A Win is a Win

Regardless of how sloppy/boring the game last night was, a win is a win, and you can’t really complain about that. Once again the Rangers couldn’t seem to get past the trapping style that Jacques Lemaire has made oh so popular (or maybe it just seemed that way, but it definitely stymied a few rushes), but they capitalized on two Minnesota mistakes, and that’s what won them the game. A few notes:

• Great patience by Zherdev on his goal. It takes a lot of poise to wait and make sure you hit the open spot while the goalie is out of the play. It kind of reminded of Leetch’s goal in 1994.
• That was a very nice play by the Avery/Gomez combination on the 2nd goal. You could see it developing that way from up above in the 400s, and it took a perfect pass and a perfect shot.
• Avery/Orr 2, Minnesota 0.
• Who passes when they have a clear shot on an empty net? Seriously. I mean, it’s kind of funny.
• Some guy got pepper sprayed by a woman on my subway ride to work this morning. I laughed.

With the win, the Rangers still sit in 7th place are tied with Pittsburgh for 6th (I believe the Rangers have the head-to-head tiebreaker), and one point behind Carolina (with a game in hand). Montreal won last night too, but it had no bearing on the Rangers standing.

The Rangers magic number is down to 13 with the win.

Update 9:45am: I forgot to add a few other things to my analysis. I had these emailed to myself to make sure I included them, but I’m half asleep this morning.

• Good job by the Rangers holding Minnesota to single digit shots through two periods.
• I had no idea Owen Nolan still played hockey. Thank you Gary Bettman and your atrocious scheduling the past few years
• The Rangers did get a lot of traffic on Backstrom. Can’t complain about that.
• Ulf Nilsson made an appearance last night. I was wondering where they dug him up from. It was nice to see him again. His appearance started a few more Potvin Sucks chants.