A grinding, come from behind win that will never be mistaken for a Picasso, the New York Rangers did what needed to be done last night in a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins. There is a determination in their game lately reminiscent of last year’s never say die attitude, and it’s a sight for sore eyes. Equally important was beating the Bruins in regulation in a huge four point swing game that could have single handedly put the Rangers out of playoff contention. Now the Rangers are back in the thick of it.

The Rangers put on a defensive clinic, something we haven’t seen much of this season, limiting Boston to 17 total shots. Though the Rangers had just 22 shots, it was special teams that made the difference, with Chris Kreider‘s game winner coming shorthanded. It seems that the 2025 calendar year has not only woken up Mika Zibanejad, as Kreider is starting to return to form after back spasms seem to have limited him in the first half of the season.

Kreider has been the modern day Mr. Ranger and embodies everything that we love about Rangers hockey. He had many ups and downs the first couple of years in New York, but what he has done since the pandemic is a whole other level of play. Trying to rebound from his down season, Kreider’s shorthanded winner was vintage Kreider. The goal was Kreider’s 50th game winning goal and the 320th career goal. He is inching closer to Gilbert’s record (406) and if anyone should break that franchise goals record, it’s Kreider.

It is not coincidental that Kreider’s resurgence has coincided with the JT Miller trade. I will admit I was completely wrong about how things would go, as many of us were. The fit has been great, and the early results are paying dividends. But whether this trade happened too late and if the Rangers will end up competing in this year’s playoffs is a different question. Miller definitely fits the vision both Chris Drury and Peter Laviolette have, as Miller was key in the Rangers first goal by seeking and destroying on the forecheck, forcing Brandon Carlo into a turnover and a quick shot by Artemi Panarin.

But how about that Zac Jones? Jones should be playing everyday, and though it appears that ship has sailed, perhaps his play last night in the absence of Urho Vaakanainen gives both Laviolette and Drury confidence to trade Ryan Lindgren sooner rather than later. Jones’ decision making was solid, and he was calm and controlled with the puck. It’s a skill the Rangers lack up and down the lineup, and it shouldn’t have taken a Vaakanainen illness for Jones to get back in the lineup. But we are beating a dead horse at this point.

The Rangers won a key four point swing game against the Bruins, and have two more very winnable games before the Four Nations break. The win helped them flip with Montreal in the standings, and puts them in striking distance of both Columbus and the Islanders before the two week break. There’s work to do, but the Rangers have finally been helping themselves this season.

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