45-19-4
8 out of 10 points! A stacked 5 games in a week, starting and ending with a back-to-back. This was some wild hockey with three games against divisional rivals and winning all of them.
The game against the Devils was pretty close, the third goal being an empty net and Carolina was a playoff series calibur nailbiter. Amazing defense on both sides, the game winner was from a lucky bounce off an opponent from Fox. Pittsburgh was the opposite, just loosie goosie defense but the Rangers’ superior scoring depth brought home the win. The Islanders started well by leading in the first period, but the second period was almost all Rangers. Three goals to the Islanders one, and then two more in the third to cap off what felt like an easy win. All three of those teams are fighting to get into the final wildcard spot for the playoffs and the Rangers did them no favors.
The Tampa game was rough. The Rangers had a two-goal lead and then lost control. Gave up three in a row, tied it, and then lost all control. It basically became the Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov show. This team is playing like they want to make the playoffs.
The other negative of the week is that Ryan Lindgren got hurt in the Islander game. Took an awkward fall after a check into the boards and watching the replay, there’s serious concern that he could have a season-ending knee injury. That would be, uh, bad. Lindgren is a beast of a defenseman and a fan favorite. He goes all out every night and losing him for the playoffs would be a huge loss. Still no word on the injury and we can only hope it isn’t serious.
When Trouba was called out for 2-3 weeks, I thought newly acquired defenseman, Chad Ruhwedel would be put in (he will be playing with Lindgren out). Zac Jones was called up instead and it has paid off. I think he’s playing the best hockey we’ve ever seen from his early career. He’s tallied 2 assists this week by playing fast and smart. Really impressive considering how much time he’s been a healthy scratch. Says a lot about his mental fortitude and athletic conditioning to be able to come in basically cold and do so well. Shows a lot of promise for his future. In addition, Schneider was moved up to play with Miller and that pairing is working especially well. Miller is probably playing his best right now.
The team as a whole is playing really well. The special teams have been good, the penalty kill being better. Zibanejad in particular is worth noting as it looks like he’s coming out of his slumber. He finally broke his 5v5 goal drought, he even got two this week along with a power play goal and an assist. Kakko also looks like he’s heating up with 2 goals this week. That whole third line is starting to thrive and if he stays this active and strong he could put up some points in this final stretch and pop off in the playoffs like he did two seasons ago. Lafreniere is in the same boat with a goal and 2 assists, but he’s had a more fortuitous 2 months or so flying around the second line with Trochek and Panarin.
Finally, the other two additions to the team have been blending in well. Jack Roslovic on the first line looks like a great fit. One goal and 2 assists this week…he can keep up with Zibanejad and Kreider. The more time they play together the more he’s going to integrate with them. It’s not a coincidence that his linemates are now consistently putting points up. Alex Wennberg centering the third line is working too. Already mentioned Kakko’s comfort on this line and Cuylle continues his great first full season. When needed mixing in Vesey works well and Brodzinski is making the most of the ice time he gets.
The big takeaway from the last 6 games is that the Rangers have depth on the roster. It’s been a while for that. It’s a slower week with three games, but they’re all killers. The pressure remains on.