On a cold night in NYC with lingering snow flurries, the Rangers beat Seattle 5-2. The win streak is now at two!
Trocheck (14) opened the scoring at 08:22 with a PPG off a sweet pass from Panarin (33), also assisted by Fox (22). Eberle (6) would follow quickly at 10:41 with his own PPG for the Kraken. Less than 30 seconds later Gustafsson (4) would pick up a deflected pass and rifle one home from the blue line. First period ends 2-1 NYR.
Play slipped a bit to start the second but scoring wise it was all Rangers. At 12:32 Old Man Wheeler (6) deflected a Brodzinski (8) shot with his stick while positioned in front of the net. Schneider (9) also got an assist.
The next goal was a pretty one at 17:01. Zibanejad passed the puck from the defensive zone to Kreider on the boards who immediately put it back to his wide open BFF at center ice. Skating down the wing, Zibanejad passed to the trailing Kakko centered between the dots. Kakko (3) wasted no time putting the puck on net and in (Zibanejad (26), Kreider (18)). Second period ends 4-1 NYR.
McCann (17) got a late goal for the Kraken at 14:24 but the Rangers continued to hold the fort and Wheeler (7) got his second of the night at 17:22, an ENG from Zibanejad (27) and Fox (23). Final score NYR 5, Kraken 2.
Bring your blanket and pillows with you Thursday night as the NYR take on the VGK in Las Vegas, 10PM EST start.
57 responses to “Rangers 5, Kraken 2”
Good win. Here’s hoping Igor’s got his all-star head together for the 2nd half (and beyond).
I know I am in the minority. Buy for those of us who get out of work at midnight the west coast games have been a lot of fun for a very long time. Hope Quick gets a win in LA.
Is it me or does Jack Eichel spend a lot of time on injured list. Also nice to see Rangers not sign Patrick Kane;he is on the shelf again.
On to Vegas and a couple of left coast victories.
LGR
Brooks with a good column on the 5v5 woes. Apparently he is not an optimist? 😉
they had a few 5 on 5 goals last night …and some goals from bottom 6 finally. Getting Chytil back will also help
Do 5v5 goals count more than others?
I think they do BDL..in playoffs when the guys in stripes forget the rules
I missed the game live, and tried to watch the replay. I still haven’t seen the 3rd. Nice to see Kakko score a goal without thinking, that’s how it’s done. Even though Wheeler had a couple of goals he is still basically useless.
Have to make the playoffs first BobbyO. To do that you have to win games. And to do that you have to score more than the other guys do. It doesn’t matter how.
mika’s line gets a lot of grief but somehow someway they lead the team in+/- at even strength. breads line gets all the praise for scoring goals at 5 on 5 but they also let in a ton at their own end.
they are making the playoffs BDL..we want a deep run
Mika’s line doesn’t engage as much on wall down low that would extend ozone possessions but also create risk for break outs the other way.
The Kraken D (24) was abysmal on the Kakko one timer, hanging back between the circles not marking KK but also screening the goalie
Just win baby.
Winning hockey is goal on out.
A week or so ago I posted some historical stats about playoffs and penalties. Apparently the narrative about whistles being put away is false when looked at in total (it is very difficult to figure on a round by round basis)
I still do think 5v5 goals are an indication of strength or weakness and would prefer not to rely as much on power plays. Penalties are kinda like flipping coins. Over the long run you expect 50/50 heads/tails. But in the short run you can get a lot of one or the other. Running into a disciplined team could spell a quick end to a series.
SN I think the BFF line will be better with Kakko back as the wall/possession game seems to be his wheel house (though I hope he starts scoring more too).
I agree the game changes come playoff time, but so does/should the team. This current roster is built to win regular season games. Built to make the playoffs. It is certainly reliant upon their PP. Drury will hopefully add the proper type players for the playoffs. But for now, this is how they win.
The line that will be the issue come playoff time is the Trocheck line. The way they play will not cut it in the playoffs. Drury desperately needs to acquire a good 2 way center. This would give Peter Bowman some options line wise.
Miami/Chiefs game being successfully streamed bodes ill for all sports fans, most especially for the monetarily challenged and their children. Unctuous FatCat owners and hypocritical Networks prevail, as per usual. Eff all of them!
Chycrun is apparently back in play…. If they are going to move Miller..that may be the play
Hopefully Beez. A Special K break out would be huge for this roster.
