The New York Rangers (37-26-8) defeated the Montreal Canadiens (36-25-9) by the score of 4-3 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports.
...this might be the first time I'm saying this all year, great job by the offense bailing out Lundqvist tonight. The offense has left Lundqvist out to dry all season long and on a night where he gave up a bad goal late as well as two out of three in the shootout the offense finally found a way to pick up their goaltender by burying all three shootout attempts to get the very important two points.
...loved the team's poise after the Canadiens tied it late. We've seen all too often this team go in the tank when things go bad. Especially in Montreal. But tonight they showed resolve that allowed them to kill off a Canadiens power play in the final two minutes of regulation that allowed them to win it in the shootout.
...Antropov looks like the pick-up of the trade deadline right now as he has four goals and two assists in the seven games since being traded to the Rangers. As well as a critical shootout goal tonight.
...Callahan continues to be the most consistent Ranger all year. He brings it every night and is now stepping up offensively with four goals and three assists in his last eight games.
...was that a 'Captain Clutch' sighting tonight?
...I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Gomez' revival under Tortorella. In the 10 games since Torts came on board Gomez has 10 points. I think Gomez was the player most stifled under Renney's defense first system and now he is able thrive in Tortorella's aggressive game plan.
...lots of help tonight as Buffalo, Florida and Philadelphia all lost in regulation as well as the point the Rangers picked up on Montreal.
...next biggest game of the season Saturday night at MSG against a Buffalo team that is going to be fired up for payback against Gomez whose hit on goaltender Ryan Miller has knocked him out since their last meeting on February 21.
3 comments:
What is your take on Antropov staying a ranger? I have heard and read that he is just a one-year guy from different places but I like him. His size and scoring ability has definitely helped the rangers.
If Antropov keeps this up, I would love to see the Rangers re-sign him, but there is limited cap space and so many RFA and UFA on this team (Dubinsky, Callahan, Zherdev, Morris, Mara)it may be difficult.
I think Gomez was the player most stifled under Renney's defense first system
Didn't seem to bother him in New Jersey.
For whatever reason, Gomez decided to tune out Renney and as a consequence failed to show up most nights. I think it's the coaching change itself, not the new system, which he's responding to. (And before we Gomez too much credit for turning his game around, he did manage a few turnovers from ill-advised passes last night. A gift he often gave Renney too.)
Nice win last night, but the Rangers' big three contracts - Gomez, Drury & Redden - need to play that way every night.
Post a Comment