In David Quinn’s return, and what was likely his Super Bowl, the sloppy Rangers allowed him to walk away with a win. Excluding the third period, they were fine defensively, and it was their inability to generate sustained offense that was puzzling. The Blueshirts still generated enough chances that James Reimer wound up being a story for San Jose, but it wasn’t the same amount in the first four games. They were also amazingly sloppy with the puck with numerous neutral zone turnovers that led to chances. This sloppiness burned them later.
The good news for the Rangers was that Igor Shesterkin, who has been average to start the season (and this game), was able to bail the Rangers out with a stellar third period. The third was Shesty’s time to shine because the Rangers played their worst period of the season. Reimer kept the Sharks in it in the first two period, and Igor ensured the sloppy Rangers survived until overtime to get a point.
Sloppy Rangers. Only one point against a bad team. Maybe DQ took those boos personally?
Sharks 1, Rangers 0
Logan Couture is the bumper for San Jose on the powerplay, and it’s interesting what he did here. He put his stick into Chris Kreider’s back, as if to let him know he was there, then immediately turned and crashed the net for the rebound. Both defense were trying to clear the loose puck, had their backs to Couture, so he was free to bang home the rebound.
Rangers 1, Sharks 1
Filip Chytil won a loose puck battle, and just beat James Reimer, who had been stellar, five hole.
Rangers 2, Sharks 1
The Rangers forced the turnover in the defensive zone, and Artemiy Panarin did what Artemiy Panarin does. He and Alexis Lafreniere spread out the defense with Adam Fox trailing. Give and go and a goal.
Rangers 2, Sharks 2
The Rangers were sloppy on this shift with the neutral zone turnover and then some sloppy defensive zone work. Radim Simek managed to get his shot under a sprawling Fox and through Igor Shesterkin.
Sharks 3, Rangers 2
The sloppy Rangers continued to be sloppy in overtime. But with so much open ice, it was a matter of time before San Jose made them pay. This was a self inflicted wound.
They were never going to be perfect for 82 games, but the sloppy Rangers play needs to be few and far between. This doesn’t seem like a team that will continue to be sloppy for long. They got a point, but they should have two against a team as bad as San Jose.
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