The Rangers penalty kill has turned into an offensive weapon.
Not only did the penalty killers effectively execute their usual job of fending off all six of the Capitals power plays in the Blueshirts’ 3-1 victory in Game 3 Friday night, but they also scored their second game-winning shorthanded goal in as many contests.
In fact, the Rangers have scored four shorties in their last five games dating back to the regular season, as well as six in their last 14.
“I think we like to play aggressively,” said Barclay Goodrow, who buried the puck on a shorthanded two-on-one rush with Vincent Trocheck in the first period.
“Kind of always on our toes and not sitting back on our heels. It seems like as of late we’ve gotten a lot of chances and obviously that’s a bonus. First job is to kill it off, but obviously [K’Andre Miller] got a big goal for us last game and then tonight we get another one. It’s been doing well for us.”
The Rangers frustrated the Capitals’ power play all night, limiting the home team to just six shots on goal with the man-advantage.
Clogging lanes, pushing Washington players to the perimeter and getting their sticks in the way, the Rangers stymied the Capitals despite their man-advantage. At the same time, however, the Rangers have been playing in a way that feels like they are also on the attack.
They bounce on loose pucks whenever they present themselves.
Whenever possession is gained, the immediate look is down the ice for an outlet pass that can send them on an odd-man rush.
“I don’t know if we’re doing anything different,” Mika Zibanejad said. “We’re pressuring, especially when it’s off of rebounds and recoveries and stuff, I think we’re doing a good job winning those puck battles and getting those opportunities to go. When we get the chance, usually send it down and you go change, but now we see we have a chance.
“And when you get a chance for a two-on-one, you try to take it and even though if you don’t score on the two-on-one, if you don’t score on the opportunity, you kind of take away momentum from their power play and give it our way.”
