Jack Hughes once again dazzled against the Rangers, solidifying his reputation as a thorn in their side. With a staggering 20 goals and 35 assists over 25 games against them, Hughes continues to dominate. The Rangers' leadership will need to find a way to contain him if they hope to turn the tide in future matchups.
The game was a tough outing for the Rangers, who were outshot 17-2 in the first period, trailing 2-1. The return of JT Miller hasn't sparked the desired turnaround, with the team going 1-2-0 and being outshot 113-58 in those games. It's a puzzling situation, raising questions about whether he should have been sidelined for the season's remainder.
Despite the struggles, Mika Zibanejad is closing in on another 30-goal season, showcasing his resilience. His chemistry with Gabe Perreault and Alexis Lafreniere at even strength has been a bright spot, providing hope for the future. Perreault's aggressive forechecking led to a pivotal moment early in the second period, setting up Zibanejad for a game-tying goal that slipped past Markstrom.
Vlad Gavrikov has been a revelation for the Rangers. While his offensive surge may not be sustainable every year, he's on track to triple his career-high in goals. However, defensively, there have been some uncharacteristic lapses, particularly on the penalty kill.
Jonathan Quick had a tough night in net, and with the season winding down, the question of calling up Dylan Garand looms large. Quick, a Hall of Famer living his dream with the Rangers, has shown signs of slowing down. While it’s great to see him play for his childhood team, fans are curious if Garand might step in soon, potentially as next season's backup.
For now, it's about enjoying Quick's final games, even if it does aid the Rangers' draft position.