“Hockey is fun,” is what Igor Shesterkin said recently to reporters and right now, it really is. The Rangers last night dominated the Jets in Winnipeg, and despite a worrisome moment where Shesterkin was run into and removed for the remainder of the first by a concussion spotter, all was well.
Red Hot Kreider
Chris Kreider scored late in the first and then early in the second to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead to which they never looked back. So how hot is the biggest name on the trade market? He has 6 goals and 9 points in his last 7 games. He has scored a goal in 7 of his last 10 games and has 27 points, including 16 goals in his last 26 games. Bottom line, he is either making it really hard to trade him or increasing his value over the moon.
Rock Solid Defense and Pretty Goals
The Rangers certainly gave up a fair share of shots as Shesterkin had to make another 40 saves for his first win in the NHL on the road. However, many of the shots were not in high danger areas and Adam Fox continues to impress as a rookie defenseman.
Ryan Strome broke a goalless drought last night, but the night was dominated by the KZB line as Mika Zibanejad closed out the Rangers scoring. Another Blueshirt being floated as possible trade bait is Pavel Buchnevich who had 2 assists. The young winger has scored 8 points in his last 8 games and I highly doubt the Rangers will trade him.
Post-Game Notes
- The Rangers have won each of the last two games, three of the last four games (3-1-0 record), five of the last seven games (5-2-0 record), and nine of the last 14 contests (9-5-0 record).
- Three Rangers goaltenders (Henrik Lundqvist, Alexandar Georgiev, and Igor Shesterkin) have earned six or more wins in the same season for the second time in franchise history (1982-83 – Ed Mio, Glen Hanlon, and Steve Weeks).
- The Rangers recorded two goals in a span of 35 seconds in tonight’s contest (Ryan Strome – 0:53 of the third period; Mika Zibanejad – 1:28 of the third period). The Blueshirts have tallied two goals in a span of 1:00 or less in three of the last four games. In addition, the Blueshirts have also registered two goals in a span of 2:00 or less in each of the last four games.
Notes courtesy of the New York Rangers
