The New York Rangers did the expected over 60 minutes against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. They are the better team and showed it in a 3-2 victory against their 27th-overall opponent.
It was another slow start, but this time the Rangers (10-4-1) came away victorious for the first time this season (1-4-1) after surrendering the game’s first goal. To be fair, the Sharks had more jump at the beginning, but that first goal was a fluke — a point shot that deflected off Jimmy Vesey’s stick and rainbowed over everyone, including a startled Igor Shesterkin, and into the net.
So, yes, the Sharks were working in the offensive zone; but, no, there wasn’t any egregious turnover or misplay by the Rangers, where they deserved to be in an early 1-0 hole. This wasn’t like recent gams against the Winnipeg Jets or Buffalo Sabres.
They did seem to lack zip in their game, though. Perhaps that’s because The Garden was morgue-like, almost waiting for the next bad thing to happen. But Mika Zibanejad’s putback of an Adam Fox shot tied the game in the second period, and life was restored to the famed building and home team.
And good for Zibanejad. His first goal in nine games, coming after a brutal personal showing against the Jets, was the type response Peter Laviolette and Co. hoped for.
Three quick goals — four, if you count a disallowed one from Fox — and it felt like the Rangers’ 3-1 lead was more like 6-1. Yes, the Sharks scored a power-play goal in the final seconds and never quit on this one, but it never felt like the Rangers were going to let this one slip away.
The Rangers are 5-4-0 in their past nine games, and showed some positive glimmers against the Jets, despite the 6-3 loss on Tuesday, and were in control against the Sharks for much of the game Thursday. That’s something to build on.
Related: Rangers injury update: Filip Chytil exits win against Sharks after scary collision with teammate
3 takeaways from Rangers3-2 win against Sharks
Here are three takeaways from the game Thursday.
1. Concern for Filip Chytil
Despite the victory, there was a somber feel when this one was over. That’s because Filip Chytil was knocked out of the game in the second period with an “upper-body injury” following a collision with teammate K’Andre Miller.
It was sickening to see Chytil wobbly after being struck accidentally by Miller’s elbow. And the all-too-familiar site of seeing him head to the dressing room to meet with medical personnel was unsettling. His history of head injuries, including last season when he was limited to 10 games in the regular season and six in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is well documented. And raises major concern every time he takes a big hit, or worse, looks as he did Thursday night.
The 25-year-old did return for one 61-second shift later in the period and then was ruled out for the third. Now, we all sit and wait to hear the extent of the injury. The Rangers don’t practice Friday, so likely the next update on his condition is Saturday. Fingers remain crossed until then.
This isn’t just about an important player. It’s about a young man and his quality of life, now and in the future.
2. Analytics darlings
The Rangers have never been a favorite of the analytics crowd. Their Corsi numbers and xGF numbers and puck possession numbers simply are not great season after season. Of course, the Blueshirts still find ways to win, often and a lot. Two trips to the conference final in the past three seasons and the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24 attest to that.
But these advanced stats do provide a good look into specific games or trends, and do hold much value. To that end, the analytics from the Rangers win on Thursday clearly show that it was a very good night for the home team. They should’ve scored more than they did, but it was still good to see them largely dominate play.
They had a sizeable 32-12 advantage in scoring chances 5v5, including 10-4 with high-danger opportunities, per Natural Stat Trick. New York’s xGF was a whopping 74.71 percent. When they turned the game in their favor, scoring three times in the second period, the Rangers out-shot the Sharks 16-6 and out-chanced them 14-4, with an xGF of better than 80 percent.
Those numbers reflect how an elite team like the Rangers should handle a lower-echelon club like the Sharks. For one night anyway, the Rangers were analytics darlings.
3. Broadway Jimmy
The Rangers fourth line has been a good two-way line all season. But it’s even better now since Jimmy Vesey returned from a 10-game injury absence. A smart veteran, Vesey brings an offensive boost to the fourth line and strengthens its overall hockey IQ and defensive awareness.
He earned the Broadway Hat against the Sharks with another strong workmanlike performance. His backhand goal from the slot in the second period put the Rangers up 2-1 and he finished with three shots on goal and three hits. Vesey and his linemates — Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom — were a handful getting in on the forecheck and limiting Sharks chances against all night.
In 8:11 worth of 5v5 TOI, the fourth line had a team-best 73.33 Corsi and an astounding 91.04 xGF percentage. And that’s even with being on for San Jose’s fluky first goal.
Vesey is a difference maker on the fourth line now that he’s healthy again.
