Recap: Perreault’s Hat Trick and Quick’s Standout Performance Power Rangers Past Red Wings

Following their loss against the Montreal Canadiens, the Detroit Red Wings travelled to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Rangers. Entering the game, the Red Wings entered the game right outside the playoff picture and the outcome of the game played a strong role in their hopes of competing for the Stanley Cup.

The Rangers used the same lines as they did against the Canadiens, and they looked like this:

https://x.com/JLazzy23/status/2040460723139039478

Both teams traded scoring chances in the first period, but it was ultimately Jaroslav Chmelar who got the scoring started for the Rangers. New York rode Chmelar's goal into the second with a 1-0 lead. The Rangers youth kept it coming in the second with a goal from Gabe Perreault. Perreault remained hot in the third period with a power-play goal and then connected on the empty net goal to complete his first career hat trick. While the kids led the way on offense, Jonathan Quick, in what could be his final game as a Ranger, recorded a shutout to pave the way for the Rangers' victory.

First Period

About four minutes into the opening period, Andrew Copp was called for tripping on Alexis Lafrenière, which gave the Rangers the game's opening power play. The only shot on goal came from Adam Fox, which was deflected by J.T. Miller. John Gibson made the save for Detroit, and the man-advantage opportunity was unsuccessful, keeping the game tied.

Following the power play, the Red Wings picked up their game with chances from Dylan Larkin and Emmitt Finnie. Detroit continued to control the puck as they fought to keep their postseason chances alive. Their attack on the Rangers was short-lived.

Not long after, the Rangers answered with a sustained shift from the third line. The fourth line then came on and was able to finish the long offensive zone shift. Vladislav Gavrikov got the puck at the point, and his shot was deflected by Jaroslav Chmelar, which gave New York a 1-0 lead in the back half of the opening period.

https://x.com/NYRangers/status/2040477371522814395

Right after the goal, Detroit nearly tied it up with good scoring chances from the Red Wings. A couple of minutes later, J.T. Miller got called for interference, giving the Red Wings a chance to tie the game. However, the Rangers' penalty killers stood strong and did not give up a single shot on goal to keep their lead intact.

Lucas Raymond and David Perron had another strong chance in the final two minutes of the period, but Jonathan Quick came up with another big save to keep the Rangers' lead. The first period came to an end with New York leading 1-0 but being outshot eight to six by the Red Wings.

Second Period

The Red Wings came out of the intermission ready to tie the game with a few early chances. While J.T. Miller sneaked in a scoring chance, Detroit controlled play through the first few minutes of the second period. Quick, who looked like he was back in his prime, had made 11 saves through 30 minutes of play.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin appeared banged up and was very slow to skate over to the bench at the halfway point of the period. Larkin and Noah Laba got tied up, which led to an awkward fall. Larkin had been dealing with injuries in the previous weeks. Larkin did return to the ice a few minutes later.

With just under seven minutes left, Drew Fortescue was called for slashing, which gave Detroit its second power-play opportunity. The Rangers' strong penalty kill continued as the Red Wings' power play came up empty-handed. The Red Wings only got one shot on goal during their power play.

Following the power play, the Rangers extended their lead thanks to a goal from Gabe Perreault. Mika Zibanejad got the feed from Matthew Robertson upon entry into the zone. Zibanejad from behind the net passed the puck to Perreault, who took a second for it to settle down before beating Gibson to extend the Rangers' lead to 2-0.

https://x.com/NYRangers/status/2040492490768146525

That Rangers top line kept the pressure coming with a few strong scoring chances, but were unable to extend their lead. The Rangers took their 2-0 lead into the second intermission, and Quick only had 20 minutes remaining to get the shutout in what could be his final game at The Garden.

Third Period

The first few minutes of the period got off to a slow start with each team having a few scoring chances. A good forcheck from Laba nearly led to another Perreault goal and Zibanejad in the paint stopped what should have been Detroits first goal of the game.

About 6 minutes into the period, Will Cuylle and Ben Chiarot dropped the gloves. Prior to the fight, Chiarot was called for a two minutes slash which gave the Rangers another power play oppertunity.

To start the power play, the Rangers' first unit could not convert for the second time. The first unit nearly gave J.T. Compher a short-handed goal, which rang off the post. Once the second unit came over the boards, Perreault found his second goal of the game off a feed from Jonny Brodzinski on an odd-man rush. Perreault's goal extended the Rangers' lead to 3-0.

https://x.com/NYRangers/status/2040502699276247499

Following the power play goal, Conor Sheary was called for a high stick, which once again set the Red Wings man advantage unit onto the ice. Just like they had all day, the Rangers' penalty killers continued to do their job, and Quick's shutout remained.

With 5:45 remaining, another penalty was called against the Rangers; this time, it was Noah Laba. On the power play, the Red Wings pulled the goaltender to give them a six-on-four advantage. Early on the power play, Quick was tested but held strong. Cuylle had an opportunity on the empty net but missed. New York killed off another penalty.With the net empty, Gabe Perreault recorded his first NHL hat trick. The 2023 first-round pick has established himself as a mainstay in the NHL, and the team's captain was looking for Perreault with the empty net and found him.

https://x.com/NYRangers/status/2040507965166227878

With less than a minute to go, Perron ruined quicks shut out with a goal with Eric Finnie on the assist. Even without the shutout, Quick made 31 saves and was the backbone of the Rangers in their final Original Six matchup of the season.

The Rangers play again on Easter Sunday against the Washington Capitals.