rangers islanders

The Rangers looked to be cruising to a victory over the New York Islanders going into the third period, where they were up 3-1. However, despite having the majority of puck possession most of the game, the Rangers weren’t purposeful with it and couldn’t come up with a nail in the coffin goal. Instead, they allowed the Islanders (who were coming off a back-to-back) to score 3 unanswered goals. Now, just over a month into the season, the Rangers are on their second losing streak.

Key Stats Summary:

5v5->
  • 1st Period:
    • Shots attempts: NYR 19, NYI 12
    • Shots on goal: NYR 13, NYI 8
    • High Danger: NYR 4, NYI 4
  • 2nd Period:
    • Shots attempts: NYR 11, NYI 16
    • Shots on goal: NYR 8, NYI 5
    • High Danger: NYR 3, NYI 2
  • 3rd Period:
    • Shots attempts: NYR 14, NYI 11
    • Shots on goal: NYR 8, NYI 6
    • High Danger: NYR 5, NYI 2
  • Totals:
    • Shots attempts: NYR 44, NYI 39
    • Shots on goal: NYR 29, NYI 19
    • High Danger: NYR 12, NYI 8
Other
  • PP: NYR 2/4, NYI 2/3
  • Turnovers: NYR 16, NYI 17

Isles 1, Rangers 0

The Rangers were working a diamond penalty kill, which is designed to stop a goal like this. However, Chris Kreider didn’t tie up Palmieri and it was an easy rebound for the former Devil. As much as I want to throw a TV brick at Kreider, he was out there for a while and looked gassed at the end of his shift.

Rangers 1, Isles 1

Kreider did a really good job to come away with the puck on a scramble in the slot. This lead to the Rangers maintaining possession with K’Andre finding Chytil in the high slot. It’s hard to see with this angle, but Chytil made an excellent toe-to-heel move to disguise his wrist shot and get it over Varlamov.

Rangers 2, Isles 1

Kreider finished an excellent rush on the powerplay, but what stood out to me on this play was just the simplicity of their passes. Sometimes the Rangers second unit tries to many 100 foot diagonal passes, which look pretty, but are high risk. This will be a good clip to show the boys that sometimes you have to keep it simple.

Rangers 3, Isles 1

Not much to break down here. What should have been a routine save ended up in the back of the net when Mayfield inadvertently knocked the puck out of Varlamov’s glove. Props to Trocheck for hunting it down and getting to the dirty area here.

Rangers 3, Isles 2

You can’t see it in this clip, but this sequence goes awry when Zibanejad accidently poke checks the puck away from Trouba behind the net and it goes right to Parise. From there, the Rangers were in full scramble mode and likely screened Igor on the goal.

Rangers 3, Isles 3

Good puck movement by the Islanders here on the powerplay and a shot that Nelson ripped and released before Igor had a chance to get set. I maybe would have liked to see Fox get in better position to block this, but again very good movement by the Fishdicks.

Isles 4, Rangers 3

Kakko clearly got tripped here and noted Ranger killer Kelly Sutherland swallowed his whistle. The boys obviously thought they were getting a powerplay here, hesitated for a second, and left Lee all alone in front. Just a cheesy goal.

Game thoughts:

  • I thought Kreider was very involved tonight on both sides of the puck. Clearly the benching the other night lit a spark, but let’s not galaxy brain this one Gallant. Put him back on the first line.
  • Trocheck was another positive standout tonight, not just with his goal, but also getting in the paint for tips, winning board battles and helping out on the backcheck.
  • On the negative side, the Rangers seem to be lacking some killer instinct here and once again took their foot off the gas pedal and paid the price for it.
  • Kakko and Zbad need to shoot the puck more. Too much sizzle, not enough steak.
  • There is also a lack of consistency defensively and on the forecheck. While Kreider was the one called out last game, he wasn’t the only player who needs to be held accountable.
  • For those of you who get crazed by line permutations, I’d expect more of them heading into Thursday’s rematch in Detroit.

*All 5-on-5 stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.

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