New York Rangers Daily: Looking like playoff team, Jets express interest in Jonathan Toews

NHL: Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers
Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The 5-0 win against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday was not only likely their best in a current 6-0-3 run back in the NHL playoff race, but it might be as completely thorough a victory the New York Rangers have had all season.

Simply, the Rangers (23-20-4) made the Senators look more pretender than contender and moved within two points of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference in the process.

It was a fun, rollicking night at Madison Square Garden. Even with a pair of disallowed goals (Matt Rempe offside on one, Chris Kreider on another), there never was dread that the Rangers could blow this one. It was a pretty one-sided affair, even though the score was 1-0 after one and 2-0 after two periods.

The three-goal third period featured a pair of power-play goals following a wild melee behind Igor Shesterkin’s net, that included the Rangers goalie looking to fight Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. Oh, and there was Rempe bringing the house down with a slick finish off the rush for his first goal of the season.

What wasn’t to love about about that win Tuesday? Now, bottle it up and do it again Thursday against another team the Rangers should defeat, the Philadelphia Flyers, even if John Tortorella’s team is tied in points with the Blueshirts.

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New York Rangers news

NHL: Ottawa Senators at New York Rangers
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Here are three takeaways from the Rangers’ dominant 5-0 win against the Senators, including a real “all for one” mentality.

We were prescient posting a story about Shesterkin’s improved play since coming off IR and then he goes out and puts up another zero.

Despite their better play of late, the Rangers are rumored to be in on trying to re-acquire J.T. Miller. The latest trade rumors have the Vancouver Canucks being “very motivated” to move Miller, possibly to New York’s rival, the Carolina Hurricanes.

There’s another former Rangers player that’s available, but the Blueshirts have zero interest in a reunion with Tony DeAngelo, a free agent after being released from his KHL contract. Some NHL team could look to sign him, though, on a League-minimum deal.

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NHL: Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks
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Not to be overlooked in their loss to the Rangers is that Senators forward Josh Norris left the game and didn’t return for “precautionary reasons.” Norris appeared to land on his chin after a an accidental collision knocked him off balance in the first period.

One day after Connor McDavid was suspended three games for cross-checking Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland in the head, the Edmonton Oilers released a statement that said, in part, “The Oilers organization is disappointed and we share in our fans’ frustration over the three-game suspension of our captain Connor McDavid.”

Brock McGinn had knee surgery and is out 7-9 months for the Anaheim Ducks. The forward hadn’t played in 13 games and appeared in only 26 games this season due to lower-body issues. McGinn can be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

If Winnipeg native Jonathan Toews indeed follows through on a return to the NHL, the hometown Jets “would hope to be in the mix,” general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Tuesday.

Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson is out with a lower-body injury and there’s no timetable for his return, a massive blow to the Rangers’ rival.

Stefan Rosner of The Hockey News reports that the Washington Capitals have checked in with the Islanders about the availability of pending UFA center Brock Nelson.

The Capitals won their fifth straight game, solidifying their hold on first in the Metropolitan Division, with a 3-2 road victory against the Edmonton Oilers.

According to a report, the New Jersey Devils are a “late entrant” to the J.T. Miller sweepstakes ahead of the trade deadline.

The Montreal Canadiens rallied for a late 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning to remain ahead of the Rangers in the playoff race.

The Nashville Predators erased a four-goal deficit and scored six straight goals to knock off the San Jose Sharks 7-5 for their fourth consecutive victory.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored both goals for the Carolina Hurricanes in a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars.

Sam Ersson made 27 saves to lead the Flyers to a 2-1 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings, who are 21-21-5 after the loss.

Watch Philly defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen score the OT winner on Tuesday.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of ... More about Jim Cerny
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