Recap: Shesterkin, Penalty Kill Power Rangers to 3-1 Win in Dallas

The Rangers had one more stop on the road before heading home for the holidays as they took on the Dallas Stars. They would get some reinforcements as they prepared for one of the better team's they've seen as of late as Artemi Panarin returned to the lineup with Matt Rempe also returning in his first game since his call up. With this being the first game since the Kakko trade the other night, this game also made for Will Borgen's New York Ranger debut.

With that, the Rangers had a massive opportunity at hand. Thanks to those reinforcements and a big night from the penalty killers, they were able to shake off a tough start and battle through fora key win against a strong opponent on the road.

1st Period:

This team and their starts… After the Rangers put the puck in a wide open net after a whistle already blew, the Stars were all over them. After 75 seconds of game play, Zibanejad fumbled a play at the blue line which prompted an easy zone entry that ended with Jamie Benn sneaking a puck by Igor Shesterkin. Thankfully, they caught quite the break as the coaching staff challenged the play for offsides and were successful which gave them a much needed do-over. 

You would think that would be a wake up call but it wasn’t. Not even a full minute later that same line couldn’t defend against this Dallas team and Roope Hintz found a clean shot that zipped past Shesterkin to properly make it a 1-0 game. 

One quarter of the opening period in the books and the Rangers were being out-shot 5-1 but it felt as if it was 10-0. The Stars were outright running the show and the Rangers were skating around like chickens with their heads cut off. After one of the Rangers better shifts, Mavrik Bourque beat this team on the rush yet again but thankfully, Shesterkin came up with a big glove save. 

Nearing the midway point of the period, Zibanejad had a chance to redeem himself picking up a rebound off a rush chance he set up for Brett Berard. Alas, a Dallas defender’s stick was right there to stop the puck from crossing the line and as the play went the other way, Zibanejad was called for the first penalty of the night as he slashed Evgenii Dadonov. 

The Rangers continued to thrive on the penalty kill as Reilly Smith picked up a puck at the point that Thomas Harley fumbled. In all alone on Jake Oettinger, Smith snuck a quick wrist shot through to make it a 1-1 game. 

Not only did they come up with a short handed goal, but they held the Stars shotless on the power play which came as a huge break for the Rangers. On a shift that followed, Brett Berard got into a shoving match with Stars defenseman Lian Bischel who clocks in at 6”7, nearly a foot taller to Berard’s 5”9 which was great to see.

With just under five minutes to go, a strong shift from the Rangers top line started and ended with Vincnent Trocheck. Fox sent the puck back to Trocheck who let a slap shot go from the point while covering for Fox to take the lead for the first time in what feels like forever. 2-1 game. Whether it was the shorthanded goal, some of the feistiness led by Berard or a combination of everything, the Rangers were working hard to turn this game around. 

The Rangers went back to the penalty kill about a minute later as Urho Vaakanainen got tangled up with Bourque which earned him two for tripping. It wouldn’t be a perfect kill this time around but it was enough to keep Dallas off the board which is all you can ask for. With 32 seconds to go in the period, the Rangers took yet another penalty, this time for too-many men on the ice. Not the best way to end the period but all things considered, the Rangers cleaned up their game and came out of it with a 2-1 lead.

Shots were 15-9 in favor of the Rangers who really turned things around as the period went on. On top of that, out of 20 face-offs, the Rangers only lost three of them. On the flip side, the Stars had the advantage in high danger chances 5-3 and led in the expected goals count.

2nd Period:

The Rangers still had another minute and a half to kill on the Dallas power play in which they went on to be successful for a third time. Soon after the return to even strength, Matt Rempe drew a penalty, yes you read that right, as Mason Marchment was called for tripping. The top power play unit back together with Panarin back in the picture had some great looks including a shot that went off the post but the Stars, who have been excellent on the penalty kill this season, continued to find success and kept the Rangers from adding to their lead. 

Just two minutes after the team’s returned to even strength, Rempe came so close to his first goal of the season as he was wide open on the doorstep just before the whistle blew. It was another penalty, this time on former friend Nils Lundkvist as he was called for hooking Rempe on the scoring chance. Make that two penalties that Rempe, who is usually the one getting called, had drawn on the night. 

Nearing the midway point of the second, Matt Rempe had another brilliant chance for a goal, this time on a breakaway and managed to draw a third Dallas penalty sending the Rangers back to the power play yet again. For what it’s worth, Rempe was having an incredible game midway through his return to the lineup, turns out development in the AHL can work wonders! Who would’ve thought.. 

Alas, three power play opportunities came and went without the Rangers finding the back of the net which certainly was less than ideal. Especially in a game against a team of Dallas’ caliber, you have to take advantage of every chance you get and it really felt like the Rangers were tempting fate by not converting. 

With five and a half to go, the Rangers were back to the penalty kill as Ryan Lindgren was called for boarding. This is where the whole tempting fate thing really came into play as Dallas did not make it easy for the Rangers’ penalty killers or for Shesterkin who was having a sensational night in his own right. After a valiant effort to hold onto their lead, the Rangers had to finish out the middle period on yet another penalty kill as Chris Kreider was called for an odd face-off violation which earned him a delay of game. 

It wasn’t a walk in the park, but the Rangers held Dallas off and took their one goal lead into the second intermission. Special teams, Matt Rempe and Igor Shesterkin were the story of that period as this was easily the most entertaining game in recent memory. Shots on goal after forty minutes were not 27-25 in favor of Dallas who continued to lead in high danger chances now 14-11. The Rangers flipped in their face-off efforts as they only won four of 17 throughout the second.

3rd Period:

About a minute and a half in, Panarin nearly made it a 3-1 game as he let a weird angle shot go that went off Oettinger and the side of the net but wouldn't cross the goal line. A minute and a half after that, the Rangers were back to the penalty kill as Filip Chytil took a not great offensive zone penalty for hooking against Esa Lindell. For a sixth time, the Rangers were able to come out of a penalty unscathed as the penalty killers did a great job of holding Dallas off.

With about about twelve and a half to go, Rempe who was doing so well, ends up getting tossed for an elbow on Miro Heiskanen that landed him a 5-minute major and a game misconduct. Incredibly frustrating, especially with how well he was playing but that's another situation where he needs to just tone it down a bit. It was a little strange seeing as it didn't seem like the officials even called a penalty initially but nevertheless, this left the Rangers in an incredibly difficult position.

Make it seven. It may not have been ideal by any means but the Rangers continued to find success on the penalty kill which came as a huge momentum shifter once again. With time running down, the Rangers had one more hill to climb. With three minutes to go, the Stars pulled Oettinger for the extra attacker. About a minute later, Fox cleared the puck and Will Cuylle pushed hard to bring it to the net but it would be Kreider picking up the empty netter seconds later. A big one for Kreider who has been on a six game pointless streak.

Dallas pulled the goalie again with a minute to go but to no avail, the Rangers held them off to secure a much needed pair of points. Slow start and surplus of penalties aside, this was without question one of the team's best efforts across the past few weeks which is certainly encouraging to see. A feel good win to bring back home as they'll be back at it for an afternoon matinee with the Carolina Hurricanes Sunday at noon.