Rangers run over Devils in the third, win in OT (NYR 4 – NJD 3)
Rick Nash scores again! 10.21.14 (Photo by Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
The parade to the penalty box almost cost the Blueshirts last night as NJ scored on 3 of their 5 chances. However, the Rangers were aided by their own PP and Rick Nash (aka: The Beast of Broadway) to knot it up at 3 in the third period.
Rangers 4 vs. Devils 3
We responded tonight in a big way,” a red-hot Henrik Lundqvist. The King finished with a .903 save percentage but was so much better than that. The Rangers were more a victim of bad bounces and discipline than being outplayed.
Rangers v. Devils 10.21.14 via ESPN
After scoring their first PP goal of the season, everyone can now breathe a sigh of relief. Fittingly, it was big man Chris Kreider who tallied it. Of course 1 power play goal is all that they could hope for, but it was another PP tally in the third period that started the comeback. This time it came off an unlikely stick, Chris Mueller.
Now ask yourself, why would you put Mueller on the PP? Actually, it’s a great bit of coaching with Derek Stepan out. Mueller is a right handed shot and took position on the left side, allowing him to one time a Ryan McDonagh feed home.
Then the Beast of Broadway roared again! Rick Nash simply bull-dozed his way over the Devils defense to tie the game at 3 with just over 5 minutes to play. MSG analyst, Anson Carter relayed it best, “He’s not playing on the (perimeter), he’s going to the hard areas.” Indeed, and it’s paying off.
Oddly enough, the game winner came off a defenseman’s stick. No it wasn’t Ryan McDonagh (who finished with 2 assists), but Kevin Klein. The stay at home defender surprised the Devils defense by jumping up into the play and taking a feed from Kreider. He came in alone and made no mistake beating Cory Schneider. “We knew we could come back,” Klein said wearing the Broadway Hat.
Alain Vigneault is all smiles after the win 10.21.14 MSG
AV said after the game, “That’s an area where i think we can still be better.” Specifically, he wants improvement on the D getting the puck to the forwards. As he also said, “it’s a process” that the Rangers will certainly get better as the season progresses.
John Giannone, who owns the spot between the benches called it an “identity building” win. After such a gutsy performance on enemy ice, we agree.
RAGING RANGERS
Rick Nash, Beast of Broadway 10.21.14
1. Rick Nash – Wow! It’s getting to that point that you almost expect The Beast of Broadway to score every game. Let’s be realistic, Nash’s 32% shooting percentage is unsustainable. He is career 12% shooter, which is excellent, but a hot start like this means that a 40 goal season is more than just a possibility.
2. Marty St. Louis – Quietly he has 6 points in 7 games (1G and 5A – tied with Kreider) and is getting the job done for the team on and off the ice.
3. Chris Kreider – CK20 got the Rangers off the PP snide last night and is also putting up points. With 2 goals and 4 assists, the young man is finding his way as one of the Rangers top players. Bottom line for Kreider and MSL, Rick Nash is on FIRE! It’s easy to be overshadowed.
REELING RANGERS
1. Ryan Malone – So far we have 4 games, an average of 10 minutes a night and a -1. Better yet, he’s only mustered 5 shots. I understand it doesn’t pay to have Anthony Duclair play 4th line minutes, but if you are giving Malone 10, you can give Duc the same.
2. Dominic Moore – The Rangers PK gave up 3 on 5 last night and is only 78.6% for the season. As a primary penalty killer he needs to step up.
3. Mats Zuccarello – He had glorious opportunities last night and couldn’t bury one. However, he showed chemistry with MSL and looked more alive. He will start scoring, Montreal is a likely place to do it.
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