Despite having one of the league’s best records, the New York Rangers were not enamored with their play early in the season.
Heading into their road clash with the Calgary Flames on Thursday, however, the Rangers are happier with their execution of late.
“We were definitely playing not our best hockey, sneaking away with wins, whether it be with goaltending or being able to score a few,” New York defenseman Adam Fox said, according to Forever Blueshirts. “Early in the season, there are things you want to clean up … but the road trip has been good.”
The Rangers arrive in Calgary having won three straight games after their 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. New York boasts a 7-1-0 road record and has reached the midway point of a four-game trip with two victories.
Although the clash against Vancouver was tight, the Rangers controlled play for the bulk of it. However, New York surrendered the first goal of the game on the first shot 34 seconds into the contest.
“We played a really good first period, maybe one of our best,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said. “We could have done a couple things differently that maybe could have helped prevent (the first goal), but to come right back and score, to me, that’s important.”
Mika Zibanejad scored less than two minutes later to tie the score, and New York never trailed again after Will Cuylle’s sixth goal later in the first period. Chris Kreider supplied the tiebreaking and eventual game-winning tally midway through the third period.
“We were recovering pucks really well,” Cuylle said. “Whenever we would get a chance, get a shot and the puck would be loose, we’d be on it really quick and that’s how you can sustain the pressure.”
The Rangers might also receive a boost for the game. Center Filip Chytil, who missed the past two games, could return after it was determined he did not suffer a concussion against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
The Flames are halfway through a four-game homestand in which they have rattled off successive wins, including their 2-1 shootout victory over the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Calgary has netted points in six of its past seven games (4-1-2) and continues to be one of the league’s early-season surprises.
The victory over the Islanders was nearly a textbook example of why the Flames are having success despite being in a rebuilding phase. After falling behind early in the second period, Calgary stayed in the game thanks to strong goaltending from Dustin Wolf before mounting a comeback.
“A lot of battling and competing, lot of chipped pucks,” said Flames forward Justin Kirkland, who scored one of two shootout goals that sealed the victory. “It wasn’t really your clean game as it normally is, but we battled hard right until the end. As long as it took, we were willing to do that and come out of it with two points.”
The Flames have been held to three or fewer goals in 13 consecutive games but have scored 26 third-period goals in 19 contests.
They have also benefited from strong goaltending, especially from the rookie Wolf. The two-time AHL goaltender of the year delivered several saves to keep his team within striking distance and then held firm until the shootout, during which he was perfect.
Wolf has a 4-0-1 record in his past five outings while allowing eight goals. Calgary has posted a 7-2-1 record with Wolf between the pipes. He has — at least for now — secured the net for a team that had rotated goalies early in the campaign.
“The more comfortable you get in this league, the more you believe in yourself, the more success you’re going to have,” defenseman Rasmus Andersson said of Wolf. “He for sure believes in himself quite a bit. He’s been awesome, especially the last seven, eight games.”
