Rangers shutdown and shutout Oilers to up streak to three games (NYR 2 v. EDM 0)
The Rangers sacrificed offense in order to put forth a total defensive effort for their 7th shutout of the year.
RANGERS 2 v. OILERS 0
In what many felt was a snooze-fest, what I saw was a jet-lagged Rangers team playing their 2nd game in back to back nights. NY flew 2400 miles to Vancouver and then hopped a plain for another 500 miles to Edmonton. The Blueshirts focused on defense first against an Oilers team looking to take advantage of a squad that just traveled across the continent.
The King was extremely happy to get the call in back to back nights, citing the need to get into a mental flow. Lundqvist was even more elated with the Rangers effort. “We were patient,” he explained, “they were waiting for us to make mistakes so that they could counter but we did a good job of playing a smart hockey game.”
Last night, Henrik Lundqvist only needed 16 saves for his 5th shutout of the year (55th career). Oilers coach, Dallas Eakins recalled how the Rangers summoned up their old ways with 21 shot blocks. “The Rangers a few years ago took on that mentality of shot blocking where nothing was ever going to get through. It seemed like they were able to block a ton of shots and we weren’t able to get them through.”
Dan Girardi scored late in the first period and it would hold up all the way through. Fittingly, Carl Hagelin picked up a D. Moore blocked shot and took it in for an empty netter. The captain of the Rangers, Ryan McDonagh was pleased with the win but wanted better.
“We probably were a little too sloppy,” the young captain said, “we didn’t get the puck behind their defense as much as we did against Vancouver.” Ultimately his team found a way to win a game they probably would’ve lost only a few weeks ago.
The Rangers look to extend their winning streak to 4 games on Tuesday in Calgary.
NOTES:Â
Last time #NYR began a season with at least 7 shutouts in their 1st 28 games was when they had 7 to begin the 1937-38 season. @EliasSports
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 15, 2014
#NYR 123-1-9 record in its last 133 regular season games when leading after two periods, dating back to the 2009-10 season.
— Rick Carpiniello (@rangersreport) December 15, 2014
.@NYRangers‘ Rick Nash extended his point streak to a career-high 10 consecutive team games (6-6—12), the longest active streak in the NHL.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 15, 2014
Girardi on initial goal announcement: “I heard them say Zucc & Nasher and that was it. I was like, ‘I get nothing?!” #NYR
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) December 15, 2014
Girardi heard the initally incorrect announcement on his goal, and Staal said: “He complained about it for 20 minutes.”
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) December 15, 2014
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