It was a night that many fans attended holiday parties. Not to be left out, the Rangers made their own third period party at Scotiabank arena, defeating the host Toronto team 5-2 and likely raiding their post game liquor cabinet on the way out of town.
The first period was played in lock-down mode by both teams, but especially the Rangers, who are trying to break their bad habit of starting games down a goal or two. Though NY had 11 shots to Toronto’s 8, nothing was going in for either.
In the second period play opened up a bit with three goals in fairly quick succession. Zibanejad started the scoring at 6:11. Zibanejad skated the puck up ice and into the offensive zone, passed the puck off to a trailing Wheeler, behind him on the right, who then put the puck on net where Zibanejad’s leg/skate redirected it past Jones. The goal was set up in part by KAM who followed Zibanejad in on his left, driving the net and pulling Toronto’s defense with him.
Matthews (who else) got Toronto on the sheet shortly after at 7:32 on a one-timer. The play was set up when Panarin made an errant pass in the offensive zone which Fox then turned over in the neutral zone to an unimpeded Matthews. Insult to injury, Matthews skated around Panarin before taking the shot.
Lafreniere got his 9th of the season from Brodzinski and Gustafsson, all on the ice as part of the PP2 unit. Wheeler won the face off, Brodzinki passed up to Gustafsson at the blue line who gave it right back to Brodzinksi along the boards. Brodzinski then made a perfect cross ice pass to a wide open Lafreneire at the top of the circle. Lafreneire’s hard shot deflected off Toronto’s Riley before going in the net.
The 3rd period opened with the Rangers looking a little too loose, allowing Matthews to net his second of the night at just 1:16 in – Wheeler and Kreider both watching and giving Matthews plenty of room at the bottom of the circle.
The game now tied at 2-2, the game winning goal came not from Vesey, but Schneider (2). Taking a nice pass from his partner Gustafsson just before the center line, Schneider accelerated down the right side before cutting back in and going five hole on Jones to put the Rangers up 3-2.
Panarin took what ever was left out of the Leafs at 15:08, notching his 17th goal on a late PP at 15:08. Gustafsson was the primary assist, his third overall of the night. The final score of the evening came from Zibanejad into the empty net at 16:47, assisted by Lindgren and Kreider.
Shesterkin continued his good play from the Boston game, stopping 31 of 33 shots he faced. The Rangers won the faceoff battle 55-45%. There were only two penalties called in the game, both on Toronto and the Rangers converted on both opportunities.
The Rangers will host the Oilers on Friday night, a late 7:30PM start (ESPN+)
85 responses to “Rangers 5, Leaves 2”
Always enjoyable to rake the Leaves. Shocked that we got out of a game up there without taking a bunch of penalties.
Solid game and we finally get puck luck. I remember suffering through year after year of those goals going in our net. That was nice to see. And it’s very good Laffy got a goal again after a long drought. He needed it as much as Shesty needed another solid game for his confidence.
Tavares was moaning about the puck luck. Bummer dude.
I’ll take the 3 bouncy goals, the rangers put themselves in position to succeed leading up to them. Lafrenchie bank-shot in particular. Good play lead to more puck luck.
Exactly wwpd. You’ll never get the puck ‘luck’ unless you do other things the right way first.
Have to give props to the 4th line as well, they have been doing a good job most nights. 14ish minutes TOI for them last night
That line is not the 4th line. It’s the matchup line. The Bonino line is 4th line. Also for those scoring at home. Trochek is now clearly the number one center. Laviolette is using him as such.
Admiring of Tro’s tenacity on faceoffs.
…and we leaf Toronto with fond memories…
#79 just sucks at D. He doesn’t mean to, he just does.
BDL, has been for a good while too. Bread-Torch-Lafrenchie out ice-timing the Huggie Line by 2-3 minutes per game at even strength.
