Everyone felt good about the Rangers, including Saturday’s 5-3 loss to Columbus. That time, he doubled the number of shots on goal for the Blue Jackets (42-21) and was statistically one shot away from achieving it. The same goes for categories (93-47).
They lost, but it wasn’t because they were overwhelmed.
“They continued to show a high level of analysis on the jumbotron and it felt like we were leading in every category,” forward Vincent Trocheck said. “We only have training camp and a few games to take into account the new system and everything and work on everything and understand all the systems, but I think we’re playing great. Our defensive game is very solid.”
He’s right, especially when it comes to the newness of the system.
The Rangers are defending with a hybrid man-to-man and zone system, having played primarily zone the past two seasons under former coach Gerard Gallant. They entered a 1-3-1 configuration in the neutral zone and tried to push the attacking line to the right side.
In fact, the Coyotes were so good on Monday that the home fans started booing them. Because the Coyotes basically stopped at their own blue line for a few seconds, held the puck, and figured out how to navigate the tightest spots. Most of the openings the Rangers gave them in the middle of the ice.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating to play against,” Trocheck said. “I mean, I’ve played with Pete’s teams in this league for a long time, and it’s really frustrating when you have a guy who likes to bring the puck to the neutral zone with speed. It’s tight there.”
He also chases the back of the net less, creates more turnovers, is more patient while attacking, and is able to apply pressure all over the ice.
“Any team that can limit teams to two-goal or one-goal games gives us more confidence that we can win more games,” Trocheck said. “When we play as well as we play defensively and have ‘Shesty’ (goalie Igor Shesterkin) there, it’s a lot easier mentally. And with the offensive skills we have here, we “If we can score, it’s going to lead to a lot of wins. I’m not too worried about putting the puck in the net.”
The Rangers have scored 10 points in three games, including a 5-1 win over the Sabers in the season opener last Thursday. What led to the win against Arizona was the defense, especially the penalty kill and Shesterkin.
New York went on a two-minute 5-on-3 that started with 1:19 left in the second period. He allowed two shots on goal and had two shots blocked.
“I thought that gave us some momentum and we came up with our own power play goal,” Zibanejad said.
Trocheck’s deflection goal made it 2-1 at 8:26 of the third.
Shesterkin saved Jason Zucker’s penalty shot with 4:48 left. It was one of the few times the Coyotes put pressure on the Rangers after Trocheck’s goal. I wasn’t satisfied with the play that blocked the defense with a one-point lead.
“We started pressing more and more and taking control of the offensive zone,” Laviolette said.
This is another positive sign for a series of teams through the first 180 minutes of the Rangers season, and so far looking like a 180-degree difference from the team that finished last season under Gallant. Masu.
“It’s getting better and better,” Laviolette said. “Ever since Game 3 of the exhibition season, or when we bumped into each other in practice trying to figure out how to move as a group, we’ve started to see more continuity and fluidity in our games.” , there are still challenges out there and we just continue to coach. The players, they’re in it, they’re trying to figure it out and figure it out.”
