The Rangers swept the weekend games, notching a 3-1 win over the Flyers on Friday and 7-4 victory over the Bruins on Saturday. With the triumphant efforts, New York is 15-3-1 and 11 points north of second place Washington in the standings. What's mildly scary for the league, besides the concerns that some have that the team is peaking too early, is that there looks to be another level or two the squad can reach.
Game recaps: Philly:
Boston:
A few thoughts:
1) Depth - even without Filip Chytil, the Rangers' depth has been shining through. Saturday,, the fourth line really came to the fore. Barclay Goodrow-Tyler Pitlick-Jimmy Vesey were matched up against the Bruins first line and more than held their own. Pitlick notched his first of the season, Vesey had a goal and an assist while Goodrow added a helper. It's not just the scoring, but it's the identity that this line has, as they grind opponents in the offensive zone while playing responsible hockey defensively. To further highlight the depth, 13 players notched points.
2) Quick strike ability - Friday, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider scored goals 68 seconds apart. Saturday, with the score tied at three, New York scored three goals bridging the second and third periods to take a 6-3 lead. In addition, Kreider scored shorthanded, using his speed to create a chance and convert a Jacob Trouba feed for the goal.
3) Kreider - just look at these numbers. His power play goal Saturday was his seventh of the season leading the league. The two markers he tallied has him at 13 on the year, tied for third in the league. Since 2021-22, his nine shorthanded goals lead the league while his 41 PPG are the second most in the NHL. Anyone else want to question just how valuable he is?
4) Veteran leadership - no Chytil, no Adam Fox, no Igor Shesterkin for a bit, no problem. The Rangers just put on the work boots, grab their lunch pails, block shots and grind teams down. Leading the way has been Jacob Trouba, who has grown as the captain year by year. As Arthur Staple noted, "Trouba played 7:50 on the penalty kill Friday, the third-highest total for any player this season in a single game. In addition, Of the 67 NHLers who have logged at least 300 even-strength minutes this season, only three have been on for fewer than the nine goals Trouba’s been on the ice for." The calls to buy him out or asking why he is the captain have died down substantially and people are starting to realize his value on and off the ice.
Positives aside on Trouba, I wouldn't be shocked if this one gets reviewed by the league (update: $5K fine handed down, that was all)
5) Mika Zibanejad - notched his first two 5x5 goals Friday. Saturday, just one assist, but he won 72% of his draws, displaying the breadth of his talent. Vincent Mercogliano posted this in his column after Friday's game, giving us some solace on Zib's offensive "slum." "It's not uncommon for the 30-year-old Zibanejad to take time to hit his stride. He didn't score his first 5v5 goal until game No. 15 last season and game No. 23 in 2020-21." Looking at this information makes us feel a little better but also wish he could limit the length of those droughts."
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