rangers capitals

The Rangers came into tonight’s game needing two points to stay relevant in the East. They came out flat, giving up a pair of quick goals to the Caps. They then clamped down and clawed back. A pair of forced turnovers paved the way to five straight goals for the Rangers and a big time win for the good guys.

Igor Shesterkin was again a difference maker in this one, making many great saves to keep the game 2-0 before the Rangers could mount their comeback. Shesterkin has very quickly become the #1 goalie, making the key saves the Rangers needed, and saves they weren’t getting early in the season.

The Rangers needed to go about 18-4 to get to 74 points this season and possibly make the playoffs. Now it’s 17-4 with a pair of games against Buffalo coming up. It isn’t likely, but it’s doable.

Caps 1, Rangers 0 – Triangles

This is one of the Caps’ set plays on the powerplay. TJ Oshie circled to the weak spot in the coverage, up top on Jacob Trouba, who was forced hedge between Oshie and the man at the near post. Chris Kreider was too far over to Nick Backstrom, which left the passing lane open for Oshie to one-time it.

Caps 2, Rangers 0 – ???

I dunno.

Caps 2, Rangers 1 – Chytilmania

Filip Chytil forced Dmitri Orlov into the turnover at the blue line, and he was off to the races.

Rangers 2, Caps 2 – Kakko

Artemi Panarin anticipated this in the defensive zone, forcing another turnover at the blue line that led to a Rangers goal. Ryan Strome also made a beautiful pass to Kaapo Kakko in front for the tap in.

Rangers 3, Caps 2 – Adam Fox for Norris

Ryan Lindgren made the play to keep the zone at the blue line. Adam Fox did the rest. Fox for Norris.

Rangers 4, Caps 2 – Carbs are good

Panarin snuck behind the Caps as they were pressing, and what a pass from Brendan Smith.

Rangers 5, Caps 2 – Shorty

Pavel Buchnevich with the empty netter, short handed, making it five straight for the Rangers. This clip isn’t the goal, but it’s still great.

Shot Heatmap – Bad start, good finish

The Rangers had a really bad start to this game. But they finished strong. Perhaps they just needed to wake up? But that blue blob the Caps have was there from the end of the first. The Rangers started actually shooting, which led to more zone time. And of course, five straight goals for the Rangers.

Skater Results – Better than it could have been

This could have been a lot worse. The quality attempts weren’t there in such abundance after the first, minus that stretch where the Caps pressed. The second period was a big defensive clamp down. The third was more wide open, but the Rangers were actually alive.

It would be nice to see the second and third periods be the norm for the Rangers every game. The offensive creation, or lack thereof, showed for a while. But it looks like they got the message. This was one win they needed, with a pair of very winnable games against Buffalo up next. These are the games they need.

Charts from NaturalStatTrick and Evolving-Hockey.

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