Recap: Quick First American Goaltender to Reach 400 Wins in 4-2 Rangers Win Over Vegas

Coming off a brutal showing in Boston the afternoon prior, the Rangers hosted the Vegas Golden Knights in the second half of a back-to-back. Looking to snap a three game losing streak, the Rangers got a big night out of their top power play unit which helped solidify a 4-2. Of course they wouldn't have gotten there if it wasn't for a stellar night from Jonathan Quick who not only had an outstanding night, but further solidified himself in the history books, becoming the first American-born goaltender to collect 400 career wins.

1st Period: 

An eventful opening shift from the Rangers as J.T. Miller laid a big hit on former friend Brett Howden and Artemi Panarin nearly squeezing the first shot on goal through the legs of goaltender Adin Hill. About five minutes in, the top line had a couple of quality chances including a point blank chance for Zibanejad at the doorstep that was derailed by a defensive effort from Zach Whitecloud. That was matched by a lengthy shift in the Rangers end of the ice that kept the fourth line out there for over two minutes of play. 

Nearing the midway point of the period, Jonathan Quick pulled off a highlight reel glove save on a good scoring chance from Jack Eichel. 

With about eight and a half to go, both teams were penalized for the first calls of the night which brought play to 4-on-4 for two minutes. Matt Rempe was assigned a “boarding” penalty for finishing a check while Shea Theodore was called for sending the puck over the glass. If anything, a good example of how Matt Rempe can’t rest on his laurels of being extra careful when it comes to playing a physical game. Whether it’s warranted or not, the officials clearly have his number and will continue to do so. 

It was a pretty uneventful period from the 4-on-4 on. Neither team really generated much with Quick being the busier of the two goaltenders. With about a minute and a half to go in the first, Ryan Lindgren leg tripped Pavel Dorofeyev to give Vegas the first power play of the night. After a number of grade-A chances by Vegas’ power play that included one crossbar and a number of other bouncing pucks, Jack Eichel ripped a shot through traffic to make it a 1-0 game. 

Yet another disappointing period for the Rangers. Out-shot 14-7, while Vegas had nearly THIRTY shot attempts and led in scoring chances 10-3 with six of them being high danger chances. The Rangers were significantly out-hitting their opponents but none of it matters when you’re so ineffective both offensively and defensively. 

2nd Period:

Just over a minute into the period, a beautiful pass from Adam Fox off a drop from Reilly Smith found Alexis Lafrenière wide open across the slot. With nothing but net to shoot at, Lafrenière picked up his 14th of the season to tie the game up 1-1. 

From that point on, things slowed down pretty notably. However, as we approached the midway point of the game, a bad pinch from Ryan Lindgren sent Vegas the other way which resulted in Jack Eichel picking up his second of the night to regain the lead. Another rocket of a shot through a screen to make it a 2-1 game. 

With six and a half to go, Artemi Panarin had a fantastic opportunity to tie the game as he ripped a wrister off the crossbar at the end of a strong shift. The Rangers continued to press as Will Cuylle ripped one off the mask of Hill just after Chris Kreider missed the net on an odd-man rush. Despite those efforts, the Rangers would go into the second intermission trailing by one. 

A better showing for the Rangers. Ine that for a good chunk of play, was enough to tie things up but not enough to maintain that throughout the entirety of the second period. Shots on goal after two were now 29-17 in favor of Vegas who continued to out-chance the Rangers despite the early goal. 

3rd Period:

Just about four minutes into the period, Rempe drew an interference penalty on Brett Howden which gave the Rangers their first power play of the night. A strong effort from the top power play unit kept the puck in Vegas' end of the ice, eventually resulting in a hard shot from J.T. Miller. Mika Zibanejad did a great job of going to the dirty areas and managed to put home the loose puck to tie things up 2-2.

Mika Zibanejad, it's a power play goal, feels like it's been a while since we heard that line! Great way to celebrate your 900th career game in the NHL.

Vegas had a real good chance to try and regain the lead as a redirected pass from Rempe meant for Jimmy Vesey resulted in a 2-on-0 rush led by Raphael Lavoie. Urho Vaakanainen did an outstanding job on the back check to break up the rush and keep this thing tied.

With eight and a half to go, another big shift from the newly constructed top line resulted in the Rangers picking up their first lead of the night. Once again, it was the efforts of J.T. Miller that helped gain momentum for this team as some good passing from Panarin and Zibanjead found K'Andre Miller cutting towards the net. A beautiful shot and even better celebration followed a massive goal from Miller to make it a 3-2 game in the Rangers favor.

The intensity of this one certainly picked up from there as Nic Hague challenged Will Cuylle to a fight after laying a massive hit on veteran defender Alex Pietrangelo.

With just under three minutes to go, a defensive zone face-off win allowed for Kreider to go on a breakaway that ended up drawing another Vegas penalty. Pietrangelo got the stick tied up in Kreider which gave the Rangers a power play to close out the final minutes of play. It would continue to be an effective night for the Rangers power play as Artemi Panarin found the back of the net off a nice feed from Zibanejad, 4-2 game.

Vegas pulled the goalie for the extra attacked in attempts to get back in this one but the Rangers held them off strong. The Rangers pulled off the comeback and secured an important 4-2 win. Jonathan Quick finally secured win number 400th which not only makes him the first American born goaltender to accomplish that feat, but the 15th goalie in league history. A well deserved moment for the future hall of fame netminder. Quite special to not only do it for your childhood team, but against one of your former teams as well.

A much needed bounce back win for the Rangers who have just three games left before the break for 4-Nations. They'll be back at it for a rematch with the Bruins Wednesday Night at the Garden.