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Game 47: NYR 4 CHI 3, KZZ line leads the way, Lundqvist milestone

January 18, 2019, 8:07 AM ET [143 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Rangers won their second in a row and third in four games, defeating the Blackhawks 4-3 at MSG on Thursday. Henrik Lundqvist notched his 445th won, tying him with Terry Sawchuk for sixth all-time. New York faces Boston on Saturday before heading out on their bye week and All-Star break.

Game recap


David Quinn Post-Game:



A few thoughts, centered on a couple of names:

1) Filip Chytil - took a bit of time but Chytil is on fire. After going seven straight without a point, Chytil has points in four of his last five contests with goals on two of the four games. His rise in play has corresponded with a move into the top-six. When Kevin Hayes returns after the break, Chytil needs to remain on the second line.

His rush and goal showed, speed, power and skill. He went down the right wing boards, blew past Henri Jokiharju by using the boards to protect the puck and keep possession, cut to middle, utilizing his legs to keep the space created and flipped the puck top shelf in deep past Collin Delia




2) The KZZ line driven by Mats Zuccarello: - Chris Kreider had a goal and an assist, Mats Zuccarello extended his point streak to four games with a goal, and and Mika Zibanejad clinched the win with a empty net goal for the Rangers (20-20-7). The Rangers Kreider-Zibanejad-Zuccarello has 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in the past four games.

Quinn in his post-game conference noted that Zucc is the one driving this line.

“I think Zucc’s really been the guy that’s changed the complexion of that line,” Rangers coach David Quinn said. “His last two weeks he’s been dynamite, just playing the way he’s capable of playing. His energy is back and really I think he’s been the reason that line’s kind of taken a turn and been as dominant as it’s been. Obviously Mika and Kreids have played really well, too, but I think Zucc’s been the guy that’s really stirred the drink.”


As Carp noted, in the 15 games before his injury Zuccarello three goals, seven assists. Then he missed 13 of 15 games. Then in 13 games after returning, he had a goal and four assists. Now it’s four goals, three assists in his last four games. As Zucc has gone, so has this line. In addition, and more important to most, his resurgence has raised his trade value. You all know my view on Zucc, I was one of those beating the drums on bringing him back to New York years ago. Now, I understand the benefit of dealing him. As we all have seen, getting attached to a player on your team likely leads to future heartache when he leaves, but if/when Zucc goes, he will always be a Ranger for his play here.

3) Henrik Lundqvist- when Hank is done playing, we will all look back at how brilliant his career was. The numbers speak for themselves but watching him day in and day out and seeing how he has carried this team, you marvel at just how much of an athlete he is. Pretty special. Lundqvist is 445-287-90 with 102 wins in extra time (41 in overtime, 61 in shootout). Sawchuk went 445-336 with 171 ties.







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