chris Feldman
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