Better effort matched by Halak as Isles top Rangers in Brooklyn

AP Photo/Kathy Willens

Heading into last night’s game in Brooklyn, the only thing on fans minds was playing a complete 60 minute game. The Rangers had been playing poorly over the course of their previous nine (4-4-1 in that span), and needed a rebound game. Well, they got the effort, but Jaroslav Halak was the difference, stopping 36 of 38 shots as the Isles won 4-2. Halak bested Henrik Lundqvist, who got beat on some odd goals, something we never like to say.

The power play failed the Rangers in this one, going 0-for-6, capped by a stunning pass-pass-pass-don’t shoot effort on a 6-on-3 while desperately trying to tie the game. The power play has been an issue since the injury to Mika Zibanejad, and likely won’t get much better until the Rangers are able to deploy a right-handed shooter with the man advantage. The early deflection goals and the power play proved to be the difference.

On to the goals:

Isles 1, Rangers 0

This was a bit of a weird goal. Anders Lee gained the zone on Kevin Klein, who lost his footing after he got beat by Lee (who is not quick). Lee dished it to the slot, but the puck wound up on the far boards, where Scott Mayfield put an innocent looking wrist shot on net that went in. It looks like it went off Klein’s stick.

Isles 2, Rangers 0

Jason Chimera gained the zone, and got the puck to Brock Nelson fresh out of the box after the Isles killed off his double minor. Brady Skjei directed traffic to cover, but Nelson’s shot fluttered off Jimmy Vesey’s stick, and the puck went off Chimera’s leg.

Isles 2, Rangers 1

Rick Nash went into full beast mode on this goal, keeping the zone and getting the puck on net. Vesey followed up for the goal.

Isles 3, Rangers 1

Klein couldn’t connect with Marek Hrivik on the breakout, putting the puck in his skates. That led to a turnover and a quick transition for Shane Prince. Hank went for the pokecheck and missed, which created the opportunity for Andrew Ladd to bury it.

At this point, I was out and watching the game with friends. I was not making gifs, so I apologize for the lack of breakdowns for the last two goals.

Even strength Corsi

A better game in terms of overall puck possession for the Rangers. If not for two deflections off their own defensemen early, it might have been a different story. But those are the bounces sometimes. Plus it also felt like the Rangers were getting a ton of chances, and you have to give Halak credit. He played very well in this game.

Even strength scoring chances

The Rangers gave up a decent amount of scoring chances as they tried to mount a comeback. That makes sense, as the team is taking risks, which leads to quality chances against. That said, it feels like the Rangers aren’t getting the same amount of quality chances as they were in the beginning of the season.

You never want to lose a game, and you never want to say that a loss against the Isles is a “good loss.” I’m not saying that, but it was certainly much better process than games past. It was a lot like the final 20 minutes against Carolina than it was the first 40, that’s for sure. Let’s hope they can build on it.