BDL
agree with you on which lines are 1,2 ,3, 4
bread line is actually the highest paid line re the cap. mika line operating with a meh as rw whereas the bread line has 3 very capable guys
i wish the media would label the lines the way you said. maybe the mika line would get less bs from social media if expectation and salary are really as 2nd line and that’s regardless of whether the rw is wheeler or kakko
and the goodrow line is clearly above the bonino line
You’ve got to be lucky to be good and good to be lucky.
face offs 55% last night… one of the nicest surprises this year…kudos to the coaching staff….did anyone notice Wheeler won face off on Laffy goal?
miller wildly inconsistent at D, but def more growing pains than you’d like to see still
If Miller couldn’t play defense or that inconsistent why is a Stanley Cup winning coach giving him top 4 minutes?
He’s 23 years old and in this 4th season and is a +50 .. Whats the expectation here?
in my opinion just a little too cavalier with the puck in his own end too often. think he’s a top 4 and still room for growth, just not above reproach
Not a big fan of Miller. However all players make mistakes that’s how goals are scored.
But when has he been above reproach here?
Forget expectations. As in so many cases, may never happen.
Can’t wait for the comments after his next contract
I’ve critized Miller in the past for two reasons – 1/ he needs to use his size to make plays and 2/ his first option is to send the puck back behind the net rather than carry or chip it out, often resulting in extended o-zone time for the opposition. He’s gotten a little better at #2, still a ways to go on #1. End of day, you could do far, far worse than having KAM on your 1st pair.
Thinking of Chytil here Nolan Patrick retires
I think KAM gets too much flack because of the bad plays that everyone can be guilty of from time to time. I don’t think he is making those mistakes consistently. It’s just when they occur, they can lead to bad results. Like last night. But at the same time, Panarin and Fox both make ill advised plays that directly resulted in Matthews first goal. (Panarin made a number of bad East/West passes last night, reminiscent of what he used to to the last few years and that he seemed to have cured this year.) And on the second goal, Kreids lost Matthews, the last guy you should lose when he’s on the ice. So, my bottomline is to continue to give KAM a break, given his age, potential, and the responsibility and the potential that the coaching staff see in him.
Coach plays him because he loves his game? Did Showalter love Vogelbach or was he under orders to play him? Answer well-known.
You can tell when a skater effs up a lot. SalmonJoe will praise him inordinately for the simplest of plays.
The coach in first place?
I like Miller.
#NYR Updates from @StapeAthletic – Kakko might be back after the All-Star break. – The Rangers sent Chytil to Michigan neurologist Jeffrey Kutcher, who is the go-to independent concussion expert around the league now. – Plan is for Othmann to have a full year down in Hartford.
[Here is the link to Staple’s full article](https://theathletic.com/5151991/2023/12/20/rangers-kakko-chytil-perreault/)
Gotta go to Michigan to find a competent Neurologist? Something smells fishy.
Assdancers pick up another point on a loss.
Unbelievable.
Islanders are the only team in one of the 16 playoff spots with a losing (15-8-9) record.
Of course they are.
SN I didn’t see any mention of Kakko’s injury in that link. Did he have any info on exactly what was damaged?
Coos I’m sure you have heard of Dr. Andrews. He’s not in NYC either.
Admiral I agree with you the Bettman point and the Icelander’s ability to harvest them is ridiculous. Don’t understand how the owners could have ever approved it while keeping a regulation win at 2pts.
Gustafsson on Schneider: “He’s been playing very well the whole season,” Gustafsson said. “I’m just happy for him. Such a great kid. He’s younger than me. No, all the things he’s done. It’s great to see.”
Guy’s pretty quick with math at nearly 32 yrs old 😂
For the Admiral
The Fishsticks are sniffing around and feeding off those Bettman points. Like flotsam/jetsam.
It’s probably the ONLY annoying thing about this season so far (injuries to Chytil and Kakko not withstanding).
Team sent Bill Walton to their ‘specialist’ and he ended up playing under the influence of pain-killing drugs and developed for life a withered foot. I want to chose my own MD, at least for a second opinion.
Count me in as a KAM fan. He’s not without his faults but how many players don’t have any weaknesses in their game? He’s young, big (and getting bigger), skates really well especially for his size and every season developing a more physical game. Defensemen take longer to develop and this kid is playing against the best opposing players in the world!
Let’s not discount that after bringing in an accomplished and successful new head coach along with a complete coaching and training staff overhaul, KAM is still paired with Trouba (Captain and top pair defender)!
