Rangers snag ‘gutsy win’ despite not being at their best against Red Wings
Though still struggling to find their best selves, the New York Rangers found a way to win again Saturday, when they shut out the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 at Little Caesars Arena. They improved to 9-3-1, including 4-3-0 in a recent patch of disturbingly subpar play the past two weeks.
Relying on terrific goaltending by Jonathan Quick, quick-strike goals in the second period by Jimmy Vesey and Artemi Panarin, and strong special-teams play (power-play goal; 2-for-2 on PK), the Rangers found a way to win when they again were not at their best.
“I thought it was a gutsy win,” Vesey said postgame. “‘Quickie’ played great, probably kept us in the game and allowed us to score those two goals at the end of the second [period]. Big two points in the standings … but we still have some stuff to clean up. Gutsy, gutsy win.”
The Rangers somehow were up 1-0 when Vesey scored a hugely important goal late in the second period. Outplayed in the first period, and then nearly run out of the building in the second, Vesey’s goal was a massive pick-me-up for the Rangers. And equally as deflating for the Red Wings, who had an xGF of 74.72 percent through two periods of play, per Natural Stat Trick, yet trailed on the scoreboard.
“We found a way to win, right?” Quick said afterward. “They were coming off a loss (Friday) and came out with urgency, and we found a way to get that first one (power-play goal by Chris Kreider in the first period), blocked shots when we needed to and take advantage of opportunities we got, especially there in the second period.”
Vesey’s first of the season at 16:52 was quickly followed by Artemi’s team-high 10th goal 48 seconds later. Quick-strike goals in a period when the Rangers were outshot 19-8, yet extended their lead 3-0.
That’s not how you write it up. But, hey, coming off that 6-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday — one where Ryan Lindgren said “nothing went right,” the Rangers will take this rebound win.
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Rangers coach says ‘we’ve got to be better’ after win against Red Wings
However, don’t believe for a minute that Rangers coach Peter Laviolette is fooled by the end result. The Rangers were out-chanced in all situations 44-24 and doubled up by the Red Wings in high-danger chances 16-8. New York’s xGF was 42.16 percent in a game they won 4-0.
That second period was not pretty. But Quick was simply outstanding, making 37 saves in his 61st NHL shutout. Not bad when your No. 2 goalie has a 1.17 goals-against average and .964 save percentage.
“It’s infectious when you see that level of work,” Kreider said about what Quick brings to the Rangers. “Just the way he picks guys up, too. He’s the first one to pat someone on the back if they block a shot or something. It’s infectious.”
So, great goaltending likely stole the Rangers another two points Saturday. Quick and Igor Shesterkin have been doing that pretty much all season, though it stood out more the past few weeks when the Rangers overall play declined around the goalies.
“It was good to get the two points and get the win, get back on track,” Laviolette said after the game. “First period, we got going a little bit towards the end … the second period wasn’t very good. We gave them a little too much some of the things we did.
“Overall, to bounce back and get a win is good, but there’s definitely still things that could be better.”
When asked if this game could be a turning point, Laviolette quickly shot back his answer.
“No. We’ve got to get better,” the coach said. “There’s things tonight we did, so I don’t think you just move on. I think you address some things and get better at what we’re doing.”
They’ll need to get better quickly. The League-leading Winnipeg Jets lie in wait and bring a 14-1-0 record into their matchup with the Rangers at MSG on Tuesday.
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