What is the expected Rangers bottom six role?

The Rangers and the Blackhawks were in similar situations entering last night’s game, and even played a similar first two periods of hockey. The Blueshirts controlled the first, getting a goal. The Blackhawks controlled the second, also getting a goal. Then game the third.

Both teams combined for seven goals in the third period, with the Rangers grabbing five of them for the win. The KZB line scored three of those, giving us one last hoorah before they are potentially broken up. Igor Shesterkin was great in this one, stopping 37 of 40, many of them difficult, to ensure the Rangers would still be in the game for their third period explosion.

Rangers 1, Blackhawks 0 – Chytil drives and scores

Adam Boqvist played this pretty well, but FIlip Chytil was able to get a step on the outside and take a shot five-hole in stride. This is probably one that Robin Lehner wants back. Good job by Phil Di Giuseppe to stay onside on this one.

Blackhawks 1, Rangers 1 – No one picks up Kubalik

Patrick Kane got the puck to Duncan Keith off the bench as Dominik Kubalik turned and drifted from the top of the circle to the top of the opposite circle. No one put a body on him or a stick in the passing lane.

Rangers 2, Blackhawks 1 – KZB going out with a bang

Pavel Buchnevich started this with a shot that went wide. He watched the play from up top as Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider fought down low for the puck.

Rangers 3, Blackhawks 1 – DeAngelo is good at creating rebounds

Tony DeAngelo is good at creating rebounds with low, hard shots to the opposite pad. This rebound was banged home by Ryan Strome.

Rangers 3, Blackhawks 2 – A turnover and a bad read for Kubalik’s second

This started with the puck at the blue line and getting poked just out of Buchnevich’s reach. Then Kubalik was able to chip the puck behind Jacob Trouba and Marc Staal for the break and the goal.

Rangers 4, Blackhawks 2 – Smooth play by Kreider

This play is all Kreider. He took a pass in his skates, kept it onside, then powered around the defender and slipped the puck under Lehner.

Rangers 5, Blackhawks 2 – Dylan Strome turnover helps his brother’s team

Bad Strome turnover. Panarin with the snipe.

Rangers 5, Blackhawks 3 – Two on ones behind the net never work

I couldn’t find a video of this one – but two Rangers chased Toews behind the net, which left Drake Caggiula wide open in front.

Rangers 6, Blackhawks 3 – Another KZB goal – we are going to miss this

Buchnevich fought off his defender in front and threw one to the net that was actually a pass (I think?) to Zibanejad, who tipped it in.

Shot Heatmap

The Blackhawks had a clear quantity advantage throughout the game, riding a strong second period here. But as you can see, the Rangers really controlled the quality –save for the second period– as they really poured it on in the third.

Player Results

Good or fun. That was the story of this one for the Rangers. I don’t think you needed me to tell you that though.

The Rangers get a day off to travel to Carolina before a date with the playoff bound Hurricanes. It will be interesting to see if they call up Joey Keane for that one.

Share: 

More About: