The New York Rangers had an exciting week of play. Losing games, they shouldn’t have, which made certain wins appear magical. However, the underlying explanation is that the Rangers are not playing full 60-minute games. It has been that way all season. However, one can make the argument that they are improving. They would not be wrong, but they still have a long road ahead of them.
The Rangers are at the mid-point of their season, and they are at a crossroads. Two roads lay before them, and while the roads may not lie in a yellow wood, only one can be chosen. New York has a choice to make.
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New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings
January 24, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 3-2/SO
1st Period
19:58-Chris Kreider, Adam Fox & Artemi Panarin
2nd Period
11:55-Blake Lizotte, Michael Anderson & Trevor Moore
19:21-Alex Iafallo, Anze Kopitar & Adrian Kempe
3rd Period
14:15-Barclay Goodrow, Artemi Panarin & Ryan Strome
Overtime
No Scoring
Shootout
Round 1
Adrian Kempe-No Goal
Chris Kreider-No Goal
Round 2
Viktor Arvidsson-No Goal
Mika Zibanejad-No Goal
Round 3
Anze Kopitar-Goal
Artemi Panarin-Goal
Round 4
Alex Iafallo-No Goal
Ryan Strome-No Goal
Round 5
Quinton Byfield-Goal
Alexis Lafreniere-Goal
Round 6
Arthur Kaliyev-No Goal
Adam Fox-Goal
As it always seems, there is something about playing the Kings that makes the Rangers suck. The Kings were in control for most of the first, until the end when former Ranger Brendan Lemieux ran Ryan Lindgren from behind.
He was promptly ejected from the game, the Kings were given a five-minute major, and Lindgren got two. However, the Rangers were able to capitalize. The Rangers got the lead with goal number 30 for the season by Kreider. Kreider is the first Rangers’ draft pick to reach the 30-goal mark since Petr Prucha in the 2005-2006 season.
The Kings made good off of a Rangers turnover for the goal by Lizotte. Goodrow’s double minor for hi-sticking was just the thing the Kings needed to take the lead in the game.
Somehow the Rangers were able to make something of the third period and fight their way back. They were able to keep pressure on the Kings in the offensive zone and eventually capitalize and tie the game.
Nothing much happened in the overtime, which led to the game being decided by a shootout. In round six, Fox was able to beat Jonathan Quick and win the game for the Rangers.
New York Rangers @ Columbus Blue Jackets
January 27, 2022
Nationwide Arena
L 5-3
1st Period
01:29-Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox & Ryan Lindgren
04:44-Barclay Goodrow, Braden Schneider & Artemi Panarin
05:49-Gustav Nyquist, Patrik Laine & Boone Jenner
07:28-Boone Jenner, Zach Werenski & Oliver Bjorkstrand
2nd Period
06:18-Sean Kuraly, Max Domi & Zach Werenski
12:27-Boone Jenner & Patrik Laine
3rd Period
07:12-Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin & Braden Schneider
17:46-Sean Kuraly & Zach Werenski
The Rangers appeared to have come into this game thinking more about the next game and the jersey retirement ceremony. They came out strong in the first period. However, they would go on to lose. They could have beaten a team when they were down since the Blue Jackets had lost the previous night, but they did not.
The Rangers played their typical crappy second period and paid for it. Columbus outshot them 11-8, and the disastrous play and turnovers by the Rangers allowed Columbus to take the lead.
The third did not start too good, as Fox left the ice after being pinned against the boards. He wouldn’t return for the game. The Rangers appeared to find themselves again, playing a better period. The goal by Zibanejad had them within one. However, Columbus was able to seal the game up by getting that empty-net goal.
The Rangers, yet again, did not play a full 60-minute game. However, they actually played okay in the third without having Fox in there.
