From the opening moments of the Rangers-Flames game on Monday night, it was obvious that both teams understood what needs to be done to cement a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This game had everything hockey fans want, especially when they tune into a game from the goals, to great passing, to hits, and multiple fights by the same player.
As much as the NHL wants to eliminate the physical aspect of the game, last night’s game may have been the most entertaining of the season. The game wasn’t an all-out slugfest, but the hits and fights added to the drama and excitement of a high-scoring game against two potential playoff teams battling for position in the standings.
Enough has been said about Jacob Trouba and why he was named the Rangers’ captain this offseason. Last night, he showed how his play impacts the rest of this team and why he was chosen to be the 28th captain in franchise history. After laying out Dube in the first period and making quick work of Tanev in the ensuing fight, we were off to the races. Sammy Blais, who has been the ire of many Rangers fans leading into the All-Star break, put a massive hit on Milan Lucic.
*Photo above courtesy of Forever Blueshirts*
Not to be outdone, Trouba, after serving his time for the first fight, came out in the second period and caught Nazem Kadri with his head down making a move to the crease. Trouba laid a massive hit on Kadri, who lost his helmet and appeared lost when he recovered from the hit. Following the hit on Kadri, Dube, who obviously didn’t learn his lesson earlier in the game, got his ass whooped trying to stick up for Kadri. Trouba was a man possessed in this game, making his presence felt all over the ice, with 6 hits and a blocked shot.
Beyond the physical aspect of the game, both teams showed that they are capable of scoring when the pressure is on. Filip Chytil came out of the break as red-hot as he was before, putting the puck past Markstom less than 6 minutes into the contest. The Flames followed with a goal by Blake Coleman at the halfway mark in the first. Chytil once again found the net on a breakaway with 2:02 into the second period, to give the Blueshirts the lead. At 16:25, Tyler Toffoli tied it up again with a power-play goal. To end the second, Mika Zibanejad netted his 23rd goal of the season on the power play.
The third period featured less fighting, but significantly more drama as the Flames scored two goals in the first nine minutes of the period (Mangiapane and Stone), giving the Flames their first lead of the night. Zibanejad tied the game up at the 12:55 mark and sent the game to overtime.
What more could you ask for from the first game out of the break?!
After a back and forth OT, Alexis Lafreniere scored his seventh goal of the season and his second overtime goal to give the W to the Rangers, who find themselves 12 points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division. With the loss, Calgary still holds onto the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, but the Avalanche are on their tails with 3 more games to play in the final stretch.
The Rangers were without Shesterkin in net, with Gerard Gallant giving his netminder an extra day’s rest after his All-Star appearance. Halak played fine, with 28 saves on 32 shots. In net for the Flames, Markstrom had 28 saves as well on 33 shots, with the final shot being the difference maker. The Rangers needed to perform when Shesterkin had a rest day if they wanted to make a run to close the season. For the Flames, they continue to go to Markstrom, despite Dan Vladar being 11-4-4 on the season with a .906 save%. Will they continue to go to Markstrom down the stretch, or make a move to the hotter guy when the games matter the most?
If last night was any indication, the prediction that the last 30-ish games of the NHL regular season are going to be fun. Tensions will rise as teams position themselves for the playoffs. Players. like Chytil, will get hot when least expected.
Did the first game since the NHL All-Star Break surprise you with it’s intensity? Did Halak between the pipes impress you? Let us know on Twitter @WeLikeSportzPC .
By : Drew Pappert
@forestcitysport
*Photo courtesy of NY Sports Day*
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