The Rangers defeated the Islanders 4-3 in overtime on Mika Zibanejad's blast past Semyon Varlamov. The Blueshirts blew 2-0 and 3-1 leads, the latter coming in the third period, as the Isles tilted the ice as they did much of the night, getting the equalizer at 19:42 by Brock Nelson. But Artemi Panarin stole the puck in overtime, drawing all the Islanders skaters on the ice, and fed Zib for the game-winner. Alexandar Georgiev, starting for the first time in nine days due to the run injury to Igor Shesterkin, was brilliant throughout, making 42 saves in the win.
Lines:
No Pavel Buchnevich due to injury, so coach David Quinn put Filip Chytil as the right wing on the first line, moved Brett Howden to center, getting rewarded with a deflection tally, and dressed Gregg McKegg, who scored his third in his last eight games played. Brendan Smith replaced the traded Brady Skjei on the first defensive pairing next to Jacob Trouba and did not look out of place.
Game recap:
Quinn Post-Game:
A few thoughts:
1)
Zib and Panarin - the dynamic duo struck again. In the first, as seen below, Panarin notched his 31st goal of the season. He set up Zib for his 29th of the season and 100th as a Ranger. With the two points, Panarin has 85 on the season, two shy of his total from last season in Columbus. Panarin extended his point streak to 10 games (five goals, nine assists), and Zibanejad extended his to eight games (seven goals, seven assists).
2)
Ryan Lindgren earned the Broadway Hat. Both
Adam Fox and Lindgren were tremendous last night. Comparisons have been made to the duo potentially becoming the modern day version for Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom. While that is a bit premature, you can't help but let your mind wander based upon what we have seen and believe that potentially could be the case.
Lindgren was tough and physical and has shown tremendous growth since coming over from Boston in the Rick Nash deal. Acquiring Fox, who only wanted to play in New York, from Carolina at the cost paid by GM Jeff Gorton looks to be a veritable steal. This pairing could give the team another top-pair duo, which certainly wasn't expected when the season started.
Fox has shown an amazing knack to battle a player behind the net and come out with the puck, as seen below. He also carried the puck behind the net to set up Greg McKegg's tip-in goal following Fox's feed to Brendan Lemieux. Lindgren set up the first goal of the game with a gorgeous royal road pass to Artmei Panarin, aided by a nice play by ADA back skating at the blueline to create room, space and a passing lane, and he added a second assist on Brett Howden's tip in of Brendan smith's point shot.
3)
Jacob Trouba's hit on Michael Dal Colle . The hit looked clean, he didn't aim for the head and feet stayed on the ground. But the principal point of contact was to the head and appeared to come from Trouba's helmet, which occurred because Dal Colle's head was down. Given the inconsistent nature of the Department of Player Safety - an oxymoronic name - and contact occurring to the head, I would not have been shocked at a phone hearing and suspension. But as Arthur Staple noted, that is not to be the case.
4)
Playoff push - eighth straight road win, a franchise record. They had previously won seven in a row twice (Jan. 12-Feb. 12, 1935, and Oct. 28-Nov. 29, 1978). Team has won eight of nine and 11 of 14 contests. Rangers are 23-1-2 when leading after two, though they did blow a two-goal lead.
The Islanders only got the one point, Columbus lost in regulation, Carolina did the same but Philly won. The Rangers are two points behind the 'Canes, each with 62 games played, while Carolina is two points shy of Columbus with three games in hand and three behind the Islanders with the same number of games played. Philly has 79 points with 63 games played. Toronto won in regulation, and they have 74 points in 64 games, while Florida did the same and have 72 points in 63 games.
These two quotes give you a sense of how the Rangers viewed the contest and also why the Rangers didn't blow up the team, dealing the UFAs, wanting the kids to learn what a playoff push is all about.
Quinn
"This is Islander-Ranger playoff-type hockey, and the way some of our young players – I liked Kakko’s game. Boy, Fox & Lindgren were good. Howden had a big night. Trouba might have had his best game as a Ranger. Just so many guys up&down the lineup."
Marc Staal:
"In the last couple years, this is the most meaningful game we’ve played. To have that kind of energy before the game – that nervous excitement – I missed it. I think we were really excited to play, and I thought we handled it well and found a way to get a big win."
5)
Georgiev, likely largely based on his historical performance against the Islanders, got the nod tonight. He was phenomenal, keeping the team in the game after getting outshot 15-7 in the first and 14-7 in the third, as the defense in front of him was porous to see the least. The Islanders controlled the action, making the slot area their home throughout the game, including on the overturned goal, which was questionable at best. But Georgiev was up to the task. He could and should have been one of the three stars, that's how brilliant he was. I could see Georgiev starting Thursday in Montreal and Henrik Lundqvist facing Philadelphia on the road on Friday.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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