Rangers vs. Sabres: They're Waking Up
The score says 4-0, but the game told a different story. Igor Shesterkin bailed out a sloppy Rangers effort that still showed progress from opening night.
- I think the scoreline was pretty flattering at 4-0, considering how much of a mess this game was at times. The New York Rangers dominated most of the first period, putting up 16 shots and seemingly controlling the play. That held true until the Rangers had a five-shot second period, mostly due to the series of continued penalties they decided to take, mixed with not scoring on any of their own power plays. When it was all said and done the Rangers put Buffalo on the power play four times in the second. That can't happen.
- The Rangers also needed to shuffle lines after an early Vincent Trocheck injury left them high and dry. Strangely I thought J.T. Miller looked visibly hurt in the first 20 minutes, then I thought he looked like one of the Rangers better skaters the final 25 minutes or so. And they needed him once Trocheck was out and Mika Zibanejad had to swing back over to center.
- And Igor Shesterkin, of course. The 36-save shutout was the first of the year for him, and he was a true monster the entire game. This wasn't the Pittsburgh game where he answered the call as needed but it was mostly kept together. Thursday night was filled with defensive errors across the board that required serious intervention from the Rangers' goalkeeper. A couple of Buffalo posts didn't hurt, either, but he was incredible. This game is not a Rangers' win without him, full stop.
- It should also be noted Buffalo isn't exactly a powerhouse, but that didn't stop the Rangers from embarrassing themselves on Tuesday so I'll take the win.