Are any of us Boneheads more knowledgeable, informed or insightful regarding any aspect of this team than anyone within the organization? How long has it taken for our top draft choices to develop and bloom? How many teams would be lining up for a chance to obtain Miller if he became available?
The organization has shown great patience with a number of current players, Chytil, Busto, KK among others and Miller deserves the same based on where he is now as a player and the potential that the organization must see in him. And I haven’t even mentioned his offensive upside. Unless he stops developing and regresses the kid’s a keeper.
Beezle
I could live with this.
RW 3pts
OW 2pts
OL 1pt
We can be fussy about Miller if we like—free country—but there’s no escaping he’s a 1D on the best team in hockey. He covers for Trouba, Trouba covers for him… They’re both having fine years, independent of my cataracts.
I like Miller a lot.
He can play, he balances the lines.
He hasn’t developed fully yet, so he may get even better than he is now. 31 other teams would
Love to have him on their first or second pairing.
Nutz
Carson Briere, son of Flyers GM, learns his fate after tossing woman’s wheelchair down stairs at bar.
NY Post
“Don’t understand how the owners could have ever approved it while keeping a regulation win at 2pts.”
That’s my main gripe with this new NHL. Some matches are worth three points, others two. Is there another professional sports league in the world where such stupidity exists?
Buchnevich had a goal taken away on an offside down here in Sunrise.
It’s now spreading even to former Rangers.
🤣
No TV tomorrow unless you you have ESPN + which I’m not paying extra for. What a freeken shame. Already have ESPN 1 & 2. Why does the avid fan always get screwed by these money hungry media outlets.
ESPN + comes with my Verizon wireless plan
Anyone think we should see endstrom in the lineup over Bro dude
Brings a different element.
I don’t dislike bro dude. But I was very impressed with Entenmanns debut
Chytil should be referred to whatever rehab team fixed Crosby
I think it was in Florida
Oilers destroy the Derbils with 4 goals in the 3rd period… what can we expect from Oilers-Rangers tonight?
Rangers have to better defensively than the Devils were. It is doable.
Clegg I think BroDude brings a lot more flexibility. He’s also got the years of experience (granted, mostly in AHL) to be reasonably sound defensively. The Giant did OK in his debut, but don’t see a switch coming, at least not now. Of course, big body like his could be very welcome in the playoffs but let him get some big minutes in AHL until then.
I doubt anyone would have expected 1 G, 6A in 11 games, 11:20 ATOI, (the goal and 2As on PP) for Brodzinski. Not suggesting he’s the future or anything like that, but he’s been a net positive. Probably the most important thing is he puts the puck on net and makes the goalie do some work.
ORF – exactly. And it is on the coaching staff to hound these guys for a full 60 minutes. Any let up and you know Edmonton will find the back of the net. Perhaps Laviolette should make them watch the Derbils 3rd period follies/meltdown before the game.
1:40 McDavid
2:22 Draisaitl (unassisted)
2:49 Erne
9:04 McLeod (unassisted)
Can’t let them float around unguarded like they did Matthews. I’m looking at you CK. And no wish passes at the blue line – Breadman. If there is no play the puck needs to go deep. Make them go 200 feet to score.
79 will be responsible for at least one against. He needs at least one ‘for’ in order to compensate.
Tossing some chum to the waters. Which naive fish will bite first?
When Brodzinski gets the puck in the offensive zone he takes a shot …brilliant stuff that seems to escape Kakko
Buffalo lost 9-4 to Columbus on Tuesday, beats Toronto 9-3 on Thursday. What a whacko league.
From ESPN:
NYR Roster breakdown: 13 Americans, 6 Canadians, 3 Swedes, 2 Russians, 1 Czech, 1 Finn. New York leads the NHL this season with the largest group of U.S.-born players, and has the fewest number of Canadians.
BOS: 12 Americans, 8 Canadians, 4 Swedes, 3 Czechs.
Are Canuks a thing of the past?
Charge the net, damnit! No gutless fly-by’s.
Stop with the racist ‘Canucks.’ They are ‘People of Canuck.’
