In their most recent run of play, the New York Rangers second period surges are helping them through almost every obstacle. The offence over the last five games has taken a while to get going. With a record of 4-1-0 in their last five games, New York has tallied 23 goals against quality opponents in this stretch of games. 10 of those 23 have come in the middle frames, an early crutch with Peter Laviolette‘s team early in his inaugural season.
The months of October and November provided the complete opposite to now. It was nothing but fast starts for the Rangers, with the second period being the time when opponents would predict what was coming from New York. Now, it is a “feeling out process” for the first 20 minutes. Then, with the flip of the switch, the lines become quicker, defencemen begin to pinch, and it is all uphill from there. No other second period was more evident than in their 4-3 shootout win against the Florida Panthers last Saturday. It was your typical “tennis match” of a hockey game, just back-and-forth action from both sides. It was the second period that rejuvenated the Rangers that helped propel them to an eventual victory. Let’s take a closer look at that memorable middle frame.
Rangers Second Period Success versus Florida
Leading up to the highly touted contest, both teams were dealing with their fair share of injuries. Florida was without two of the starting defencemen Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling. Their captain Aleksander Barkov was also dealing with a day-to-day injury. Coincidently, New York was also without two of their defensive weapons in their captain Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren. Injury bug aside, these are still two of the best organizations in all of hockey duking it out at The World’s Most Famous Arena in primetime.
Florida got the scoring started thanks to a gnarly deflection from Matthew Tkachuk that seemed to teleport past Igor Shesterkin. An early goal in the second period courtesy of Eetu Luostarinen saw Florida up 2-0 in the blink of an eye. Eventually, the Ranger powerplay found itself on the ice and a wrister from Adam Fox got the scoring started. (You see what happens when he stays out of the Sin Bin?)
The momentum shifter ? pic.twitter.com/M79nRocKst
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 24, 2024
Artemi Panarin would tie the game just two minutes later, but let’s look beyond the goal itself. The mood changed in The Garden after Fox’s powerplay goal. Not just with the fans, but within the team itself. Something changed, the confidence began to ooze out onto the ice. It reminded me of the scene in Forrest Gump when he’s running away from the bullies and his leg braces come off. Forrest begins to fly, as did the Rangers in the second period.
ALWAYS GOOD. ALWAYS FRESH. pic.twitter.com/8ViAxtfRJA
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 24, 2024
Turning Defence Into Offence
What was noticeable were the defencemen and how they wanted to be involved in every scoring opportunity. Players like Braden Schneider and Zac Jones, who have been impressive in this recent stretch, like to pinch and keep the play alive. As long as a forward covers their spot on the point, it can be effective when New York is pressing in the offensive zone.
The perfect example of this was from New York’s loss against Tampa Bay back on March 14. Schneider’s goal started with awareness, knowing that Mika Zibanejad was in search of an option after the dump in play from Jack Roslovic. Have you ever wondered what an analyst means when they talk about “Hockey I.Q.?” This goal is a prime example of that. Therefore, Braden Schneider is one smart hockey player.
OKAYY THEN SCHNEIDS. ?
ft. Rosy’s first point as a Ranger. ? pic.twitter.com/e4vjBEvEeU— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 14, 2024
On the other hand, Jones is proving to be such a skillful puck-handler for New York. He has been filling in the shoes of Jacob Trouba quite nicely since the captain’s injury. His two-way game has arguably been the most detectable, along with the previously mentioned Schneider and K’Andre Miller. New York is not known for scoring goals from the point. That will change come playoff time because chances are going to be thrown on net whenever they can. Laviolette’s staff has always emphasized turning defence into offence. Only time will tell if that will stay true when the Rangers are battling it out in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
New York is back in action on Tuesday when they take on John Tortorella and the Philadelphia Flyers. This Metropolitan Division matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST on Tuesday from Madison Square Garden.
Main Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
