The Rangers ended their four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Bruins. Jonathan Quick was brilliant in the win, stopping 32 of 33 shots, including making several brilliant saves after defensive breakdowns. New York faces the Capitals and a red-hot Alex Ovechkin at 12pm on Saturday followed by the Blackhawks in Chicago at 3pm on Sunday.
A few thoughts:
1) Quick - if not for his performance, New York would have lost. He was brilliant, saving the team's bacon when the D broke down, as we have seen way too often. The difference as compared to the losing streak was that key saves were made last night, while in the recent past, they were not. That's not shade being thrown on Igor, just a fact last night.
Arthur Staple summed up Quick's key sequence in the second period. "Quick kept the Bruins off the board in a relatively strong defensive first period for the Rangers. The second was much more of an adventure. Midway through, he halted a Mark Kastelic backhand in front of the net, then stayed in front of Justin Brazeau’s rebound attempt. He capped off the sequence by gloving a John Beecher attempt that looked destined to beat him." Later on, after another breakdown, he stoned Charlie McAvoy with a reaction save to keep the Rangers in the lead by one.
A win by Quick on Saturday would be the 400th of his future Hall of Fame career.
2) Goals by Mika Zibanejad and Brett Berard. - Zib was much better last night, facing off to a standstill at worst against the Bruins' newly-formed top line of Brad Marchand-Elias Lindholm-David Pastrnak. His tally represented his first point of any kind since a goal Dec. 11 against Buffalo and his first even-strength goal since Nov. 19 in Vancouver. The goal also was his 700th career point. Though, anyone watching the introduction of the top-three stars saw a player who was less than engaged on receiving the honor.
Berard notched his first career goal at home. Good read to shoot the puck on the 2-on-1 with Will Cuylle after taking a feed from Filip Chytil. Berard brings a little fire and energy, which this team currently lacks.
3) Defense - please go to a zone defense rather than man to man. The team lacks the footspeed to play a man to man system. The open gaps in the defense are just way too evident and have shown no signs of improving. Plus the forwards don't help out enough. While the win was nice, concerns remain.
4 Here is an interesting take on how to improve the Rangers. As you will see, not one person had the same view as another. The main concerns raised are that the goaltending and special teams have masked poor 5x5 play, which still remains.
The Rangers won last night but remain far away from Stanley Cup contention.
How can this team be fixed?
We asked an NHL player, team exec, player agent and a 90-year-old hockey historian to diagnose the Blueshirts. Plus, how I’d fix the Rangers. Enjoy!https://t.co/9epaJDCi5F
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