New York Rangers Daily: Finally a really good day, Frank Vatrano rewards Ducks after new deal
In what has been an extremely difficult stretch for the New York Rangers, Sunday was a rare really, really good day for the organization.
First, the Rangers throttled the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 in a matinee at United Center, their first win of more than two goals since a 4-0 victory at the Detroit Red wings on Nov. 9. Then their AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack rode a 29-save outing from goalie prospect Dylan Garand to a 5-1 win against the Bridgeport Islanders.
Finally, Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue helped lead the United States to their second consecutive gold medal victory at the World Junior Championship.
For the reeling Rangers, it was a much-needed respite from their massive struggles this season. Remember, all of this good came 24 hours after a sloppy 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals that extended the Rangers’ misery to 5-16-0, and public criticism from The Captain, Mark Messier, himself on ABC.
Since the Islanders also won Sunday, the Rangers remain tied in points (37) for last place in the Metropolitan Division. Yet they are just four points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, and have two games on the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Of course, there are five teams between New York and Pittsburgh, but there seems to be a bit more light at the end of the tunnel after the Rangers won two of their past three games. Simply, there are a lot of mediocre teams in the mix, which is good news for the Blueshirts, after a really good day.
New York Rangers news
Let’s start with our three takeaways from the Rangers’ 6-2 win in Chicago, including how good things happen when they get pucks and bodies to the net.
Then let’s segue into Perreault and Fortescue becoming two-time gold medal winners at the World Juniors.
For those wanting a complete look at the Rangers weekend, we also have our three takeaways from that 7-4 loss to the Capitals, including a rough day for Jonathan Quick and his defensemen.
NHL news
We reported that former Rangers forward Frank Vatrano is now off the trade market after he signed a three-year, $18 million contract extension with the Anaheim Ducks.
Vatrano then went out Sunday, scored two goals and added an assist in a 4-1 Ducks win against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Vancouver Canucks welcomed injured stars Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson back to practice Sunday. Hughes is day to day with an unspecified injury and could play Monday against the Montreal Canadiens.
Ottawa Senators goalie Linus Ullmark remains sidelined and is week to week with a back injury. Teammate Travis Hamonic will be out 2-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Top-pair defenseman Jake McCabe left the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers and didn’t return because of an upper-body injury after a fight with Garnet Hathaway.
Watch Toronto’s Morgan Rielly score the overtime winner against the Philly.
Bo Horvat scored in overtime to lift the Islanders to a much-needed 5-4 overtime win against the Boston Bruins.
Watch Sebastian Aho also score in OT, lifting the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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