The Rangers entered the third period with a 4-3 lead and a 26-19 shot advantage. Then for the first time since their 4-0 loss to the Islanders to open the season, they were outshot.
Rangers vs Penguins: Another blown third period lead
Pittsburgh turned up the heat and outshot the the Rangers by a combined total of 19-8 in the third period and OT. Another blown lead and another point lost when Sidney Crosby hammered the winner home.
It’s hard to blame Alexandar Georgiev, but neither of the Rangers goalies has been able to steal a game this season. Eventually, you are going to need one of them to steal a win when the team isn’t going well and could use a big save in a clutch moment.
Afterwards David Quinn called the game sloppy and said it was one of the worst third periods the team has had this season. Chris Kreider was visibly upset as it even took him several seconds to compose himself before answering any questions. He voiced his frustration with his teammates and their inability to just play north/south hockey with a third period lead.
Colin Blackwell was lost to injury in this game, no update on his status.
K’Andre Miller continues to impress
For the first time in his young NHL career, 21 year-old rookie K’Andre Miller put up a multi-point game. First, he showed poise beyond his years on Kevin Rooney’s shorthanded goal.
Miller would later pick up his second assist on the night when Chris Kreider found the back of the net to tie the game at 3. However, what doesn’t make the highlights are his defensive plays and the way he uses his elite skating and incredibly long reach to keep opponents at bay.
Artemi Panarin going, Mika Zibanejad struggling
Right now, one of the Rangers biggest stars is struggling. Mika Zibanejad is getting his chances but has been either shooting wide, or missing pucks entirely.
The Rangers top center was a -3 on the night and has just two points on the season. If you are looking for reasons why the team isn’t winning – start here.
On the flip side, Artemi Panarin is the team’s best player. He scored again tonight and now has 4 goals and 9 points in 8 games. His goal on the PP was an absolute snipe and helped get the Rangers the point.
Post Game Notes:
- The Rangers have earned at least one point in two consecutive games for the first time this season. In addition, the Blueshirts have earned at least one point in three of the last five games and in four of the last seven contests.
- Blueshirts defensemen tallied five assists/points in tonight’s game, and at least one Rangers defenseman recorded a point on each of the team’s four goals.
- New York was 4-for-4 (6:08) on the penalty kill in tonight’s contest, held Pittsburgh to four shots on goal over the Penguins’ four power play opportunities, and registered a shorthanded goal in the contest.
- K’Andre Miller posted the first multi-assist/point game of his NHL career by registering two assists, including a shorthanded assist (which was his first career NHL shorthanded assist/point), and posted a plus-one rating in 20:49 of ice time. He also led the Rangers in even strength ice time in the contest (19:09).
- Artemi Panarin recorded a power play goal and registered four shots on goal. He has tallied a point in six of the last seven games (four goals, five assists) and leads the Rangers in points this season (nine). Panarin has notched 67 points (26 goals, 41 assists) in 45 career games at MSG.
- Chris Kreider tallied a goal, led the Rangers with five shots on goal, and tied for the game-high (and led the Rangers) with four hits. He registered his 160th career goal and his 319th career point with the Rangers in tonight’s contest; he passed Mark Pavelich for the third-most points by an American born player with the Rangers in franchise history, and he tied Cecil Dillon for the second-most goals by an American-born player with the Blueshirts in franchise history. He has recorded a goal/point in two of the last three games
Post Game Notes provided by NYR
The Rangers will have a Noon practice tomorrow at the MSG Training Center.
Next Game: Monday, Feb. 1 vs. Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG+)
