The NY Rangers decided that after all the fun against Calgary, they could take it easy against Vancouver. The good news is that the Canucks also felt the same way, with both teams playing some relatively sloppy defense in a slow, low event game. The Rangers weren’t without chances, with Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad hitting a crossbar apiece. Where they couldn’t score, the Rangers kids could yet again, giving the Rangers a 3-2 win.
Filip Chytil put the Rangers up 2-0 in the first period, his 7th goal in the last 5 games. Alexis Lafreniere added a goal, his 6th point in 6 games, in the second period to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead. Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad opened and closed the scoring for the Rangers, respectively. K’Andre Miller had himself a night as well with three assists.
Yet the Canucks kept it close off a bad turnover by Ryan Lindgren and sloppy defense by the fourth line and third pair. While the game certainly could have been 6-2 without the posts, it didn’t feel like a dominating Rangers performance.
The game was certainly sloppy, with Ben Harpur getting benched in the second period. That said, not all games are perfect, and the Rangers found another way to win. The Rangers kids are certainly picking up the slack when the top guys aren’t able to get things going.
Perhaps it’s time to make them the second line.
Rangers 1, Canucks 0
After a relatively easy save by Igor Shesterkin, K’Andre Miller made a quick outlet to Vincent Trocheck. Trocheck had room with Kreider driving the net, but Vancouver had three guys back. None could catch Kreider, and Trocheck did a good job not telegraphing his pass.
Rangers 2, Canucks 0
The Canucks decided defense in front was optional, as no one picked up Filip Chytil in front after the nifty pass by Kaapo Kakko. Worth noting Chytil won the faceoff as well before getting in front and pulling the nice move in front to gain space.
Rangers 2, Canucks 1
This was very soft and passive defense on Quinn Hughes. They backed off way too much, allowing him to cut to the high slot and dish to Conor Garland, who was wide open. Horrible defense, which started with Will Cuylle drifting to Hughes, which looked like a miscommunication (or lack of awareness). Sammy Blais didn’t pick up Garland at all, instead opting to be a fourth man on Hughes in the slot.
Rangers 3, Canucks 1
Jacob Trouba’s shot from the point hit two guys in front before Alexis Lafreniere got his stick on the puck to tap it into the empty net. The Canucks actually had guys in front for this one, so it’s not necessarily a breakdown, but ideally they put more of a body on Laf instead of giving him free reign.
Rangers 3, Canucks 2
Bad turnover by Ryan Lindgren to JT Miller behind the net. Miller fed Vasily Podkolzin, whose shot was deflected and fooled Igor Shesterkin.
Rangers 4, Canucks 2
The Canucks were very soft in their coverage in front, again giving the Rangers too much space to maneuver. This time, it was Zibanejad who deflected the Trouba point shot.
Rangers 4. Canucks 3
It looked like the Rangers thought the dump in was going to be icing. Clearly it was not, and Elias Pettersson caught everyone sleeping.
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