Three New York Rangers Who Stood Out In Game Two Against The Capitals
Game two concluded with the New York Rangers, which was a successful game for them. They defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3, and while it was a lot closer, they got the job done. The New York Rangers now lead the series 2-0 and in this game three players stood out from the bunch.
Dishonorable Mention - The Refs
I have to get this out of the way now: These officials have been terrible in this series. Game 1 had some bad calls, but Game Two had many more heinous moments on both sides. It was ridiculous, and a lot of fans, including myself, were upset. I understand that human error will happen, but tonight was not a human error, as too many calls were missed. The NHL has to get its act together with the officiating, as Game 2 was ridiculous.
3. Alexis Lafreniere Has Yet Another Career Renaissance Game
Remember when many people called Alexis Lafreniere a bust and a tremendous mistake when the Rangers gave him a two-year extension? Yeah, those talks were long. They're gone.
Lafreniere had a career renaissance during the 2023/24 NHL Season and finally showcased why he was the first overall pick. He has improved so much on defense and even more so on offense.
While he wasn't the greatest on defense, he showcased his strong offensive skills in game two. He made two assists in this game, one on Jack Roslovic and the other on Mika Zibanejad's goal. Lafreniere has been excellent this season, and hopefully, he will continue to contribute throughout the playoffs.
2. Erik Gustafsson Continues To Be The Bargan Of Last Years Free Agency
Wow, Erik Gustafsson fascinates me every time he plays on the ice. While his defense is super sloppy, and he plays as a defenseman, his offensive skills showcase his impact on the team.
Tonight, he showcased that as he made two key assists in this game—on the Roslovic and Trocheck goals. He also made some nice passes in this matchup. While his defense was sloppy, his offense was so strong that he stood out.
1. Vincent Trocheck Continues To Make Me Eat My Words
I once called Vincent Trocheck one of the worst contracts on the New York Rangers and said the contract would backfire. Gosh, after this season, I kind of feel like an idiot saying that because with the way he is performing, it's worth it. Could it backfire long-term? Yes. However, in the short term, this is not the case.
Trocheck is a phenomenal playmaker, and he put this team back on track by scoring the first goal of the game for the New York Rangers. Hopefully, Trocheck continues to impress and play well for the Rangers. Two down, two to go, and hopefully, the Blueshirts can sweep the capitals and get extra rest for Game 2.
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