Rangers Reaction: 'You Got To Play A Full Sixty Against Everyone In This League'

After the New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 Thursday night, the club is now 10-1-0 following a loss this season. 

Bounceback doesn't just mean "win the hockey game". New York scored on the power play and went three-for-three on the penalty kill. They also outshot Chicago 32-22 for an impressive victory. 

Even with Connor Bedard coming into town, rookie Brennan Othmann was the star on Broadway. "It was good to get the first one out of the way and to play my first NHL game," Othmann said, "I waited 20 years for this, and it was a good early birthday present."

The gift in Othmann's game is a wicked wrister, which was on display last night as the Toronto native recorded five shots on goal. 

For all the talk about junior habits and advanced coaching to become a professional, one thing led to his solid debut. 

"I just wanted to have fun and play my game. My game is shooting and physicality...I was nervous the first few shifts, but Jonny [Brodzinski] and Bones [Nck Bonino] did a great job calming me down."

After Blake Wheeler tussled with former Ranger Jarred Tinordi, a gaping hole opened up on the flank of Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

The coaching staff gave the kid a look with the big guns.

"It was good, I was surprised to go out there. I think I handled it pretty well. Those guys are easy to read off of," Othmann said. "Everyone's in the right place all the time. They've been in the league for a while. Reading off of them and playing with them is easy."

Vincent Trocheck recorded his sixth three-point game of the season and now has 11 points in his last nine games. The Ranger's second line was again as dynamic as ever last night. 

"You got to play a full sixty against everyone in this league," Trocheck said. "Whether you are down a couple or up a couple, you have to play a full sixty and play consistently. Last game, we were in it going into the third. Tonight, it's the same thing; being up a few goals, you still have to play the right way. You have to be able to close things out."

Artemi Panarin scored the game's opening goal, which was assisted by his linemates Alexis Lafreniere and Trocheck. 

"We take that, and we played a good game anyway. Two points, not me, the team," Panarin said. "I'm still hungry. You see, I tried to eat the puck."

Whether it is "The Bread Man" cracking jokes while having the fourth most points in the league or a highly anticipated prospect just having fun in his debut, the secret sauce for this Rangers is keeping it light.