Thanks to a shutout performance by Igor Shesterkin and a quick offensive start, the Rangers get right back to winning business, besting the Columbus Blue Jackets by a score of 4-0. After a brief getting to know each other phase, the Rangers quickly jumped on the offensive wagon, peppering Merzlikins with shots. Approaching the halfway point of the period, Nils Lundkvist poked a puck out to Panarin who fed Ryan Strome in the slot. With plenty of time, Strome let a rocket of a shot go to put the Rangers up 1-0.
Just a few minutes later, in what is becoming a daily occurrence for this team, Adam Fox sets up one of his teammates beautifully, and Alexis Lafreniere puts it away back door. The Rangers finish up the period outshooting the Blue Jackets 13-12. In what was certainly an offensive start for the Rangers was matched by Columbus but thanks to Igor Shesterkin's strong performance, allowed his team to keep the lead. The Rangers kept it up in the second, this time, outshooting Columbus 14-7. The teams exchanged penalties that neither would convert on, and to the third we go.
The Rangers were on track to play their most complete game of the season, they just needed that extra oomph to put it away. The team still struggled in the face-off circle and had more turnovers than you would like, they did however, clean up on the power play, and we have Chris Kreider to thank for that. Kreider, who now leads the team in goals with six, would convert on both power plays in the third to double the teams lead to 4-0. Panarin and Fox would register assists on both, giving both of them three point nights.
It's little things in life that mean the most and we had a great example of that in the games final seconds. You have to love Elvis Merzlikins for several reasons and he exemplified what a class act he is when he was waving to his defenders to hold the puck for the final seconds as he raised his stick to Igor Shesterkin from the opposite net, to salute his shutout performance. Such a classy move from a guy who is becoming a very respected opponent around the league. With that, they were on their feet in the Garden, and the Rangers win.
The team played one of, if not its best complete game last night and there was a lot to like about it. Even though Panarin still isn't scoring, he had a three point game last night and is still one of the teams leading point getters, being second in assists with six, right behind Adam Fox with seven. Alexis Lafreniere talked earlier this week about how he had to be better and he was, answering that with up with a goal. Shesterkin obviously had a great game and overall, the power play looked better and is hopefully starting to click a little more productively.
The Rangers will head right out to Seattle to begin another road trip through the Western side of Canada. They will take on the Kraken for the first time in history as they hope to keep the wins coming. The team certainly hasn't been perfect to start the season but the fact that they've found ways to win and continue to do so. You can't overstate how important it is that the Rangers are 5-2-1 to start the season. We talked right from the gate how important the wins are in the early part of the season and regardless of the bumps along the way, you have to be happy with the start they've gotten off to.
Chris Feldman
Comments