The Rangers notched back-to-back shutouts, whitewashing the Islanders 4-0 on Monday after defeating the Predators by the same score on Sunday. Defense was the name of the game in both contests, with the Blueshirts excelling the first two periods Sunday and the last 50 minutes Monday. New York gets a significant test Wednesday when they face the Capitals at home.
Scratches: Smith (roster management), Kaliyev, Robertson
IR: Edström (lower-body), Fox (upper-body), Kreider (upper-body)
A few thoughts:
1) Goaltending/Defense: Jonathan Quick, Sunday, Igor Shesterkin, yesterday, both were on their game. What should not be lost is the play of the defense, both blueliners and forwards. The team as a whole have been vastly better in the neutral and in their own zone. Gaps that existed in the past have been narrowed, while the issues in slot coverage have been reduced recently. Coach Peter Laviolette expressed how much improved the defense has been in his post-game comments.
"That back pressure is so important," head coach Peter Laviolette said. "The gaps by the defensemen and the back pressure by the forwards is so important. And, so, when our forwards are working like that backwards and when we're working in the defensive zone, it gets us out of the defensive zone quicker so we can play offense. I think, certainly the last few games, we’ve been better."
Zac Jones, buried for weeks and months, has stepped in and added a missing element; the quick transition from D to O. He has been strong in his own end while also creating offense off the rush. But it has not just been him, the entire defense has been better. I know the easy narrative is that the absence of Adam Fox has improved the team speed, the same with Ryan Lindgren. It’s fairly clear Fox looked to be a bit compromised health wise. I am not in he trade Fox camp, but as we had been saying for weeks, and said in the playoffs last year, Lacy and Phil Housley sitting Jones looks to have been a major mistake.
2) J.T. Miller effect: adding Miller has brought a certain swagger missing previously. New York is playing bigger and more physical than they were prior to his arrival. His style of play has been contagious. Miller extended his point streak to six games with a goal that basically sealed the win coupled with an assist.
The bigger impact has been on Mika Zibanejad’s game. Lost during the team’s slump, Zib has been rejuvenated by the acquisition of Miller. This has not just been the case offensively, but he has been more engaged and physical, as seen in his play yesterday.
Will Cuylle, who scored the first goal of the game off his helmet, has been a perfect fit as the third member of that line. He was excelling with Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko, then hit the skid when first paired with Mika. Now with Miller and Zib, that trio has been excellent. As Vince Mercogliano noted, yesterday was no different, as the unit racked up nine scoring chances Monday while allowing only two, according to Natural Stat Trick
3) Artemi Panarin looks to have found his game. Recently, Panarin, whoadded an empty-netter for his team-leading 25th goal of the season as part of his two-point game, has had the jump back in his step missing for a while. In addition, he was noticeable on both ends of the ice. As Mercogliano noted, remarkably, his line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafrenière racked up 15 shot attempts without allowing any. I still need to see more from Trocheck and especially Laf, but yesterday, that trio dominated their opponent.
4) Heading into Friday’s trade deadline, New York has worked their way back into playoff contention. The team has done so with Chris Kreider, who was not having a good season, and Adam Fox sidelined. GM Chris Drury’s trades aided the back line while also providing a spark up front. Reilly Smith will clearly be traded as Drury makes sure to get a return for expiring assets. I would be shocked if K’Andre Miller, who has been very solid next to Will Borgen, who scored last night and was one of the players acquired by Drury, gets moved even though a new deal will need to be determined for him.
You could argue that the bottom six forwards still could use a boost, same with the defense. Ryan McLeod’s and Tommy Novak’s name have come up as possible third line center options. While Jonny Brodzinski has stepped in ably on the bottom six, New York is likely looking for an upgrade there. Similar on defense, despite how well techs team played the last few games. This falls into the “threading the needle” theory espoused for Drury at the deadline.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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