First Period:
- Cole Reinhardt (7) Assists: Tobias Bjornfot (2), Vinnie Hinostroza (12)
- Mackie Samoskevich (12) Unassisted
- Matthew Robertson (6) Assists: Noah Laba (15)
Second Period:
- Gabe Perreault (11) Assists: Adam Fox (44), Alexis Lafreniere (32)
Third Period:
- Cole Reinhardt (8) Assists: Luke Kunin (5), Donovan Sebrango (7)
Stats:
Adam Rotter:
- While it would have been nice for the Rangers to win this one for Jonathan Quick, and they had the chances to do so, the loss is ultimately for the best as it locks the Rangers into finishing no worse than fourth in the lottery odds. At the moment they are third and tied with Calgary at 75 points but they own the tiebreaker over Calgary.
- If the Rangers do finish third in the lottery odds they could pick anywhere from 1-5, if they get points against Tampa on Wednesday and finish fourth in the lottery odds they could pick 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6. That game on Wednesday against Tampa should mean something to the Lightning as they battle for positioning in the Atlantic Division.
- The Rangers did deserve a better fate tonight. They played hard, tied the game after being down 0-2 and had chances but the PP couldn’t convert on it’s opportunities and the Panthers scored on one the only chances they had in the third. It’s a game the Rangers should have won, especially since nearly all of the Panthers regulars were out of the lineup.
- Jonathan Quick made it official that he was retiring and while he deserved to end his career where he wanted, I’m surprised he wanted his last game to be on the road and not at MSG. His performance against Detroit in his prior start would have been the perfect way for him to go out but he earned the right with his career and his presence on the team to finish up the way he wanted.
- Quick was excellent for the Rangers in his first two seasons and was thrown into a much bigger role than expected this season with Igor Shesterkin’s injury. I’d imagine that the Rangers have an open invitation for him to join the organization in whatever way he wants when/if he does to do that. He lives in Connecticut and I’d imagine the opportunity will be there for him when/if he wants it.
- One more for this season and it will be interesting to see if Dylan Garand gets the start on Wednesday against Tampa.