Today’s goal breakdown is from Pat Keogh, who will be contributing here on a more regular basis going forward. Be sure to follow him on Twitter.

Hockey fights cancer (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Hockey fights cancer (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Rangers built on their Monday night success against the Sharks as they took on the Arizona Coyotes, beating them 4-1 in a game that including some interesting occurrences. Despite Arizona taking an early lead in the first period and stifling the Rangers in the neutral zone, the Rangers kept up the pressure, eventually tying the game on a brilliant goal by Chris Kreider midway through the second period. Kevin Hayes got them the lead early in the third after Mike Smith misplayed the puck behind the net amidst pressure from the Rangers, which was followed shortly thereafter by a Keith Yandle power play goal. Finally there was Rick Nash’s first goal of the season, an awarded goal that would have been a penalty shot on an empty net in the final moments of the game.

The Rangers top line of Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, and Mats Zuccarello drove the offense against the Coyotes, with Zuccarello’s playmaking ability and vision shining through, particularly on his assist to Chris Kreider in the second. Defensively they limited the Coyotes’ chances, for most of the game, despite letting up slightly during the late stages of the game. Although he let up a goal that he’d probably want back, Henrik Lundqvist made some crucial saves, including a highlight reel stop on a high-quality scoring chance from Anthony Duclair. Overall, despite Arizona clogging up the neutral zone and turning on the gas somewhat late in the game, the Rangers played a solid all around game., driving the offense and allowing few high-quality chances from their opponent.

Coyotes 1 Rangers 0

Dan Girardi’s hit on Martin Hanzal gives Arizona’s wunderkind Max Domi plenty of space to cue up the pass to Klas Dahlbeck at the top of the left circle. Dahlbeck’s shot catches Lundqvist right above the blocker for a goal the King would probably want back.

Coyotes 1 Rangers 1

Marc Staal, catching the Coyotes on a change, hits Mats Zuccarello with a sensational cross-ice pass, giving the Norwegian plenty of time and space to set up the perfect dish to Chris Kreider as he drives to the net.

Coyotes 1 Rangers 2

Mike Smith misplayed the puck badly for a goal that he surely wants back. Under pressure as he attempts to play the puck behind the net, Mike Smith’s pass ends up on Kevin Hayes’ stick. Hayes then roofs it, and Oscar Lindberg finishes the rebound just in case.

Coyotes 1 Rangers 3

Keith Yandle shows why the Rangers traded for him with a slap shot goal on the power play. Yandle receives the pass at the blue line, then moves in above the left circle before ripping the shot, which deflects in off an opponent past Mike Smith, who was being screened by Rick Nash.

Coyotes 1 Rangers 4

In one of the strangest ways to get his first goal (and 700th point) of the season, Rick Nash gets an empty netter that never actually hits the net. Hooked as he breaks towards the empty net in the waning moments of the game after Arizona pulled Mike Smith, what would have otherwise been a penalty shot was instead simply given as a goal.

Five on Five Shot Attempts and Scoring Chances

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The Rangers kept the pace of the game for the most part, leading in both even strength shot attempts and scoring attempts, despite Arizona ramping up the pressure somewhat in the third period. It is worth noting, additionally, that these two charts are not score adjusted.

Individual Corsi

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The Nash/Stepan/Zuccarello line is the obvious standout hear, driving shot attempts throughout the game. The second line of Chris Kreider, Derrick Brassard, and Jesper Fast also had a solid game. The fourth line got a bit pinned in its own end, but it’s worth noting that this chart isn’t score adjusted and the Rangers have a tendency to turtle with a lead later in the game.

Shift Chart

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Not too much to see here, with Alain Vigneault keeping his lines and defensive pairings pretty much intact throughout the game.

Shot Locations

Courtesy of war-on-ice

Courtesy of war-on-ice

The Rangers took more of their shots down low than the Coyotes, keeping most of Arizona’s shot attempts to the outside. Arizona was forced to block a substantially higher number of shots than the Rangers, and its worth noting Kreider and Hayes’ goals were both right in front of the net, while Yandle’s was banked in off an opponent down in front.

All in all the Rangers kept up the pressure on Arizona and came out on top, with the top line leading the way. It was a solid win to build on the success they had against the Sharks, with the momentum hopefully carrying over to their matchup against Calgary on Sunday.

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