Penalty kill dooms Rangers again against Hawks

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

The Rangers allowed three powerplay goals to the Hawks last night, including two in the third period, as they came up short against the defending champs, 5-3. Artemi Panarin had a hat trick, but the story for the Rangers is the penalty kill. This was just another poor showing from all players on the kill, allowing three goals on four chances. They also shouldn’t be giving the Hawks that many chances, but that’s a whole other issue.

Aside from the penalty kill, which 100% cost them this game, the Rangers actually played somewhat well. They scored twice on the powerplay in key spots to give them the lead. They played very well at even strength. Goaltending was solid as well. It’s just their penalty kill. It wasn’t isolated to this game either, as this is the second time this month the penalty kill has cost them. It’s a bit maddening. Clearly I’m frustrated.

As always, you can view the full videos on our video page here. All GIFs are on nyrgifs.com, filtered under the date of the game. On to the goals:

Hawks 1, Rangers 0

This was a rough shift for Dan Boyle. First he missed the pass through the crease from Niklas Hjarlmasson to the opposite corner. Then he missed the pass from Teuvo Teravainen to Andrew Desjardins in the slot for the tip-in.

Hawks 2, Rangers 0

After Chris Kreider took a questionable holding call, the Hawks capitalized on the powerplay. Kevin Klein was battling with Artem Anisimov in the slot. Usually the Rangers front, leaving the man open in the slot and cutting off passing lanes. The benefit there is that Hank only needs to look through one body instead of multiple bodies. Klein didn’t front here, and Hank had to look around two bodies. Hank guessed left, Panarin shot short side.

Rangers 1, Hawks 2

Viktor Stalberg did a good job on the forecheck, which allowed Oscar Lindberg enough time to skate to the loose puck and look behind him to assess his options. Lindberg saw Kevin Hayes cutting to the slot, and Lindberg found him behind Michal Rozsival, who was focusing on the puck.

Rangers 2, Hawks 2

With Keith Yandle where he belongs on PP1, the Rangers continued their better play with the man advantage. Yandle and Mats Zuccarello created the zone entry, and then Yandle found Derick Brassard with a great cross-ice pass. Brass’ shot got deflected on the way in, over Crawford’s glove.

Rangers 3, Hawks 2

NBCSN mapped out this goal for me, so thanks NBCSN. Brent Seabrook didn’t do much on Boyle here. Bad net front play.

Hawks 3, Rangers 3

There’s a lot going on here. First, the initial setup was an overload PK, so Dan Paille was in the high slot. Andrew Shaw recognized that, and cut to the back door. Ryan McDonagh lost the puck to Jonathan Toews along the boards, who got it to Teravainen, and at that point Shaw was already at the back door. You can argue Girardi was a step out of position here, and I won’t really disagree, although it appears that he is attempting to prevent the shot. Paille took a step towards Teravainen to stop the cut to the middle, but the pass was just out of his reach. Sometimes hockey happens.

Hawks 4, Rangers 3

This is some bad backchecking all around. Girardi snow angeled. McDonagh and Derek Stepan missed Panarin to go for Anisimov. Stepan missed Panarin.

Hawks 5, Rangers 3

Panarin gets the empty netter for the hat trick.

Shots

At even strength, the Rangers controlled most of the play. It was actually a pretty impressive showing. The third period has some score effects, but overall a solid game at even strength. Too bad about the penalty kill. Sigh.

Scoring Chances

Same thing applies here. Solid even strength play, getting quality chances. They limited the Hawks pretty well too.

Individual Corsi

The fourth line had a rough night. Mostly everyone else played well at even strength. McDonagh had a solid return, at least at even strength.

Shot Locations

Hawks had little to work with in the slot, while the Rangers were getting a ton of chances.

Shift Chart

Dylan McIlrath didn’t play much this game. The Hawks made him look silly because of his lack of foot speed a few times, though. The kid had a stinker against a team he doesn’t match up well again. Such is life. Wish the fourth line got that treatment, since they had an equally bad game. I feel bad for Dom Moore. He’s dragging around two anchors.

The Rangers went 5-0-1 in their previous six and then lost to the defending champs. The world isn’t ending. They played well at even strength, but it’s that darn penalty kill that’s is destroying them in these games. That needs to get corrected, and fast.