Red-hot Rangers beat up Devils as win streak hits nine
The New York Rangers could rebrand to the New York Roughhousers after Thursday night.
The New York Rangers could rebrand to the New York Roughhousers after Thursday night.
When Artemi Panarin flipped the puck past goaltender Ilya Sorokin 10 seconds into overtime, the Rangers completed their 18th comeback win of the season.
Facing a bottom-dwelling Blackhawks team, the Rangers blew a two-goal lead in the final frame before Mika Zibanejad salvaged the teams good name with a game-winning goal 2:37 into overtime to take a 4-3 victory Friday night at United Center.
All of this is reflected by the five-on-five totals that portray the Rangers as a middle-of-the-road team, not a contender. Beginning with Tuesday, the club had 40 games in which to reassert itself.
The Rangers were forced to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen at the last minute.
Thursday night saw the Rangers relapse in grave fashion.
The issues that had cropped up and festered over the seasons second quarter have been less noticeable over the last 120 minutes of hockey.
If and when Will Cuylle starts Thursday night on the right side with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, the 21-year-old will become the BFFs 14th co-conspirator since the 2020-21 season.
Peter Laviolette's infrequent lineup shakeups has the Rangers off to their best start in decades.