The Rangers picked up a point but lost a valuable second one in their 3-2 overtime loss to the Capitals on Wednesday. New York carried a 2-1 lead into the third but Washington tied it - let me know if you have heard this before -on an Alex Ovechkin power play goal. The visitors got a Tom Wilson tally in a 2-in-1 in overtime to pick up the victory.
Ottawa defeated Chicago 4-3 in overtime and are percentage points north of New York with a game in hand and the two teams slated to meet Saturday. The Blueshirts take on Columbus on Sunday in what looks to be a big weekend for the team’s playoff hopes. In addition, Friday is the trade deadline with the only known move the expected deadline of Reilly Smith.
Scratches: Smith (roster management), Kaliyev, Robertson
IR: Edström (lower-body), Fox (upper-body), Kreider (upper-body)
A few thoughts:
1) Overall, I thought the Rangers played a solid game. Allowing a goal in the first two minutes of a game for the league worst 12th time is far from ideal, but they did not let that deter them. New York played a physical game, showing no quarter in facing the East leading Capitals.
I really liked the push back displayed by the Rangers, who were the better team the first two periods. On the flip side, they played both to lose rather than win in the third, reverting into almost a shell. Part of that was Washington stepping up their game. But the other component was the Rangers sitting back protecting the lead rather than trying to bolster it. I understand it’s a balancing act, but as former Rangers coach John Tortorella said, “safe is death.” This doesn’t mean pond hockey, but also doesn’t mean that you don’t try and push the advantage.
New York also stepped up in sticking up for one another. When Washington raised their physical level, the Blueshirts responded in kind. Plus, even more important, they came to the aid of their teammates when it was needed. The result was a handful of fights, display team camaraderie, which had been lacking for stretches of the season.
2) Fourth line: the loss of Adam Edstrom impacted the bottom six as the last trio had been very solid with him in the lineup. The newly constructed bottom group looks to have found some chemistry. Matt Rempe has for the most part toned down his act, playing aggressive but smart in displaying his best hockey since he has been with the parent club.
Sam Carrick continues to show why the three-year contract afforded to him was a steal. He scored New York’s second goal and likely should have been out in overtime. Brett Berard is an energizer bunny. Despite being undersized, his style of play is contagious, as he never quits and is willing to hit anything near him. The fourth line allowed only one shot against in 7:37 time on ice together, according to Natural Stat Trick.
3) Special teams - normally an area of strength, it was a mixed bag Wednesday. For the most part, the penalty kill was good. Unfortunately, Ovi’s goal on a little bit of a broken play came while the team was shorthanded.
Yesterday, the power play killed New York. The Rangers went 0-for-4 on the man advantage with only three shots on goal across 7:47. With a chance to grab a 2-1 lead and build momentum heading into the second, they wasted a four-minute, double minor by Ethan Frank foe high sticking, generating little.
4) Zac Jones is manning the point on the PP with Adam Fox sidelined. Jones, with whole the Rangers had 64 percent of the expected goal share with him on the ice at five-on-five yesterday, has been brilliant overall the last three games, raising his level of play and making all the teams who turned down acquiring him before this stretch for next to nothing look stupid. We can also say that about the GM and coach who didn’t play him last year against Florida in the playoffs and bench him this season. New York needs Jones to help lead the PP. if the man advantage struggles, K’Andre Miller could get a look.
5) One other positive was the play of Panarin-Trocheck-Alexis Lafrenière trio, who had another strong showing with six high-danger scoring chances without allowing any. If that trio - and Laf has been better lately, he just can’t seem to score, can get it going, joining the JT Miller, who had been very good but struggled last night, it bodes well for the Blueshirts. If GM Chris Drury is going to target a spot, I have a feeling it’s 3C, as we have discussed. Jusso Parsinnen is getting a shot but an upgrade there is likely needed, especially if the plan is to leave Mika Zibanejad, who should have shot rather than trying to pass to Miller in overtime, at wing.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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