The Rangers continue to defy the odds, winning their fourth in a row by beating the depleted Blue Jackets 3-1 in Columbus. The Blueshirts’ M.O. lately has been to absolutely control the quality chances and expected goals, which they did again in this one (2.11-1.62) while conceding low danger chances and the quantity battle. It’s working, and their assault on the naysayers continues.
Alex Georgiev stopped 36 of 37 for the win while the KZB line dominated and Artemi Panarin added another point. With the win, the Rangers are now 7 points out with a pair of games in hand on the Blue Jackets. A lot still needs to happen, but as of now, they are making things interesting.
Rangers 1, Blue Jackets 0
1-0 #NYR
Buchnevich with a sneaky redirect of a Trouba shot. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/TAESDIX0nJ
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 15, 2020
There isn’t really a defensive breakdown here by Columbus. Just an overall good deflection by Pavel Buchnevich.
Followed immediately by a trolling of Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) February 15, 2020
Blue Jackets 1, Rangers 1
1-1#CBJorkstrand with a sneaky shot over Georgiev’s shoulder. #NYR pic.twitter.com/ke4eE7NbdB
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 15, 2020
Another goal without a real defensive breakdown. Oliver Bjorkstrand found the loose puck and put a well placed backhand over Georgiev. Not really a weak goal either. Tap your stick and move on.
Rangers 2, Blue Jackets 1
2-1, Rangers.
Just after the PK expires, Kreider finishes off a pretty feed from below the goal line. #CBJ #NYR pic.twitter.com/Xlp5Mm9fC9
— Alison (@AlisonL) February 15, 2020
This is a set play the Rangers run. Chris Kreider finds the hole in the high slot, and the Rangers work the puck from high to low to spread the penalty killers out, then immediately to Kreider in the slot before the passing lane goes away. It’s a numbers game, and while the Rangers didn’t get a powerplay goal on this, it was basically a powerplay goal.
Rangers 3, Blue Jackets 1
Ryan Strome empty netter.
Shot Heatmap
As mentioned above, more quantity for Columbus, but more quality for the Rangers. There’s a healthy balance between the two, and the Rangers seem to have found that grey area.
Skater Results
The left side is your Corsi chart, which is your quantity. Again the Rangers appear “bad” but that’s not entirely accurate. Sure the Blue Jackets attempted more shots, but the Rangers had significantly more quality, represented by the expected-goals on the right. The Filip Chytil line had a rough go of it though.
After four in a row, the Rangers are still on the outside looking in for the playoffs. However they are certainly making things interesting. The odds are still against them, but damn this is going to be a fun ride.
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