N.Y. Rangers: Victory In Home-Ice Opener Not In The Stars

From the desk: RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

2021 ~ HOME ICE OPENER ~ 2022

Stars       3

Rangers  2

overtime

Special Teams Experiencing Power Outages and Short Circuits

Open with a lopsided 5-1 loss at Washington, then host a slight downtick in competition only lose in overtime.  Rest assured, the Rangers are slowly but surely inching closer to a win.  Whether it comes against the Habs or Leafs remains to be seen.

The Rangers are putting forth a representative effort with faceoffs, shots on goal, and hits, but special team play has largely compromised their first two games.  They have now allowed four goals in eight penalty kills or lack thereof.  Meanwhile, the Rangers were 1/5 against Washington and shut out in four power-play opportunities against the Stars.  Needless to say, special teams require Gerard Gallant's immediate address.

That being said, goaltending cannot go unspoken.  Alexandar Georgiev stopped 22 of 27 total shots against the Capitals, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 23 of 26 total shots.  Said another way, the Ranger goalminders, in just over six periods of hockey, have thus far allowed eight goals on 53 attempts which translates into an 85% save rate.

Meanwhile, Adam Fox kicked off the season with a game-high 23:31 minutes against Washington.  He followed with a team-high 25:00 minutes Thursday against the Stars; over seven of those minutes were spent on special teams, and he still led the team in even-strength ice time.

Ranger centermen generated eleven shots on goal and just one point on an assist from Mika Zibanejad. Ryan Strome led forwards with five shots on goal.  But wouldn't you know, Adam Fox led the Rangers with six.  I'm hoping and praying Filip Chytil seizes outright the front-line center position.  In the meantime, Dallas centermen generated eight shots on goal, and two found the back of the net - advantage Stars.

Here's the thing about Chris Kreider's second goal in as many games: they came in losses.  But the real point is that he scores in bunches.  Kreider puts together four to six-game scoring bursts, then fades away for long stretches at a time.  I still can't believe of all players, he is the one to survive Jeff Gorton's purge.  But here he is ... Chris can be a real force if he just levels out his peaks and valleys.