Courtesy of Mackenzie Connick
NEW YORK, N.Y. — The New York Rangers stood to make history last night at their home opener at Madison Square Garden—potentially becoming the first team to take down the new Utah Hockey Club. Last season, the Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and had the second best home record, ending the season 30-11-0 at the Garden, so expectations were high. Even more so following a 6-0 blowout against the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener.
The Utah Hockey Club entered last night’s game looking to start their season undefeated through three games—attempting to become the second NHL franchise to win its first three games ever—and grab another two points for the standings.
The first period started off slow… slow motion slow. Fans were only moderately engaged and neither team was able to create a great chance in the first three minutes. After an aggressive neutral zone stint, Utah’s Barrett Hayton was able to chip it past Igor Shesterkin, with the Rangers defense nowhere to be found. All energy that may have existed in the World’s Most Famous Arena suddenly vanished and both teams appeared sluggish again. With a clean breakout from the defensive zone, Alexis Lafrenière successfully completed a back pass to Artemi Panarin, who tied the game with a gorgeous forehand over Connor Ingram’s shoulder.
Courtesy of Mackenzie Connick
In the last half of the first, a reinvigorated Rangers team created multiple solid rushes but could not convert, even on some empty net chances, mostly thanks to a solid Utah defense.
Following the first intermission, a very eventful second period sprung to life. Once again, Utah scored early in the period after a clustered attack and good read by Jack McBain. The first penalty of the game was awarded to Kevin Stenlund from the Utah Hockey Club for goaltender interference. The Rangers power play was hindered by disconnected passing and some attempts to be a little too fancy with their stickhandling. Panarin, once again, had a great look off a faceoff but the shot landed squarely in Ingram’s chest—an easy save. Following the next, rather choppy, faceoff, Panarin scores again, tying the game 2-2 with less than 20 seconds left on the power play.
After another great shot, the supposed Rangers’ goal was waived off due to incidental contact with Ingram by Matt Rempe. The Rangers coaching staff decided to challenge the call on the ice, which was unsuccessful, leading to a Utah power play. Almost immediately after, Ingram was awarded a holding penalty, negating Utah’s power play. A sloppy giveaway by K’Andre Miller led to Utah’s third of the night, scored by the team’s captain, Clayton Keller, but the four-on-four remained. Once both penalties had expired, the Rangers once again had a few good looks but could not score. For Utah’s fourth of the night, Stenlund cleanly beat Shesterkin over the left shoulder.
The Rangers, needing a spark, found it off a lucky bounce when Miller banked a pass off the boards which ricocheted into an empty net. Possibly one of the best examples of why goaltenders should… tend their goals. And to further the spark, a fight broke out with Utah’s Michael Kesselring and McBain and Rangers’ Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom all receiving five minutes for fighting. Both McBain and Edstrom left the ice for the night after receiving matching 10 minute game misconduct penalties.
Even more action ensued when the Rangers shot the puck down the ice and Ingram came way out of his crease to play it, somehow resulting in a goalie interference penalty against Will Cuylle, which enraged the home crowd that was already a bit fed up with the officiating during the game. Utah was able to net another power play goal, leaving the score at 5-3.
Just as many Rangers fans seemed to lose hope, Braden Schneider, on a pass from Rangers captain Jacob Trouba, managed to shoot through traffic and beat a screened Ingram to end the period at 5-4, with Utah leading. Overall, seven goals were scored in the second frame, and the Garden was rocking.
The third period started similarly to the first, with a slow start. The Rangers failed to convert on a power play after a hooking call on Utah, suffering from more bad passes and a few bad bounces. With 7:04 left in the game, Cuylle tipped it in off a messy play to tie the game at five goals each. Almost immediately after, a soft hooking call on the Rangers brought Utah back to the power play, but they could not light the lamp.
Courtesy of Mackenzie Connick
Heading to overtime, it was clear that Utah had the neutral zone figured out: causing necessary traffic when defending and teaching a masterclass in how to deke on the attack. In addition to Utah’s cohesiveness, the Rangers defense struggled to communicate and effectively cover their zone.
After a few good chances on each end and an exquisite save by Shesterkin, Utah fought their way into the Rangers zone and Keller, the Hockey Club’s captain, ended the game off a nasty backhand that shocked the Garden. Not only did most fans not see the puck go past the goal line, but the officials failed to call the goal until another shot by Utah entered the net. Albeit, Utah was successful in winning their third straight game, leaving New York as an undefeated club.
The Rangers were the comeback kings last season, winning 28 games when they had trailed, but they failed to complete the task last night. Shesterkin, whose camp is currently in contract negotiation talks with the Rangers, struggled, allowing six goals on 26 shots, which shocked fans considering his outstanding shutout in Pittsburgh earlier in the week, stopping 31 shots.
The Rangers were able to gain one point at home and look to gain two more during their next game against the Detroit Red Wings—their first Original Six matchup of the year. New York fans are hoping this is a one game fluke and are looking forward to seeing their team play at home again on Monday, Oct. 14th at 7 p.m.
The Utah Hockey Club remains undefeated to start its inaugural season, earning a hefty six points, and seems unstoppable especially after outplaying last year’s regular season champions. Which team will be the first to beat this new and seemingly improved team? No franchise has started its inaugural season 4-0, but the Utah Hockey Club looks poised to do so. The New Jersey Devils will look to break this streak and make history during their first meeting with Utah on Oct. 14th at 1 p.m.
Edited by Breanna Ebisch
Comments