Kreider and/or Meeka will throw the puck into open space behind net when pressured upon zone entry. This limits ozone possession but also allows 1-3-1 to set up and the D to maintain structure preventing opponent rushes/Grade A scoring chances.
Kakko’s has great instincts on forecheck and an uncanny knack of knocking down clearing passes.
Vegas will be a nice test
Lost Wages, Nevada
Kaapo’s Type 1 Diabetes never noted.
Speaking of diabetes, KK is no Bobby Clarke.
The new technology in diabetes care has changed that world. It’s probably a non issue for Kaako in regards to performance
No cure. Constant insulin monitoring and injections.
Derbils aint making playoffs unless they get a goalie
don’t the devs have a lot of guys out injured – now and earlier in season
Alex, they do. Jack Hughes and Timo meier both been out a couple of weeks, dougie Hamilton, ondrej palat and others. Now Brendan smith.
Too bad impenetrable devils legend Nico Daws won’t have a chance to play his HOF-caliber game against the blueshirts until later next month
If the Devils get healthy they can make a run. If not they will win the lottery and get another generational player. It’s the curse of being a Ranger fan.
Jack Hughes, an amazing fragile talent.
they have talent but their goaltending is bottom 5 and best Dman out long term
If Mrs. Sippi gave Miss Zouri her New Jersey, what would Dela wear? When I see her, Alaska.
Through 4.5 nhl seasons gentleman jack has still played more (regular season) games than the fragile finn. tough year for bone density or something at the top of the draft perhaps?
Uncle Larry on the Kakko bandwagon today
On Gustafsson: “Still, I confess that I would be much more comfortable with a crease-clearing, menacing defenseman in that spot across from Braden Schneider when the playoffs begin.”
I am not Larry Brooks; he just thinks like I do and writes for a less esteemed media outlet 🤣😉
Uncle Larry says we shouldn’t compare Hughes and kakko anymore. Woops, sorry.
We could use THREE of those types.
or just Chycrun
Ottawa sent a first-round pick and two second-round picks to Arizonaa to acquire him so the price will not be steep and he’s not really a stay at home, defense first kind of player. Pass especially given his likely contract demands going forward.
sorry “the price will be steep”
If Kakko shot at the same rate as Hughes but with his current point % (25.3) he’d have around 229 pts to Hughes 252. Hughes is a 27.9% pt% (11.3 for goals) and has been given 18:52 vs 14:45 TOI/GP.
Perhaps Kakko should both shoot and get more TOI?
Beezle 10:45
You’re speaking my language brother.
dont care about contract demands but he would be here for 2 playoff runs ….. he’s played for some bad teams… upgrade defensively short term over Miller. agree cost steep but maybe Miller gets it done
or Kakko could shoot more and get more ice time
Ride Kaapo like a wild horse and put him away wet. Then know. Use him or toss him.
The one-time Kakko took from the DJ feed was a laser. The Fragile Finn should try that more often. If Kakko can become relevant, we may only have to replace Wheeler, Bro-dude, and find a left D crusher to partner with Schneider.
I’m not Chychrun’s biographer or anything (I could barely spell his name without looking it up twice) but from what I’ve seen him play he hits less and gives the puck away more and is less physical presence in general than KMiller, so I’d stick with the devil I know if that’s the consideration.
while NHL event counting is notoriously suspect, Chychrun has been credited with more than 2x as many giveaways vs takeaways in his nhl career, while K’andre has, quite incredibly perhaps, more takeaways than giveaways.
Habs bloggers thinks Kakko, who plays on the top line for a team with no other natural right wingers, can be had for cheap in a trade 🙄
wwpd
Obviously delusional.
Less physical than Miller? It is to laugh. Heartily
Big stick, beat wide. Every time.
Don’t forget to set your alarm in case you fall asleep waiting for the puck to drop 😉 In the case of Norm, remember to shut the stove off!
Rangers are on a 2 game winning streak. Still, my expectations remain low. It’s the only way I can deal with 1 cup since I became a fan in 1971.
To undermine my earlier comment, between lindgren and k’andre, imagine which one has recorded more hits in fewer games than the other one. stranger than fiction.
Miller 255 GP, 460 hits.
Lindgren 299 GP, 450 hits.
I think the filth might be for real.
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