rangers wild 2015

Before we begin, make sure to check out all the GIFs from the game at our new site: www.newyorkrangersgifs.com. That site will have GIFs of major plays of most Rangers games. Most, because obviously life takes priority.

The New York Rangers clinched the Metropolitan Division title last night with a 3-2 win over the red hot Minnesota Wild. The Rangers had a 2-0 lead in the first period, but the Wild slowly crawled back into the game with a goal in the second and one early in the third.  J.T. Miller answered the equalizer less than a minute later with the eventual game winner, as the Rangers clinched a date with a wild card opponent.

While the main story will be clinching the division, the other story is Henrik Lundqvist. After missing six weeks, Lundqvist had a shaky return in Boston and had his moments of rust in the win over Winnipeg, but apparently he only needed two game to shake off all that rust. The King was brilliant, stopping 26 of 28 Minnesota shots, including some quality chances.

The game itself was pretty fast paced, but the Rangers again went into that shell in the third period. But they won, albeit after blowing the lead. I hate the shell, but it works for them.

On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Wild 0

dominic moore

From newyorkrangersgifs.com

The make-shift line caught Minnesota sleeping here. Dominic Moore cut to the net behind Matt Dumba as Carl Hagelin threw the puck at the net. Moore got his stick on it and put it past Dubnyk.

Rangers 2, Wild 0

rick nash

Courtesy of newyorkrangersgifs.com

Rick Nash simply caught Dubnyk off guard here. Ryan McDonagh and Derick Brassard got the puck down to Nash at the goal line, who caught Dubnyk leaning for the goal.

Wild 1, Rangers 2

jason pominville

Courtesy of newyorkrangersgifs.com

Dumba throws the puck in front, and the puck appeared to go off Ryan McDonagh and Jason Pominville and into the far side of the net. Hockey happens.

Wild 2, Rangers 2

thomas vanek

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This was a rough goal for the Rangers. Moore turned the puck over in the neutral zone, which led to a flurry of activity in front. Lundqvist made a good save, but lost his stick in the process. Hank then proceeded to step on his stick mid-recovery, and never recovered from that. Dumba’s shot went wide, and Thomas Vanek was there to bang it home.

Rangers 3, Wild 2

j.t. miller

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Solid play by Chris Kreider on the defensive zone faceoff to chip the puck passed Dumba, and then use his speed to gain the zone. Kreider slowed down behind the net, allowed his teammates to catch up, then hit McDonagh at the point. McDonagh placed a perfect shot on net, something that J.T. Miller could easily deflect for the lead.

USAT/Fenwick Chart:

rangers wild 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The two teams were pretty tight, exchanging an equal number of chances until the Rangers turtled in the third. This has become the norm, but it’s good to know they have the skill to answer right back when they need to.

Scoring Chances:

rangers wild 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The quality of chances were roughly the same in this game. Minnesota has some solid talent.

Individual SAT/Corsi:

rangers wild 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

This chart is going to be skewed by the turtle, but that Nash-Brassard-Zuccarello line had a solid game, something this chart confirms with what we saw on the ice.

Shot Locations:

rangers wild 2015

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The Rangers followed their game plan, limiting Minny’s shots from high risk areas. Minny actually did the same to the Rangers. These two teams are pretty similar actually, with the Rangers having some more forward depth.

Shift Chart:

Had an issue uploading this one, but it was what you expect from Alain Vigneault. Usual shifts/matchups.

The Rangers are now guaranteed home ice advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs. There are just four games left in the season before the real season begins.

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