Red Wings Edge Blueshirts 5-4 In OT

The Rangers played a great game, but once again it was an incomplete performance. They were sleep walking through the first eight minutes and in the end that was the difference in the game. They allowed the first Wings goal 23 seconds into the game on a dramatic deflection that Lundqvist simply didn’t have a chance to stop.

When the Rangers finally woke up they were down 2-0. When they finally started playing their game they came storming back and built a 4-3 lead. They were an awful ‘too many men on the ice’ call away from winning the game. Although there were some negatives in the Rangers game, they cant take away plenty of positives from their biggest test to date.

The new line of Dawes Gomez Callahan excelled. They were able to keep the puck in the Wings zone and outwork them in the corners. Dawes and Callahan both scored nice goals off nifty passes from Gomez who played fantastic and aside from Lundqvist was the Rangers best player throughout the game.

Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Hossa

The Zherdev Dubinsky Voros line played well again with Voros tallying two goals. This line is going to be a staple throughout the season, they have natural chemistry and Aaron Voros is looking to be an absolute steal in FA.

Zherdev is starting to look more comfortable and is beginning to handle the puck more efficiently and played well. As for Dubinsky, well as I’ve been saying since the playoffs last year, this kids going to be something very special.

The one major concern that become evident during the game, is the lack of production/chemistry from Drury and Naslund. The Rangers are excelling offensively even without them doing much of anything. But they’re going need production from those two as the season progresses.

At some point the Dubinsky line is going to slow down and if Drury and Naslund aren’t there to pick up the slack theres going to be a serious issue. Renney had Korpikoski playing the wing along side them but he seemed to be holding the stick too tightly and doesn’t look to be the answer.

Despite the loss, the Rangers showed they can compete and IMO win against the improved Stanley Cup Champions. I have a feeling that we’ll be seeing this matchup again sometime later in the year.