Recap: Complete Team Effort Lands Rangers a Big 2-1 Win in Vegas

The Rangers kicked off a three game road trip back on the West Coast with a visit to the Vegas Golden Knights. Coming off a big win against the Devils, the Rangers looked to keep things going but would face a big test as the Golden Knights went into this game atop the league’s standings. Despite the Bo Groulx call up, the Rangers opted to get Jimmy Vesey back in the mix with Sam Carrick getting a promotion to the third line.

1st Period: 

While it wasn’t the cleanest of starts for either side, there was really good pace through the early parts of the first period. Despite turnovers from both teams, minimal shots on goal and play stoppages, both the Rangers and Golden Knights were forechecking hard and playing with purpose in all three zones. Through the first ten minutes of play, shots were just 2-2 with the Rangers first official shot on goal coming quite close to that midway point of the period from Arthur Kaliyev. 

The first best chance of the game came from a shot at the point by Will Borgen that took a redirect from Reilly Smith. With the rebound sitting right in the blue paint, there just wasn’t enough time or space for Smith or anyone else for that matter to stuff the rebound home. That sort of turned the tide for the Rangers as they continued to find really good chances through the next few minutes. Artemi Panarin’s line was once again playing with confidence, moving the puck really well. 

Following a TV timeout with about six minutes to go in the first, Sam brought it to our attention on the broadcast that Adam Edström, who blocked a hard shot earlier in the period, was no longer on the Rangers bench. Not great news by any means but thankfully, he would return for the second period. 

About a minute later Vegas nearly made it a one goal game as Alexander Holtz rang a shot off the post. This prompted a strong stretch from Vegas with their next best chance coming on an odd-man rush that Adam Fox was able to slide between, allowing for Sam Carrick to come back and pick off the pass that made its way through Fox. Tremendous effort from Carrick who was visibly gassed after a long shift in a game where he was seeing the most ice time he has throughout the season. 

Overall, a pretty exciting period for not much of note happening. Both teams had quality chances but couldn’t find the back of the net. Shots after twenty were 12-6 in favor of the Rangers who also lead in scoring chances 13-9 and high danger chances 6-2. No penalties, no goals but no shortage of excitement in what became a very good road period for the Rangers. 

2nd Period:

The intermission did not hinder the pace of this one as things picked right up where they were left off. The Rangers had a good chance early with Vegas finding an even better one as a result of a strong forecheck that led to a point blank chance for Pavel Dorofeyev, requiring a big save from Igor Shesterkin. 

Just about six minutes into the second, the Rangers were called for the first penalty of the night as Vincent Trocheck was sent off for holding. That would prove to be a major momentum shift as it only took eight seconds for Jack Eichel to find Mark Stone down low. Braden Schneider attempted to poke the puck away from Stone which ended up sending the puck right to the back of the net, 1-0 Vegas. 

A minute and a half away from the midway part of the outing, Keegan Kolesar was sent off for a leg trip on K’Andre Miller to give the Rangers their first man advantage. It wasn’t a strong start for the top power play unit but towards the end of it, a one timer from Mika Zibanejad was blocked in front by Trocheck, which allowed for him to put home the loose puck, 1-1 game. Of course Trocheck was in great discomfort seeing as he just took a likely 90+ mph slap shot to the midsection, resulting in him skating right to the Rangers locker room after having just enough left in the shift to score the goal. 

Naturally, Trocheck wouldn’t miss a shift and was right back out there following a TV-timeout. The Rangers truly don’t need to rush into naming a new captain but if Trocheck is a part of this teams longer term plans, this was one of many examples as to why he’s one of the more deserving recipients of that “C”. 

Despite tying the game, it was mostly Vegas leading the play through the back half of the second period. The post counter reached two for Vegas as Jack Eichel came close to capitalizing after catching the Rangers’ fourth line out there for a lengthy shift.   

The period would end with an extremely strange sequence as time expired but there seemed to be some sort of hesitation with the horn sounding. Low and behold, Vegas ended up putting the puck in the net and ironically enough there wasn’t any hesitation for the goal lights and horn from going off. The officials ruled the play on the ice a goal but after a pretty quick review, declared it not to be a goal. 

Special teams were again a difference maker in this 1-1 game as both teams converted on their only power play attempts through the first forty minutes of play. Shots were now 25-18 in favor of the Rangers who still had the slight edge in chances despite Vegas’ surge towards the end of the period. 

3rd Period:

A tough start to the period for Will Cuylle who was taken down while going hard to the net which led to him crashing just as hard into the boards. Thankfully, he too would not miss a shift and appeared to be alright. 

Seven minutes into the third, a strong play from Matt Rempe to move the puck ahead to Jonny Brodinzski resulted in a great rush chance for the fourth line. As Brodiznski threw the puck to the net, Edström was able to get a stick on it which redirected the puck to the back of the net, giving the Rangers a 2-1. A well-deserved goal for Edström after blocking that big shot earlier in the first period. 

Of course the Rangers didn’t do themselves any favors as they found themselves at another disadvantage just moments later. Reilly Smith was called for tripping Mark Stone. A much better go on the penalty kill this time around as the Rangers held the Golden Knights without a shot on goal. However at 11:11, a weird bounce of the puck nearly went off the stick of Shesterkin and through his legs but his reaction helped keep the puck out of harm's way. 

With about eight minutes to go, Artemi Panarin joined the post party as he had a great chance to extend the Rangers lead but ripped a shot off the right post. That would be the last big chance for the Rangers as Vegas picked up their game from there, out-shooting the Rangers 7-1 through the third period with five minutes still remaining. As they continued to push, it was William Karlsson drawing another Rangers penalty as Urho Vaakanainen was called for hooking. 

With just under three minutes to go in the game, Vegas gave their power play a full minute before opting to pull Ilya Samsonov for the extra attacker. Just as they did that, Shesterkin was able to freeze play which led to Vegas utilizing their timeout. The Rangers penalty killers were certainly tested but did a fantastic job of waiting out Vegas’ attack. Just as Vaakanainen returned to the ice, the puck came to him at center ice but couldn’t get enough on it to get the puck in the empty net. Nevertheless, the Rangers held off and thanks to some composure in net, Shesterkin was able to cap off a 28 save night to help his team get the win. 

This honest to goodness might be the Rangers most impressive win of the season in the sense that they played well, played hard for a full sixty minutes and found a way to win against one of the best team's in the league. A two game win streak really isn't anything to get excited about, but it's the first time the Rangers have won consecutive games in close to two months. Hopefully this is an indication that the dreadful stretch is over and the Rangers can move on in a positive manner.

They continue on with their road trip as they'll head to Denver to take on the Colorado Avalanche, Tuesday Night at 9pm Eastern time.