The end result was good, the process in which that was arrived at most certainly was not. New York pitched a 4-0 shutout over Detroit last night, but don't let the final score fool you. It was Jonathan Quick's larceny that resulted in the victory, as he posted his 61st career shutout behind 37 impressive saves to carry the Rangers to the win. The Blueshirts will need to be vastly better to defeat the Jets on Tuesday at home.
A few thoughts:
1) Quick's brilliance started 26 seconds into the game and never abated. Coming off a brutal loss Thursday, New York was flat again early. Detroit put immediate pressure on the Rangers on the very first shift, when Alex DeBrincat shook loose off the rush and Quick stopped him from close range. Quick finished the first period with eight saves but he was just getting started.
Detroit completely carried play the first 15-16 minutes of the second period, outshooting New York 15-4 to that point and 19-8 for the frame. As Vince Mercogliano pointed out, that's not including attempts from Patrick Kane and Dylan Larkin that hit posts. Quick stonewalled Vladimir Tarasenko after he slipped through the Rangers' defense unguarded off the rush at the 6:05 mark, then made five consecutive highlight saves during an unrelenting stretch of 1:51 later in the period.
The two goals in 48 seconds late in the second by Jimmy Vesey and Artemi Panarin gave the Rangers some breathing room. New York was mildly better in the third, but Quick still had to be on his game, even late. The Red Wings were credited with 16 high-danger scoring chances in total, according to Natural Stat Trick, and were denied on all of them.
New York has been blessed with brilliant netminding by Quick and Igor Shesterkin. The vintage performance improved Quick to 3-0 through four appearances with a .964 save percentage and 1.17 goals against average, both of which lead the NHL. Steve Valiquette said in the post-game that the Rangers should consider extending Quick for another year right now. That may have been mildly tongue in cheek but hard to argue with the point made.
2) Defense still struggled as they were bailed out repeatedly by Quick. The issues on that side of the ice start in the neutral zone and carry forward to their own zone. Plus they are not just limited to the defense as the forwards continue to be brutal in transitions and handoffs, allowing wide open spaces in the D zone, resulting in high danger chances.
Part of the problem is the inability to escape their own zone with ease. The breakout passes have been lacking, same with clears. Add in way too many turnovers and it's the recipe for disaster, which is what we have seen to date..Yesterday was no different, as the Rangers were charged with 20 giveaways, five of which came off the stick of Vincent Trocheck. Once the puck was turned over or a pass missed a connection, they were often caught flat footed, which created odd man rushes or uncontested shots in the slot.
3) The fourth line was one positive. While Trocheck has had his issues lately and Mika Zibanejad still looks lost on the ice with an effort that borders on somnabulent, the fourth line was good again. We know that the third line has been the team's most consistent. But the Adam Edström-Sam Carrick-Vesey line was very good again, even beyond the goal. That trio has an identity, they are strong on the forecheck and responsible in all three zones of the ice.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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