The Rangers snapped their two-game losing streak with a thrilling 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.
Here are some takeaways...
- The Rangers honored retiring legendary play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen with a pregame ceremony, but then they proceeded to sleepwalk through the opening frame -- recording just one shot on goal in a period for the first time since 2021.
- New York was finally able to get on the board midway through the second when Adam Fox got a piece of Braden Schneider's shot from the point and deflected it past Kevin Lankinen.
- Rookie winger Brennan Othmann picked up the secondary assist on the play, finally giving him his first career point. The youngster was noticeable all game, recording two shots and five hits after being bumped up to the second line with Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck.
- The sluggish play continued, but the Rangers somehow took the lead just a minute into the third period as J.T. Miller connected with Jonny Brodzinski on a beautiful passing play down-low in the slot. The teams traded three more goals in a back-and-forth period, before Brodzinski found the back of the net again with just four minutes left in the contest.
- Fittingly, it was Miller who potted home the empty net goal to officially secure the victory against his former team. It was his seventh since making his return to the Blueshirts, but his first since March 3.
- The Rangers managed just 12 shots on goal on the afternoon, but somehow pulled out the much-needed victory. Six of those shots came during the third period flurry, and four of those were able to find their way past the struggling Lankinen.
- With New York's offense not getting much going, Igor Shesterkin was tremendous between the pipes, stopping 37 of the 40 shots he faced on the afternoon to each his 23rd win of the season. The All-Star netminder let frustration get the best of him in the second, as he took a roughing penalty after taking down Vancouver's Kiefer Sherwood in front of the net.
- After snapping their two-game losing streak, the Rangers now find themselves tied with the Canadiens for the second Wild Card spot with 11 games to play.