The Rangers have won 8 in a row, matching their season-high from last year. Today’s game was a tough one, taking the Rangers all the way to the shootout to get it done, but they stuck with it and are now tied for the highest point total in the NHL. Let’s break it down.
The Good
Kreider Steps Up
He stepped up in more ways than one. Between the whistles Kreider had maybe his best game of the season. He scored a powerplay goal, was creating pressure, and back-checked extremely well. He skated well and looked more confident than he has all season today. Kreider also stepped up when one of his teammates needed him, jumping in to fight Zach Smith after Smith’s questionable hit on Derek Stepan. I’ve never liked goons or guys who are solely on the team to be physical, nor have I placed tremendous importance on it. That said, a team does need a guy willing to defend his teammates. Kreider is that guy for the Rangers, and he was that guy today when the team needed him.
Long Live the King
Ottawa only had 23 shots today, but don’t be deceived. Lundqvist was tested, especially in overtime, and he answered every test, keeping the Rangers in the game on a rare day where they didn’t score a bunch of goals. It’s great that the team can score, but it’s also nice knowing that Hank is back there and the Rangers can win a game 2-1 if they have to. Also, any time you win a shootout your goalie has to get a lot of the credit.
Better Game for the Defense
I thought the defense was much better today. The 1st period was more of the same that we saw against St. Louis, with Ottawa getting a bunch of chances. Over the last 40 minutes,the Rangers really cleaned it up. Ottawa only put eight shots on goal at even strength over the last two periods. Shot attempts were virtually even in the game, and as I’ve said of this team in the past, that’s all I ask for and all I think they need to win. I thought just about everyone on defense had a strong game. McDonagh and Girardi were steady today and limited shifts where they got hemmed in their own zone. McDonagh in particular looks more and more poised as the season goes along. Klein was also extremely steady today and was a big positive in shot attempts. Yandle was excellent, leading the D in corsi and moving the puck out of trouble with aplomb. He also added an assist on the powerplay. Boyle I thought, had his best game of the season. He was very calm in his own zone against a ferocious Ottawa attack, and was able to jump into the offense on a couple of different occasions. His shootout goal was the cheery on top of a great day at the office for the defense.
The Bad
Stoll Struggles to Stay Out of the Box
When he manages to stay on the ice, I’ve liked Jarrett Stoll’s game. I don’t think the question was ever about his game. We know what he can add to this team’s 4th line. In fact, he was perfect on faceoffs today. Rather, opponents of the signing noted Stoll’s propensity to take silly minors, something that made LA fans cringe for awhile. Like I said, Ottawa was pretty well shut down at even strength for the last 40 minutes, so the last thing you want to do is give them powerplay opportunities. Stoll especially hurts the team here considering that he’s relied on to kill penalties. He’s a solid player, but he needs to be more responsible.
The Glass
Marc Staal
The only defenseman I didn’t like today was Marc Staal, and oh boy did I not like Marc Staal. It seemed like Ottawa was generating pressure and chances every time he was on the ice. The stats would agree: Staal was a team-worst -9 in shot attempts. In fact, the Rangers led the corsi battle when Marc Staal wasn’t on the ice. He couldn’t handle the puck at all today, and every attempted clear of his was an adventure. This is nothing new for Staal who has struggled all season. As much as I’ve criticized Girardi, I believe Staal has been worse. In Girardi’s defense, the Rangers are nothing to write home about on the right side. On the left side, they have Ryan McDonagh and Keith Yandle who are simply better hockey players than Staal on both sides of the puck. Staal is making $5.45 million, is struggling, and is simply not a need for this team. You have to hope they at least consider moving him at some point. You also have to wonder why Alain Vigneault continues to hand minutes to Staal over Yandle. That’s just baffling to me at this point.
—
Another game, another win for the Rangers. It’s great that they’re getting the points now, so they won’t have to sweat it out in March and April. There’s still things to work out, but this team has been excellent of late.
Three Stars
1)Chris Kreider
2)Dan Boyle
3)Henrik Lundqvist
Was there pizza? No pizza today. Pizza record: 11-5-1
6GoalieDefense 
Thanks for the recap, I love how you break it down and how you don’t hold back. We do have the Best Goalie!!! And I might add a Great writer keep up the good work. Sorry no pizza:(.
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