Kaapo Kakko. That’s the Intro. Let’s get to the thoughts on this tilt shall we?

  • The puck drops and boom, Adam Fox goal. Panarin got the puck in the neutral zone, took it in, stopped at the blue line, sauced it to a streaking Fox, and he buried it 19 seconds into the game. That’s how you respond to such a flat effort overall from Saturday at home against New Jersey.
  • The fun didn’t stop there, as Zibanejad would pot his 40th minutes later. Guess he worked on his game huh? Some tenacious puck possession by Brendan Lemieux and a hard pass to the crease led to a greasy one for  Zibanejad. He’s matched his point total now in 27 less games…
  • Since his debut with the Rangers, I’ve tried very hard to watch Gauthier every shift he’s out there. This was his best game as a Ranger. His combination of his speed, his strength, and willingness to go to the net were excellent to watch in this game in particular. His first goal eluded him yet again, but he is so close and is doing all of the right things. It will come.
  • With all the good from tonight though, we of course can’t have nice things all the time as Chytil would go down and out with a lower body injury from a hit by Stephen Johns in the 1st period. Hopefully nothing too serious. Be SUPER interesting to see what happens if they have to call someone up for Colorado tomorrow.
  • The Rangers played some of the best hockey this season in the first 2 periods. Shesterkin didn’t need to make a ton of saves in those first 2. Helps when all of your lines are clicking too.
  • Kaapo Kakko had his best game yet in his very young career with a two goal night including a highlight reel type one from a beautiful feed from Zibanejad. Faked out Bishop and tucked it in backhand a lot like he did at the World Championships this past year. If his confidence takes off…look out
  • Though the Rangers dominated the first 40, Dallas came out hard and heavy in the third and were throwing everything they could at Shesterkin. They would get a goal early in the third on a power play and continue some high danger chances against the Rangers.
  • The Rangers weathered the storm tonight though as they really took advantage of a defense that likes to jump up in the rush and pinch in the zone. Because of this, the Dallas forwards have to play defense and the Rangers ate them alive with solid cross ice passing–including a clinical puck possession cycle while on a 4 on 4.
  • Cogliano would cut the lead in half with a gritty kind of goal by the net that Shesterkin couldn’t stop.
  • Despite not having a ton of action in the first 40, Shesterkin was sharp and making saves like his old self again. Just an unbelievable athlete.
  • Incredibly gutsy win. An even bigger test tomorrow in Colorado awaits this group that is decimated with injuries. Gonna be a wild one.

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