Rangers kids leave season on a positive note in David Quinn’s possible last game as coach

david quinn fired
May 8, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan talks with his players during the third period against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers kids came up big in the last game of the season. K’Andre Miller, Alexis Lafrenière, and Vitali Kravtsov all scored goals in the 5-4 season finale victory over the Bruins. Zac Jones picked up an assist as did Justin Richards who made his NHL debut as the myriad of rookies all got on the scoresheet. To cap it off, Igor Shesterkin relieved Keith Kinkaid and picked up the win for his 16th of his rookie season.

Rangers kids get David Quinn one last win?

David Quinn’s Blueshirts’ wrapped up the season with a final record of 27-23-6 for 60 points and a 5th place finish in the East Division. For his NHL coaching career, Quinn has amassed a 96-87-25 record in the regular season and 0-3 in the “playoffs”.

rangers kids
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

While the coach was proud of how the his team played in their last game he admitted he needed a break. He applauded the work of the kids. He also remarked on what a special player Mika Zibanejad is after he scored two goals to finish with 50 points on the season. He was also happy to get Chris Drury his first win as the new President and GM.

“There’s so much that’s gone on and that might get lost in all of this,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said after the game. “It’s a great opportunity for [Drury]. I know all of us and our players were very happy that we were able to get him his first win as a general manager.”

NHL.com

The question that hangs over the Rangers now is will he still be the coach once exit meetings conclude on Monday? At this point, the belief around the league is he will not be and with a bevy of experienced coaches now available it makes it even less likely.

Rangers Postgame Notes

  • Eleven of the 20 players who dressed for the Rangers in today’s game are 23 years old or younger (Jones, Lafrenière, Fox, Hajek, Gettinger, Barron, Reunanen, Chytil, Kravtsov, Miller, and Richards). Nine players 23 years old or younger had at least 30 games played with the Rangers in 2020-21 (Lafrenière, Fox, Miller, Lindgren, Kakko, Hajek, Chytil, Howden, and Gauthier). Eight rookies played for the Rangers in today’s game (nine were dressed, including goaltender Igor Shesterkin). Five rookies tallied a point in today’s contest.
  • Justin Richards made his NHL debut in today’s game, becoming the seventh player to make his NHL debut with the Rangers this season (along with Lafrenière, Miller, Reunanen, Kravtsov, Jones, and Barron).
  • The Rangers had an 82.3% penalty kill efficiency this season, which is the best the team posted in one season since 2014-15 (84.3%).
  • Mika Zibanejad tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal (which was his 200th career NHL goal), led all skaters with six shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. 

Notes courtesy NYR

Editor’s note: Thank you all for making us the most visited Rangers website in April. The season may be over but that only means the work gets harder. Please stay with us as we cover the team’s most intriguing and transitional offseason in recent memory. Leave any feedback for us in the comments section.

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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