Rangers break slump with poise and hard work to beat Jets (NYR 3 v. WPG 2)
Kreider socres gorgeous goal versus the Jets (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, John Woods)
The talk of the game and leading into this morning has been the executioner style check by Dustin Byfuglien to the neck of J.T. Miller. What many are not discussing is how Henrik Lundqvist continued to improve and saved the Rangers bacon for two periods. Also, many aren’t talking about the PP finally cashing in or how the team kept its cool and one a tough hockey game.
RANGERS 3 v. JETS 2
NYR 3 v. WPG 2 (NHL)
“Violent, deliberate (pause) could have broken his neck,” said a heated Alain Vigneault after the game. Normally, AV is cool as a cucumber but he couldn’t keep it in check. “It’s one of the most vicious crosschecks I’ve seen this year,” he concluded.
Even Sam Rosen who exclaimed, “It’s About Time!” had enough by the time the game was over and Byfuglien was given a minor for slashing Mats Zuccarello. The NHL has responded by requesting a phone hearing with the Jets’ defenseman that can only see a max of 5 games for a suspension. I’m still waiting for the April Fool’s joke here.
Regardless, even though many wanted Tanner Glass or any Ranger to retaliate, the Blueshirts stayed poise and won a hockey game. The biggest revenge came when JT Miller hit Chris Kreider in stride past Byfuglien himself. CK20 made no mistake using quick hands to bury the game winner behind Ondrej Pavelec.
“It’s difficult to defend when pucks are turned over,” Kreider told the AP. “It’s hard to go from a standstill to picking up forwards who are driving to the net. That’s something we work on as a team.” JT Miller was impressed with the hulking power forward as well.
“He made the entire play happen with his speed,” Miller stated while wearing the Broadway Hat. Miller added that when Kreider is going like that, it’s easier for everyone. When it came to the hit, the kid didn’t have much to say that his coach didn’t voice already.
As for the returning to form of Henrik Lundqvist, he said “Tonight I tried to do less movements.” That little adjustment paid dividends by the way of a huge 32 saves win. Now the Rangers will face the Minnesota Wild and the red-hot goaltending of Devan Dubnyk.
NOTES:
Marc Staal (maintenance day) not skating today in St. Paul…Sheppard skating with d-men..MSL on a line with Hayes & Hagelin #NYR
New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 1, 2015
Referee Dan O’Rourke, watching Byfuglien’s cross check from 5-10 feet away, should also be having a hearing with NHL. In person.
â Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) April 1, 2015
Winnipeg’s Dustin Byfuglien will have a hearing tomorrow for cross-checking NY Rangers forward J.T. Miller.
NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 1, 2015
St. Louis skating on Hayes’ right wing along with Hagelin. Fast in Moore’s fourth line with Glass. Sheppard the extra forward.
â Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) April 1, 2015
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