Rangers Dominate Bruins as Fans Return to The Garden
The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins met last night for the third time this season. The Rangers ended up on top, winning with a score of 6-2. They controlled play from the opening drop of the puck. They fed off of the energy that the small crowd offered. From the opening faceoff, the fans were going nuts. It sounded like the building was full, yet there were only about 2,000 people there. . The Bruins have been one of the best teams in the NHL since the start of the season, but have hit a major skid. In their last two games, the Bruins have let up a combined 13 goals. My sources tell me that letting up 13 goals in two game span is not good. The Rangers on the other hand, have been playing some very good hockey. They have won 3 out of their last four with the only set back coming from a 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers and culminating in a full 60-minute win against the Bruins.
Physicality
With the fans behind them the Rangers fed off of their energy all night long. They were a far more physical team than the Bruins last night, led by Ryan Lindgren. Just ask David Pastrnak how running into Ryan Lindgren feels.
Lindgren isn't in the mood for pasta tonight…
(via @NYRangers)pic.twitter.com/jd7ogyzURX
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 27, 2021
I personally feel physicality is an overrated trait in today’s game; however, a big hit early or in key moments can truly set the tone for the game.
Contributions from Everyone
The Rangers got production up and down the lineup last night. They got great production from their top players like Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich, and Adam Fox. Kreider now has four goals in his last two games and nine on the season. Buchnevich netted his fifth of the season after a beautiful feed from Adam Fox. Fox, who is the Rangers most important defenseman, is second on the team in assists with 9. He added two last night which propelled my fantasy team into the lead.
The Rangers also got production from some key depth pieces. Colin Blackwell has been one of the Rangers best players this season. He was signed as a depth piece who may be exposed for expansion draft purposed, but he has played himself into needing to be protected. Kevin Rooney continued to impress when he set up Jonny Brodzinski for his first career goal. With Artemi Panarin out of the lineup indefinitely and Filip Chytil still sidelined with an injury, the Rangers need their depth players to contribute.
Alexis Lafreniere continues to Improve
Alexis Lafreniere is still getting better out on the ice. He scored an important goal against the Capitals a couple games ago and notched his first career assist against the Bruins last night. He made an incredible cross-ice pass to Ryan Strome who wristed the puck past Tuukka Rask.
Lafrenière with the pass (and his first NHL assist!) and Strome with the wrister! 🔥
(via @RangersMSGN)pic.twitter.com/E4KXhMGsQ4
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 27, 2021
Lafreniere also came close to netting another goal himself when he backhanded a shot off the crossbar. He has been one of the Rangers best players over their past few games. Yes the points are not where a lot of Rangers fans thought they would be at this point in the season, but Lafreniere is often driving the offense when on the ice and producing high danger opportunities. The points will come.
Final Thoughts
It always makes me happy when a Boston team gets dominated, especially by one of my favorite teams. The Bruins can’t even pull the injury card against the Rangers. The Rangers are without Filip Chytil, Jacob Trouba, and Artemi Panarin three of their most important players. Despite that, the Rangers put up 6 goals on elite goalie Tuukka Rask and dominated defensively. That is even with Jack Johnson and Brendan Smith being one of the pairs. The New York Rangers and Boston Bruins will meet again for a Sunday matinee tomorrow. The Bruins will come out firing, trying to rectify their shortcomings. The Rangers need to come out strong, feeding off the energy from the crowd, and put up another W.
-Pete Chatterton (@Pchat12)
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