Three significant takeaways from the Rangers dreadful 3-2 loss against the Calgary Flames

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Hunter Bowman
November 22, 2024 (6:29 PM)

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Pointing out three significant takeaways from the New York Rangers embarrassing 3-2 loss against the Calgary Flames.

The Rangers trailed 2-0 early in the game before tying the game by scoring two goals in 16 seconds in the second period. Thanks to Alexis Lafreniere and Will Cuylle.

Those were the only two shots that got by Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, who even dominated the Rangers in their period when the team would generate their best chances.

However, it wasn't enough as Flames forward Connor Zary broke the tie and lead the Flames to their 3-2 victory over the Rangers.

Three takeaways from the New York Rangers 3-2 loss to the Flames

1. Igor Shesterkin is the best player for the Rangers again

The Rangers continue to give Igor Shesterkin no defensive help, and yet he still almost pulled off a victory.

The Flames outshot the Rangers by a huge margin all night as the shots on goal were 32-8 by the first TV timeout in the second period.

But Shesterkin made sure to play on the top of his game and gave the team the opportunity to pull off a victory, but unfortunately they couldn't capitalize.

2. Another dreadful start

If it wasn't for Shesterkin the game would have had a completely different outcome early in the game.

The Flames dominated the Rangers very early in the first period, by outshooting them 20-5 and attempting 34 shots to 11. The Rangers really struggled to generate any offensive play.

Per Natural Stat Trick, the Rangers had a deadful 13.8 percent xGF.

«We got outworked. They were better than us in the first» stated head coach Peter Laviolette.

The Rangers only managed to generate offensively late in the second period, while they applied pressure and managed to get two goals by Lafreniere and Cuylle.

3. Moving Kaapo Kakko to center

As the third line is still missing their center Filip Chytil, who is still out with an upper-body injury, Laviolette decided to try something different in the second.

During the second head coach Peter Laviolette moved Kakko to the center and it payed off.

After being moved to play between Cuylle and Jimmy Vesey, his face-off win managed to led to Cuylle's game-tying goal, along with winning six of his nine draws.

Leaving Laviolette pleased with his performance:

Lavi on moving Kakko to C: "It's just something that we had talked about. The opportunity presented itself, so we went with it tonight. He was good. He played center prior to getting to the NHL... He's pretty good in the faceoff circle, and they produced a goal for us." #NYR