The Rangers scored three times in the first five minutes against the Penguins and never looked back in a 5-1 statement win. The Blueshirts dominated every aspect of the game, playing a full 60 minutes and absolutely manhandling Pittsburgh all game. Every Ranger got into it on this one.

Chris Kreider had two goals, and he’s sniffing 50 goals. He also had a 99% expected-goals which is just absurd. Alexis Lafreniere opened the scoring, and a confident Lafreniere may be the key to unlocking Filip Chytil, who is finally getting real linemates on a steady basis.

The fourth line had a very different look in this one, with Gallant choosing speed over size, and the fourth line certainly had themselves a game as well. I expect this fourth line to be more matchup based, and the Penguins are not a heavy team, but speed with skill will always trump size without skill.

Rangers 1, Pens 0

Alexis Lafreniere got the inside lane on Chad Ruhwedel, which opened up the passing lane and put him in a position to score. Tristan Jarry is not very good, for what it’s worth.

Rangers 2, Pens 0

The Penguins didn’t realize Chris Kreider was 50 feet behind them, and this was a great pass from Mika Zibanejad to spring him on the breakaway.

Rangers 3, Pens 0

This is not good defense by the Penguins, getting overpowered by Kreider on the boards, leaving a passing lane for Zibanejad, and then leaving Frank Vatrano uncovered in front.

Rangers 4, Pens 0

K’Andre Miller made the initial stop along the boards before Kreider poked the puck out of the zone. That sprung Zibanejad with Kreider trailing on the PK. Kreider put himself in a position to shoot, and Mika hit him.

Don’t discount the prior two sequences with Igor Shesterkin, where he cleared the puck down the length of the ice, one resulting in a prior shorthanded chance. Pittsburgh didn’t dump in on this entry, forced the contested entry, and it wound up in their net.

Rangers 4, Penguins 1

Kasperi Kapanen simply found the opening at the high slot on the powerplay. Not much of a breakdown, just 4 guys trying to keep up with five.

Rangers 5, Pens 1

Kris Letang just skated away from Andrew Copp in front. Bad defense across from the Penguins all game.

Shot Heatmap

The Rangers absolutely owned this game. They dictated the pace and made the Penguins look silly. If this is what this team is capable of, then watch out in the playoffs.

Game Flow

The Penguins had some flashes, but this was all Rangers.

For the first time in as long as I can remember, for this season, the Rangers played a full 60 minutes against a playoff team and absolutely crushed them. This is what we want to see from the Rangers, and what we hope the deadline additions will add to them. If this is the team we see in May…

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