Islanders shutout the Rangers for the second time this season at MSG 2-0. Blueshirts positives were on their perfect penalty kill and a winning 61.4% (27-44) faceoffs but that was all. After two scoreless periods, seemed like the first team to score would win and that is exactly what happened.
Islanders’ Semyon Varlamov earned his third shutout of the season and second against the Rangers.
Blueshirts generated 30 shots but couldn’t capitalize.
“Zero-zero going to the third, we had some great chances in the third period before they made it 1-0,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “And we just couldn’t capitalize and it was a tight game, and in a lot of ways, not much going on both sides of it. They took advantage of their chances.”
Rangers remained lackluster on the Power Play (0-3).
“Our powerplay didn’t give us any momentum and we did not have much going on,” David Quinn said.
Libor Hajak’s third-period miscue kept the puck in the middle of the ice which gave Pelech a shot attempt. Casey Cizikes batted the puck in amidst a ton of Blue jerseys.
Another miscommunication in the middle of the ice led to a Matt Martin tip-in, which sealed the game.
We were a half step too slow and we needed to raise the pace,” Chris Kreider said. “We can’t play at their pace. We have to play that much quicker to go north and get more pucks to the net.”
K’Andre Miller continues show his plus defending skills.
Quinn’s Quote
“I didn’t think we played fast enough offensively,” Quinn said.
Next? Rangers continue their home-stand against the MassMutual East leaders; Boston Bruins (8-1-2) 18 points at 7pm on NBCSN.
