First Period:
- Jimmy Vesey (3) Assists: Ryan Lindgren (6)
Second Period:
- Barclay Goodrow (6) Assists: Ryan Lindgren (7), Sammy Blais (5)
- Shane Pinto (9) Assists: Drake Batherson (12), Nick Holden (3)
Third Period:
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- Ryan Lindgren (1) Assists: Mika Zibanejad (14)
Stats:
- The win is what matters. It doesn’t matter that it came against a team that they are better than and should beat, after the last two games and the blown leads of the past few weeks, the two points and a defended lead are all that matters.
- They played pretty well overall, had some chances, defended well and they got good goaltending from Jaro Halak. Other than the PP not scoring the Rangers played a pretty solid game in all facets. They also defended a lead and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t think there was a good chance that Ottawa was going to tie it after they scored to make it 2-1. Ottawa didn’t, the Rangers had a bunch of chances to make it 3-1 and eventually did on Chris Kreider’s goal. It’s baby steps in some ways. You can’t expect them to play well and defend a lead against good teams if they can’t do it against Ottawa.
- Halak finally getting a win will hopefully be the start of some strong play from him. I’d give him Friday against Ottawa, again and give Igor Shesterkin Saturday against Chicago.
- Tonight was one of those games where Jimmy Vesey looked like the Jimmy Vesey he was supposed to be 5-6 years ago. He was noticeable, scored, made some nice plays and showed why from time to time he can fit nicely in a top-six role.
- I don’t mind Ryan Carpenter and think that he is solid enough for what his role is and his cap hit, but Barclay Goodrow makes the fourth line so much better and so much deeper. Goodrow can always swing up in the lineup for a game or two at a time, but he’s at his best when he’s lower in the lineup and can play a simpler game. Goodrow to the fourth line also gives Vitali Kravtsov a chance to play.
- The win and the two points are what matter and they get another chance at an easy game against the Senators on Friday and then Chicago on Saturday. The five games that follow Saturday’s game against Chicago (St. Louis, at Vegas and at Colorado, the Devils and Leafs) will be big tests, but hopefully they can enter that stretch with some wins and a good feeling.