The New York Rangers are a little behind expectations from last year’s solid team results. They are barely hanging on to the last available playoff spot in the east, Igor Shesterkin hasn’t measured up to last year’s spectacular 9.35 SV % and their “second line” which includes top draft picks Kaapso Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere are not carrying the weight of top six forwards. The Rangers seem to be turning a corner however, winning their last 4 in a row.
The Toronto Maple Leafs on the other hand hold down the second best record in the NHL with 16 games with a least a point. Marner was going for his 24th straight game with a point and tonight’s starter Matt Murray has one of the top SV % (9.20) in the whole league.
The Rangers have a lot of star power with the likes Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, so it was little surprising to see the second team power play unit open the scoring when Filip Chytil roofed one to put New York up by one four minutes in. Toronto was little slow off the start tonight, but Michael Bunting scored his 7th with the help of David Kampf and Connor Timmins. That was the Bunt Man’s 10 straight game with at least a point.
The middle stanza was a fairly low event affair as indicated by the modest 15-13 SOG to date. Neither team was clicking until a 2 minute + ”keep in” by Toronto in which they were all over the Rangers. Nada. The well travelled Jimmy Veesy took advantage of a Conor Timmins pinch to put New York up 2-1 at the 4:27 mark. Not much to choose from here.
As close as this game had been, the teams seemed to want to go head-to-head – no cowards here. Sheldon Keefe shortened his bench, favoring his bottom six grinders. The best chance of the period came from Mathews (from Marner) at around the 10 minute mark, but he just couldn’t close the deal. Veesy closed things off with an EN to make it 3-1 NYR.
HOPPER NOTES: Tonight’s loss ended an impressive 15 game streak of at least 1 point per game for the Leafs, a 23 point streak for Mitchell Marner and an 18 pointer for Mathews…can someone explain to me why Madison Square Garden is round ? It puts me in mind of my old high school pal “Bonehead”, when he would pontificate at the cafeteria table after math class, “Hey, cake are square, pie are round”…instead of playing Kerfoot and Malgin on their wrong wings, why not move Alex back to the left side with Tavares/Marner ? …guys I wish I had on my team: Jacob Trouba…it’s kinda peaceful to look out the window at all the nice snow at this time of year (unless you have to get up or shovel it !)…is Liligren out ? …second game in a row of basically zero contribution from the “Big Four”…now, more than ever, is the time to embrace your loved ones and cherish all they bring to your life….CHEERS !
What was Bonehead smoking ?
The Rangers looked pretty disciplined to me.
They are going to be a tough out in the playoffs.
They don’t give you much.
All good things have to come to an end.
Speaking of hugging loved ones..a big hug to you my friend.
Glennie
I believe it was Acapolco Gold…back at ya my Bruver