The Rangers whitewashed the Flyers, 9-0 on Wednesday. With the Hartford coaching staff and Chris Drury behind the bench, New York more than made up for the overtime loss Monday. Mika Zibanejad had a week in a game, posting six points in the second period, where the Blueshirts put the touchdown and extra point on the board.
A few thoughts:
1)
Output - not more needs to be said than this. Plus, New York kind of called off the attack for the third period.
The Rangers have recorded at least nine goals in one game for the first time since Nov. 10, 1998 at Tampa Bay (10), and for the first time in a home game since Nov. 21, 1995 vs. Pittsburgh
2)
Zib - we saw some signs of breakout latey, but not like this. a natural hat trick, six points in the second period. As noted on twitter, Mika broke the franchise record for points in a period (five by Bill Cook in 1933) and tied Bryan Trottier’s NHL record of six, with a natural hat trick to boot.
Plus, he didn't go backhand on the breakaway, resulting in a goal. Goalies now know he has this move and can't cheat. If they do, they will get burned.
3)
Quinn - well the haters are enjoying this one. You can say that Kris Knobauch did a great job with line changes and getting players on and off the ice, But he deferred to Quinn and the coaching staff on the game plan.
“It is bizarre, but everything was all planned out,” said Knoblauch, who spoke on the phone to Quinn half a dozen or so times during the day. “Quinny had pregame all set out for us. He had a game plan, had the video all set up. Before the game started, Murph and myself chewed up the game and went through the video with the pregame scout, with Quinny. We went over talking points, key things, matchups, all that stuff. So really I was just following up the game plan that he set forward. We didn’t really have much time to prepare much or do anything rather than just implement what they had planned."
4)
Alexandar Georgiev - I didn't think the Rangers played well in the first period, despite a 2-0 lead. Georgiev, who had struggled lately, made several key saves, keeping the score as it was. He was much better positionally, but, the hope is the off ice and mental work he did with Benoit Allaire carries forward for just the one game.
5)
Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere and Filip Chytil - the Rangers tallied nine goals and these three only had a goal and an assist with Kakko not denting the scoreboard. If you reach Rangers twitter, the group, especially Kakko, who was mildly invisible, are busts. Win 9-0 and complain not enough. Plus, if I remember correctly, Kakko hit the crossbar right before the first period buzzer. But hey, let's nitpick.
6)
Pavel Buchnevich - on a roll. You know I want him to stay and be art of the future. I get the view of why you might maximize a return. But I think there is more to come from him.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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