The Kraken had been rolling in the deep — until they met the Blueshirts Blockade.
Seattle’s four-game win streak to start a nearly two-week homestand was halted by Jonathan Quick and the Rangers, who picked up a 2-0 win Sunday night at Climate Pledge Arena as the 38-year-old netminder was impenetrable in his second straight shutout.
It has been 128:05 since Quick last gave up a goal for the Rangers, dating back to the third period of the Sabres game on Nov. 7.
Denying all 24 shots he faced, Quick improved to 4-0 on the season and now is three wins away from becoming the first U.S.-born goalie to reach 400 wins in NHL history.
Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) stops a shot from Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) as Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) looks on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Seattle.
“You don’t really put too much thought into it,” said Quick, who pitched back-to-back shutouts for just the second time in his career and the first time in 13 years. “You’re honored to have those numbers. At the end of the day, as a goalie, you’re very dependent on your team in front of you. All those numbers really mean is I’ve played with some great players and teams that value winning more than anything. I consider myself very grateful and lucky to have played with all those guys over the course of my career.”
The last time Quick recorded multiple shutouts was a three-game stretch from Oct. 18-22 in 2011 with the Kings, when he was 25.
With the way Quick has been playing since pulling on a Rangers jersey last season, it feels like no time has passed since.
This shutout also counted as the 62nd of Quick’s 18-year NHL career, which pushed him ahead of Turk Broda for sole possession of 18th place in league history.
It is the longevity and quality of Quick’s career that will be remembered, as he became just the fourth goalie in the past 15 years to earn consecutive shutouts at the age of 38 or older, joining Mike Smith, Martin Brodeur and Dwayne Roloson.
K’Andre Miller (79) collects the puck as Seattle Kraken left wing Brandon Tanev collides with Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Nov. 17, 2024.
“It’s pretty incredible, honestly,” said Zac Jones, who scored his first goal of the season in the third period to give the Rangers some insurance. “I don’t know how many guys his age would be able to move like that. It’s pretty remarkable how good of a pro he is. He’s one of the backbones of our team, and he proves it every night. It’s pretty impressive to watch.”
After a scoreless opening frame, Seattle poured on the first six shots of the second period. The Rangers didn’t register their first shot of the period until the 11:47 mark.
The ice had been severely tilted in the Kraken’s favor in comparison to the first 20 minutes, but still, the Rangers managed to strike first.
Brandon Tanev #13 of the Seattle Kraken and Zac Jones #6 of the Rangers battle for the puck during the second period of a game at Climate Pledge Arena on November 17, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.
Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Seattle Kraken during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena.
Head coach Peter Laviolette had been riding the Artemi Panarin-Vincent Trocheck-Alexis Lafreniere line for much of the night at that point, and it was that trio that opened the scoring.
Panarin found Lafreniere backdoor at the far post through traffic for the easy tap-in and the 1-0 lead.
It counted as Lafreniere’s seventh goal of the season, while Panarin extended his point streak to seven games.
The 33-year-old Panarin has gone only one game without a point so far this season.
Yanni Gourde #37 of the Seattle Kraken reaches for the puck as Kaapo Kakko #24 and K’Andre Miller #79 of the Rangers defend during the second period of a game at Climate Pledge Arena.
Despite it being a more low-event game, the Rangers were a lot more structured in their own end and a lot more intentional in the neutral zone in this one.
All but two minutes of the 60-minute affair were played five-on-five, but the Rangers were still stronger on defense.
“I liked the fact that we just stayed disciplined with the puck, disciplined with the defense, got one and then eventually got another one,” Laviolette said. “I thought it was a really good road game to start the road trip.”
