On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers rebounded nicely with a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks after a disappointing first regulation loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday. While the game wasn’t particularly flashy, it was filled with excitement. The Rangers improved their record to 6-1-1, regaining a one-point lead in the Metropolitan Division while leading the Eastern Conference and ranking third in the NHL, behind the Dallas Stars (7-2-0) and Winnipeg Jets (8-0-0).
The Rangers continued their momentum despite the earlier setback against the Panthers, with one game remaining in October against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Here are three main takeaways from Saturday’s game.
1. Quick as ever
In his second start this season, Jonathan Quick delivered an impressive performance in goal. The 38-year-old veteran stopped 21 of 33 shots, improving his record to 2-0-0. He faced off against the Ducks’ Lukas Dostal, who, at 24, represented the younger generation of goalies. While Anaheim had fewer high-danger chances (12-5 in favor of the Rangers), Quick remained sharp throughout the game, particularly during the second period when he made crucial saves, including a spectacular glove save on Mason McTavish during the Ducks’ lone power play. Quick celebrated his 395th career win, edging closer to the 400-win milestone.
2. The kids are taking over
Although Artemi Panarin extended his point streak to eight games and Ryan Lindgren scored a crucial goal, the Rangers’ younger players made significant contributions. Will Cuylle netted the game-winning goal and had another shot that was disallowed due to an offsides call. Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko assisted on the winning goal, showcasing the strength of the Rangers’ third line. Chytil was particularly active, generating multiple breakaway chances, and was second on the team with four shots on goal. Alexis Lafreniere also added an assist, bringing his season total to eight points in eight games, solidifying his status as a rising star after signing a seven-year, $52.15 million extension.
3. Lindgren-Trouba pair a pleasant surprise
Coach Peter Laviolette explored a new defensive pairing of Ryan Lindgren and Jacob Trouba, opting for a righty/lefty combination while keeping K’Andre Miller and Adam Fox on the top pair. Despite being primarily defensive players with minimal offensive output, Lindgren and Trouba excelled during the game. Natural Stat Trick statistics indicated that Lindgren was on the ice for 11 scoring chances for and only three against, while Trouba had 12 chances for and four against. They also had a clean sheet in high-danger chances. Zac Jones and Braden Schneider played well on the third pairing, which may affect Victor Mancini, who was a healthy scratch for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see how the defensive pairings evolve as the Rangers prepare for their upcoming match against the Capitals on Tuesday.
