After Sunday’s loss to the Bruins, the Rangers headed to the Windy City for another Original Six matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Rangers would put a half-dozen behind Robin Lehner, moving the Blueshirts within six points of the final wild-card spot.
Filip Chytil – The Czech neophyte got the Rangers on the board in the first period, picking up the loose puck in the neutral zone and beating Lehner between the legs for the early lead.
The goal was Chytil’s 13th of the year, as he continues showing his abilities on the ice for this young Rangers team. Chytil’s speed, skill, and ability to protect the puck will keep the 20-year-old in the NHL for a long time.
Pavel Buchnevich – “Captain Happy” broke the 1-1 deadlock in the second period, finishing off a great play behind the net by Chris Kreider. After taking a hit, Kreider protected the puck, moved to the side of the net, and hit Buchnevich in front for the easy goal.
Buchnevich’s goal was his 14th of the season, and his third in the last four games. With roughly 20 games remaining in the 2019-20 season, Buchnevich is trying to show that he is a valuable piece for the Rangers going forward.
Ryan Strome – It was a family affair for Ryan Strome, who not only faced his brother, Dylan, on the ice but had his mom cheering from the stands on the annual Rangers mom’s trip. Strome would give the Rangers a 3-1 lead 88 seconds after Buchnevich’s tally, capitalizing on the power play chance from new Ranger Julien Gauthier being held by former Penguin Olli Maatta. With his back to goal, Strome got the rebound of Tony DeAngelo’s shot, spun around and fired it into the net.
The goal was Strome’s 15th of the season and his eighth point in the last nine games.
Chris Kreider – The much-discussed forward got the game-winner for David Quinn’s squad, niftily taking the pass from Mika Zibanjead before sliding it between the legs of Lehner for the fourth Rangers goal.
Kreider’s 24th goal of the season gave the Rangers their fifth win in the last six games.
Artemiy Panarin – Playing against his former team, Artemiy Panarin did not disappoint. Panarin got his 30th of the season, taking advantage of a Chicago turnover and wiring one over the glove of Lehner to put the proverbial icing on the cake.
There really isn’t a whole lot left to say about the BreadMan, who now has 79 points in 58 games during his first year with the Blueshirts.
Mika Zibanejad – After picking up three assists in the third period, Zibanjead got a goal of his own, and a nice one at that. Following some great work from Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich received the pass from his opposite winger and fired one toward the net, where Zibanjead would redirect it into the net.
Zibanjead’s tally was his 26th of the season, which is remarkable considering he missed some time dealing with injuries at the beginning of the year.
Igor Shesterkin – The Rangers netminder got the seventh win of his NHL career, making 37 saves on 40 Chicago shots. Shesterkin was strong despite giving up three goals, as he continues to prove that he is the real deal for the Blueshirts.
Next Game: The Rangers return to action on Friday night when they face the Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Puck drops at 7!
Post Game Notes
- Igor Shesterkin made 37 saves, including 15 saves in the second period and 10 or more saves in each period of the contest, to earn his seventh career NHL win in his eighth career NHL appearance and extend his winning/point streak to five games. Shesterkin is the first goaltender in Rangers history who has earned a win in seven of his first eight career NHL appearances. In addition, he is the first NHL goaltender who has earned a win in seven of his first eight career NHL appearances since Martin Jones earned a win in each of his first eight career NHL appearances during the 2013-14 season. Shesterkin is also the first Rangers rookie goaltender who has posted a five-game winning streak since Dan Blackburn from Mar. 30, 2002 to Apr. 8, 2002. He has stopped 275 of 293 shots in his eight career NHL appearances (.939 SV%), including 273 of the last 289 shots (.945 SV% over the span).
- The Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich line recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in tonight’s game, and each player registered a goal and posted a multi-point game in the contest. The three players have recorded 45 points (23 goals, 22 assists) over the last 12 contests.
- Chris Kreider has registered a point in eight of his last 11 games (eight goals, six assists), in 13 of his last 18 games (12 goals, eight assists), and in 22 of his last 30 games (18 goals, 14 assists), and he has not gone two consecutive games without a point over the span. He has also tallied a goal in five of the last eight games, in nine of his last 14 contests, and in 11 of his last 17 games.
Post game notes courtesy of the Rangers
LETS GO RANGERS!!