AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
The Rangers decided to spot the Senators a two-goal lead early in the game, but then came back from that two-goal deficit twice on the way to a 4-3 win. The Rangers took a while to realize that the hockey season had actually resumed, but luckily for them the Senators aren’t a good hockey team. Antti Raanta was shaky early, but made some marvelous saves to keep the Rangers in the game.
Nick Holden, Derek Stepan (two goals each), and Ryan McDonagh (three assists) carried the offense for the good guys, and luckily they showed up. It was a three man show offensively, with Raanta bailing out the Rangers defense in the second and third periods. Definitely not a complete win for the Rangers, but they didn’t allow a touchdown. Sometimes, baby steps is all you can ask for.
On to the goals:
Sens 1, Rangers 0
Raanta turned the puck over behind the net, which led to this goal. Jean-Gabrieal Pageu gloved the puck and got it to Mike Hoffman in the slot. Hoffman didn’t have an angle, so got the puck to the point to Mark Borowiecki. Borowiecki’s shot managed to navigate through four guys in front, don’t think Raanta saw it.
Sens 2, Rangers 0
Dan Girardi, Mats Zuccarello, and Derek Stepan watched Zack Smith in front, so when Erik Karlsson’s shot hit Smith, he had all day to bury the bounce.
Sens 2, Rangers 1
Nick Holden did a good job to gain the zone by carrying the puck in (seriously, carry the puck in, it helps). He stopped at the goal line, and fired a shot over Condon’s shoulder. Condon wants this one back.
Sens 3, Rangers 1
Tom Pyatt blew by Klein for the zone entry, which forced Brady Skjei to come over and prevent Pyatt from getting a chance. With Skjei out of position, Klein moved to the left side, and then immediately screened Raanta on the Cody Ceci shot.
Sens 3, Rangers 2
Ryan McDonagh got the puck on net as the powerplay expired, and in the scramble, Derek Stepan was able to bury the loose puck. Chris Kreider did a lot of work in front to draw Condon out of the net, leaving it open for Stepan.
Rangers 3, Sens 3
Stepan won the faceoff, and it turned into a powerplay goal seconds later. McDonagh collected the puck after the faceoff win, got it across to Zuccarello on the weak side while Stepan cut to the slot. Zuccarello put the puck perfectly on Stepan’s stick for the deflection goal.
Rangers 4, Sens 3
Brady Skjei made a great keep at the blue line, covering for Holden who was behind the net. Skjei got the puck behind the net, where Holden stuffed it by Condon. The second weak goal to Holden allowed by Condon.
Even Strength Corsi
This game was more about the Rangers getting weak goals on Condon than it was about a team win. Yes, you like to see the comeback wins, but I’d also like to see them take charge and dominate a bad Ottawa team.
Even Strength Scoring Chances
The Rangers really didn’t do a good job getting quality chances to the net. They relied on two weak goals allowed by Condon.
As mentioned above, the Rangers appeared to play better just by virtue of not allowing seven goals. However Ottawa is well below Minnesota and Pittsburgh, and won’t be making the playoffs. A win is a win, and perhaps this helps build a little confidence. But in terms of actual on ice performance, this wasn’t much better process. Just a better result.
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