Last night, the NY Rangers beat the NJ Devils at MSG 4-3 in overtime on a beautiful snipe by Filip Chytil. Even though their overall play was still not perfect, the return and emergence of their resiliency in the face of adversity could be the most significant takeaway from the victory. So let’s break it down.
THAT’S GOOD!
(If last night’s game were a novel, its title would be Resilience, and it had many chapters within)
RESILIENCE: PROLOGUE
Even more so than the specifics of the game itself, it was the comeback that was the most encouraging. Last season, the Rangers embodied the No Quit in NY mantra. The hashtag was created first, but it appeared that the team adopted it, tattooed it on their hearts, and played that way on the ice. So far this season, it seemed the complete opposite. When they got down, they stayed down. Comebacks fell short or didn’t happen at all. For a while, it seemed like that would continue last night. Not only an early 2-0 deficit, but the Devils were again swarming, making the Rangers look old and slow. It had fans harboring thoughts that not only would we lose this game, but perhaps the Devils’ rebuild had left the Rangers in the dust.
The Rangers injected some life into the crowd at the end of the first period with a beautiful sequence that started in their zone. It ended with a perfect pass from Trocheck to Kreider for a goal that fluttered over Vanecek. However, that momentum did not last into the second frame. After a beautiful Hughes rush that led to a slick goal over Igor’s shoulder and a 3-1 lead, the situation was bleak. All that was needed was a final dagger. It seemed that one was about to be thrust into our hearts when Hughes was taken down by Schneider and awarded…
RESILIENCE: THE PENALTY SHOT
I’m not one to deal in hyperbole, but this penalty shot was probably the most important occurrence in the history of the Rangers-Devils rivalry since Howie Rose screamed Matteau’s name several times! (OK, I lied.)
That being said, Hughes had the game on his stick until Igor saved the game with his. Jack tried one move too many, and Igor was flexible enough to get a skate and then his stick on the shot to keep it at 3-1. The Rangers’ offense still needed to wake up, but a goal there by the Devils would have put a shroud over the crowd. (Unintentional Rhyme Alert).
In retrospect, it was the turning point in the game. It remains to be seen, but it could be a turning point for the whole season. (Man, for someone who doesn’t deal in hyperbole, I sure sling a lot of it!)
RESILIENCE: TWO GOALS, SEVEN SECONDS.
We’re all still waiting for the Rangers’ offense to get into some consistent rhythm, but when they find it, they REALLY find it.
After the failed penalty shot, the Rangers got a power play. This time, they adhered to a strategy that had served them well lately when Adam Fox sent a shot from the point that Trocheck deflected for a goal to cut the deficit to one.
Earlier, we pontificated that Igor stopping Hughes on the penalty shot could be considered a turning point for the season. However, if you thought what happened next, right off the faceoff, was instead that crossroads, no one would begrudge you.
Earlier, Gallant made some changes when the Rangers were not responding, resulting in a Kid Line reunion. They flashed hardcore here, winning the faceoff and bursting forward. K’Andre Miller had a nifty pass to find Kakko wide open on the side of the net, and he didn’t miss. It was now a tie game as the crowd exploded, watching as our young talent piled up on the ice in celebration. It was a sight that we’re hoping to see many more times this season.
RESILIENCE: ENDGAME
To be clear, overtime did not start well. The Rangers won the faceoff but quickly gave the puck up. Our 3×3 troubles continued as the Devils possessed the puck for 90+ seconds straight. Not many high-danger chances, but finally, Igor made a save, and the Rangers made their way out of their zone. They weren’t great but, thankfully, opportunistic as Panarin skated in and dropped it off to Chytil, who skillfully found the far post and banked it in for a thrilling 4-3 win. Finally, a victory was snatched from the jaws of defeat. Remember those?
THAT’S BAD!
(This section is brought to you by the letter “T”)
TERRIBLE STARTS
As mentioned before, the win doesn’t mask disturbing and continuing tendencies. Another slow start for the Rangers, and the Devils capitalized. The team didn’t even have one shot for the first half of the first period. Eventually, they woke up, but Gallant needed to find a way to snap this team out of these long stretches of malaise that have burned them way too many times.
TURNOVERS
Speaking of being burned, these lazy and dangerous turnovers are a huge problem for this squad. At least one led to a goal, and there were too many to count to list here. It’s something the Rangers need to clean up as soon as humanly possible. It’s imperative, especially against a fast and lethal team like the Devils, who can make you pay for them in a flash.
TROUBA
Not to pile on one player here, but simply put, Jacob Trouba needs to pick up his overall game. He was terrible in the first period, leading to Gallant (rightfully) reducing his ice time. His turnovers caused a goal and major havoc, and they are becoming a common occurrence. Especially if he’s not contributing offensively, this can’t happen. We need to see the Trouba from last year emerge if this team is to reach the heights they wish to achieve.
CAN I GO NOW?
- The Devils had previously been 16 for 16 when having a lead of two goals or more, so the NYR wonderfully broke that streak.
- Lafreniere could have had a better game. He’s still a little too passive when he enters the zone. He has a nose for the net, so I want to see him playing with the same aggression and grit he displayed in last year’s playoffs.
- Igor was great when he had to be. Didn’t love the first goal. It was deflected, but it’s like he wasn’t in a ready position at all. However, we’ll let it slide anytime you stop a penalty shot.
- The next game is Toronto at home on Thursday, 12/15. Challenging but fun game. A back-to-back at Philly/Chicago follows. A real chance to do some damage here and keep the streak going if we can find a way past Toronto.
