The Rangers won their sixth straight game last night at The Garden, routing the Canadiens 7-4. Chris Krieder delivered his sixth career hat trick.
Doin' what comes naturally.
That's why the New York Rangers won their sixth straight game last night at The Garden, routing the Canadiens, 7-4, after awakening from a first-period Blueshirt slumberfest.
The "natural" part is that the Blueshirts are 21 points ahead of a Montreal team that won't make the playoffs but tries hard.
Coach Marty St. Louis has neither the horses nor the hockey players to compete on an even level with Peter Laviolette's marauders.
Playing Darth Vader against the Canadiens was none other than all-time Ranger Chris Kreider, who delivered his sixth career hat trick.
"Our big guys got going," said Lavvy, and that included Adam Fox with a team-leading four assists and Jonathan Quick, who wins more naturally than suddenly awakened Igor Shesterkin.
But for my dough, the key goal among the lucky seven came about in the third period with the Montrealers still alive, although not what we would call "very well."
At that time, it was a 4-2 game before ever-dependable Vincent Trocheck scored to open the gap to 5-2.
Vinnie's red light signaled that it was unofficially game over and time for the hurry-up fans to grab the next train out.
As for the coach's goaltending choice, Lavvy wisely went with Quick, who does not -- repeat not -- want to be relegated to being Shesterkin's butler. All Oh-Jonny did was win his fourth straight start with 31 saves.
What this all means is what The Maven has been saying all along about these very-loaded
Seventh Avenue Skaters. To wit:
1- No trade is necessary because New York owns the best-balanced team in the league.
2- Chemistry is at an enjoyably high level.
3- The club now has a handsome record of 35-16-3 and is in a position to win The Stanley Cup.
Next up is Sunday afternoon's clash with the desperate Islanders in pure -- not artificial -- cold but on ice placed on what ordinarily would be the non-Super Bowl Giants/Jets football field.
Depending on how much new coach Patrick Roy can squeeze out of his still-playoff-berth-seeking Islanders, it could be a very exciting game at MetLife Stadium.
"It will be for a big two points," concluded Fox, who still has a shot at the Norris; albeit it a very long shot.
Yeah, Adam, it will be a BIG two points for the Isles, who crave a win.
For Rangers, there's no pressure because -- guess why?
They're doin' what comes naturally.
Winning!