New York Rangers vs. Minnesota Wild
January 28, 2022
Madison Square Garden
L 3-2
1st Period
08:47-Barclay Goodrow, Jacob Trouba & Ryan Strome
17:08-Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba & Mika Zibanejad
2nd Period
12:18-Kevin Fiala, Ryan Hartman & Jordie Benn
13:47-Mats Zuccarello, Kirill Kaprizov & Matt Boldy
3rd Period
01:49-Frederick Gaudreau, Kevin Fiala & Mats Zuccarello
A jersey retirement ceremony is never a good thing for the Rangers when it comes to winning. No further explanation is needed.
As with previous games, the Rangers performed well in the first period, grabbing the lead 2-0. Then there was the not-so-great second period. They allowed the Wild to tie the game. Igor Shesterkin played well for the team, but he could not steal the game for them this time.
The Rangers attempted a late push in the third, and it appeared they had tied the game. However, the goal was waved off. The officials stated that the goalie, Cam Talbot, was pushed into the net. The play was reviewed, and the call was upheld. It was lights out for the Rangers and left fans booing and yelling at the refs.
New York Rangers vs. Seattle Kraken
January 30, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 3-2
1st Period
11:46-Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin & Jacob Trouba
2nd Period
04:23-Alexis Lafreniere, Mika Zibanejad & Zachary Jones
07:17-Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle & Marcus Johansson
3rd Period
18:52-Yanni Gourde, Mark Giordano & Jared McCann
19:26-K’Andre Miller & Mika Zibanejad
The Rangers were on a two-game losing streak coming into the matchup against the Kraken. They did get off to a good start, getting the first goal. However, Shesterkin was really the star of the show, keeping his team in the game.
They did play a better second period than previous games, but they kept letting the Kraken get pucks on the net. Finally, Lafreniere put the puck in the net for his ninth goal of the season, and it also happened to be his 100th NHL game. Jones was able to get his first point on the season on Lafreniere’s goal.
The Rangers were at a serious 25-12 shot disadvantage going into the third. As with the previous period, it was up to Shekterkin to save the day. He was able to keep the Rangers in the game until the goal by Gourde, which tied the game up. It was looking like overtime was in the future for the Rangers until Miller was able to knock one in past Philipp Grubauer. Miller was the hero of the game for the Rangers, but Shesterkin was the Czar. He’s now 9-0 when facing 40+ shots.
New York Rangers vs. Florida Panthers
February 1, 2022
Madison Square Garden
W 5-2
1st Period
00:35-Mika Zibanejad
10:44-Anthony Duclair, Jonathan Huberdeau & Aleksander Barkov
2nd Period
02:18-Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov & Aaron Ekblad
03:27-Alexis Lafreniere & Chris Kreider
17:25-Chris Kreider, Ryan Strome & Artemi Panarin
3rd Period
14:39-Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad & Artemi Panarin
19:19-Artemi Panarin
The games started decently for the Rangers. They got a goal and subsequently challenged a goal by the Panthers, which was waived. However, a few seconds after that, the Panthers scored anyways. The Rangers were outshot 15-7 in the first, and Shestrkin did his best to keep them in the game.
The seconds and tried periods were better for the Rangers. They racked up more shots on goal and were decent at not letting the Panthers fling the puck at Shesterkin.
The game was complete with two Kreider powerplay goals and a fight between Strome and Mason Marchment. In the second, Strome was blindsided by a hit from Marchment and decided to get his revenge in the third. However, Strome was able to land some good punches and come out with the victory.
Going up against one of the best teams in the NHL is an excellent way to measure how you stack up as a team. The Rangers faired okay. It wasn’t their best game; however, they would prevail 5-2. This win gave Gerard Gallant his 300th win as a coach.
What We Learned This Week
The Rangers are still not a complete team. They have most of the parts there, but they need a few more. Their play also needs to improve if they want to make it into the playoffs. Although most fans know if they make it, they will likely be out after the first round, barring any miracle.
It’s a miracle right now that they are doing as well as they are. Most Ranger fans, while happy, are still waiting for that bubble to burst. Or for the other shoe to drop.
Reaching the mid-point of the season, the Rangers will need to make a push or strive to play better than they have been. They have the power within them; however, they need to harness it and unleash it on their enemies.
Just have to choose the right road.
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