Rangers blow lead, barely hang on for win against Panthers

After blowing two leads out west before getting dismantled by Calgary, the Rangers could have packed it in and faked it against the Panthers. Instead, they came out with a bang, getting a big first goal by Chris Kreider on the powerplay. They then weathered the storm and Igor Shesterkin was being Shesterkin, keeping the Rangers in it while the ice tilted. Adam Fox’s late goal in the first was a game changer.

The Rangers scored four goals, and none were at 5v5. That is certainly something to watch, as the Rangers have been atrocious at 5v5 this year. However this time around it didn’t come back to bite them. They were able to hold off, allowing just the goal to start the third en route to a big win over a good team.

Not all wins are pretty, and very few of the Rangers wins this year have been. But there’s still hope they can figure it out at 5v5. They allowed Florida to score three in the third to make us sweat, and that can’t happen.

As for now, enjoy banking points. But 91 shot attempts. Yikes.

Rangers 1, Panthers 0 – How did that pass get through?

If someone can tell me how that pass from Artemiy Panarin got through to Mika Zibanejad in front, then by all means. What a brilliant pass, that Spencer Knight made a great first save on. Chris Kreider was there for the rebound. The forecheck on the powerplay and good puck support led to this goal. It made the Panthers run around in their own zone while down a man.

Rangers 2, Panthers 0 – The shorty

Zibanejad and Barclay Goodrow were able to get a 2 on 2 rush up the ice while shorthanded. Goodrow drew three to him, then spun and found Adam Fox as the third man in with all the space in the world. This was a miss by the Panthers, letting that pass get through and having no one in the slot to recover. This goal was a momentum changer, as Florida was tilting the ice after the first goal, it came shorthanded, and it was at the end of the period. Trifecta.

Rangers 3, Panthers 0 – Miller Time

K’Andre Miller. That is all.

Rangers 4, Panthers 0 – Turnover, 2 on 1

Jacob Trouba forced the turnover in the neutral zone, and quickly turned it up to Panarin. Panarin to Strome. Wow.

Rangers 4, Panthers 1 – So much for the shutout

The Panthers created havoc in front, as they did all game, and this time it worked. The initial shot hit the post, and there was a scramble in front. Eventually they got it through.

Rangers 4, Panthers 2 – Always making it interesting

Kevin Rooney and Patrik Nemeth had a miscue on this one, both chasing the puck. That left Sam Reinhart open in the high slot with room. Rooney, who should’ve stuck his man, couldn’t recover in time.

Rangers 4, Panthers 3 – Don’t do this

Patric Hornqvist took the puck from Zibanejad right after the faceoff, and put a quick wrister through Shesterkin.

Game Flow – A lot of Panthers control

This really shows you how much the Panthers controlled the game, despite the score. The third period notwithstanding due to score effects, Florida still controlled the overwhelming majority of the game. But the Rangers made the best of their chances, including one that got called back.

The Rangers have five days off, not playing again until Saturday night. Despite the big win, I’d expect some changes to the Rangers play and lineup by Friday.