|
Game 36: NYR 3 BUF 2, OT, Zib gives Rangers the win w/ 28 ticks left |
|
|
|
|
|
The Rangers dominated action, yet were fortunately to a certain extent to eke out a 3-2 overtime win over the Sabres. Up 2-1 late in the third, Buffalo tied the game with just 3.6 left on a goal by Tage Thompson. New York carried play much of the extra session but had few good chances before Mika Zibanejad buried a feed from Artemi Panarin on a 2-on-1 break for the win. These two teams meet again Saturday.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Igor Shesterkin - not pressured much, but solid overall. Looked like he tweaked his groin while attempting a save and then after Steven Fogarty took his legs out from underneath him. But he remained in the game and should be between the pipes Saturday.
2) Vince Mercogliano asked coach David Quinn why the kids were not playing more. His response:
I get the view to an extent. Quinn has no idea if he will be back next year. His goal is to make the playoffs to make that decision harder on management, But winning does not need to come at the expense of development, which honestly is likely more important right now and for the future.
Alexis Lafreniere saw just over eight minutes, which is kind of ridiculous. Julien Gauthier, after his so-so defensive play on the first goal and penalty, played only 7:16 with PSG seeing 9:18 of ice time. Colin Blackwell, who scored the team;s first goal, was moved up in the lineup, but for the life of me if I never have to see him and Buch in overtime, that would be fine.
Play the kid line, Filip Chytil, despite scoring a dirty goal thanks to great work by Jacob Trouba initially, played just 10:02. Quinn rode his top-six hard, which you can do with a day off today and Kaapo Kakko deserved the extra minutes he received. But that doesn't aid Chytil and Laf, who should be joined by Vitali Kravtsov sooner rather than later.
3) Ryan Strome had an assist on Blackwell's tally to extend his point streak to 11 games (two goals, 14 assists). He also has a 10-game assist streak, tying Rod Gilbert for the second-longest in Rangers history behind Brian Leetch (15 games, 1991-92). All he does is produce. Though, I could see him moving him off the top PP to get another lefty.
4) Libor Hajek-Brendan Smith - not great last night as well as in general of late. Look at the ice time of the top-four, though Fox's is skewed a bit by PP TOI, and the bottom pair. Quinn and Jacques Martin are using Hajek and Smith markedly less than the other four, rightly soi. Could we see Tarmo Reunanen again soon?
5) Scoreboard watching - Boston, who is reeling, lost to Pittsburgh. The Pens, Caps and Isles are all tied for first in the division with 50 points. Boston has 41 points with 33 games played. Philly, also struggling, is at 38 points with 35 games played. New York, with 20 games remaining, is also at 38 points and only has a shot at fourth.
As a reminder, due to the way Passover comes out this year, I am out of pocket starting tonight at around 6:30 pm Friday to Sunday night. Will get a new blog up sometime before the next game after the holiday ends. Appreciate you all carrying the blog.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»