The Rangers continued their improved play, defeating the Devils 3-2 in overtime. Sam Carrick, yes, you read correctly, converted on a 2-on-1 odd-man rush with Reilly Smith in overtime to give New York the win. Special teams was big for the Blueshirts, tallying two goals while shutting down the New Jersey power play. The Blueshirts are in Vegas on Saturday night.
Scratches:
Healthy: Jones, Vesey
Injured: Chytil (upper body, day to day)
IR: Kreider (upper-body injury)
A few thoughts
1) Special teams almost always make a difference. Rarely is there a game where a team gets cratered on the man-advantage or shorthanded where they win. Yesterday was one of those contests where the performance on special teams played a major part in the win.
The Devils entered Thursday's game with the second-best power play percentage in the NHL at just under 29 percent. The Rangers penalty kill went through a so-so stretch and were to be tested. New York blunted New Jersey twice in the first period and turned aside the Devils on all four of their power play opportunities in the game, spanning 6:55 of ice time. Even more impressive was that Igor Shesterkin had to make only four saves on the kill all night. On the other end, the Blueshirts notched their first two goals on the power play, which was the first time since Nov. 30 against Montreal, the Rangers were successful on the power play multiple times. In addition, The two power play goals equalled the output by the Rangers with a man advantage in their last 12 games combined.
2) Improved effort all the way around. The team knows they stunk before the Xmas break, which was noted by Smith post-game. We have seen Mika Zibanejad much more engaged while the blue liner has been mildly better, They are far from being out of the woods and the upcoming three game road trip will be telling, but signs of life exist.
3) Matt Rempe returns and Arthur Kaliyev debuts - quiet nights for each. On the former, a good thing, for the latter, expected. As the Lohud paper noted, Rempe had three minutes of ice time in each of the first two periods and laid a few hits, but was able to avoid the penalty box in his return to the lineup. Rempe finished the game with 7:47 of ice time and four total hits. He wasn't noticeable but also has to feel his way back to avoid any damaging hits.
Kaliyev played 8:31 of fairly low-event hockey. This wasn't just his Rangers debut but his season one as well, as he missed the first half with a broken clavicle. It will take him a bit to settle in, get his hockey legs and learn the system. The third line is the perfect place for him.
4) Igor Shesterkin also made his return after missing four games with an injury. He finished with 21 saves and 1.56 goals saved above expected, per Natural Stat Trick. Shesterkin had one bad misplay behind the net, partially due to the lack of communication, but came up big with a pair of short-handed saves.
5) K'Andre Miller-Will Borgen - as the Athletic noted, the Rangers dominated the shot share with them on the ice. Miller played with a bit more physicality and Borgen put two shots on net. He’s had at least one shot on net every game since the holiday break. Prior to this game, the two had been uneven but showed some signs together. Yesterday, it came together.
Adam Fox scored his first PPG and had a solid game. He looked to be moving better and the key was finding a shooting lane. Fox doesn't have a big shot but getting the puck on next is key. On the flip side, Urho Vaakanainen and Braden Schneider were the weakest of the three defensive trios and need to be much better on the road trip for New York to have a chance.
6) Injuries created openings that gave Carrick additional ice time. But he earned that time and warranted being on the ice late in regulation and the overtime. Smith made a nice play after he and Vincent Trochek blew a 2-on-0 shorthanded earlier in the game. Carrick opened up to give Smith a passing lane that created a shooting one.
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