The New York Rangers, quickly running out of time to make the playoffs, faced off against the Minnesota Wild in an incredibly important matchup. Coming off four straight losses—including late blown leads and blowouts—this was a must-win game for the Rangers. Their losses against the two teams ahead of them, the Ottawa Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets, dug them into a hole when they could have been comfortably in a playoff spot had they won those games. The blown lead against the Washington Capitals hurt them as well, but while they played well against the Winnipeg Jets, they simply didn’t do enough to beat one of the best teams in the league. The Rangers came away with a 3-2 win in overtime and a massive two points.
Game Recap
The first period was fairly even, with both goalies playing well and stopping every shot they faced. Both teams generated high-danger chances, but Igor Shesterkin and Filip Gustavsson made 12 and 13 saves, respectively. Each team had a power play, with the Rangers getting the first opportunity after Zach Bogosian cleared the puck over the boards, resulting in a delay-of-game penalty. The Rangers’ power play has struggled and continued to do so, failing to convert. The Wild had the game’s second power play—and the last of the period—after Zac Jones was sent to the penalty box for holding Justin Brazeau’s stick. The Rangers’ shorthanded unit has been the opposite of their power play and successfully killed off the man advantage. In the closing minutes of the period, both teams had chances, but neither could capitalize, sending the game into the first intermission tied 0-0.
Just under seven minutes into the second period, after the Rangers had generated a few chances, K’Andre Miller found Will Cuylle in front of the net. Cuylle made a touch pass back to Vincent Trocheck, whose first shot was blocked, but he buried his second chance to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead. After the goal, Minnesota began pushing. With eight and a half minutes to play, following a botched line change by the Rangers, the Wild had an odd-man rush, but Shesterkin made a great save on Brazeau to keep the Rangers ahead.
With just over four minutes left, Artemi Panarin made a great poke check and took the puck the other way. After Will Borgen bungled a chance, Vinnie Hinostroza slashed Cuylle’s stick out of his hands, giving the Rangers their second power play of the game. The Rangers’ power play failed again—at some point, something will have to change. Then again, they haven’t changed anything yet.
Right after the power play expired, Sam Carrick created an odd-man rush, and Marcus Johansson was sent to the penalty box for slashing Chris Kreider, giving the Rangers’ struggling power play another chance to extend their lead. They couldn’t convert in the first 1:13, and the second period ended with the Rangers still up 1-0. They would have 47 seconds of power play time remaining to start the third period.
The Rangers failed to convert on their power play, continuing their struggles. After Jonny Brodzinski made a beautiful defensive play, Matt Rempe was called for interference—a penalty that the Rangers’ bench strongly disagreed with, as did announcers Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti. Just as Rempe’s penalty was expiring, Johansson ripped a shot past Shesterkin, tying the game at one. A call the Rangers felt was questionable ultimately led to the game being tied.
Shortly after, Zac Jones carried the puck up the ice and left a drop pass for Brodzinski, who rifled a wrist shot past Gustavsson’s glove, giving the Rangers a much-needed 2-1 lead. However, just moments later, Jones high-sticked Johansson and was given a double minor, handing the Wild a four-minute power play. Jones was incensed by the call, believing Johansson had lifted his stick into his own face, but the penalty stood.
Frederick Gaudreau capitalized after Urho Vaakanainen left him wide open in front of the net, scoring with over two minutes still remaining on the double minor, allowing the Wild’s power play to continue. The Rangers managed to kill off the remaining two minutes, keeping the game tied at 2-2 with just under ten minutes to go. Despite some back-and-forth action, neither team could find the net again, sending the game to overtime. The Rangers secured at least one point, but they desperately needed the second.
Rangers Takeaways
- The Rangers’ power play struggles are becoming a serious issue. Last season, they converted at a 26.4% rate, but this season, that number has dropped to 19.1%, including an 0-for-3 performance in this game. While there are many differences between this season’s team and last season’s, one thing is clear—if their power play were operating at the same efficiency, they would be in a much better position in the playoff race. Something has to change. Whether it’s personnel adjustments or a shift in strategy, the current approach isn’t working, and if they don’t find a solution soon, it could cost them a postseason spot.
- While he didn’t appear on the scoresheet last night, Brett Berard’s speed is a valuable asset for the Rangers. His energy brings another dimension to the lineup, and it would be a smart move for Peter Laviolette to give him an opportunity on the penalty kill. Berard was a staple on the PK for the Hartford Wolf Pack, and his ability to strip pucks, combined with his speed, could create additional shorthanded opportunities for the Rangers. Keeping him in the lineup gives the team a much-needed spark.
- With the trade deadline behind them, any defensive improvements will have to come from within. Defensive lapses continue to be an issue, as both of the Wild’s goals resulted from coverage breakdowns. The Rangers are clearly missing Adam Fox, but perhaps reinserting Calvin de Haan into the lineup could help. Regardless of how they address it, defensive play needs to tighten up if the Rangers hope to make a legitimate push for the playoffs.
- The Rangers are now tied for the second wild-card spot, though the Blue Jackets have a game in hand. That makes Saturday’s matchup against Columbus arguably their biggest game since Game 6 against the Florida Panthers last year. It’s essentially a must-win, and if the Rangers put in another lackluster performance like they did in their last meeting with the Blue Jackets, their playoff hopes will take a serious hit.
