AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
Well it couldn’t get much worse for the Rangers, but the real question was could it actually get better? The Blueshirts answered that emphatically last night, torching the Flyers and completely dominating them from start to finish. The final score of 5-1 was certainly nice, but it’s the consistent effort for 60 minutes that I enjoyed the most.
For the first time in a long time, the Rangers held their opponent to fewer than 30 shots on goal. Henrik Lundqvist finally won a game without having to stand on his head and/or make a deal with the devil. Rick Nash scored twice. Peter Holland got his first point on the Rangers on a shorthanded goal. They scored on the powerplay. All in all, a good feeling and a win.
On to the goals.
Flyers 1, Rangers 0
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953420578421080064
Jordan Weal was allowed to go to the front by Brendan Smith. Smith covered Wayne Simmonds behind the net instead. In a true zone, Weal would’ve been Kevin Shattenkirk’s man, as Smith would release the front of the net for the boards. However in Alain Vigneault’s system, the defense play man coverage, so Weal is still Smith’s. Confused yet?
Rangers 1, Flyers 1
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953423465914224640
Great read by Rick Nash to split the D as the puck got to the boards. What a pass by Pavel Buchnevich to hit him in stride.
Rangers 2, Flyers 1
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953427853617614848
Ryan McDonagh gets the shot through from the point on the powerplay, and JT Miller was left alone in front. Neither Flyer defenseman put a body on him.
Rangers 3, Flyers 1
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953429350174674945
Peter Holland took advantage when Weal fell along the boards. Paul Carey read it and flew the zone to receive the pass. Bar down with the shot for the shorty.
Rangers 4, Flyers 1
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953438844988379136
Michael Grabner picks Jakub Voracek’s pocket and beats Elliott five-hole. Elliott wants this one back, since it’s kind of weak. That said, 20 goals for Grabner. Again. What a bargain bin signing.
Rangers 5, Flyers 1
https://twitter.com/hayyyshayyy/status/953441947217166336
Marc Staal forced the turnover in the defensive zone, then outletted to Nash. Jimmy Vesey cut to the net, drawing attention, as Nash went far post for his second of the game.
Score Adjusted Corsi
This was pretty even throughout, but the Rangers took advantage of the Flyers’ turnovers and relatively poor goaltending. But the big thing was limiting the chances against. A big step in the right direction. I’m willing to ignore the turtle in the third when up four.
Scoring Chances
Another even tilt. The big thing is that the Rangers, again limited the quantity against. The good chances will always be there for this team, it’s limiting those against that matters. Again some turtling in the third, but that’s expected with a four goal lead.
After two humiliating losses, the Rangers pulled it off against a team that could have made life difficult for their playoff aspirations. They have a gimme on Thursday against Buffalo before they head out West. Of course now that I said that, it becomes a trap game.
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