Laviolette says Kakko skating (though he’s said the same of Chytil); looks like Quick tonight and Eyegor tomorrow
Regarding LOne Rangers comment. NY Rangers games have over the years priced the regular fan out of the building. Was a season ticket holder for over 30 years,plus got cable tv just to watch Rangers and get a clear picture a long time ago. Fun fact. When Ranger games first started on Manhattan cable tv there were no commercials. Also my tickets in section 311 were $ 6.00. I know, a very long time ago. After the strike in 2006 prices became to high for me. I think the ticket went to $50.00. But at least we could watch every game on cable. Now,if you don’t have 3 or 4 different services you are shutout. It does not take a lot to understand they don’t give a damn about us and over time I feel the same about the NHL and to some extent The Rangers. Will watch highlights on youtube Sat. There is a lot more to life then this or any other team.
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
LGR
The Fishsticks had no problem with the Oilslicks.
Let’s be like the Fishsticks (ducks)
Of note I get almost every game on DirectTV stream (msg, tnt, espn etc)
Used to have Fubo but bailed when they fought Turner and nbc sent many games including playoffs to Turner.
Tonight will be maybe the second time o use espn+ all year.
Though, as a stand alone I think it’s not like 5.99 a month
Which is way cheaper than the center ice package I used to have to buy on top of regular cable since I don’t live in the metro area
Jeff – vintage Ranger price gouging!
Cooscoos – 🤣 people of the Canuckish persuasion
‘A wise old owl lived in an oak;
The more he saw the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard:
Why can’t we all be like that wise bird?” 🙂
“Trochek is now clearly the number one center.”
Wrong, BDL. Everyone knows it’s Derick Brassard. 🤨
Good to see you back, BDL.
The Rangers, during their rebuild from 2017 to 2020 drafted 5 forwards: a medal slinging Swede, a Russian wussy, a Czech head case, a fragile Finn, and a hopeful Busto Canucko. Only the Rangers could have pulled this off!
I forgot, #1 picks.
Stepan!
Jeff – I know what you mean. We ditched cable a few years ago and when I look at what we have to get so I can get all the games I think it is totally nuts. And the cost…no way. I’ve been doing the “alternate” to cable and dish. I don’t like doing it and think one night the Cable Stasi are going to break my door down and take me away but it works and I can watch on the phone or a tablet and aside from being a step or two behind I’m pretty happy with it.
Our boys in blue will crush the oilcans tonight. I can’t believe I wrote this.
Oh boy St Pete. I’m going to the game tonight with my 10 year old son for “men’s night out.”
I hope the boys in blue and red respond with a methodical well played game. My son will be stoked to see Jonathan Quick – his current favorite Ranger!
St Pete,
I agree with you. If we play defense the way we know how we should be able to score on these guys. Trouba still owes Draisatl for knocking the stick out of his hands after he scored on us last year. I am hoping for a Trouba Train tonight. Maybe not crushing the Oilers but thinking 5-3, 6-3. Miller on ice for all three goals against! (ducks)
Such bulls-/t that I can’t watch the game tonight with it being available only on ESPN+/Hulu. Such a dumb move by the NHL. ESPN/ESPN2 games….fine, but this = bulls-/t.
Craig – Sportsurge
Living in the Carolinas, being able to stream Ranger games with ESPN+ is a godsend. Before that it was Game Center, before that for a few years didn’t watch at all unless game was on National TV (not a lot of regular season games, but always caught the playoffs). Game Center was a lot more expensive than is ESPN+. Well worth the expense, but of course, blackout forces you to watch the Hurricanes broadcast whenever they play them.
Smart move by NHL. Why would all of us die hard boneheads want to watch our favorite team against one of the best teams. NHL doing a very good imitation of The Grinch. Well,guess what? Screw them. Taking the lovely wife out for dinner. Will drink lots of sangria and eat tapas and if they win,that’s nice. If they don’t wim. Who cares? They stopped caring about us fans years ago. LGR.
Fubo charges an extra 10 a month “regional sports net” fee for msg. Msg wants 10 a game on their app.
Can we send a collective 🖕 to buttman
Can’t wait to listen to the crappy ESPe nis commentators while Edmonton game get their usual guys up in Canada