I'm always hesitant to react to wins like this against top teams. I watched the first period and did not get the feeling that we were running them out of the building, or that they were some dominant team either. The Getzlaf/Perry combo is always going to pin teams deep and for the most part I liked the way we kept them to the perimeter. When those guys were out there, the Ducks looked real good, but they were contained.
For me, the game got interrupted by The Walking Dead so I didn't get to see the 2nd period or some of the start of the 3rd.
I liked that we kept the pressure on throughout the game and only played keep away with a minute left in the 3rd.
A few things I am 100% impressed with:
- Missing the teams 2nd line RW, 2nd pairing RD and starting goalie, this game was ripe for the taking for Anaheim. The fact that the Rangers did what they did last night is crazy.
- The bigger the game, the better this team plays. It's something that I'm not thrilled with against the Canes and Sabres, but still getting W's against those teams is nice. Would prefer to see better efforts against those teams. However what this shows me is that when the PO's roll around, the Rangers are going to be a tough SOB team to eliminate.
- Miller with Brass and Zuke - He fits. Leave him there.
- Fast with Hayes and Hagelin - He fits. Leave him there.
- Kreider - Stepan - Nash seems to be getting that old feeling back amongst them.
Which poses a REAL problem. What to do with MSL when he gets healthy? Do you play MSL with Sheppard and Moore on the 4th line?
Not saying that it is the best move, but I have a feeling Fast is getting demoted to the 4th line for the rest of the season and playoffs (when MSL gets healthy).
However, I think the off-season thought process is going to change a lot regarding MSL and his place on the team.
Big win, taking over #1 in the league with 11 games to go.
a few mile stones that are attainable for this team.
Wins record for a single season is 52 - we can break that this year.
If we do break that record with 53 wins, we break the single season points record of 113.
This team has been on as an impressive run as I can remember any team other than the Wings in 95-96
insane