Top line makes a statement in win over St. Louis

Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images

How about that win by your New York Rangers? This was a hard fought game against one of the top teams in the West, and the Rangers found a way to answer back twice after tying goals from St. Louis. Lee Stempniak had a very strong debut game, but the big line had a big game. Rick Nash had a pair of goals and an assist, Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, and Martin St. Louis added an assist. All three goals were at even strength as well.

The Rangers weren’t perfect. They turned the puck over a bunch of times in the defensive zone, but the Blues have a good forecheck and are quick to the puck/body. It’s why they are one of the best in the West. But the Blues also had trouble dealing with the Ranges speed, their best weapon. This was a solid test for the Rangers, showing they can skate with the best even without their 1C and without their 4D for the third period.

On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Blues 0

Kreider forced Kevin Shattenkirk into a turnover, turning the defenseman around in the process. Patrik Berglund moved over to the loose puck, while Nash was able to get free from T.J. Oshie, who appeared to be flying the zone a bit early. Nash got to open ice in the high slot, and Kreider chipped the puck to him just before Berglund could get there. Nash beat Brian Elliott for the first goal of the Rangers season.

Blues 1, Rangers 1

A long shot by David Backes wound up causing Henrik Lundqvist some issues, as he left a big juicy rebound instead of clearing the shot to the corner. Add in the fact that John Moore didn’t take the body on Jaden Schwartz, and you have an easy goal.

Rangers 2, Blues 1

Nash collected the puck after Marc Staal won a defensive zone battle, and hit Kreider streaking down the weak side. When Kreider gets the puck in stride like that, he’s not missing, especially on a breakaway. This is why speed kills.

Blues 2, Rangers 2

Dominic Moore started this goal when he failed to get the puck deep in the zone, allowing the Blues to create a turnover at the blue line. Vladamir Tarasenko eventually got a pass from Paul Stastny, and then three Rangers forgot that they outnumbered the Blues. Tanner Glass didn’t come over to cover when Tarasenko got around Jesper Fast, and Dan Girardi did his snow angel thing that Tarasenko just went around. Ryan McDonagh was busy taking the body on Stastny, and Tarasenko used the screen to beat Hank.

Rangers 3, Blues 2

What a shift by the top line. topped off by a little luck. After a clearing attempt hit a stanchion, three Blues flew the zone. That left Nash to cut to the slot while MSL hit him with a beauty of a backhand pass under Jay Bouwmeester’s stick. Nash had an empty net with Elliott out of position for the winner.

Corsi Chart:

Courtesy of hockeystats.ca

Extra Skater is no longer functioning, since he was hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Luckily there’s a new site that gives us these charts, although this is Corsi, not Fenwick. But the chart illustrates what we knew: The Blues did a good job of suppressing shots and shot attempts. Remember: winning the puck possession battle in a game is more or less playing a game with a weighted coin flip.

This was a solid win to start the season, but not without some bad news. Dan Boyle is done for 4-6 weeks after breaking his hand. The Rangers will now be without their 1C and 4D for the first month of the season.