New York Rangers Daily: Blueshirts deserved better; Predators consider Ryan O’Reilly trade
Go figure.
The New York Rangers played their best all-around game since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break Friday, and did so against a legit Stanley Cup contender. Yet they lost 3-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden.
This after absolutely stealing a 5-3 win in Pittsburgh against the Penguins last Sunday, a game they were run out of the building over the first 40 minutes.
Go figure.
A frustrating loss Friday when the Rangers were the better team and deserved a better result.
There are no moral victories this time of year, with the Rangers remaining tied for ninth in the Eastern Conference and still four points back of the two wild card teams as the calendar flips to March. But if the Rangers play like that the majority of their remaining 23 games, they should secure a postseason playoff berth.
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette shortened his bench and leaned heavily on his top-nine forwards, and even more so on his stars. Vincent Trocheck logged 25:52 TOI. Mike Zibanejad, who had a goal and assist, played 24:44. Artemi Panarin was out there 24:01.
The Rangers best — minus defenseman Adam Fox, who missed his first game with an upper-body injury — were on the puck all night, leading to 78-39 attempts advantage and 35-17 lead in shots on goal.
But they lost.
To cover for Fox’s absence, Laviolette deployed five forwards on the top power-play unit. He might want to re-think that strategy. But giving fairly equal ice time to each of the six defensemen instead of leaning heavily one one pair with their top d-man out worked well. K’Andre Miller — five giveaways! — led the defense corps with 23:30 TOI. But the other defensemen were between 16 and 19 minutes roughly. That worked.
Not too much to tweak Sunday, when they host the Nashville Predators. Just the result.
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New York Rangers news
Here are three Rangers takeaways from the loss Friday, including needing to “start on time.”
Rangers legend Mike Richter told Forever Blueshirts that the current team can definitely grow from the adversity they faced this season, saying “these challenges galvanize you.”
They may be without the injured Fox, but the Rangers remain “hungry” to battle for a playoff spot in the East.
Louis Domingue made 25 saves and topped six of seven shots in the shootout to lead the Hartford Wolf Pack to their second straight win, 4-3 against Springfield.
NHL news
As we reported Friday, the Islanders may not get star forward Mathew Barzal back from an “unfortunate injury” before the season ends. They most certainly won’t have him in the lineup Monday at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers.
Kirby Dach had knee surgery and the Montreal Canadiens center is out for the season.
Cole Sillinger is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Blue Jackets will host the 2025 Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday. Those teams are tied with 66 points and own the two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference.
Pierre LeBrun reports that the Nashville Predators will consider trading captain Ryan O’Reilly, but only if their price is met. He adds that the Predators are looking to move forward Gustav Nyquist.
There are reports that Buffalo Sabres forward J.J. Peterka has become a hot trade deadline target for some teams.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.
Defenseman Tyler Tucker signed a two-year, $1.85 million contract to remain with the St. Louis Blues.
The Colorado Avalanche got two goals from Ross Colton and handed the Minnesota Wild their third straight loss, 5-2.
Logan Stankoven scored twice and the Dallas Stars remained hot (9-2-1) with a 6-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings.
Watch Sam Steel score a breakaway short-handed goal for the Stars against the Kings.
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