New York Rangers
Kaapo Kakko racked up the goals heading into the midway point of the season — scoring seven goals in the last ten games. On the season, Kakko is second in points on the team (33) and is tied with Ryan Strome with the most goals (14). Igor Shesterkin (22-8-3) ranks second in the Eastern Conference in GAA (2.33) and fifth overall.
TEAM RANKINGS
(East rank/League rank)
GFPG: 3.26 (3rd/5th)
GAPG: 2.52 (3rd/4th)
PP: 22.5% (1st/2nd)
PK: 82.4% (22nd/12th)
NYR TEAM LEADERS
PTS: A. Fox 41
AST: A. Fox 34
G: K. Kakko 14
G: R. Strome 14
P/M: K. Miller +11
GAA: I. Shesterkin 2.33
The Rangers (25-10-7) closed out the first half of their season with a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks at SAP Arena. Right-wing Kevin Labanc notched his eleventh goal of the season with less than two minutes to play to break a 2-2 tie and handed the Sharks a final lead. New York trailed 2-1 early in the third period before Chris Kreider lit the lamp ten minutes into the frame – his twelfth of the season.
The Sharks controlled the game in the first period by out-shooting the Rangers 15-3, but that produced just one goal while New York was efficient, scoring on one of their three attempts. The script flipped in the middle frame when the Rangers controlled the pace and out-shot San Jose 13-4.
Igor Shesterkin (22-8-3, 2.33 GAA) was in net for New York made 20 saves and took the loss. Adin Hill (25 saves) earned the win for the Sharks and improved to 19-12-2. The loss snapped a three-game win streak by the Rangers.
New York is looking strong heading into the second half of the season, finishing in second place behind Toronto. New York’s 57 points gives them a 13-point advantage over ninth-place Philadelphia Flyers (44 points). The Rangers’ offense and defense ranks among the best in the NHL, but overtaking the Maple Leafs might remain a pipe-dream.
Toronto (68 points) will be tough to catch if they continue to play like they played over the last ten games, going 8-1-1 in that span. They lead the Rangers by eleven points heading onto the second half. The Maple Leafs have lost just seven times but the Rangers handed two of these defeats to them. The Rangers and Maple Leafs will play one more regular season game in New York’s 44th game.
NYR TEAM RANKINGS
GFPG: 3.26 (3rd/5th), GAPG: 2.52 (3rd/4th), PP: 22.5% (1st/2nd), PK: 82.4% (22nd/12th)
NYR TEAM LEADERS
Points: Adam Fox 41 PTS
Assists: Adam Fox 34 AST
Goals: Kaapo Kakko 42 GP, 14 G, 19 AST, 33 PTS
Goals: Ryan Strome 40 GP, 14 G, 17 AST, 31 PTS
Plus/Minus: K’Andre Miller 30 GP, +11 +/-
GAA: Igor Shesterkin 2.33, .911 SV%, 22-8-3, 4 SO
The next season check-in will be March 16 after the Rangers play the Lightning, the day before the Trade Deadline takes place. Twenty games fill the space, 11 at home and 9 on the road. The Rangers have had success at home and on the road (home: 10-5-3 / away: 15-5-4). Marquee matchups over the next 20 games include:
AS IT STANDS…
New York is looking strong heading into the second half of the season, finishing in second place behind Toronto. New York’s 57 points gives them a 13-point advantage over ninth-place Philadelphia Flyers (44 points). The Rangers’ offense and defense ranks among the best in the NHL, but overtaking the Maple Leafs might remain a pipe-dream.
