The NY Rangers dispatched of a struggling Edmonton Oilers team behind a 3-0 shutout by surprise starter Jonathan Quick. Yes, the Oilers are without the best player in the world, but their issues run much deeper than that, and the Rangers exposed most of them with a stellar 2nd period and stout goaltending.
As usual, there was a lot going on, so let’s look at the good (Quick), the bad (NHL, define the word “Kick”), and everything in between (define the term “9 p.m.”)
THATS GOOD!
QUICK
I joke about it (and will continue to), but the signing of Jonathan Quick in the offseason brought mixed emotions. Clinically speaking, I thought it would be a solid veteran presence, but obviously, Rangers’ history will never let me truly embrace him.
Unless he wants to keep throwing shutouts with a 980+ save %, then forgiveness will begin to be expedited.
The Rangers defense played a significant role in stifling the Oilers last night, but when the leaks started to burst, Quick was a calm and stout presence in the crease. He quickly diffused the chaos with big glove saves, including one point-blank breakaway shot in the 3rd that could have changed the momentum.
Eyebrows were raised when it was announced he was starting, but he quickly (I’m the worst) justified the decision.
LAFRENIERE
Okay, we might really have unlocked something here. First and foremost, the goal was a stellar example of what playing with Panarin can do for Laf. Just get open, hover around the net, be ENGAGED, and Bread will find you, and Lafreniere did not miss.
You can also see that it’s having a ripple effect on the confidence in his whole game. This was his most active game of the season, including juking an Oilers player out of his skates with a move that echoed an Allen Iverson crossover breaking someone’s ankles.
It’s still early, but if this trend continues, the narrative on Lafreniere could be course-correcting to all the expectations he had as an overall number-one pick.
2ND PERIODS
This surge of the Rangers having incredible 2nd periods is ironic because the season started very poorly in that regard, and recent history hasn’t been kind, either. However, on this three-game west winning streak, eight of their ten goals have come in the 2nd frame. It’s a welcome and encouraging sign because it implies that Laviolette and staff are assessing the first period and making the proper adjustments. We’ll see if it continues, but it’s been a fantastic mini-trend punctuated last night by the beautiful PP snipe by Fox, the laser by Schneider, and Laffy’s one-timer. All these on the backbone of an active, pesky defense. It’s a joy to watch and is becoming contagious.
THAT’S BAD
CAN I KICK IT? NO, YOU CAN’T!
Any negative I have for the team are nitpicks, so I’ll save them for below and instead direct the bad to the NHL rulebook. The “kicking motion” question is getting embarrassing at this point. I could stomach them calling what Cuylle did a kick (it wasn’t, by the way, a clear redirect) if we haven’t been burned by good goals that were WAY more egregious. That goal last year by Mangiapane was such a kick that I heard he gave Messi lessons in the offseason.
It’s also more mindblowing since they REVERSED the call on the ice. Rules are rules (I guess), but when there is no consistency from game to game, team to team or kick to kick, it’s time to revisit. The only reason I’m not more livid about it was we had the game well in hand, but the principle of it is still an issue.
CAN I GO NOW?
- If you look at the glass half full, this team is starting to gel, and we’ve done that without a goal from Mika or Chytil yet. Those players are two sides of a coin right now. Chytil is playing a confident game so far, but old demons are peaking their heads out. It’s a combination of being snakebit but also a lack of finish. The end of the first period was a perfect example as Skinner made a nice save on Chytil of a beautiful feed from Laf off a two-on-one. However, Chytil shot it low and towards the center of the net, giving Skinner a chance to make that play. Lifting or directing the puck anywhere else with half the net wide open would have resulted in a goal. He was a little more adept at this last year, which led to a breakout season, so he needs to find that magic again.
- With Mika, it’s also an old story but a frustrating one. For whatever reason, he has these phases where he looks lost with his shot and confidence. His usual rising and accurate shot is off, resulting in him being a little gunshy, leading to moments where he’s passing up good looks. I’m not worried about him because he’s gone through this before and then answered with an unconscious streak where he doesn’t miss, but still, we continue to wait. Again, we can take it as a positive since the team is finding its stride, and we’re still not firing on all cylinders.
- Definitely Wheeler and the third line’s best game. Wheels was robbed of a point and Cuylle a goal, but keep playing like that, and production will follow.
- Wasn’t it lovely to hear the ringing of all those pucks of posts again? I so missed it. (which font is the sarcasm font?)
- Here’s my obligatory “Please lift the puck” ask. I know it’s unrealistic in many instances, but man, there are so many sequences where just a simple lift would result in goals instead of the umpteenth pad save by a goalie. Fox’s goal was the perfect example. Not much on it, but he put it in a spot where a goalie would have to stand on his head to get it. Don’t help these netminders out.
- It’s great to see Schneider get his first goal and points of the season. Shaky start for him, but you’re seeing the confidence return.
- All props to Doug Weight and Charles Huddy, but my excitement for an “early” 9 p.m. start was quickly dissipated when we realized it was only because there was to be a ceremony for the Oilers HOF. So much for that extra half-hour of sleep.
- That trend will continue for a 10 p.m. start in Vancouver this Saturday night. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling.
