Rangers face huge test against League-leading Jets at either best or worst time
Depending on whether you’re a glass-half-full or half-empty person, the massive test awaiting the New York Rangers on Tuesday either comes at the best time or the worst. No matter how you view it, the Rangers face a stiff challenge when they host the League-leading Winnipeg Jets.
The Rangers (9-3-1) started strong, with a franchise-record six-game point streak (5-0-1) to begin the season, but have cooled considerably since. Their 4-3-0 mark the past few weeks is a testament to excellent goaltending, solid special-teams play and some timely quick-strike goals. Otherwise, they’ve been largely out-worked, out-hustled, out-chanced and out-played recently.
That’s not a great formula heading into a game against the Jets, who established a new NHL record by winning 14 of their first 15 games this season. They began the season with eight straight wins, lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 on Oct. 28, then reeled off six more wins, including 4-1 at home against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
The Jets lead the NHL in goals scored per game (4.47) and goals-against average (2.07). Their power play is tops in the NHL at an insane 41.9 percent and the Jets are No. 1 with a plus-36 goal differential.
They just finished off a 3-0-0 homestand and are 8-1-0 on home ice. Which means the Jets are a perfect 6-0-0 on the road, though that will get put to the test coming up. Their visit to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday starts a tough three-game road trip that includes games against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. They play nine of their next 10 games through Dec. 1 on the road.
The analytics are good, yet not off-the-charts great, for the Jets. But it’s clear that two areas — besides their scorching power play — stand out. Connor Hellebuyck (11-1-0, 1.83 goals-against average, .935 save percentage, three shutouts) is playing out of his mind again after winning the Vezina Trophy a second time last season. Also, Jets defensemen have scored more goals and totaled more points than any other defense corps in the NHL.
Those areas have been difference makers for the Jets in their historic start.
Related: Rangers week ahead includes massive test against Jets before long road trip begins
This could be good or bad time for Rangers to play Jets
So, we’ve established that the Jets are steamrolling through the League right now. And the Rangers recently have looked quite mortal, to say the least.
That begs the question: is this a good time or a bad time for the Rangers to play the Jets?
The knee-jerk reply, for sure, is to say this is a terrible time for the Rangers to be playing the best team in the NHL. If the Blueshirts can be steamrolled by the likes of the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators (even though the Rangers won 2-1) and Washington Capitals recently — and not look so great in their 4-0 win Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings — then imagine what the Jets will do to them Tuesday.
That’s a fair take. It’d be hard to succeed with that quick-strike offense against the top goalie in the NHL. A more consistent attack, which means dictating how the game is played and winning puck battles in the offensive zone is what’s needed against Winnipeg. Thing is, New York hasn’t been able to play that way with any consistency in quite a while now.
Then there’s Hellebuyck, who’s allowed one goal in his past three starts. New York’s Igor Shesterkin wants to be the highest-paid goalie in NHL history, but right now Hellebuyck is the best in the game.
And a team that activates its defensemen as effectively as the Jets do, should give the Rangers all kinds of trouble through the neutral zone and defending in their own end — areas that have been hugely troublesome already for the Rangers.
Plus, it’s clear that their confidence is not exactly brimming right now. On the flip side, the Jets have plenty of confidence and swag within their game.
The other side of the argument is compelling, though. This game should hold the Rangers attention. They know they haven’t been good recently and certainly believe they’re as talented, if not more so, than the Jets. They’re aware that if the Sabres can put up six goals against them, then the Jets could run them right out of the building and on to 33rd Street Tuesday.
The Rangers should show much more attention to detail and be committed to getting off to a fast start, winning puck battles and raising their overall compete level. If they’re not going to do it now against the the first-overall Jets, then when is the right time?
Shesterkin has been sitting on that Sabres game for four days since Jonathan Quick started Saturday. The 28-year-old goalie is a fierce competitor and almost never follows one clunker with another. And remember, he’s been the Rangers best player all season, and stolen several wins and standings points already.
So, if the Rangers are going to snap out of their malaise, this is the game to do it.
Glass half-full or glass half-empty? We’ll find out Tuesday night.
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