Carey nets two as Rangers extend streak to three

AP Photo/Bill Kostroun

Paul Carey sure has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers this year. Playing a consistent role on a pretty good fourth line, Carey scored twice last night to help the Rangers beat the Ducks 4-1. The Rangers will live and die by their offense’s ability to get quality shots, and that’s exactly what they did. Their quick strike offense came alive.

The start of the game was not pretty, but Henrik Lundqvist kept them in it, stopping all 16 shots in the first and 39 of 40 in the game. There were a bunch of difficult saves in there as well. It wasn’t until the third that Hank lost the shutout, but 39 of 40, with many of them being great saves, works for me.

On to the goals:

Rangers 1, Ducks 0

David Desharnais drew two guys to him on the rush, as Jimmy Vesey stayed just behind to keep their attention divided. Paul Carey cut to the net, and Ryan Getzlaf didn’t pick him up. Carey was wide open for the great pass and finish. Getzlaf wasn’t even close on the play.

Rangers 2, Ducks 0

Mats Zuccarello can thread a needle, can’t he? Another great pass, this time to Kevin Hayes for the finish. Hayes came off the bench for JT Miller, and no one picked him up. Ryan McDonagh recognized what was happening, and drew Rickard Rakell to him, opening up the ice for Hayes and the passing lane for Zucc.

Rangers 3, Ducks 0

Another good pass by Desharnais on a patented Rangers rush goal. Vesey got the puck along the boards by the blue line, and got it cross ice to Desharnais. Desharnais gained the zone, cut back, and found Desharnais as the trailer. Desharnais hit him in stride, and Carey put it past John Gibson.

Rangers 3, Ducks 1

Ryan McDonagh actually gave Ryan Getzlaf the open passing lane towards the slot, which ideally you don’t want. That gave Getzlaf the open lane to spring the Ducks on a mini 2 on 1 break. Ondrej Kase –apparently pronounced Cashew– used Brady Skjei as a screen for the goal.

Rangers 4, Ducks 1

Michael Grabner got stopped on a breakaway by Gibson, who made a great save. Grabner put the rebound over Gibson, and the puck crossed the goal line before Rackell could whack it out of mid-air. It was a great defensively play, a fraction of a second too late. Good goal.

https://twitter.com/mkmolnar/status/943307699718107137

Also, Wes McCauley is hilarious.

Score Adjusted Corsi 

The Ducks had more shot attempts than the Rangers, and that really shouldn’t shock anyone. The defensive effort was their usual “score a bunch and hope Hank makes the save.” He did. They won. Worth noting that when it counted, the Rangers held the Ducks to just 3 shots in the first 10+ minutes to start the third. Up three with under ten to go, the game was well out of reach by the time the Ducks made their late push.

Scoring Chances (not score adjusted)

This really isn’t a good look for the Rangers, but their chances went in, while Hank stopped the Ducks’ chances. I really wish the defense would tighten up. But the offense sure is fun to watch.

It’s always fun to get two points, especially in a game like last night’s that was fun to watch. There were a bunch of chances, some good creativity, good goaltending, and porous defense. It was one of the more entertaining games, for sure.