Three Rangers lessons learned from their series sweep and comeback victory against the Red Wings
Without a doubt, the New York Rangers’ 4-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday was a much-needed comeback victory following their disappointing 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres the previous two nights. However, they weren’t looking for a rebound performance like this.
In reality, this game resembled the Rangers’ (9-3-1) performance from the previous two weeks for a large portion of the first forty minutes on Saturday. They were out-shot, out-chanced, out-hustled, and out-played. If it weren’t for goaltender Jonathan Quick, who saved all 27 shots over the two quarters of play—including 19 in the second stanza—they would have been outscored.
However, they had a 3-0 lead thanks to two fast goals from Jimmy Vesey and Artemi Panarin late in the second period, as well as a power-play goal from Chris Kreider in the first.
In the third quarter, which was equally played, things improved. However, throughout the last two weeks, when they are 4-3-0, this has been their plan. Even if you lose, you can still count on excellent goalkeeping, fast goals, and exceptional special teams performance.
In recent victories over the Ottawa Senators, New York Islanders, and now the Red Wings, that has been sufficient. However, it is not a formula for sustained success, particularly when the Stanley Cup Playoffs come around.
The two things do matter, though. And when the Rangers visit the 14-1-0 Winnipeg Jets at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, a significant test awaits them.
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Here are three things to remember from Saturday’s game.
1. A prompt rescue strategy
Igor Shesterkin always comes through for the Rangers when they need him. But in the last two games, that hasn’t been the case. Shesterkin was benched on Saturday after giving up five goals on 12 shots against the Sabres on Thursday.
Jonathan Quick comes to the rescue. Quick was outstanding against the Red Wings, with 37 saves in his 61st NHL shutout (third in two Rangers seasons) after stopping nine of ten shots in relief against the Sabres.
In the second period, when the Rangers appeared to be the version of themselves that had been thoroughly thrashed by the Washington Capitals and Sabres in previous defeats, he simply rescued the day. Before Vesey and Panarin’s goals, which came 48 seconds apart, altered the course of the match, he stopped all 19 shots.
With a 1.17 goals-against average and a.964 saving % in four games (three starts, all victories), the 38-year-old goaltender is aging like a good wine. Now is the time to put an end to any doubts that the career resurgence from the previous season was an exception.
The defensive duo of Braden Schneider and Zac Jones stood out favorably on another night when the Rangers weren’t playing at their best. Similar to their performance against the Sabres on Thursday, New York’s third defensive duo mostly avoided difficulty, moved the puck out of their zone, and made offensive contributions.
According to Natural Stat Trick, Schneider’s xGF was the highest on the Rangers at 56.20 percent. Jones behind him by a few percentage points. With four high-risk opportunities for and four against, they outperformed other defense combinations in 5v5.
Jones’ second assist in two games came on Vesey’s game-winning goal. Schneider had a little bit of everything: three hits, five shot attempts, two blocked shots, and three shots on goal. They appear to be really at ease together as they play three games in a succession.2. When the third warnings first
Three things to remember after Ranger’s 4-0 victory over the Red Wings
