As the New York Rangers faced off against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver last night, the game seemed destined for overtime, even though the Rangers held a one-goal lead late in the third period. For the fifth consecutive matchup between these teams, regulation was not enough to decide the outcome.
The Avalanche managed to tie the game at 18:47 of the third period after pulling goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood for an extra attacker. What appeared to be a promising win for the Rangers turned into a frustrating 3-2 overtime loss when Devon Toews scored with just 36.1 seconds remaining in the extra period.
Although the Rangers missed an opportunity to secure their first three-game winning streak since mid-November, they earned a point for the fifth straight game (3-0-2) and are 4-1-2 since the start of the New Year. They played a strong game overall and had chances to close it out in regulation and overtime but fell short of sealing the win.
As the Rangers head to Utah for the final leg of their three-game road trip on Friday, they have reasons to focus on the positives. However, one glaring negative remains: their inability to secure two points in a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
The Rangers, now 20-20-3, sit 14th in the conference. They are just one point behind three teams, two of which lost in regulation on Tuesday, allowing the Rangers to make up some ground. However, they remain five points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild-card spot and six points behind the Boston Bruins for the top wild-card position, as both teams won their respective games Tuesday night.
“The frustrating thing is not to get the second point in the column which we need,” said Rangers coach Peter Laviolette after the game. “That’s why everybody’s just frustrated and irritated with the night.”
3 takeaways from Rangers 3-2 overtime loss to Avalanche
Here are three key takeaways from the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime loss to the Avalanche on Tuesday night:
1. Tip Your Hat
The Rangers let this one slip away, but credit must be given to Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.
- Key Stats: Blackwood recorded 27 saves, but the numbers don’t fully capture his impact. He was a game-changer, denying multiple Grade-A scoring opportunities, including breakaways by Adam Edstrom and Alexis Lafrenière, and a Mika Zibanejad chance in overtime.
- Highlight Performance: Blackwood made critical stops during a Rangers power play in the second period and again in overtime during a 4-on-3 advantage. His performance kept Colorado alive long enough for Devon Toews to secure the OT winner.
While the Rangers couldn’t finish, Blackwood’s heroics were a major factor in the outcome.
2. Going Fo(u)rth
The Rangers’ fourth line continues to deliver unexpected scoring.
- Contributors:
- Sam Carrick notched a short-handed breakaway goal in the first period, bringing his total to three goals in six games.
- Adam Edstrom scored in back-to-back games for the first time in his NHL career.
- Impact Beyond Scoring:
- Matt Rempe, despite limited ice time (6:50 TOI), made his presence felt with hits, a shot on goal, and a key turnover leading to a 2-on-1 goal for Carrick and Edstrom.
- Penalty Kill Excellence: The Rangers went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, allowing only one shot in six minutes and executing a crucial kill late in the third period.
The fourth line’s contributions, both offensively and defensively, continue to be a bright spot.
3. Little Help From My Friends
Igor Shesterkin held his ground, but his teammates’ support played a big role.
- Shesterkin’s Key Saves:
- Stopped Nathan MacKinnon’s rocket in the first period and denied Mikko Rantanen’s deflection in overtime, which seemed to keep the Rangers alive at the time.
- Defensive Contributions:
- The Rangers blocked 22 shots, led by Ryan Lindgren (5) and Vincent Trocheck (3).
- Defensemen Will Borgen, Lindgren, and K’Andre Miller each made critical saves near the goal line to prevent Avalanche scoring chances.
This type of defensive effort, absent during the Rangers’ midseason struggles, is a promising sign for their playoff aspirations.
Final Thoughts
While the loss stings, the Rangers showed positive trends, particularly with secondary scoring, penalty killing, and defensive effort. As they push for a playoff spot, maintaining this level of performance will be crucial.
Leave a Reply