First Period:
- Mika Zibanejad (8) Assists: Adam Fox (10)
- Joe Veleno (2) Assists: Jonatan Berggren (1), Olli Maatta (5)
Second Period:
- Lucas Raymond (6) Assists: Dylan Larkin (10)
- Chris Kreider (6) (Power Play) Assists: Artemi Panarin (15), Adam Fox (11)
Third Period:
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- Adam Fox (4) Assists: Filip Chytil (2), Alexis Lafreniere (4)
- Barclay Goodrow (3) Assists: Artemi Panarin (16), Vitali Kravtsov (1)
- Mika Zibanejad (9) Assists: Jimmy Vesey (2), Chris Kreider (7)
- Julien Gauthier (2) Assists: Barclay Goodrow (3), Sammy Blais (3)
- Libor Hajek (1) Assists: Filip Chytil (3), Alexis Lafreniere (5)
- Jimmy Vesey (2) (Shorthanded) Assists: Barclay Goodrow (4)
Stats:
- The third period tonight definitely lowers the temperature around the team and should get everyone to relax a bit after the prior three games.
- This was a pretty good performance and with a healthy lineup and balanced lines, the Rangers looked a lot more like the team they are supposed to be. They had flow to their game, every line contributed, they scored eight and only one was on the PP and they gave Igor Shesterkin a relatively easy night. They took the good that has been in their game lately, didn’t let the bad creep in and that is hopefully a step in the right direction.
- Detroit definitely collapsed a bit in the third, but the Rangers forced them into mistakes, took what was given to them and filled the net. They needed this kind of barrage in the worst way and it will hopefully be a major confidence boost going forward. I don’t expect eight every night, but they defended well and everyone up front, but Kaapo Kakko, though he was heavily involved in a few goals, and Vincent Trocheck, same, hit the scoresheet.
- Putting The Kid Line together just makes them such a deeper team and Jimmy Vesey was very good on the top line and so was Vitali Kravtsov on the second line. At this point the focus isn’t on whether Kaapo Kakko or Alexis Lafreniere are top-sixers, if they and Filip Chytil continue to create offense and draw penalties then they will get plenty of ice time and develop in that way. Like in the playoffs, they create momentum and energy every time they are on the ice.
- Before the game got out of hand and everyone started scoring, the Rangers needed their best players to step up and they got that from Adam Fox and Mika Zibanejad. Fox was excellent, Zibanejad finally scored at 5-on-5, Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin connected on the PP and the guys who are supposed to take charge and produce did.
- I also don’t think Ryan Lindgren’s return should be overlooked. He allows Adam Fox to be at his best and he just brings such a presence to the team. We saw how things changed when he was out in the playoffs last year and we saw some of the issues while he was just out. He’s very important to the success of this team.
- From the top of the lineup to the bottom, the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow, Sammy Blais and Julien Gauthier was also solid. Goodrow had a big third, Gauthier scored and Blais is starting to look a lot more comfortable. Gauthier also brings speed, which is something the fourth line has been lacking.
- So this is a great win, but it really only matters if they follow it up with two similar games this weekend in Nashville and then at home against Arizona. They don’t have to score eight every night, but they need to be structured, they need to play with flow and create momentum from shift to shift. If they can do those things consistently then playing a 60-minute game will start to become easier. It’s all about building on games like this and then not sliding when they hit a speed bump or adversity hits. Again, tonight was great and fun, but if they don’t follow it up this weekend with strong performances, and hopefully a minimum of three of four points, then they just stay running in place and frustrating everyone playing and watching.