Coming off a trouncing the day before in Buffalo, the New York Rangers’ defensive structure wasn’t what it needed to be against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Their urgency early was lacking, and so was a consistent compete level.
The goaltending was there, though, and the results followed. New York won 5-3 in Pittsburgh despite getting outshot 39-16. Igor Shesterkin had a needed bounce-back game and the Rangers controlled the special teams battle, scoring on the power play and stopping the Penguins on their three chances.
New York now has 60 points in 57 games and is chasing Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus and Boston for one of two wild-card spots. The win helps Peter Laviolette’s club stay in the mix, but it likely did not do much to convince general manager Chris Drury to take an all-in approach to this year’s deadline. The focus should remain beyond this season.
Still, the Rangers will take the two points, even if they weren’t the most deserved. Here are takeaways from the win over Pittsburgh.
Goaltending rescues disastrous second period
The Rangers might have come out of the second period with the frame’s only goal, but don’t let it fool you. Pittsburgh dominated. In 16 minutes of five-on-five ice time, the Penguins led 27-10 in shot attempts and 13-4 in shots and had 75.82 percent of the expected goal share. Pittsburgh also drew the only two penalties.
New York’s defensive play was atrocious throughout the period. The Rangers failed to get pucks out of the zone and take away space within it. Shesterkin was the only reason the game didn’t get away.
On Saturday, Shesterkin didn’t make it to the second period against the Sabres. Laviolette pulled him after he allowed five goals in the first. Twenty-four hours later he was much better. He stopped all 19 shots he saw in the second, many of which were dangerous. Cody Glass had a flurry of looks early in the period, and Shesterkin halted a point-blank shot from Anthony Beauvillier. In total, he saved 2.29 goals more than expected in all situations, according to Natural Stat Trick.
After getting decimated most of the period, the Rangers managed to break the tie. Pierre-Olivier Joseph failed to stop an Adam Fox pass along the boards, and J.T. Miller grabbed possession on a two-on-one with Alexis Lafrenière. Miller fired a shot past Joel Blomqvist to give New York the lead.
Goaltending proved to be the difference in the game. Shesterkin saved the Rangers in the second period, and he wasn’t to blame for the two Ryan Shea goals he allowed in the third period. Glass screened him on the first while battling with Ryan Lindgren, and Shea’s second bounced off K’Andre Miller and through Shesterkin’s legs. At the other end of the ice, Blomqvist allowed four goals on only 15 shots.
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Jimmy Vesey scored his 100th career NHL goal to tie the game in the third period. (Justin Berl / Getty Images)
Timely goals and a timely block
New York did not have a high volume of chances, but it capitalized on the ones it did manage against a rookie goaltender in Blomqvist. With the Rangers down a goal in the third period, Jimmy Vesey took a pass from Vincent Trocheck and wristed it into the net. It was goal No. 100 of his career and came at a big time, galvanizing the Rangers’ comeback.
Adam Fox, whose goal rate is down this season, got the game winner. Reilly Smith fed him the puck on a rush and Fox controlled it through Shea’s legs to create room for himself in the slot. Once open, he put it under Blomqvist’s arm and into the net. The goalie likely wants a do-over, but Fox need not apologize. Good things happen when he shoots.
It wasn’t a day of quality defense for the Rangers, but Will Borgen made a huge play with the Penguins on a six-on-five late in the game. A loose puck came to Kevin Hayes with most of the net vacated, but Borgen slid over to stop his shot and keep the game tied. Shesterkin gave him an appreciative hug.
Rempe major downgraded
Matt Rempe hit Matt Grzelcyk into the end boards as a puck slid past the defenseman in the first period, and the officials initially gave him a five-minute major penalty. Rempe did not make contact with Grzelcyk’s head but sent it into the boards with his hit. After video review, the officials downgraded the penalty to a minor for interference.
New York killed off the penalty, generating a short-handed rush, and Rempe then drew a penalty later in the period. He got on the forecheck and Kris Letang took him down, then went to the box. Will Cuylle scored on the ensuing power play.
After serving an eight-game suspension earlier this season, Rempe stressed the need to play “a lot smarter” and that he doesn’t have to make every hit possible. This one did not appear to be one that will get him in trouble beyond the minor. Laviolette moved away from him as the game went on, playing him for only one shift in the third period, but that has been his common practice with the forward in games in which the Rangers are fighting for a lead.
Kreider injured
Chris Kreider took line rushes, but shortly before the game, the Rangers ruled him out with an upper-body injury. He’s day to day. Arthur Kaliyev, who looked like he was going to be scratched, stayed in the lineup with Kreider out.
(Top photo of Igor Shesterkin: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)