Where did we see this before? Oh right just the other night in Washington. The New York Rangers gave up an early goal and before you knew it they were down 2-0 in that game. Last night at Madison Square Garden the Rangers gave up goal just ten seconds in. Before you know it, they were down 2-0. It was one of their worst periods through their first seven games.
For Rangers fans, there was another reoccurring theme that always sits in the back of their minds; the first career start for a goalie against the Rangers theory. The theory where it’s been proven that rookie goalies haunt the Rangers and they either get shutout or only score one goal and they prove this goalie to be the next Patrick Roy.
Last night proved that this Rangers team is not like the ones we have seen in the past. They regrouped after a sloppy first period, exploded for 3 goals in period two that included two power play goals and coasted to a 5-2 victory over the Boston Bruins.
Of course, the one concern is the start for the Rangers that they would like to improve on and we can all agree on that but finishing the job is usually the key. Last night was one of the only times on this early season we didn’t see a full sixty minutes from the Rangers. Even in their two losses on the season they played well just couldn’t get the job done.
Head coach Alain Vigneault conquered on the bad start by saying, “We didn’t start the way we wanted, we know. We obviously had better options than the ones we used on the first play (when Boston made it 1-0). It ended up in the back of the net there. They were on our heels a bit right off the start. The second there doesn’t start the way we wanted, but you still have 40 minutes and our focus was on winning that second period, which we did, and we got a strong start in the third”.
Another “new” part to this team is they are scoring goals. The Rangers registered five goals in tonight’s game. The Blueshirts have recorded 27 goals in seven games this season and have tallied at least four goals in four of the seven contests. New York has averaged 3.86 goals per game this season, and as of the conclusion of tonight’s game, the Rangers lead the NHL in goals per game in 2016-17.
The Rangers are truly a great mystery novel this year because you really don’t know what you are going to get each game. Yea its seven games into the season, but they have us at the edge of our seats already.
Brandon Pirri, that guy who was highly praised in a NY Sports Day article has tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal, and recorded three shots on goal. He extended his point streak to three games (three goals, one assist over the span), and he has registered six points (four goals, two assists) in seven games this season. Pirri is tied for the team lead in goals (four) and game-winning goals (two) in 2016-17.
We saw strong games from J.T. Miller and Rick Nash, this happening in the absence of Chris Kreider who is still out with neck spasms. Miller and Nash made a presence on the ice and contributed. Jimmy Vesey picked up his fourth goal of the season. That is where this novel becomes fascinating; the Rangers are getting contributions from everyone in the lineup. Four different players registered a goal and 10 different players tallied a point in tonight’s contest.
Where will this novel take us to next? Lots of hockey will be played for the Rangers in the month of November and they will be put to the test. Next stop Carolina.