The New York Rangers competed against the Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins in 24 hours- thoughts, opinions, and more are here.
The New York Rangers bounced back against the Anaheim Ducks, defeating the struggling Pacific Division team 5-1. The following night, they focused on the bigger task against the Boston Bruins in Beantown. Vincent Trocheck would tie the game and win it in the fourth period to win the weekend for the Blueshirts. Takeaways from (another) back-to-back:
Merry Kreidmas: He is old Chris Kringle, he's the king of goal-score-ing. No. 20 makes history and opens up the debate (again) if his sweater will hang from the Garden rafters. A conversation for another time. He is third all-time in Rangers goal-scoring (281), he recorded his 500th career point and 100th career power-play goal and is the 8th active player to reach triple digits in that category. How special is that?
A Night of Adams: Adam Edstrom scores in his debut, a healthy Adam Fox records 2 assists, and Adam Graves was surpassed by Kreider for sole possession of 3rd in goals in Ranger history.
Hart-Ford: Edstrom, Cuylle, Brodzinski, and Domingue represent a change for the organization. The Rangers system is improving. The Wolf Pack are building something special. From 18,000 chanting "Louis", to Brodzinski scoring on the power-play alongside Artemi Panarin, to Edstrom scoring as a last-second roster addition, the Rangers can comfortably get results from their AHL affiliate.
Man On A Mission: Kreider did not say much following his record-setting night. He's not a grizzled veteran, but rather a man on a mission. Ready for the next game, in pursuit of a championship.
Forecheck, Backcheck: Trocheck scored two goals including the overtime winner against the Bruins. It was his third career overtime goal. The Rangers thriving 2C now has 25 points in his last 23 games, and the Rangers are 7-0-0 when he racks up multiple points.
WJC Mixtape: Do yourself a favor and watch Alexis Lafreniere's World Juniors mixtape. Then watch a few minutes of last night's game on "Rangers In 60." He looks like the player the Rangers drafted first overall in 2020. He didn't record a point last night and has not recorded a point in 5 games, but he is far more noticeable when unproductive than in years past.