The Rangers had the dangers of a trap game last night, with the porous Ottawa Senators coming to town. The Blueshirts were coming off two bad games in a row, and the Senators were just the team to get things going against. However it’s the Rangers, and that usually means a trap game.
After a tight first two periods, the Rangers opened it up in the third with a pair of quick goals to break a 1-1 tie en route to their 4-2 win. Henrik Lundqvist and Craig Anderson were both forced to be excellent in this one, with both making difficult saves look easy at times.
We all held our breath when the cameras caught Lundqvist being helped to the bench in the first, but it was a skate issue. So we can breathe a little bit. Worth noting that Ryan Strome now has three points in four games with the Rangers, a solid start to his Rangers career.
Rangers 1, Sens 0
Marc Staal had a good shift here. He was the fourth man in on the first attempt, then followed up his own rebound to get the puck behind the net to Mika Zibanejad. As all five Senators watched Zibanejad lose the puck, then take it back, Staal found his way to the high slot behind everyone. Anderson didn’t stand a chance.
Rangers 1, Sens 1
Kevin Shattenkirk had a brutal shift. His pass was picked off at the Sens’ blue line, which turned into a rush and a solid chance where the Rangers left a guy open in front. Hank made the first save, but Shatty let Mark Stone walk in and collect the rebound. Goal was reviewed but upheld.
Rangers 2, Sens 1
Ryan Strome made a great play here, cutting to the middle to create a better shot. The move also gave Lias Andersson time to get to the front of the net. Anderson stopped Strome’s shot, but the rebound hit off Andersson to get past Anderson. Last names are fun.
Rangers 3, Sens 1
Neal Pionk made the first nice play, chipping the puck from the corner to the blue line. Then it was Kevin Hayes’ turn, as he chipped the puck out to Filip Chytil to start the 2-on-1 with Chris Kreider. Another goal for Kreider.
Rangers 3, Sens 2
The Senators pulled their goalie very early. This whole thing started with a failed clear by Hayes. Eventually it led to this pass/chance from Matt Duchene to Mark Stone for his second.
Rangers 4, Sens 2
Zibanejad empty netter.
Shot Heatmap
The one goal for the Senators was from a defensive breakdown in that blue spot in their heatmap. But that’s a pretty bright blue, showing the number of shots from up close. Most of these were rebounds, not slot line passes. Ideally that doesn’t happen too much, since limiting quality against has been one of the reasons for success thus far.
As for the Rangers, they again generated a good amount of chances low.
Aside: I’m aware I haven’t had these in the recaps in a while. I took them out because I was hesitant to put in single game stats. They can be misleading. However I think the shot heatmap is a nice balance.
It wasn’t the prettiest win, but it’s a win that gets the Rangers back to playing actual hockey. The Blueshirts are off until Thursday when they are in Ottawa for the back-half of this home-and-home.
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