A technically historical night for the Rangers, as they become the first ever NHL team to win their 7th road game before getting a win on home ice. A record is a record, I guess?
Jokes aside, last night might have been the most complete game from start to finish for the Rangers this season. Artemi Panarin shaved his head and proceeded to record 3 points, Noah Laba scored a goal in his home state off a bang bang play near the crease with Alexis Lafreniere, and Jarsolav Chemlar made his NHL debut and kicked the snot out of Travis Hamonic in a fight near the end of the game. This prompted one of the funniest grins on JT Miller’s face when he went over to congratulate him on the fight.
A very timely night for Panarin, who has been MIA for the Rangers to start the season. A huge insurance goal in the 3rd period off of a great forechecking play by Mika Zibanejad, who then sent a cross ice feed over to Panarin, who beat Cam Talbot short side, taking the air out of the building. This is the bare minimum for Panarin in a contract year, as sometimes you simply need your star players to put the team on their back, and drag them to victory. The goal and two assists will do that for his own confidence and hopefully his consistency going forward.
Another player desperately in need of a good game this season was Alexis Lafreniere, who has had his own share of frustrations with inconsistencies in scoring and a seemingly indecisive hockey IQ while the puck has been on his stick. Lafreniere crashed the net as puck found its way to Noah Laba, who deflected it home to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead. As the game progressed into the 3rd, Lafreniere took a bank pass from the defensive zone from Conor Sheary, moved in all alone on Cam Talbot, and slid the puck 5-hole for a beauty of a goal that is sure to make Lafreniere feel good about the state of his game.
We know the Rangers struggles on the power play have been pretty well documented to start the season. Going in to the game, they had only recorded 4 goals and were dead last in powerplay percentage. Will Cuylle got promoted to the first power play unit and scored 17 seconds into the first power play of the game for the Rangers. Guess that’s one issue resolved?
On the other hand, the penalty killing has been a tremendous bright spot. The Rangers killed off all four of Detroit’s powerplays to keep that strength as one of the best in the NHL. It’s not just the goaltending bailing them out either. The Rangers are anticipating plays and reads, forcing turnovers and getting shorthanded chances. Even if they don’t convert, it takes time off the clock and forces the power play to scramble back and waste energy.
This was a win reminiscent to what we saw a lot of the first year under Peter Laviolette. Just a good vibes win with skill guys leading the way and great attention to team defense. The Rangers now have beaten the Red Wings in 7 straight games, and will hopefully channel this energy when they play the Islanders tonight. The home ice woes must stop if the Rangers want any inkling of sustained success this season.
More About: Game Wrap-ups