Through a plethora of missed calls, the New York Rangers still found a way to get “The Last Laf” in a shootout victory over the Blue Jackets. In a game that had just about everything you could ask for, it was New York who found a way to stay in the winning column.
Entering the third period down 3-2, New York threw everything and the kitchen sink at Columbus netminder Elvis Merzlikins. With Jonathan Quick pulled, the extra attacker was the one who tied it with just 11 seconds remaining in the game. That young man was also the shootout hero as Quick stopped all three Blue Jacket shooters. Even when down, the Rangers are simply never out and left Madison Square Garden with the extra point.
The Last Laf
Rangers fans aren’t known for being patient. They want immediate success and positive results all of the time. Who can blame them? You need to have a special kind of character to play your home games at The World’s Most Famous Arena. Do not get them started with their first-round draft picks.
In 2003, in what was arguably the most talented draft class, New York selected forward Hugh Jessiman with the 12th overall pick. Some of the players who followed Jessiman were Dustin Brown, Brent Seabrook, and even Patrice Bergeron. Fast forward to 2020 and New York has their first ever first overall pick. It might have taken some time, even a bit of that patience mentioned earlier, but Alexis Lafrenière has finally stepped into his role.
The first glimpse of Lafrenière’s talent and skillset came when the forward first starred on “The Kid Line” two years ago. Now, playing with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck has allowed him to grow as a player. He was oozing with confidence last night. The first of his two was great, but that tying goal was something else.
LAF WITH 11 SECONDS LEFT IN REGULATION.
NO QUIT. pic.twitter.com/hRrVI1Yxmr
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2023
In pickup basketball, there is a phrase that gets thrown around and it is simply “Feed the hot hand.” When it came to the third round in the shootout, Peter Laviolette found last night’s hot hand. What Lafrenière pulled on Merzlikins last night was remarkable. He might have earned that third spot in shootouts from here on out.
ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE.
SHOOTOUT WINNER.😮💨😮💨😮💨 pic.twitter.com/ap6rRrYPSU
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2023
His two-goal performance earned him The Broadway Hat last night as expected. Out of anyone, Lafrenière exemplifies the character being built by Laviolette and his staff. This character shows resilience, determination, and a never-give-up mentality.
Look at him pic.twitter.com/RYLBRFMoK7
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2023
Tales Of a Second Period Nothing
Even though New York has won nine out of their last ten games, a complete hockey game still has yet to be seen. Complete meaning that they were the better team for all three periods. An ongoing trend that needs to be nipped in the bud is their play in the middle frame.
The second period seems to be the only kryptonite holding the Blueshirts back. Yes, they find ways to win, but one can argue that most of these wins were not dominant. Typically, apart from their game in Calgary, New York starts fast, lets their opponent control the middle twenty, and then recalibrates for a late win.
Sunday night, New York held the Blue Jackets to only seven shots on goal in the first period. Columbus responded with 16 in the second. On Thursday, New York outshot Minnesota 14-2 in the first period. In the second, the Wild flipped the script and outshot the Blueshirts 15-3. Luckily, New York has been in a scoring mood where their goals outweigh their opponents in most cases.
The only assumption that can be made is that New York is predictable. They control their opponents in the first and teams just make solid adjustments to govern the median. Hockey is 60 minutes for a reason, and it is almost guaranteed that Laviolette is reiterating just that.
A Much-Needed Rest
New York is now off for five days, which is needed regarding their injury situations. Filip Chytil remains on the standard injured reserve, with Adam Fox remaining on the long-term list. Close eyes will be kept on Ryan Lindgren, who suffered an upper-body injury last night after a high hit from Columbus forward Sean Kuraly. Igor Shesterkin remains day-to-day with Louis Domingue serving as Quick’s backup last night.
#NYR coach Peter Laviolette says Ryan Lindgren has an upper-body injury, adds that he thinks refs had the initial call (a major boarding penalty) correct.
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) November 13, 2023
New York will return to action on Saturday in a divisional matchup against the New Jersey Devils. With the Hudson River Rivalry due up next, rest just might be a blessing in disguise.
Main Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
