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New York Rangers Dethrone the Los Angeles Kings in Jonathan Quick Reunion Game

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After 16 seasons with Los Angeles, Jonathan Quick helped the Rangers dethrone the Kings Sunday night at Madison Square Garden. It has to be a bittersweet feeling matching up against the team you won two Stanley Cups with. Tonight revolved around Quick’s reunion with his old team. The former King, now Blueshirt stopped 25 shots in an all-important 4-1 victory.

It was a battle between two of the leagues’ best on Sunday night. Despite their minimal losing streak, New York remains in the top spot of the Metropolitan Division. For the opposition, Los Angeles entered Sunday’s fixture with a profound 11-0-1 road record. That standalone loss just came at the hands of the New York Islanders in their most recent game on Saturday. After their loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, the Rangers are now losers in consecutive games for the first time this season. It is only fitting that New York would want to make a better impression in their new third jerseys, right?

First Period Takeaway: A Chess Match

The first twenty minutes reminded all of us of the infamous 2014 Stanley Cup Finals as the Rangers attempted to dethrone the Kings. A slugfest between two squads with limited mistakes and talent all over the ice. The pristine third jerseys for New York and the chrome buckets for Los Angeles are accents to this skillful matchup. New York knows that they needed to show out for their fans who have witnessed two drubbings in a row. Their first period was a bit unusual, showcasing a team that was afraid to take shots. Like their loss in Washington, New York’s first frame against the Kings showcased their longing to make that extra pass.

Second Period Takeaway: The Breakthrough

The Rangers began the second period on the man advantage that carried over from the first. Trevor Moore’s penalty provided no offence from the Blueshirts, yet that so-called “buzz” was back in their systems. Something that went awry in their last two road games.

It was not until Drew Doughty took a high-sticking penalty minutes later that New York would find the breakthrough. With Adam Fox back to quarterback the first power play unit, things are slowly going back to normal. Part of the normalcy is Mika Zibanejad scoring one-timers as he did on the man advantage past Pheonix Copley. His seventh tally of the season could not have come for a better time for Laviolette’s squad. Throw those two losses away and begin anew against a talented opponent in the Kings. This goal would be even more special, scoring it in front of his daughter, Ella.

The scoring would not end for the Rangers as they continued to search for insurance. A beautiful, keep-in play by Nick Bonino led to Jimmy Vesey sliding one through Copley’s five-hole. Vesey continues to be an integral depth-scoring threat, earning himself his sixth of the year.

Throughout the middle period, Jonathan Quick continued to shine when called upon. His defencemen allowed him to see the puck, flashing the leather if necessary. You can tell he was determined to play well when he was given the nod to start against his former squad.

Third Period Takeaway: Two Wild And Crazy Teams

It seemed as if someone opened a bag of Doritos because things got chippy in the final twenty minutes. Down by two goals, Los Angeles showed their physicality and grit that they were once known for. Penalties were given out similarly to when Oprah surprises her audience with Visa gift cards. Misconduct penalties were given to Zibanejad and Kevin Fiala, both caught arguing respective calls. With the two teams down crucial playmakers for ten minutes, it was time to search for heroes.

Los Angeles cut the Ranger lead to one temporarily thanks to the resilience of Phillip Danault. After taking a puck to the face in the first period, his third period goal provided a slimmer of hope for the away team.

That slimmer would eventually dim courtesy of one Jonny Brodzinski. His right-handed shot replaced the penalized Zibanejad, earning his first power play goal in the National Hockey League.

The two-goal lead extended to three when William Cuylle buried his fifth of the year. On the back of a 25-save performance by Quick, the Rangers do indeed dethrone the Kings in a battle of the heavyweights with a 4-1 win.

New York returns to action on Tuesday when the welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is set for Tuesday at 7.p.m EST from The World’s Most Famous Arena.

Main photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Striano

Jeremy Striano

Jeremy is a lifelong sports fanatic and loves the game of hockey, specifically the New York Rangers. He is a graduate of both The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) and Syracuse University. Along with hockey, Jeremy enjoys Broadway musicals and trying different beers!

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