The Rangers overcame a slow start and a multi-goal deficit for the second night in a row. But, unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as their seven-game winning streak was halted in a 3-2 OT loss to the Calgary Flames.
It wasn’t a very eventful game (except until the end), which was surprising considering all the action and chaos from their epic matchup the week prior. Still, let’s break down the good, the bad, and everything in between.
THAT’S GOOD!
SETTLE DOWN AND FIND A WAY
It’s not as catchy as NO QUIT, but it’s a more apt description of what this Rangers team does. Here was another game where they found themselves in a multi-goal abyss before their legs ever got under them.
Doing this is not a smart formula for continued success (see the THATS BAD section below), but there is something to be said for their ability to recalibrate, settle the game down, and chip away at those leads.
That’s two games in a row they’ve done it, and even though last night resulted in a loss, it was a valuable point. Clearly, their legs were tired after using a lot of energy in the previous game to win that one, but they ground it out. Even though they missed some opportunities, they extended the game enough to give themselves a shot at two points.
No losses are “good,” but some you accept because of the circumstances involved. There are no moral victories, but, after the run the Rangers just had, you take this point and run with a smile on your face.
JARO HALAK
You’re starting to see his name pop up in this section a lot, and rightfully so. After the early two goals in the blink of an eye, Halak kept the Rangers in this game with some fantastic saves, including a stellar glove save while sitting on the ice.
His early season issues gave a lot of Rangers’ fans pause that maybe his best days were behind him, but his recent play has been everything you can ask for from a backup.
ALEXIS LAFRENIERE
One huge silver lining from this loss is the continued emergence of Alexis Lafreniere. Of course, you will take scoring from any player on the ice, but there is something to be said for players that need the production more than others.
Not too long ago, the chatter about Lafreniere not living up to expectations was again starting to take shape. Thankfully, he has responded in a big way with ten points (5G, 5A) in his last eleven games. That’s a tough pace to keep, but it’s still encouraging to see.
Last night, he was in the right place again off a feed from Trocheck and got enough on the shot for the puck to trickle past Markstrom. Even more validating is that he was so engaged that he had the presence of mind to follow up the shot and battle Coleman to make sure the puck made it over the line.
The Rangers’ acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko ( a goal last night) has been championed as the team getting some needed extra scoring punch. However, just as important would be Lafreniere emerging as an offensive force for the stretch run. This team has the potential to be lethal if this latest burst is sustainable.
THAT’S BAD.
SLOW STARTS
Let me be clear, slow starts are a part of the Rangers’ DNA by now, although they have never been an accurate indicator of the game’s outcome.
It’s not hyperbole to say the Rangers probably start slow in about ninety-five percent of their games. The difference is they usually are stout enough not to let that result in the other team jumping out to huge leads.
These last two games have shown, though, how they can be burned if they don’t come out of the gate with some jump.
I’ve stopped trying to expect it to change since it’s been a trait of this group since day one of Gallant. Still, for the team’s benefit, you want to find some answers for the playoffs, where a two or three-goal lead becomes somewhat harder to overcome.
CAN I GO NOW?
- That makes a ten-game streak with points for the Rangers (8-0-2), so we can still track that.
- Rough game for Chytil as he fell awkwardly near the boards early on and then collided with a monster named Lucic later. He came back from both, but if you add in him being snakebit with goal-scoring (including an excellent chance in OT), this kid needs a refresh.
- Honestly, not many notes for this one. It was a bland game until the third period. I thought for sure there would be fights and snarl after last week, but I guess both teams were as tired as we were watching it.
- Back home Monday night vs. a strong Winnipeg team. Time to start another winning streak.
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