Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images

Well the winning streak had to come to an end at some point. I said in the preview that I was worried about this game, and it wound up coming true. Dallas is a very talented team that at least appears to be getting their defense in order. They limited New York’s ability to transition in the neutral zone and severely limited their ability to enter the zone clean.

The Rangers, who had been riding some great puck luck during this eight game win streak, came crashing down to Earth in big time fashion. That’s not to say they played poorly –they didn’t– but nothing went their way. They missed two empty nets on freak plays, hit a few posts, and had a fluke goal go in from behind the net. Couple that with some bad penalties, a very talented Dallas team, and a Rangers defense that took the night off, and you have a loss.

It’s not like this team was going to win-out for the rest of the season. A loss is a loss, and at least this is a non-conference loss. On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Stars 0

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While on the powerplay, Miller finds a seam through the three men back from Dallas. Zucc hits him in the seam and then Miller beats Lehtonen for the early lead.

Stars 1, Rangers 1

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After Glass took a pretty bad penalty, the Rangers win the faceoff on the penalty kill, but can’t clear the zone. The initial shot attempt by Erik Cole was blocked, but John Klingberg followed it up with a wrister from the high slot that beat a moving Hank through a screen.

Stars 2, Rangers 1

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Oof Hank. Need to stop this one. Worth noting that it was a Kevin Hayes turnover that led to the puck staying in the zone and winding up behind the net.

Rangers 2, Stars 2

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Tyler Seguin either forgot that Hayes was his man or just didn’t go to cover him in the slot. Either way, Hayes was free to grab Staal’s attention at the point, who then wristed one on net for Hayes to get a stick on for the deflection.

Stars 3, Rangers 2

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Cody Eakin was able to find Ryan Garbutt in the slot with a great pass that eluded McDonagh, who was a smidgen too high. Girardi left Antoine Roussel in front to challenge the shot, which went wide and freed up Roussel to shift to the far post. Roussel collected the loose puck off a big bounce off the boards and backhanded it into the empty net.

Fenwick Chart:

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The Rangers did not have a good first half of the game. They were lucky to only be down one halfway through the second period, considering the way the ice was tilted in Dallas’ favor. That said, they had a strong second half of the second period, almost burying a few chances had Lady Luck been on their side last night. The jump at the end was due to score effects and Dallas preserving their lead.

Shift Chart:

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Worth noting that Glass didn’t see a shift with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. Miller and Dom Moore got one more after that. I think that’s about pushing to tie. AV didn’t have the last line change last night, so he couldn’t match up the way he wanted to. Lindy Ruff didn’t specifically target anyone in particular with his top players, but it looks like he tried to avoid having the Benn/Seguin line out against Girardi/McDonagh.

Individual Corsi:

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These charts changed, and it’s way too late for me to try and decipher this. I think you’re supposed to be on the top half of that 0 line across the middle, but I’m exhausted and want to go to bed.

Shot Location Chart:

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The Rangers didn’t do a good job of limiting Dallas to low probability shot attempts. Of course that circled G from behind the net doesn’t help. These charts aren’t perfect (Klingberg’s goal isn’t here), but it’s what the NHL gives us. It may have one-offs, but the general theme remains: The Rangers had most of their opportunities from the perimeter, while the Stars had most of theirs from prime locations.

Charts courtesy of war-on-ice. No GIFs today because I don’t make them and I’m not going to pressure the person that allows us to use them with her permission.

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