The New York Rangers may have fallen back to reality after a disappointing week. Despite a couple of lackluster performances, there were some standout efforts.
The New York Rangers are human after all.
After going on a 6-1-1 run from Nov. 5 through Nov. 22, the team has dropped two consecutive games, games where they had every opportunity to come out victorious. Those games included a shutout against a third-string goaltender and another two-goal lead blown to the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Despite the outcomes, there was still performance up and down the lineup that deserves to receive some recognition. Performances where we saw some of the same, some of the expected, and continued to be amazed by.
Here are the Rangers three stars from Nov. 18 through Nov. 25.
3. Filip Chytil
Filip Chytil continued to be on a tear last week for the Rangers.
FILIP CHYTIL BEATS LEHNER TO EXTEND HIS GOAL-SCORING STREAK TO FIVE GAMES!#NYR pic.twitter.com/EFN2SmneOG
— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) November 22, 2018
Chtyil would extend his goal streak, which started two weeks ago, to five straight games with a goal. He joined the likes of Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, Partick Laine, Sean Couturier, Jordan Staal, and Auston Matthews to score a goal in at least five straight games.
Now Chytil has cooled off a bit over his last two games but, he is still showing the skill and excitement he can bring to the rink each and every game. As the season progresses so will he, and it the excitement surrounding “Chytilmania” will only grow.
2. Jimmy Vesey
Jimmy Vesey is continuing to have a solid season under David Quinn.
Tic. Tack. Toe.
Jimmy Vesey puts the Rangers up 1-0! #NYR pic.twitter.com/9BNm5z6TKv
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) November 24, 2018
With two goals on the week, Vesey is already at the eight-goal mark on the season and is just nine goals away from his career high, 17.
With each passing game, the more confidence you can see in the 25-year-old’s game. He is showing more and more that he can be trusted in all situations and has become one of the Blueshirts’ better two-way players. Guess he must have picked some of that up from playing with Rick Nash the last couple of years.
1. Kevin Hayes
Kevin Hayes continues to blossom right before our eyes.
KEVN HAYES WITH A GORGEOUS MOVE AROUND LEHNER! GREAT PLAY BY SHATTENKIRK TO KEEP IT IN!#NYR pic.twitter.com/E0jHuFg9vn
— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) November 22, 2018
Hayes had a three-point week where he scored a goal along with picking up two assists. He has become one a calming factor while on the ice for the Blueshirts making all the talk of trading him harder each day.
As the season progresses, so will Hayes, and his game still has another level to be reached. He has made some beautiful passes over the last week or so but, once he starts shooting the puck more often he can become even more of a weapon.
Honorable Mentions
- Alexandar Georgiev: First career shutout in two games.
- Henrik Lundqvist: 42-save performance Friday against Philadelphia.
