Rangers storm past Hurricanes at The Garden

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Following Sunday’s defeat in Columbus, Rangers head coach David Quinn had some strong words for his players. “You’re going to lose hockey games. But you better want to battle somebody. It’s just ridiculous. Three games where we feel good about our effort and our compete, and then we come out here and do that? It’s a freaking joke.”

Coach Quinn had officially challenged his team to put together a complete effort over the full 60 minutes. And barring the two goals from Hurricanes forward Saku Mäenalanen, the Rangers did just that as they defeated Carolina 6-2 on the MSG ice.

Mika Zibanejad – It was quite the night for the Swedish center as Zibanejad recorded two goals and two assists to help lead the Blueshirts to victory. Zibanejad scored his first of the night on the power play when Mats Zuccarello tapped the puck past a diving Curtis McElhinney onto the tape of Zibanejad for the easiest goal the center will ever score.

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For an encore, the “Killer Z’s” teamed up again as Zuccarello made a no-look, between the legs pass to Zibanejad for a one-timer that beat McElhinney to the glove side.

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The Rangers have rightfully relied on the 25-year-old Swede who has recorded 41 points in 46 games this season. One would think that he is a key piece for Jeff Gorton and Rangers management to build around for the future.

Pavel Buchnevich – It’s been a rough season for the young Russian forward as Buchnevich has dealt with injuries, healthy scratches, and low offensive production. Perhaps his two goal performance against Carolina will help boost his confidence as the season progresses.

Buchnevich netted himself a pair of power play goals in this one, both of which were assisted by the aforementioned “Killer Z’s.”

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As David Quinn eludes to above, Buchnevich needs to show a bit more consistency in his game for the head coach to move him up in the lineup. But, it is definitely a good sign to see the man affectionately known as “BUUUUCH” putting pucks in the net.

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Tony DeAngelo – The Sewell, NJ native has been the focal point of many debates amongst Rangers fans. Some want him shipped out of New York as soon as possible and some want him in the lineup as much as possible. And for the proponents of the latter, DeAngelo also netted a pair of goals, scoring the first and last tallies of the night for the Blueshirts.

DeAngelo opened the scoring for the Rangers with a shot off the faceoff that floated through a maze of bodies and past McElhinney within the first 90 seconds of the game.

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For the proverbial “cherry on top,” DeAngelo followed up the play and deposited the loose puck into the net for his second on the night.

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While the decision of playing DeAngelo falls on the coaching staff, but it is up to DeAngelo to make the most of the ice time he receives.

Henrik Lundqvist – It wasn’t the hardest 34 saves King Henrik has had to make while donning the Rangers’ sweater, but he did make one spectacular stop that will be a candidate for the save of the year as he denied Warren Foegele late in the second period.

Lundqvist has done a nice job for the Rangers during this long season, showing that he still has the ability to lead the Blueshirts from between the pipes.

Next Game: The Rangers host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at The Garden. Puck drops at 7!

LETS GO RANGERS!!

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