Swedish Chef and Rangers Cook The Ducks With 4-1 Win At MSG

Zak Chiger Updated: Dec 20, 2017

Here is our recap of the Rangers 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Fourth Line – When word got around that Alain Vigneault was going to sit Boo Nieves to make room for Mika Zibanjead, a good portion of the Rangers fan base was not too pleased with the decision. But as one would expect, the two players in question, David Desharnais and Paul Carey, proved to everyone why Alain Vigneault made the right decision.

The trio of Desharnais centering Carey and Jimmy Vesey combined for five total points (2G, 3A) and paced the Blueshirts in their victory over the Orange County club. Paul Carey had the first multi-goal game of his career, David Desharnais had two assists, and a lot of Rangers fans now have egg on their face.

Carey’s first goal was scored off of a stunning backhand pass from Desharnais to give the Rangers the 1-0 lead with less than a minute to go in the first period.

https://twitter.com/4BNYRGameday/status/943296988849819648

But the forward wasn’t finished just yet. After a headman pass from Henrik Lundqvist to Vesey, the puck was passed to Desharnais. With Marc Staal driving the net, the passing lane opened for Desharnais to find Carey and the 29-year-old ripped it past John Gibson.

https://twitter.com/4BNYRGameday/status/943299712697946118

I don’t want to get too excited after this good offensive game from the Rangers fourth line. But there is no denying that the chemistry this line has will only get stronger the more they see the ice together.

Paul Carey has posted a multi-goal/point game for the first time in his NHL career.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 20, 2017

Kevin Hayes – It’s amazing what can happen when you shoot the puck. Obviously, this is tongue in cheek, but Hayes is notorious for passing up clear shooting chances. And it’s not for a lack of shooting ability that Hayes is “trigger-shy.” He’s always looking to make the extra pass to set up a teammate, which is admirable, but he needs to start shooting the puck more like he did here to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

https://twitter.com/4BNYRGameday/status/943294075083612162

Michael Grabner – The Austrian speedster found himself on the goal sheet once again, although it took a video review to get the goal on the board. After Grabner was denied by Gibson on a breakaway, Grabner stopped and whacked the puck towards the net. In an attempt to keep the Ducks deficit at two, Rickard Rakell seemingly batted the puck out of the air and off the goal line. However, upon review, the puck had crossed the red line and Grabner got his 17th goal of the season, which has him tied for fifth in the NHL.

No penalty for over dramatization on this Grabner goal announcement! WAIT FOR IT!! ?? #NYR pic.twitter.com/R7mg0B9Wap

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 20, 2017

Team Defense – The Rangers defense has really come along over the last four weeks, and they put in a very good performance in this one. The defense had eleven blocked shots, five hits, six shots on net, and Nick Holden had two assists. The pairings seem to be set, and whether you like the groupings or not, the fact is that they have been working.

Nick Holden registered his 100th career NHL point with an assist in the first period, and he has tied his single-game career-high with two assists in tonight's contest.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 20, 2017

“It was up-and-down hockey to start, and Hank kept us in it,” Brady Skjei said.

Henrik Lundqvist – King Henrik gave his team a chance to take the lead, and ultimately the two points, stopping 39 of 40 Anaheim shots. The Ducks had 31 shots through the first 40 minutes, some of which were “grade-A” chances that Lundqvist had to turn away.

https://twitter.com/4BNYRGameday/status/943356497836331011

This was Henrik’s 29th start of the season, and one would think that Ondrej Pavelec will get a start or two in the next couple of weeks. Since 2011, Lundqvist has played roughly 60 games per season, and with him hitting half that number with his next start, Alain Vigneault needs to be mindful not to overwork his star goaltender.

Henrik Lundqvist became the second goaltender in @NYRangers history to earn wins in 11+ consecutive home decisions, joining Dave Kerr from Dec. 19, 1939 – Feb. 25, 1940 (14-0-0). #NHLStats @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/GjPdiDz9pz

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 20, 2017

Among goaltenders who have made at least 20 starts this season, Henrik Lundqvist is tied for sixth in SV% (.920).

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 20, 2017

Next Game: The Rangers look for their fourth consecutive win on Thursday when they head across the Hudson River to face the Devils.

Puck drops at 7!

LETS GO RANGERS!!