Greatness Returns – Rangers Top Ducks 7-2 to reclaim NHL’s top honors

Honestly I don’t understand.  All these years of watching the Rangers play has not prepared me for such… such goodness.  Just when the Rangers seemed to be winning ugly – when they had forgotten how to score – when their impressive run seemed to be headed for an extended slump, what do they do?

On zero days rest – without their best goalie, their 2^nd best scorer and their top scoring defenseman – they humiliate the West’s top team – the Anaheim Ducks – 7-2.

That’s seven to two.  A blowout where the Ducks yanked one goalie after three goals and may have thought about yanking his replacement after another four.  It was a remarkable moment in an increasingly remarkable season.  It was fun and cool.

And of course this all happened as we were being (typically) out face-offed and out-shot by what was the best team in hockey.

In the first period, on the game’s second minute, the Rangers dominated – looking like they were on the powerplay.  The puck got behind Andersen and Kreider was quick with the stick, getting behind the Duck’s netminder and cashing in one of the shortest shots you’re ever likely to see in an NHL game.

The Ducks struck back quickly – but the Rangers weren’t done yet.

At 5:43 the Rangers got two things they’ve been missing for far too long – a Stepan Goal and a Power Play goal.  It was a blast from point and we led 2-1 – a lead we would never relinquish.

Five minutes Hagelin got credited for a goal when a spin-a-rama bounced in off his skate for the 3-1 lead.  That was 3 goals on 7 shots and ended Andersen’s evening.

The Ducks quacked one more time to make it 3-2 after one.  But the Rangers added two more in the 2^nd.  The first by J.T. Miller and then Stepan stole the puck and fired his 2^nd of the night – unassisted – and it was 5-2.

In the third Derek Brassard and Jesper Fast got it to the 7-2 final.  Great game all around,  Cam was great again stopping 32 of 34 shots.

What Did We Learn?  That the Rangers can still score.

Assist “Sisters”:   Too many to mention!

Did Special Teams Determine The Outcome Of This Game?  We finally got a powerplay goal

Where Do We Stand?  On top.  Of everyone.

Oh My - What Will Happen Next?  Tuesday night at home to the Kings

Non-Sequitur of the day:  My oldest son’s 21^st birthday today!