The New York Rangers are maintaining their momentum, as demonstrated by their impressive 7–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, with Filip Chytil standing out with a notable three-point performance.
Igor Shesterkin continues to assert his position as the world’s top goalie. Conversations are swirling around whether the Rangers will re-sign Shesterkin, who is looking for a contract that would make him the highest-paid goalie ever—but it’s uncertain if New York is ready to meet that demand. Nevertheless, Shesterkin is justifying his potential value so far this season. In the recent match against the Canadiens, he was exceptional, saving 21 of 23 shots for a .913 save percentage. He has allowed only 10 goals in five games this season, boasting a .932 save percentage overall.
The Rangers’ defense has evolved from a liability to a strong asset. Last season, the team’s defense showed weaknesses, but this year, even minor adjustments have transformed it into a strength. Ryan Lindgren made his season debut on Tuesday and, along with the other defensemen, performed well, with no players ending the game with a negative rating. Captain Jacob Trouba particularly shone with a +5 rating.
Filip Chytil may have had one of the best games of his career, contributing three points (two goals and one assist) while energizing the Rangers’ bottom six as the third-line center. He now has five points in five games this season.
While the Rangers are known for having a stellar top six, it was the contributions from their less heralded bottom six that led to the victory over Montreal. Chytil was the highlight with two goals and three points; his linemate Will Cuylle added two assists, and Kaapo Kakko chipped in with one goal and two assists. On the fourth line, Jonny Brodzinski scored a goal, while Adam Edstrom and Sam Carrick each recorded an assist. All four lines made their mark in Tuesday’s game.
Looking ahead, the Rangers will face the reigning NHL champions, the Florida Panthers, in their next match. This will be a highly anticipated game, especially since the Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs by the Panthers last season. The Rangers will be seeking revenge against the champions during their home game on Thursday night.
