The New York Rangers rolled into the (real) Garden last night and outplayed the Boston Bruins on Causeway Street, skating to a 5-2 win over the (still) leading team in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers didn’t have to do much to secure this one as the Bruins rolled over and showed their tummies after the first intermission.
The Blueshirts were without their captain, Jacob Trouba as he was serving another suspension ducking Trent Frederic still coming back from an injury, which lends no truth to the rumour that he had the “Bruins Flu” as was reported by some outlets. But don’t worry Rags fans, your leadership corp was well represented by; Chris Kreider who notched an assist on the first empty net goal as well as chipping in 2PIMs in just under 15min TOI and Mika Zibinajed who didn’t show up on the ice until Jeremy Swayman was pulled. At least I didn’t hear Mika’s name until then? A sterling 1-1-2 (empty netter) from your alternate captain in nearly 17min TOI. I don’t know what Laviolette should do, maybe let him DJ the locker room and he’ll show up for games?
Ice view of Mika during last night’s game
Luckily for NY, their #1 goalie was huge in the net as Jonathan Quick made a number of 10-bell saves to keep the Bruins chasing the score. Quickie had 24 saves on the night and held on for the dub (his 16th of the campaign) with a .923% save percentage. I mean it’s no wonder that he’s secured the top slot in the goalie depth chart. Red white and blue over that commie Igor Shesterkin every day was what Laviolette (probably) said.
Artemi Panarin notched 3G in the effort (and was awarded with some flying chapeaus on the road!) and none was prettier than his 40th of the year. I mean the vision, the hands, the absolute snipe by The Breadman. Put it in the Louvre, as the kids say.
As the game wore on it was clear to the NY Faithful that big Matt Rempe wanted no part of the Bruins’ tough guys. I mean sure, he’s fighting everyone in the league so far, but c’mon big boy. You gotta man up against the Eastern Conference’s top dogs. Ducking Trent Frederic (just like his Captain does) and avoiding Andrew Peeke isn’t going to keep you in the lineup and the coaching staff seemed to agree as he logged just 7 shifts in the victory.
The stand out for me was Alexis Lafreniere, who seemed to be all around the puck the full 60mins. The 2020 #1 overall pick seemed to finally figure out his game and has shaken off the “BUST” label that’s been chasing him for years. I guess a few years of tutelage under Mika and Kreider really did hold his development back. I mean who could’ve seen that coming?
The Blueshirts next host the Florida Panthers in another big matchup at the top of the Eastern Conference. The NYR supporters can only hope that FLA only shows up for only 20mins like BOS did. If you haven’t checked out our most recent podcast, you can find it here and solve the answer to why I’m writing about the NYR.
I’m going to sign off now and go gargle bleach after writing this. Go B’s!
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