Although the Rangers managed to get a point, they will likely look back on and say “We should have had this one.” Up 2-1 in the final two minutes, the Blueshirts surrendered the tying goal with 1:13 to go. They also failed to convert on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime before the Avs won it. Those two misses turned a solid game into a head scratcher. The Rangers were fine, and Igor Shesterkin probably wants the last two goals back, at least by his standards. But a point is a point and the Rangers may actually have a heartbeat again.
The heartbeat of the Rangers may actually be the fourth line. Sam Carrick is a picture perfect 4C, and he’s getting rewarded for his play with points and extra ice time. The fourth line contributed all the offence, with Carrick scoring shorthanded and Adam Edstrom getting on the board in the 2nd period on a 2-on-1. The whole line was pressuring in the neutral zone, on the forecheck, and playing overall solid in all three zones. As long as Matt Rempe keeps his elbows down, he adds another physical element to the line that makes them dangerous.
As noted before, Igor Shesterkin didn’t have his best game, and that’s ok. He looked a little behind the play on both the tying and winning goals, which could be due to some simple travel fatigue. Goalies have off games, and Igor is not immune to them.
The Rangers are finally starting to look like the Rangers again. With half the season to go, this is the time to go on a run and to start racking up points and wins. Managing to get two points in OT losses this month goes a long way, as the Rangers have now gotten points in all but one game this month. Given the talent on the roster, they should be able to go on a sustained run and make up ground in the Eastern Conference. Their play over the next 3 weeks will determine Chris Drury’s deadline plans.
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