First Period:
- Alexis Lafreniere (8) Assists: Mika Zibanejad (9)
Second Period:
Third Period:
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- They played with fire a bit tonight with penalties and not being able to get a second goal, but Jonathan Quick was outstanding in net.
- The Rangers PK was incredible tonight, the defensive effort overall in blocking shots was terrific and when he was needed, Quick was extremely sharp and on his game. He has a different style than Igor Shesterkin, and Henrik Lundqvist before him, but he looks smooth and confident in net and much more like his Stanley Cup era play and not the last couple of years.
- I would not be shocked if Quick gets Friday’s game against the Flyers and the Rangers go back to Igor Shesterkin against Boston on Saturday. At the same time, after a game like this, maybe the Rangers want to give Quick that extra day and he will go on Saturday against the Bruins and Shesterkin would go in Philly..
- Nick Bonino doesn’t have to score one goal this season to prove his worth to this Rangers team. He carries a high injury risk with his penchant for blocking shots, but his effort defensively is huge. He’d fit right in next to Brian Boyle and Ryan Callahan on those John Tortorella teams.
- The Rangers had a number of chances to build on their lead or at least get an insurance goal, but they were met with a solid performance from Jarry. Things changed a bit in the third period with the penalties the Rangers took and the Penguins pressing, but the Rangers dominated a lot of the first two periods, had the puck a lot and created chances. They could still do better at scoring at 5-on-5 and executing, but they are getting chances and you have to think that at some point they will start falling for Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and, hopefully, Kaapo Kakko at 5-on-5.
- Alexis Lafreniere continues to perform well. It’s not just the goal, he’s making plays and coming close on finishing other chances. It’s just more positive signs that this could be more than a little hot streak and that he may finally be breaking out.
- For as much as it would have been nice for the Rangers to build up a bit of cushion, it’s huge for them to get games like this where they grab a lead, defend it, deal with some adversity with penalties but ultimately pick up the win. They don’t all need to be 1-0 or deal with as many penalties in the third period, but these are the kind of different games that you need to win over the course of the year and hopefully bring into the playoffs. It’s also nice to see them bounce back after sort of collapsing a bit against Dallas on Monday.
- They go to Philly on Friday and then return to MSG on Saturday against the Bruins.