Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Game 63: NYR 5 MTL 2, Rangers ride big third to comeback win over Canadiens
February 27, 2020, 10:22 PM ET [384 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSS • Archive • CONTACT
The beat rolls on for the Rangers. Down 2-0 late in the second, New York cut the lead in half by the end of the period on Phil Di Giuseppe's first goal of the season. The Blueshirts reeled off four straight goals in the third to win their ninth straight on the road and fifth overall to make the team 11-3 in the month. Tomorrow finds the Rangers in Philly for the first of back-to-back contests against the Flyers.

Game recap:


Lines (at least to start the game):


A few thoughts:
1) Quinn - hat tip to Quinn for shaking up the lines after the second period. He moved Mika to play with Panarin, slid Di Giuseppe, who scored a huge goal late in the second, his first of the season and first NHL goal since he scored for Carolina on Nov. 8, 2018, up to the second line and shifted Chytil back to center on the third line. The mixing and matching helped lead to the big third period after they were flat most of the first two periods. Quinn could start to get Jack Adams consideration of New York remains hot.

Quinn's message to the top-six between periods: “listen, our third and fourth lines were really good in the first two periods and our top-two lines stunk. We aren’t going anywhere with how our top-two lines played in the first two periods. That was basically what I said, if you two lines play like these other two lines we’ll have a chance to win. I give them a lot of credit, they upped their game and I really liked our third period, from all four lines to our defnese corp and our goalie had to make some saves.”




2) Georgiev -made 34 saves, several of which were spectacular, to keep New York in the game. His play allowed the team to remain close and rally for the victory. Back-to-back excellent starts. I was all on the start Henrik Lundqvist tomorrow train. Now, have to play the hot hand and go to Georgiev against Philly, which Quinn said he would do in the locker room after the game.






3) Adam Fox - what a rookie season. Isn't talked about for the Calder, but maybe should get a few mentions. Rebounded nicely after Max Domi's shot went off his skate for the first goal of the game. Helped set up Di Giuseppe's goal with excellent puck control and assist. Scored the game-winner in the third, thanks to Chris Kreider screen. Calmed Ryan Lindgren down after Brendan Gallagher's cross-check penalty, preventing a silly two minutes against, which helped lead to Ryan Strome's game-clinching PPG.






4) Zib and Panarin. Panarin and Zib. Down 2-1, Zibanejad tied the game with his 30th, the sixth straight game in which he has scored, off a great feed from Panarin, The play started with a sweet dish from Julien Gauthier, his first point as a Ranger, who was shifted up to that line in the third.  With the assist Panarin now has 87 points, tying his career-high set last year. In addition, Strome's two gives the center 18 markers on the season to go with 39 assists and a plus-23 rating, not too shabby.







5) A character win on the road after being down 2-0. I still don't like the defense laying back, ceding the blue line, and the team allows too many shots. But they have heart and refuse to quit. The blueline play and system needs to be modified but you can see the confidence growing in this team night in and night out. They don't play scared and have found a way to come back, as seen by the sat below on their third period output and goal differential.

Impossible to measure heart, but you know it when you see it, and this team has a ton of heart and chemistry. Credit the veterans in the room and the coaching staff but getting the kids up to speed and sticking with them during the early struggles. Now, we are seeing the benefits and the team is firmly in the playoff hunt.










6) Playoff push - The Islanders only got one point, as they blew a 2-1 lead late and lost in overtime. Columbus, Carolina and Philly were off while Toronto defeated Florida. There are six teams battling for four spots with the Maple Leafs and Panthers in a fight for third in the Atlantic and possibly a Wild Card spot with the five Metro teams battling for third in the Metro and the two Wild Card spots.

Toronto is at 76 points with 65 games played while Florida is at 72 in 64 games. Philly is at 79 in 63 and sit third in the Metro. The Islanders are at 78 in 63 while Columbus owns the second Wild Card with 76 points in 65 contests. Behind those two teams are Carolina at 74 in 62 and the Rangers with 74 in 63 followed by the Panthers.

Settle in boys, we are in the playoff hunt.

Game preview vs. Flyers:



Join the Discussion: » 384 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Jan Levine
» Rangers-Capitals meet again, though for first time since 2015, in playoffs
» Rangers check all the boxes in 4-0 win over the Senators
» Rangers face Ottawa, win clinches division, conference & Presidents' Trophy
» Rangers rally behind Panarin/Shesterkin to defeat Islanders 3-2 in shootout
» Rangers drop second straight, 4-1 to Flyers, face Isles on Saturday