David Quinn said after the game, on MSG:
- Scoring early put the Rangers in a good mind frame and they were helped by good goaltending and solid work on the PP/PK.
- On Buchnevich being on the fourth line and first PP, “who said that is the fourth line? (laugh) Maybe putting him on the fourth line ignited him to score two PP goals.”
- What does Buchnevich need to do to get more ice time, “he has to continue to play more well rounded. He did a good job on the PP. He and I have talked about what we need more out of him and maybe we get that Thursday night.”
- Is it the same conversation you’ve had with him already, “most of it is but there is another element to it that he and I have talked about.”
- “We had played three good games before the debacle in Columbus, we built off that, moved past Columbus. The guys took ownership of it and righted a wrong.”
- On Zuccarello, “he’s had a real good stretch over the last four games. You see more of a bounce in his step, his personality is back, he is playing with passion and enthusiasm. He was always competing but I think he’s in a much better mind frame and it’s the best hockey he has played since the season started.”
- Why is Zuccarello playing better, “I think a lot of discussions with people in the organization and the situation he is in. It was good for him to talk and iron out some things and get things off his chest. He seems like he is in a much different place mentally.”
- Is Zuccarello a leader, “for sure, he has a great personality and the guys are drawn to him and when you compete the way that he does, naturally you are a leader. No question he has those qualities.”
1st Period
| 01:16 | New York | Tony DeAngelo (3) ASST: Jimmy Vesey (13), Boo Nieves (4) | 0-1 |
| 09:24 | Carolina | Saku Maenalanen (3) | 1-1 |
| 12:41 | New York | PPG – Mika Zibanejad (13) ASST: Chris Kreider (13), Kevin Shattenkirk (11) | 1-2 |
| 14:22 | New York | Mika Zibanejad (14) ASST: Mats Zuccarello (12), Chris Kreider (14) | 1-3 |
2nd Period
| 03:41 | New York | PPG – Pavel Buchnevich (8) ASST: Mika Zibanejad (26), Mats Zuccarello (13) | 1-4 |
3rd Period
| 04:19 | New York | PPG – Pavel Buchnevich (9) ASST: Mika Zibanejad (27), Mats Zuccarello (14) | 1-5 |
| 11:51 | Carolina | Saku Maenalanen (4) ASST: Victor Rask (5), Justin Faulk (14) | 2-5 |
| 12:55 | New York | Tony DeAngelo (4) ASST: Vladislav Namestnikov (12), Boo Nieves (5) | 2-6 |
3 Stars:
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- 3: Pavel Buchnevich
- 2: Mats Zuccarello
- 1: Mika Zibanejad
Stats:
Mika Zibanejad said that the Rangers played faster and took advantage of the chances that they had. (MSG)
Henrik Lundqvist said that the Rangers took to heart what David Quinn said this morning and that special teams provided the group with a lot of confidence. (MSG)
Adam’s Thoughts:
- This was certainly a much better game than the one the Rangers played in Columbus. Right from the hop the Rangers had good legs, were opportunistic and played like a team that was trending in the right direction again.
- So much of the Rangers future and, how quickly they can return to the playoffs, depends on players like Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich. That trio has played together in the past, and likely will again, and when those three players are going, together or as individuals, the Rangers look like they have big pieces in place already. Zibanejad and Kreider have taken big strides and if Buchnevich can do the same, like we have seen in spurts, then the playoffs will be a reality much sooner than later.
- I don’t think it’s surprising that both Neal Pionk, when he was healthy, and Tony DeAngelo can be more impactful offensively when they are paired with Marc Staal. Staal allows those players to show off more of what they can do and is playing a big role in how they develop.
- Mats Zuccarello looks like Mats Zuccarello again and that works in the best interest of everyone.