Jacob Trouba (8) of the New York Rangers celebrates his empty net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derrick Hamilton)
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Just two weeks earlier, the New York Rangers had lost at home against the last place Chicago Blackhawks and there were many questions about their roster and coach. It really is incredible how quickly things can change in the NHL.
New York defeats Chicago in a rematch in the Windy City 7-1 blowout victory on Sunday night.
It didn’t take long for the Rangers to jumpstart their offense thanks to familiar star players. Adam Fox had two assists to start, while Filip Chytil, Artemi Panarin and Kapo Kakko scored first-period goals to give the Rangers a 3–0 lead after one.
Philip Kurashev would get the Blackhawks on the board early in the second period, but the Rangers would respond efficiently. Jakub Trouba hit a 95 mph shot by Arvid Soderblom for a 4–1 lead for New York.
A late powerplay would end up working to the Rangers’ advantage when Vincent Trochek deflected a Fox pass for his 11th goal of the season and a 5–1 New York lead. Fox’s third assist of the game was his seventh multi-point game of the season.
New York went 7–0 on the season as Fox recorded multiple points this year.
It was not all sunshine and daisies for the Blueshirts though. Midway through the second, a three-on-two breakaway would be pulled off, but not before Filip Chitil suffered an injury after losing the puck and left the game with an upper body injury. He did not return while Sam Lafferty, the player who fouled Chiteil, was not awarded a penalty.
Even without Chytil though, New York’s defense was helped by another solid start from reigning Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin. The Russian netminder saved 29/30 shots on net and has been responsible for six of seven straight wins for the Blueshirts. The win also matched the second longest road point streak by a goaltender in Rangers history with 10. Rangers statistics and info Twitter account.
Braden Schneider and Vitaly Kravtsov would both score in the third to put the game away for New York and their seventh straight win.
The win moves New York into third place in the Metro Division (18-10-5) with an upcoming matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.
