Three significant takeaways from the New York Rangers OT Loss against the Canadiens
Photo credit: New York Post
The New York Rangers were unable to secure their 23rd victory of the campaign, as the Canadiens put a knife in their heart in OT. Patrik Laine scored the OT goal.
While the New York Rangers held a continuous one-goal lead against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, they couldn't finish the job.
Laine's goal put the Canadiens ahead 5-4 in OT, and the Rangers would succumb and lose the match, and a chance to get Jonathan Quick's 400th win.
Quick would make 33 saves on 38 shots that night, and did his best despite the Rangers' inability to defeat Jakub Dobes.
There were some positives to take away from the game though, as the team had four different goal-scorers: Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere, and Will Cuylle. At the same time, three defensemen lent their help last night, as Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, and K'Andre Miller contributed as well.
Scoring by committee as should always be a goal of contending teams, and they showed they're capable of that last night.
Three Takeaways From Last Night's Game Against the Canadiens
The Rangers failed Jonathan Quick
While Quick provided the Rangers solid support on the backend, the team failed to take it upon themselves to secure a win in overtime.
The fact that the team was unable to secure a regulation win, is part of the problem and they were unable to stop Patrik Laine. The winger has been on fire lately, with 15 points in his last 18 games.
Quick would battle through an injury, while the team failed to back him up when he needed it the most.
Eight Game Points-Streak
The New York Rangers have to tighten up their game, as they have continued to earn points in their last eight games. They have earned 50 points, and sit behind the Columbus Blue Jackets by three points.
Nonetheless, the Rangers going eight consecutive games without a regulation loss is a much better run to start the New Year than their 4-15-0 stretch to close out 2024.
The playoff atmosphere of the upcoming games should continue, as they will face off against the Ottawa Senators, who hold the first wild card spot in the East.
The Rangers will need to maintain the energy level they had against the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, as they have yet to reach their goal, but it's still attainable.
Chris Kreider's return to form
Chris Kreider's return to form is unexpected, as he's been playing stellar hockey after recovering from his back injury.
He played big minutes in the loss to Montreal, logging 19:07 TOI. It's his highest ice time since returning from injury, after he he logged 16:48 or less in the three games prior to Sunday.
Kreider scored the goal which would give the Rangers a 4-3 lead, and if he's still recovering from an injury it's hard to tell.
Even the stat nerds are loving Kreider's resurgence in the lineup.
Kreider led the Rangers with four shots on goal and tied Artemi Panarin for most shot attempts (seven). The Rangers had a solid xGF of 55.28 percent with Kreider on the ice, per Natural Stat Trick. His resurgence has certainly helped the Rangers over the past four games.
If the Rangers can put these efforts together in the next game against the Ottawa Senators, they still stand a chance to work back up in the Metropolitan Division ranks.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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