The saying should go: If you can’t join ’em, beat ’em.
That’s how the Rangers went about their business in a back-to-back slate this weekend against two teams in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild-card race. After defeating the Red Wings on Saturday afternoon, the Blueshirts clobbered the Capitals 8-1 on Sunday night in what was an extremely consequential game for Washington.
The Blueshirts were officially eliminated from playoff contention over a week and a half ago, but they’ve been playing better hockey and winning more than they have all season long.
“There’s no easy games, but obviously teams that have that sense of desperation and really something to play for, I think, shows that we haven’t really gave up on the year and packed it in,” said Adam Fox, who, along with Will Cuylle and Mika Zibanejad, led the Rangers with three points. “Like we said, we’re still trying to build on something and gain momentum and establish something here that we can take positively into the summer and build on that.”
It’s great to see.”
I think the group’s done a great job since the break of just being focused, trying to come out and compete and just play hard and try and build on that.”
Sunday’s win was their fifth in the past six games. It marked their largest win of the season.
The Rangers are playing like a team that’s on the same page.
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The young players have made a world of difference in the lineup and in the locker room. They’re fighting — literally and figuratively — for the Rangers crest and for each other.
Cuylle posted his first career hat trick and finished the game one assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick. The 24-year-old wing scored two of the Rangers’ five goals in the second period before he dropped the gloves with Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
In addition to Cuylle, Tye Kartye and Noah Laba also dropped their gloves during the contentious matchup.
“It’s great to have it in a game like today where we had a full 60-minute effort from everyone, everyone contributing,” Cuylle said. “I’m just happy with the result.”
Conor Sheary may have had the slowest start of any Ranger, but he’s finishing strong.
Notching his sixth goal since March 10, the 33-year-old cleaned up a loose puck in front to open the scoring 23 seconds into the game. It was Sheary’s third goal in the past five games and 17th point through 58 games.
The Rangers simply owned the second period.
More than doubling Washington’s shots on goal in the middle frame, 16-7, the
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The home team exploded for five goals in the second period. Two scores on the power play bookended the surge, with J.T. Miller registering his 17th goal of the season before Fox capped the lopsided period.
“I think our guys have something to play for, and that’s how they’re approaching it,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “We’re playing some pretty good teams that have a lot at stake. I think we beat some pretty good teams lately. I think that’s just a testament to how hard our players are competing out there. I think we’re trying to build a team game and we’re trying to stack some wins on top of each other where we can continue to define, refine what Rangers hockey looks like.”
