New York Rangers clinch Metro Division Title in Minnesota (NYR 3 v MIN 2)
The Rangers concluded their 2 game road trip with another big win, this time in Minnesota. Facing the red-hot Wild and goalie Devan Dubnyk , NY took a 2-0 lead in the first period thanks to goals by Dominic Moore and Rick Nash.
RANGERS 3 v. WILD 2
Moore’s tally game early on a deflection in front of Dubnyk, while Nash’s goal banked in off the goalie’s stick as he was caught cheating on the play. For Nash, it was his 41st score of the year and a rare power play marker (6).
The Minnesota Wild would score one in the second stanza to cut the Rangers lead in half. Then the Blueshirts ugly power play reared it’s ugly head once again. The Rangers had 5:12 of consecutive PP time, 48 seconds of which was a 5 on 3 advantage. New York could barely gain the zone and when they did, couldn’t get off many shots. That ineffectiveness nearly cost them the game.
Thomas Vanek would knot the game at two almost 6 minutes into the third and immediately you felt that the ineptitude on the man advantage would cost NY this game. However, these New York Rangers do nothing but find ways to win and they did so again tonight.
JT Miller would deflect a Ryan McDonagh point shot less than a minute after the Vanek goal. Now all that remained was the customary Henrik Lundqvist slamming the door in the third period.
[su_quote cite=”via Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-take-metropolitan-division-win-over-wild”]”I feel better and better,” Lundqvist, sporting the Broadway Hat, told reporters after picking up his 27th win of the season. “I’m making better reads. I feel more comfortable. It’s just fun to be out there and play. I really enjoy it. It’s even more fun when you win and you’re helping the team get points. I take it day by day here, but really the last two games I feel like I’m getting closer and closer.”[/su_quote]
The victory sealed the Metropolitan Division and gives the Rangers a 2 point lead on the East with a game in hand. The Rangers are also 2 points behind Anaheim for the President’s Trophy but hold 2 games in hand in that race.
[su_quote cite=”via Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/rangers-take-metropolitan-division-win-over-wild”]”It’s another accomplishment for sure. Another thing to give us confidence going forward,” McDonagh said. “It sets up well. We love playing at The Garden as much as possible. In the playoffs, it means a lot to have that crowd behind you, so it’s a good feeling now.”[/su_quote]
NOTES
#NYR have won a division title for the eighth time in franchise history and for the second time in the last four seasons. #BlueshirtProud
New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 3, 2015
#NYR finished the season with an 18-5-5 record against Western Conference opponents, and a 12-2-0 record against the West on the road.€” New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 3, 2015
And the #NYR Broadway Hat goes to… pic.twitter.com/XorYFwkWwR
New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 3, 2015
HIGHLIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
More About:New York Rangers Analysis