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Rangers Offence Explodes For Seven In Sixth Straight Win Over The Montreal Canadiens

This Rangers victory is because of forward Chris Kreider. The phrase “striking while the iron is hot” describes the Rangers’ offence in their sixth straight win, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 7-4. The top three lines were all responsible for all seven goals. The fourth line did their job (for the most part) in shutting down the opposition. It might not have been Jonathan Quick‘s best night, but the forwards in front of him capitalized on almost all of their given opportunities. With the longest active winning streak in the NHL, the Rangers will carry great momentum into their Stadium Series tilt against the New York Islanders on Sunday.

Despite scoring seven goals, Montreal did not make anything easy for the Blueshirts on Thursday. The win can only be described as hard-fought. Two goals from Cole Caufield drew caution to the wind in the final period. The goals would not stop for New York. Thursday’s victory was their second seven-goal performance in less than three weeks. This is all about an active streak staying alive, yet one prolonged streak did come to an emotional end.

Rangers Forward Kreider Helps Lead the Charge

The Hottest Broadway Revival: The Blueshirts Powerplay

Okay fine, it was one goal, but it still counts as a revival. It was a massive night for Chris Kreider who notched his sixth career hat trick, his first this season. His first goal of the night saw no emotion come from the Boxford, MA native. It was at a point in the second period where New York seemed frustrated, as did the fans. The volume on the television had to go up a couple of notches because you could have heard a pin drop at Madison Square Garden. Having conceded the opening goal, Kreider’s first of the evening and twenty-fifth of the season meant that New York was back in business.

A goal followed from Will Cuylle, who just keeps on adding to his impressive rookie season, making it his tenth of the year. A short-handed goal from Mika Zibanejad followed Cuylle’s instantly, giving us all a preview of “Mika March.” Then it happened: New York earned another powerplay chance. An initial point shot from Artemi Panarin was accompanied by a trademark Kreider deflection that found its way past Sam Montembeault. Sam Rosen’s call echoed throughout The Garden and living rooms everywhere. Before you knew it, New York scored four goals in just over four minutes of play. Resembling their play in Ottawa last month, New York’s offence did not seem like slowing down.

Goals from Vincent Trocheck, Kaapo Kakko, and Kreider’s third (from a gorgeous saucer feed from Zibanejad) capped off an impressive offensive performance from New York. The four goals conceded are alarming, but it is almost irrelevant when your offence has that great of a night. There is no time to let off the gas with an eight-point lead over both Carolina and Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division. However, some new blood would not be the worst thing in the world.

Incoming Call From Chris Drury

New York’s sixth straight win brought the fanbase to elation on Thursday. Before the final buzzer, however, the Rangers suffered a loss to their lineup. Forward Blake Wheeler was injured on this play in the first period.

Since then, New York has said that it is a lower-body injury and there is no update on Wheeler as of the publishing of this article. Say what you want about Wheeler, this is a decent subtraction to Peter Laviolette‘s lineup. His veteran presence will be missed for the duration that he is out for. This leaves GM Chris Drury in a tough spot to assess the hole in the first line.

As of Friday Morning, New York recalled forward Matt Rempe from Hartford. This means that either he or Alex Belzile will fill the vacant forward role going forward, starting Sunday in the Stadium Series game against the New York Islanders. The injury to Wheeler might speed up Drury’s process in regards to making a trade. A third-line center was the priority as of a month ago, now it just might be a right-winger. There are a few names out there that have been previously mentioned, including once Blueshirts Anthony Duclair, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Frank Vatrano. Any of these three could make an immediate impact on Lavy’s lineup, especially on the first line.

It would be absolute SCENES at MetLife Stadium if a new right-winger made his season debut in an outdoor rivalry game. Only time will tell.

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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