3 Rangers takeaways from another bitter overtime loss, this time to Canadiens

NHL: New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens
Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers had four separate one-goal leads on Sunday night against the Montreal Canadiens, and though it was enough to force overtime and grab a point in the standings, it was not enough to secure the win and two points. The Rangers dropped another bitter overtime decision, 5-4 at Bell Centre.

If anyone deserved a win here, it was Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick, who battled through injury, made several incredible stops, and put up 33 saves in the loss, leaving him at 399 wins. He’s now lost two straight games in overtime and three total looking for that elusive 400th NHL win.

The Rangers played a very good first two periods, but sat back in the third, when the Canadiens fired away at Quick, and eventually tied the game with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes was outstanding in extra time, making several stops on grade-A chances from the Rangers. Unfortunately, Quick did not have one last vintage stop in him, and Patrik Laine scored his 12th goal in just 18 games this season to seal it in overtime.

The Rangers had four different goal scorers in the loss, with Alexis Lafreniere, Will Cuylle, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider all finding the back of the net. Three defenseman registered assists, with Adam Fox (2), Ryan Lindgren, and K’Andre Miller all adding helpers. Artemi Panarin had an assist as well.

Related: Rangers building confidence during extended point streak

3 takeaways from Rangers 5-4 overtime loss to Canadiens

NHL: New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens
David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Here are three takeaways from the OT loss Sunday.

1. Rangers can’t secure 400th win for Quick, again

Quick absolutely deserved his 400th NHL win in this one. He did everything possible to keep the Rangers in the lead or tied, but their inability to extend four separate leads and close out the game with a one goal lead in the third proved costly. This is the third time in the past seven games that the Rangers gave up a one-goal lead in the third period, and in each game, they lost in overtime.

Unfortunately for Quick, he was on the wrong end of two of those losses, first against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 7, and again on Sunday night, in pursuit of his 400th win. Even after Quick was visibly injured in the second period, he battled through and came up big time and time again to keep the Rangers in a position to win the game. The team in front of him could not repay the favor.

2. Point streak extended to eight games in playoff-like battle

Though the Rangers came out on the losing side of this playoff-like game, they did extend their point streak to a season-high eight consecutive games (5-0-3). They now have 48 points, and sit three points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who hold the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The extra point was a vital one for the Canadiens to walk away with, as they now have 50, and are just one point back of Columbus.

Nonetheless, the Rangers going eight consecutive games without a regulation loss is a much better run to start the New Year than their 4-15-0 stretch to close out 2024. The Canadiens put up quite the fight in their home arena, and the Rangers did a great job of matching the intensity. From start to finish it looked like a playoff game, from the physicality to the speed and energy level.

But the Rangers fell short. And now they face yet another similar game with playoff implications when they host the team sitting in the first wild card, the Ottawa Senators, on Tuesday.

3. Chris Kreider continues strong play since returning to lineup

NHL: New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens
David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Despite the loss, the Rangers got another strong performance from Kreider, who potted another goal, his third in his past five games dating back to before he missed four games with an upper-body injury. He played big minutes in the loss to Montreal, logging 19:07 TOI. It’s his highest ice time since returning from injury, after he he logged 16:48 or less in the three games prior to Sunday.

If Kreider is still dealing with the back problems that he had earlier in the season, it’s near impossible to tell. He’s looked like his former self since taking a brief stint on injured reserve. Not only did he score what was a big goal to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead, but he also provided a great screen in front of Dobes, which allowed Zibanejad to find the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-2 earlier.

Kreider led the Rangers with four shots on goal and tied Artemi Panarin for most shot attempts (seven). The Rangers had a solid xGF of 55.28 percent with Kreider on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick. His resurgence has certainly helped the Rangers over the past four games.

Dane Walsh is a life-long fan of the New York Rangers. Growing up in the tri-state area, Dane has ... More about Dane Walsh
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