The New York Rangers continue to knock off the top teams in the NHL; the latest -- the Avalanche in Denver; this time in a 3-2 Shootout.
There's no stopping them.
That's right, the New York Rangers continue to knock off the biggies and WILL continue to do so.
Down went the Avalanche in Denver; this time in a 3-2 Shootout.
The Maven is talking about another comeback conquest on the road with Vincent Trocheck coming through with the Shootout shot.
Remember, Colorado is the club The Hockey News picked to finish first in the West so this comes off as a signal win -- fourth in a row -- for the Seventh Avenue Skaters.
"We're very confident." said defenseman Brandon Schneider."We have the best goalie in the league. This run has been a lot of fun."
It has to be with Kaapo Kakko slowly but surely finding his game. His goal last night merely underlined the point I've been making; Double K is on his way to stardom.
Chris Kreider has been in Star-land for quite a while and delivered the other New York goal. That's Number 34 red light for Chris.
But the stars of stars -- absolutely no question, professor - was Igor Shesterkin who -- in the end -- made the Avalanche seem like a light snowfall. Iggy's 39 saves earned him a star of the game. But he had help.
"Our focus all night was to defend against a very fast team," said coach Peter Laviolette. "In the end our players played hard." Then, a pause:
"The right way." (And they'll do it again tomorrow night against the Coyotes in Arizona.
Colorado didn't go away easily. Alex Georgiev is -- like his buddy Igor -- in the Vezina class and this Avs team is not that far away from its Stanley Cup days. But last night it went the other way. The Rangers had more clutch when it counted most.
Remember, it was The Maven who first forewarned you that these teams very well could wind up in the Stanley Cup Final. And, yes, you DO know that it will be the Blueshirts who will prevail; especially now that workhorse Ryan Lindgren is back.
In this case it was the reserve depth that enabled Iggy Goalie to get the W and it will be the New Yorkers' overall balance that will deliver the Cup.
Wouldn't it be something if these guys did meet in the Cup Final?
WOW!