No matter what happens with the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the 2019-20 New York Rangers have made history this season.
One example of this was the incredible 9 game road winning streak the Blueshirts were on, spanning from mid-January to late February.
Let’s take a look at each game from this historic run, and who led the way.
January 16th, 2020
Nassau Coliseum, LI
Rangers: 3 Islanders: 2
Chris Kreider gives the Rangers the read with 25 seconds remaining. (Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)A clutch goal from Chris Kreider with just 25 seconds left in the game propelled the Rangers past the rival Islanders. Two of the three goals (by Mika Zibanejad and Tony DeAngelo) came unassisted. Alexandar Georgiev was lights out and helped the Rangers stay competitive throughout the game.
A late penalty from former Derrick Brassard in the third set the stage for a thrilling late goal by Kreider, stuffing in a rebound from an initial shot by Zibanejad.
Game Recap
This was the first game at Nassau for the Rangers since 2015, and it did not disappoint. The atmosphere was absolutely incredible- I had the privilege of being there, and nothing compares to beating the Islanders on their own turf. Nothing.
February 1st, 2020
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
Rangers: 1 Red Wings: 0
This was the second matchup of the home-and-home with Detroit and the final matchup of the season series.
The lone goal scorer in this game was, unsurprisingly, Mika Zibanejad.
Game Recap
The goal came on the powerplay, as Chris Kreider received a pass from Ryan Strome to the left of Jonathan Bernier and gave it a tap to Mika Zibanejad, showing a great net-front presence. Henrik Lundqvist got his first shutout in two seasons and had 33 saves, and set the stage for a historic February.
February 11th, 2020
Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg
Rangers: 4 Jets: 1
Two goals from Chris Kreider led the Rangers to a dominant win in Winnipeg. The other Rangers goal scorers were Ryan Strome and, of course, Mika Zibanejad (who is probably the MVP of this 9 game road win streak, honestly).
Game Recap
Though Winnipeg forward Nikolaj Ehlers robbed Shesterkin of the shutout, he made 42 saves and led the way to what would be the first win of a midwestern road trip sweep.
February 13th, 2020
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Rangers: 4 Wild: 3 (SO)
Artemi Panarin scores the shootout winner. (Photo: AP Photo/Jim Mone)The Blueshirts once again showed resilience on the road, coming from behind 2 goals in the third period. In the first, Artemi Panarin tied the game at 1, before Minnesota separated themselves and went up 3-1 late in the second. Pavel Buchnevich opened the scoring for the NYR on an unassisted goal more than halfway into the third.
Alexandar Georgiev stood tall in this period, stopping all six Wild shots in the final frame. With just 1:06 left in the game, Mika Zibanejad (obviously) tied the game at 3 with a one-timer in the slot. Jacob Trouba nearly won it in OT, but Alex Stalock stood tall. It took a shootout (where the Wild chose not to put in Mats Zuccarello, which baffles me) where Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin put it away.
February 14th, 2020
Nationwide Arena, Columbus
Rangers: 3 Blue Jackets: 1
In the second game of a back to back, Pavel Buchnevich got the Blueshirts on the board just 22 seconds in the game, a deflection off the initial shot from Jacob Trouba. However, Oliver Bjorkstrand would respond in the second, the game then tied 1-1 going into the final frame.
Game Recap
After a shorthanded breakaway miss by the Blue Jackets, Mika Zibanejad set up a beautiful feed for Chris Kreider, who fired it past Elvis Merzlikins to go up 2-1 with 3:11 to go in the third. Ryan Strome put it away with an empty netter, which closed out the road trip sweep. (I was actually at this game, and I was quite happy to only hear the cannon go off once. I also made sure to cheer on Artemi Panarin extra loud).
This team win in Columbus brought the end of a mid-western road trip, going undefeated. And although this is definitely impressive, the Blueshirts were able to pull out four more road wins on this historic run.
Catch the final four in Part II, with more come from behind victories and rivalry win!
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