The Rangers came into last night’s game coming off two disappointing OT losses and losers of a lot of games recently. They had a prime opportunity to turn this losing streak around, facing a banged up Anaheim Ducks team that played the prior night in Pittsburgh and facing a backup goaltender (Chad Johnson). Yes, the Ducks were 9-1-0 in their last ten, but this is a situation where you look to take advantage.
You know the script though, the Rangers mustered five shots in two periods, got a late third period goal to tie it, and then lost in OT scored with less than a minute remaining while shorthanded to steal a win. This was ugly all around. There isn’t much else to say about this game. The Rangers couldn’t get anything going offensively, although they were significantly better defensively. Not sure if that sets the bar all that high, but hey, progress is progress.
Another positive is that the Rangers generated offense while shorthanded. Alex Georgiev played well too! Positives after a win!
Ducks 1, Rangers 0
https://twitter.com/AnaheimDucks/status/1075202823766315010
This is just awful luck. Hockey happens.
Rangers 1, Ducks 1
The setup from @B_Howdy21. The equalizer from @Vladdy18!
Watch the 3rd period now on MSG & https://t.co/9032j80fse! #NYR pic.twitter.com/C0VgSDdaKb
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) December 19, 2018
Brett Howden gained the zone with speed, going wide while allowing Vlad Namestnikov to find the hole in the slot coverage. Howden had a perfect pass, and Namestnikov finished.
Rangers 2, Ducks 1
That's game.@KevinPHayes12 puts the Ducks away with a shorthanded game-winning goal late in the 3rd period! #NYR pic.twitter.com/lvCh0jIYAJ
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) December 19, 2018
With the Rangers shorthanded, Vlad Namestnikov flipped the puck out of the zone to Kevin Hayes for the chance, and it just barely squeaked through Chad Johnson for the winner.
Rangers 3, Ducks 1
Filip Chytil empty netter.
Shot Heatmap
If the Rangers can consistently hold opponents to shot maps like this, they will be fine in the long run. That, of course, assumes the Rangers actually make progress offensively. This was one of those games that the Rangers stole victory from the jaws of defeat, mostly due to their anemic offense in this one.
A win is a win, and a defensively solid performance win is always promising. Now another three days off followed by back-to-backs followed by another three days off. The NHL schedule, folks.
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