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Rangers defeat Canucks 6-4 in uneven game thanks to Bread/Zib |
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The Rangers got their three-game Western Canada trip off on a winning foot with an uneven 6-4 win over the Canucks. Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin led the offense, each tallying two goals and an assist. Igor Shesterkin did not have the greatest game, which has been somewhat of a pattern recently and mildly concerning, though the defense in front of him did not aid in that endeavor. New York takes on Edmonton on Friday and Calgary on Sunday.
Game recap:
A few thoughts:
1) Panarin and Zib - Panarin has eight points (six goals, two assists) in his past two games. In addition, he has 12 points (six goals, six assists) during a five-game point streak. Panarin's 62 points (18 goals and 44 assists) are a team high. Not to be outdone, Zibanejad has seven goals in a five-game goal streak and nine points on a five-game point streak. He is up to 29 goals on the season. The dynamic duo are leading the offense, supported by several others, including Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba.
Kreider, who scored yesterday, has seven points (three goals, four assists) on a six-game point streak. The goal was Kreider's 251st NHL goal, all with the Rangers, moving him ahead of Mark Messier (250) for sixth place in franchise history. Trouba had one assist to extend his point streak to four games (five points; one goal, four assists). While the big boys are leading the offense, they are getting help from others, as 11 players tallied a point yesterday, including five of the six Rangers; defensemen
2) Game flow - Vancouver, as we saw last week, is a team that will fight to the buzzer, Yesterday, as they did at times at MSG, they outworked the Rangers. The Canucks will grind and grind and fight along the boards plus never give up on a loose puck. The Blueshirts tried to rely too much on their talent - which did win the game - and stick checks, rather than playing smart positional hockey. In addition, they didn't get dirty enough and allowed the Canucks to get to loose pucks throughout the game, which created several chances and at least three of the four goals they scored.
3) Shesterkin has allowed at least three goals in four straight and five of his last six contests. He has actually been outplayed recently by Jaroslav Halak. Yesterday, the first, second and fourth goals were all scored partially due to good work down low by the Canucks. But on the first and fourth, Igor was unable to gain control of the puck, resulting in a scramble in front. On the second, his stick got caught in Jacob Trouba's skate with the end result JT Miller beating him shortside. The third goal was created when the Rangers failed to clear the zone, creating an additional scramble. While not all was on Igor, and he did make a handful of good saves, overall, he was not top shelf again.
Part of this might be rust. He has shared the net lately with Halak and the team had a break in the schedule and then the All-Star break. Due to this, he has started just three times since January 25. While getting Igor enough rest is important, making sure he stays sharp needs to be a factor in the future deployment of him and Halak.
4) Bottom-six - I didn't think the Kid Line was that noticeable. A few moments throughout but nothing sustained. The fourth line was meh at best and where uplift is required. Jimmy Vesey deserves to stay on the second line, meaning that Barclay Goodrow can remain on the fourth line. But a replacement for Jake Leschyshyn and possibly even Julien Gauthier is needed if that trio is to be more of a shut down, grind, energy line. As of now, that unit has no identity.
5) Team streaks - six games in a row with four goals or more, marking the first time the Rangers (32-14-8) have accomplished that feat since 2006...wins in each of those six games.. points in eight straight (7-0-1)...
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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