From Bad To Vlad: NY Rangers Overcome Sluggish Performance To Defeat Flyers 3-2 In OT Thanks To Tarasenko’s Heroics

The NY Rangers found a way to overcome a sluggish first two periods to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in OT. But, on the eve of Patrick Kane’s debut with the team, it was their first big-time deadline acquisition (which seems like a lifetime ago), Vladimir Tarasenko, that flashed his star power with two assists and the game-winning OT goal.  

This contest wasn’t a masterpiece, but let’s break down the good, the bad, and everything in between.

THAT’S GOOD!

VLADIMIR TARASENKO

Through nine games, early returns for Tarasenko were average at best. After bursting on the scene with a goal on only his second shift with the team, the rest of his short tenure has seen him trying to find his niche. Last night, the potential for his impact was on full display.

He set up the Rangers’ first goal on the power play with a beautiful slot pass for Mika to sweep in. Then, in the third period, with a rising shot from the point, he found Kreider’s stick for a beautiful deflection to tie the game at 2.

However, his heroics in OT highlighted the skillset that makes his presence on this team a most needed weapon. Chytil made what seemed like a set play to put the puck on Tarasenko’s stick with a head of steam. He entered the offensive zone straight up the middle, juked a defender, and sent a high-rising snipe over Carter Hart’s shoulder that he’s still looking for.  

On a team that sometimes has a frustrating lack of ability to finish, bringing in a player with Tarasenko’s arsenal could be the elixir the Rangers have been looking for. When Kane gets here, they might find the whole cure. Let’s hope.

THAT’S BAD!

PLAYING DOWN

While the vibes were all positive because of how the game ended, it doesn’t fully mask some disturbing trends for this team.  

I know this is a unique situation with our roster (more on that below), but these issues have been prominent throughout this season, so it’s no excuse.

After a fast start (which is like seeing a unicorn for this team), the Rangers could not stay out of the box. Three straight penalties, even against the league’s worst power-play, is not a recipe for success, and sure enough, Owen Tippet took advantage of a PK breakdown to tie the game at 1.  

As if that wasn’t bad enough, in the second period, the Rangers looked slow, disinterested, and downright sloppy. Another instance of the Rangers playing down to their competition and not only letting them hang around, but last night, it led to a 2-1 Flyers lead after two periods.  

They’re lucky the Flyers aren’t the type of offensive team to take advantage of these flaws despite living in the Rangers’ offensive zone for most of the second period. If they were, the Blueshirts wouldn’t have been able to keep it close enough to pull it out in the end.

ROSTER MANAGEMENT

We won’t go too deep here, and I realize they are in this predicament to get a unique chance to acquire a player of Patrick Kane’s ilk. But this is a rhythm we can only sustain for a little while, or we risk burning out our players.

It’s one thing to be missing players due to injury (Lindgren) and suspension (Miller), but to be so close to the cap you can’t even replace those players with ANYONE becomes extremely glaring.

Again, no one in their wildest dreams ever considered we could afford Tarasenko AND Kane, so this is a mad scramble that’s hard to plan for. Yet, I hope the Rangers can get back to a full roster soon for the sake of the players that ARE playing. Having your defensemen play high minutes night after night in the regular season is a dangerous tightrope to walk if you have plans to stay fresh for a long playoff run.

CAN I GO NOW?

  • The Kid Line looked sharp last night, but I can only put them in the GOOD category if it results in production. I’m still hoping Chytil is getting this out of his system now because this is the frustrating lack of finish that made you wonder if he’d ever find a complete game. I’m all in if this is just a bump in the road, and he wants to return to form for the playoffs.
  • Igor didn’t look great on that second goal, but again, I blame the defense for even letting Laughton get in that position. Overall, Shesterkin played a solid enough game, albeit against a lesser team.
  • Goodrow, my man. It’s one thing to hit the post, but you must take advantage of a wide-open net like that. Misses like that are why we upgraded our top six and why Goody’s value is better suited on the fourth line.
  • While, at times, they still have efficient kills, the PK has formed a bad habit of giving up a goal a game. When they are humming, they shut the other team down and become a weapon themselves. We need to get back to that level.
  • Right back at it with a home game against Ottawa tonight. Nothing else exciting about this matchup. Nope, just your standard run-of-the-mill affair. I would tune in, though, if I were you. 🙂
In this episode Dr. Josh Khalfin comes on to chat about Jones, Rempe, comparing NYR’s play pre & post TDL, defense & having kept their 1st Rnd pick how deep is the draft.For more from us, visit Inside The RinkHow to support us and our sponsors:Columbia Sports ApparelESPN+ SubscriptionFanaticsDraft Kings – CODE ITRThanks for listening! Please rate and review our show on your favorite listening platform. Check out our partner's website at www.insidetherink.com for all your latest hockey news.
  1. Guest Josh Khalfin
  2. The Encouraging but Injury Concerning Backend
  3. Guest Tyler McGillick
  4. 2024 TDL Recap : We're not "Dead"Line
  5. Guest Rick Carpiniello

Marc Panzer

NYR Fan living in Long Island

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Predators Are Making History on Their Way to the Postseason

As the 2023-24 NHL regular season winds down, what a difference a month makes in the future of the Nashville Predators. Pundits and fans alike had essentially given up on Nashville before the All-Star break in early February as the Predators looked to be on the verge of extinction like the saber-toothed tiger in the […]

Read More

Flyers Miss Out on Two Points Against Canadiens; Lose 4-1 | 3/28/2024

The Flyers needed to come into this game hungry for two points. Not counting this game against Montréal, there are only eight games left in the season. Every point counts. What’s at Stake The Flyers have had a tough schedule the last couple of weeks. Since March 14, they have played teams that are top […]

Read More

Jason Zucker’s Return Highlights Predators at Coyotes on Thursday Night

Nashville locked down their 18th consecutive point recorded with a win in comeback fashion on Tuesday, as the Predators mounted the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in overtime. The Arizona Coyotes were mathematically eliminated from NHL Playoff contention after Nashville’s win but still have the ability to affect the run of other teams by handing them […]

Read More