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Rangers Escape The “Jaws” Of Defeat With Win Over San Jose Sharks

After their comeback in “Smashville” last night, the Rangers outlasted the San Jose Sharks from the “jaws” of defeat. The “No Quit” mentality continues to be ever-present within Peter Laviolette’s squad. Following a sloppy opening frame, the Rangers battled back and left Music City with two points. There would be no time spent on Broadway as the Rangers had to return for their first of three back-to-back weekends in December.

Tonight’s opponent has had a dissimilar start to their season. Unlike the Blueshirts, San Jose sits in thirty-second place, dead last in the NHL. A team that went winless in October now sits with a record of 6-16-2. Despite their sluggish beginning, David Quinn’s squad is coming off an impressive 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils. Would the former Ranger maestro find success against his former hockey club?

New York Rangers Takeaways Against San Jose

First Period Takeaway: Same Faces, New Places

David Quinn is not the only former Ranger that was mentioned in the opening frame. Anthony Duclair, New York’s third-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, got the scoring started for San Jose. Because New York now identifies as a shoot-first team, all three defensive pairs like to pinch and get in deep. Both Jacob Trouba and K’andre Miller were caught down low in San Jose’s zone, leaving Duclair all alone, deking Jonathan Quick right out of his pads.

New York would find an equalizer on the man advantage. Artemi Panarin’s wicked wrister found its way past a screened Mackenzie Blackwood. The Rangers’ powerplay unit continues to find success, notching their third goal while a man up in two straight games.

If you had two former Rangers scoring goals at Madison Square Garden on your bingo card, you would have been tonight’s lucky winner. Ryan Carpenter’s shot just squeaked by Quick, regaining the lead for San Jose. This will be one that the Milford, CT native will want back.

Remember that “No Quit” mentality that was previously mentioned? Artemi Panarin did as he found his second of the game and fourteenth of the season to tie the game at two.

If four goals in a period is considered great, then five is even better. Mika Zibanejad, who continues to stay in great form, earned his sixth of the year. This goal is nothing without Johnny Brodzinski whose impressive hand-eye coordination keeps the play alive. His effort found Kreider behind the net, who sought out his longtime linemate and Best Man. For two talented forwards who have yet to find a longtime partner on the right side, they continue to amaze all.

Second Period Takeaway: Sharks Remain Hungry

That longtime crutch of lacklustre play in second periods is slowly vanishing for New York. Their jump was noticeable from the start, peppering Blackwood with chances galore.

To one’s surprise, San Jose would find the tying goal in the second thanks to Jacob MacDonald’s shot from the sideboards. MacDonald now has goals in two consecutive games.

One can argue that these calls were “soft” or “undeserving”, but they were still called. New York’s discipline might be the new crutch, if there is one, after all.

The Rangers were doing their best Dwayne Robertson impression in the middle period. You remember that Texas-born defenceman from D2: The Mighty Ducks who was labelled as the best puck-handler west of the Mississippi. He was famous for his alley-oop passes that helped Gordon Bombay take down the might Iceland at the Junior Goodwill Games.

Jacob Trouba took a page out of Robertson’s book. His alley-oop led to a Will Cuylle goal, his fourth of the year. One must not fail to mention the impeccable timing of Nick Bonino’s lead pass to Cuylle. The man called “Bones” is turning into both a fan and a clubhouse favourite.

Third Period Takeaway: New York Almost Needed A Bigger Boat

The Rangers did not want to let up, and it showed during the final twenty minutes. New York added two goals, the first being Panarin’s third of the night and fifteenth of the year. This is Panarin’s fifth career hat trick and third as a Blueshirt.

Panarin’s spectacular play did not stop there, as he found K’andre Miller for his fourth, extending the lead to 6-3.

Although they might be at the bottom of the standings, this Sharks team is resilient. Late goals from Fabian Zetterlund and Alexander Barabanov cut the lead in the blink of an eye to 6-5.

Fortunately, that would be all and New York would escape the “jaws” of defeat. Their 6-5 victory keeps New York at the top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 18-4-1.

New York is back in action on Tuesday as they head to Ottawa to take on their old pal Vladimir Tarasenko and the Senators. Puck drop is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST from Canadian Tire Center.

Main Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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