3 Takeaways From Rangers’ 4-0 Win Over the Islanders

Last night, the New York Rangers faced off against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden in a rivalry matchup with playoff implications. Heading into the game, the Rangers trailed the Detroit Red Wings by two points in the race for the second wild card spot. Fresh off a 3-0 shutout win against the Nashville Predators the night before, they secured another dominant victory, shutting out the Islanders 4-0. With the win, the Rangers pulled even with the Red Wings at 66 points, though Detroit holds a game in hand.

Game Recap

The Rangers started the game slowly, spending much of the early first period hemmed in their own zone. However, they caught a break when Adam Pelech was sent to the penalty box for delay of game after clearing the puck over the glass. Despite the opportunity, the Rangers failed to convert on the power play—a unit that has struggled recently. Just seconds after their power play expired, they found themselves shorthanded after taking a too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty. The Rangers’ penalty kill successfully neutralized the Islanders’ power play, keeping the game scoreless.

Shortly after, Anders Lee slipped a soft shot past Igor Shesterkin, but the goal was overturned following a successful offside challenge by head coach Peter Laviolette. The disallowed goal shifted momentum in the Rangers’ favor. With under five minutes remaining in the period, Zac Jones fired a shot from the blue line that deflected off Kyle Palmieri’s stick and then off Will Cuylle’s helmet, resulting in Cuylle’s 17th goal of the season and a 1-0 Rangers lead. Later in the period, following another too-many-men penalty on the Rangers, Cuylle absorbed a hit and sent the puck forward to Sam Carrick, who found Will Borgen in the offensive zone. Borgen buried a shorthanded goal, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period remained scoreless, though the Rangers generated several high-danger chances, including a breakaway opportunity from Matt Rempe and Brett Berard, with Berard’s shot sailing wide. Both teams exchanged power plays—Bo Horvat took a delay of game penalty early in the period, and later, K’Andre Miller was called for holding as Brock Nelson broke free on a breakaway. Neither team managed to capitalize, and the Rangers carried their 2-0 lead into the final frame.

Related: 4 Takeaways From Rangers’ 4-0 Win Over the Predators

Early in the third period, Artemi Panarin corralled a loose puck and found J.T. Miller in stride as he crossed the blue line. Miller fired a quick shot past Ilya Sorokin, extending the Rangers’ lead to 3-0. Following the goal, the Islanders increased their offensive pressure, and head coach Patrick Roy pulled Sorokin for the extra attacker with 7:37 remaining in regulation. Despite sustained pressure in the Rangers’ zone, Panarin eventually skated the puck out and fired a shot off the post. Alexis Lafrenière won the race to the loose puck and quickly sent a shot toward the empty net, which Panarin tapped in to secure the 4-0 victory.

Rangers Takeaways

1. With another win under their belt, the Rangers find themselves inching closer to a playoff spot just three days before the trade deadline. The next few days promise to be eventful for the team, which has already parted ways with several longtime players this season, including Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren, and Jimmy Vesey. Reilly Smith is also expected to be moved before the deadline. However, with the Rangers now in legitimate contention, Chris Drury may feel compelled to not only sell but also make additions to strengthen the roster. While the team still has notable gaps—particularly on defense—their recent performances suggest they have the potential to compete in the Eastern Conference playoffs, should they secure a spot.
2. After struggling since the 4 Nations break, Vincent Trocheck, Panarin, and Lafrenière all recorded points last night, a promising sign for the Rangers. While the first line of Mika Zibanejad, Cuylle, and J.T. Miller has been excellent, the other top-six unit has yet to find its rhythm. Last season, the Rangers leaned heavily on the Trocheck line, and if they can regain that level of play, the Rangers become a much tougher opponent down the stretch.
3. A glaring issue remains: bench minors. After taking two more too-many-men penalties last night, Sam Rosen noted on the broadcast that the Rangers are now tied with the Washington Capitals for the most bench minors in the league—after Washington also added one to their total. This is a persistent problem that needs to be addressed. Two bench minors in a game—let alone in the same period—is unacceptable. If Laviolette doesn’t find a solution soon, these costly penalties could continue to undermine the Rangers’ efforts when it matters most.