rangers blackhawks mika zibanejad

The Rangers and Blackhawks entered tonight’s game in similar situations. Both were fighting for their playoff lives, and both were eight points out. The Rangers controlled the first period, while the Hawks controlled the second. But it was another strong finish for the Rangers, with two quick goals early in the third to take the lead, one they would not relinquish. Although they did try a few times. What a fast paced third that was.

First Period

  • Stromes are brothers. Drink.
  • I like how Panarin played the part for that ceremonious puck drop. Well played.
  • I honestly thought Ryan Strome was going to pick a corner on that opening cross with Artemi Panarin.
  • And Phil Di Giuseppe managed to stay onside, but I think Robin Lehner wants that one back. Filip Chytil showing he’s going to be the 2C at some point.
  • That was a bad trip by Slater Koekkoek….Ryan Lindgren could have been seriously hurt there. Luckily he wasn’t.
  • Whenever they say “Saad” I think “Todd” from the George Carlin bit.
  • Noticing the Rangers are again in deep consistently on the forecheck. It’s been one of the big changes in the past 25-30 games. Consistently in on the forecheck. They may not be generating offense all the time, but they are pinning the opposition deep for their entire shift and forcing a dump and change or a less spirited rush.
  • During the intermission, Bob McKenzie said that the Rangers think they can get a top prospect, a 1st, a sweetener (mid pick), and a conditional pick for Kreider. That’s…a lot.

Second Period

  • Not the best defensive effort on that goal…no one picked up Kubalik at all. He had 3 feet around him in all directions.
  • And then Brady Skjei making sure we all see how good Igor Shesterkin is. What a save that was.
  • I have never seen a stick get caught in a mask before. That’s a first for me. Scared me when Doc was saying Shesterkin was shaken up.
  • The Rangers have this habit of coasting in the second period of games, or at least it seems that way. They start strong and finish strong, but the second seems to get away from them. It did in this game too.

Third Period

  • That post by Strome had everyone fooled. Replay showed a clear no goal, but wow.
  • And Pavel Buchnevich strikes again.
  • And Julien Gauthier draws a penalty. Good job kid. That’s the speed and strength we were talking about.
  • Tony DeAngelo is very good at putting shots low and hard on the opposite pad, creating rebounds. He did it again and it led to a Strome goal.
  • And now Chicago answers. What is with this team and making us sweat in the third?
  • Man, KZB is going out with a bang.
  • Guess Dylan Strome wanted to help out his brother’s team with that turnover.
  • Good lord I can’t keep up – I could go for a break.
  • Not that kind of break…bad coverage with two guys behind the net on Toews. Always leads to goals against.
  • Man KZB is really going out with a bang. Another one for them this period. I’m going to miss this line. Unless this game convinces them to re-sign Kreider.
  • Stop scoring! Let me get some of this review done before the game ends! And the goal breakdown!
  • And now they made a trade?! I had to triple check to make sure it was real. I can’t keep up anymore!

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