This was a riveting playoff-type recreation performed in a celebratory playoff-type environment on the Garden, which is one of the best we get today between the Rangers and Islanders, groups which have one way or the other not met within the playoffs since 1994.
That “somehow” is likely to be defined by the truth that our two groups have each made the playoffs on the similar time in simply 4 of the intervening years — 2007, 2013, 2015 and 2016 — for the reason that Blueshirts’ humiliating four-game sweep by an mixture 22-3 rating that represented step one in ending the 54-year Cup drought.
The Blueshirts are usually not solely marching towards their first playoff berth since 2017, however competing for home-ice benefit. The two-time operating semifinalist Islanders, properly, they stand 17 factors behind second wild-card Washington whereas holding three video games in hand, even after going 5-2 of their previous seven matches.
But you will be sure that the guests have been all singing to the soundtrack of the “Man of La Mancha,” and dreaming the unimaginable dream following Thursday’s 2-1 victory over the Rangers in as entertaining an episode of the Battle of New York as we’ve had in a while.
The goaltending was very good at each ends of the ice, with Ilya Sorokin handing over a pair of circus saves that allowed him to outdo his buddy Igor Shesterkin on the different finish of the ice. The Rangers carried the play for essentially the most half in a quick and bodily recreation wherein they gave greater than they took.
As head coach Gerard Gallant famous, the Blueshirts didn’t merely reply, they initiated. They set the bodily tone early when Ryan Reaves first put Zdeno Chara down on a reverse hit then stapled Cal Clutterbuck to the wall seconds aside halfway via the primary interval.
But, unable to attain at even-strength, they have been finally crushed when Kyle Palmieri broke a 1-1 draw by swatting one in from in entrance with 2:44 remaining within the third after Oliver Wahlstrom’s blatant elbow/shoulder to Ryan Lindgren’s head on the different finish of the ice went uncalled.
The officiating was dodgy all evening, although if not for Sorokin’s acrobatics and brilliance, the Blueshirts would certainly have been in a position to overcome that. For this one evening, the Rangers had the sinking feeling so many opponents have had this season after being shut down by Shesterkin.
“I think going forward, this effort is the standard,” Jacob Trouba mentioned. “We know we can play this way. If we do, we like our chances in a lot of games.”
Chances, sure, the Blueshirts had quite a lot of, none extra glittering that Artemi Panarin’s drive towards a wide-open left facet of the online from the left circle on which Sorokin one way or the other received his paddle after tumbling throughout the crease. That was at 5:20 of the primary interval.
The shot got here off a feed from Frank Vatrano, inserted by Gallant into the premium right-wing spot on the Panarin-Ryan Strome line a day after having been acquired from Florida in change for a fourth-round draft choose. That’s fairly heady stuff for the 28-year-old who has typically been a bottom-sixer for the second-overall Panthers who’re brimming with expertise.
“That’s a great opportunity playing with two world-class players like that,” mentioned the winger who introduced zip to the sport in 14:47 of ice time. “I’m just trying to bring my speed and get to the dirty areas and create space for them.”
Vatrano, who had scored 10 targets (eight at five-on-five) for Florida in 12:12 of common ice time, is the sixth winger to play on the best with Strome and Panarin. Dryden Hunt, who had performed the previous 10 video games and 25 total in that spot, was bumped to what grew to become an lively third line with Filip Chytil and Barclay Goodrow.
The transfer — seemingly solely the primary earlier than the commerce deadline strikes at 3 p.m. on Monday — provides Gallant choices. It additionally creates inner competitors for not solely a spot within the top-six, however to get into the lineup. It is unknown whether or not the personable newcomer has the best stuff to experience with the Big Dogs for the lengthy haul, however Gallant will give the UMass product a shot.
So, a defeat to the Islanders. A defeat wherein Chris Kreider’s fortieth objective got here on the ability play, which suggests nothing for the Blueshirts at five-on-five. Many nights, this is able to be a extra outstanding piece of the story. But not this one, when a playoff-type recreation featured a playoff-type goaltending duel.
One day possibly Shesterkin and Sorokin will hook up in a real-life playoff Battle for New York. Twenty-eight years with out one is greater than sufficient.
The post Rangers-Islanders had playoff feel thanks to standout goalies first appeared on Umorr.
