Recap: Schneider's OT Winner Lifts Rangers 3-2 Over Wild, Snaps Four Game Losing Streak

Growing desperate to break what has become a four game losing streak, the Rangers especially needed a win on a night where the Columbus Blue Jackets lost in regulation, once again leaving them within reach in the standings. After giving up the lead twice in the third period, the Rangers would be taken into overtime where Braden Schneider would come out the hero to give the Rangers their first win in ten days.

1st Period: 

Great pace from either side to start this game as both goaltenders needed to be sharp right from the jump. The first half of the period came and went quickly with Will Cuylle making an impact on his new line. On top of that, both Brett Berard and J.T. Miller had quality scoring chances. Berard’s came on a fortunate bounce in front that left him with a point blank shot and Miller’s as a result of a strong drive to the net. 

With just under nine minutes to go, the Rangers were awarded the first power play of the game as after some debate, it was determined that Zach Bogosian sent the puck over the glass and up into the netting. The Rangers top unit continued their streak of getting a solid look or two but failing to convert which is even more problematic against the Minnesota Wild who have one of the worst penalty kills in the league. 

One of the most impressive moments of the period came on an insanely unique breakout following a defensive effort from Brennan Othmann. After getting a stick on the attempted pass, the stick flipped out of Othmann’s hands, resulting in him catching it upside down. With the butt end of the stick, Othmann managed to handle the puck enough to clear the zone. Definitely not something you see every day! 

With three and a half to go in the period, the Rangers gave Minnesota their first power play of the night as Zac Jones was called for holding the stick of Justin Brazeau. Igor Shesterkin was undoubtedly the Rangers’ best penalty killer through the first half of it as he came up with some big saves on some really quality chances from the Wild. The entirety of that two minute advantage would be spent in the Rangers end of the ice but they would come out of it unscathed. 

Through the first twenty minutes, shots were 13-12 in Minnesota’s favor. Generally speaking, it was a close period but not necessarily a great defensive one from either side. Despite the score being locked at zeros, the Wild had the edge in attempts, high danger chances, and expected goals for while the Rangers led significantly in hits. 

2nd Period:

Things got off to a bit of a slower start in the middle stanza but it was working in the Rangers favor as they were out-shooting the Wild 3-1 through the first six minutes. Their fourth shot on goal would find the back of the net as Vincent Trocheck found the puck on his stick at the end of a funky passing sequence that was well-executed. Really good pass from K’Andre Miller to dish it down low to Will Cuylle who one-touched it back out to Trocheck who picked up his own rebound. The goal came as Trocheck’s first since February 7th, putting an end to a goal drought of well over a month. 

The Islander soon followed that with their best chance of the night as they came in on a 3-on-2 and set up Brazeau for a back door pass, orchestrated by Brock Faber that required a stretched out pad save from Igor Shesterkin. Meanwhile, Will Cuylle seemed to have agitated his leg on a back check that left him in discomfort heading to the bench and eventually spent time stretching it out during a TV-timeout. Fortunately, it didn’t affect him enough to keep him out of the game. 

With less than four minutes to go in the second, the Rangers went back to the power play as Vinnie Hinostraza was called for slashing. Once again, it was another wasted opportunity for the Rangers on the man advantage but with 73 seconds to go in the period, they would head back to the power play as it was now Marcus Johansson being called for slashing. That would carry over into the third as the Rangers took a one goal lead into the second intermission. Rangers had taken the edge in shots on goal after two as they led 23-20 after forty minutes. 

3rd Period:

The Rangers weren’t able to do much with their remaining power play time but soon after the teams returned to even strength, the Wild would get a turn on the man advantage. Second night in a row the officials made a truly awful call against Matt Rempe as Devin Shore skated right into him away from the play which was called interference. It’s especially frustrating seeing as how much Rempe has cleaned his game up as of late. 

Just as the Rangers were on the verge of finishing killing off the penalty, Marcus Johansson weaved around upon re-entering the offensive zone and surprised Shesterkin with a quick snapshot that found the back of the net, tying the game up 1-1. 

Just two and half minutes later, a tremendous breakout from Zac Jones with some help from Matt Rempe carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped the pass back to Jonny Brodzinski. The Minnesota-native, Golden Gopher alum let a shot go for a massive go ahead goal back in his home state with tons of family and friends in the crowd. Exactly what the Rangers needed to bounce back from goal they had just given up on the penalty kill. 

Of course it wasn’t long before the Rangers were at a disadvantage again as Zac Jones ended up with a double minor for high sticking Johansson. Sure enough, that would cost the Rangers as a pretty passing play ended with an even more impressive individual effort from Freddie Gaudreau to drive the net and sneak out past Shesterkin, tying the game once again.

Because the goal came within the first half of the double minor, the Rangers would still have another full two minutes to kill off. They were successful in killing off the back half of the double minor but would now be on the hunt to regain the lead for the third time tonight after giving it up twice. As neither team found the back of the net in the final five minutes, this one would require extra time to reach a decision. Shots at the end of regulation were 31-28 Rangers.

Overtime:

After two minutes of play that mainly consisted of the Wild playing keep away, a strong szone entry from J.T. Miller dished it back to Artemi Panarin who found Braden Schneider at the point. Schneider pulled off a beautiful fake shot deke to get around Brock Faber and sailed a backhander past Filip Gustavsson to call game. Incredible goal to finally get the Rangers a pair of points, snapping their four game losing streak.

Aside from the penalties and giving up the lead twice, the Rangers played a rather solid game and picked up an important pair of points. Will it be enough with just sixteen games left on the schedule? Time will tell and their next game will hold massive implications in that as they'll head to Columbus for a key rematch and battle for the second wildcard position in the East Saturday Night.