Daily Report – 1/10/25
Avery G. Meer
Sports Director and Play-by-Play Broadcaster at KWUR 90.3 FM | Founding Writer at AGM New York Sports Daily | Student at Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis
Good afternoon,
Here is today’s report and weekend roundup:
Rangers
I first saw it in Florida on December 30. Life. When the Rangers celebrated overcoming a two-score deficit and then a one-score deficit before losing to the Panthers on an empty-net goal. I saw it a few days later at home against Boston. I saw it again in a high-scoring game in Washington, and then it came to fruition on Sunday in Chicago. Defensive miscues plagued the Rangers on Tuesday as they blew a three-goal lead, but last night at the Garden, against their rivals from across the river, life came back.?
What is this “life” I am referencing? It’s that confidence in a team’s game that sets no win too far. It’s the ability to come back from large deficits. It’s the ability to beat statistically better teams and break unbreakable goalies. Last season, for the Rangers, it was the ability to win the President’s Trophy. Last night for the Rangers, it was Sam Carrick.
It was Sam Carrick who robbed notorious Rangers killer Jack Hughes of the puck in overtime, and emerged on a 2v1 with Reilly Smith to light to lamp to win the game. Every game against the Devils carries more weight for the Rangers than other games. The Rangers have lost twice to New Jersey this season by a combined score of 10-1. “I can’t say this was just because we remember the last game against them, but we did, of course,” said Artemi Panarin.
I first saw the Rangers show signs of life when they played Dallas on December 20. The day before, the team held a spirited practice after general manager and president Chris Drury addressed the team’s grievances. Drury had just traded Kaapo Kakko not long after dealing captain Jacob Trouba to Anaheim, and the Rangers core was upset. They had been angry and resentful ever since Drury waived Barclay Goodrow and sent a memo to the rest of the league that the Rangers were open to trading any of their players.
Following a Christmas break that was hopefully relaxing for everyone on the team, they went down to Tampa and laid an egg, but then they went to Sunrise with a chip on their shoulder against the team that beat them in the Eastern Conference Final a few months prior. The Rangers’ offense grew from that point on, but their defense remained an issue. Specifically, mistakes and bad turnovers, especially on the power play, led to odd man rushes and bad goals against. New Jersey’s two goals in last night’s game came from similar situations, for Igor Shesterkin allowed one bad goal and another off his own turnover, but the Rangers didn’t falter. In fact, they responded by dominating the third period both offensively and defensively, outshooting New Jersey 12-6.
“I think we went through a stretch where we were playing some bad hockey and we didn’t deserve to win games,” said Reilly Smith, who got the helper on Carrick’s game-winning tally. “I think over the last little bit since Christmas we’re doing enough to give ourselves a chance to win every night.” Smith’s assist gives him four points (1 G, 3 A) in four of his last five games and 20 points (8 G, 12 A) this season.
I don’t expect the Rangers to ever be perfect defensively, but this game was about as close as it gets, especially because the Rangers bounced back from a bad opening period. But an early goal was ruled not, and the Rangers went on to force New Jersey to give the puck away 25 times, and they only allowed 23 shots on goal against with a 63.8% faceoff win rate, a perfect penalty kill, and two power play goals.
The Rangers might not admit this, but Sam Carrick’s presence as a veteran on the team makes him as much of a leader as any alternate captain on this team. He is highly regarded by his teammates as a hard worker and gritty player who gets in the middle of things and centers a productive fourth line. Peter Laviolette said regarding Carrick’s goal, “It was awesome. He’s played some really good hockey for us lately. He’s been on the attack offensively. […] When a guy like that scores a goal, you’re really happy for him.”
“I don’t know, I think I might have blacked out to be honest,” said Carrick after scoring his game-winning goal in overtime. “We didn’t have the puck for very much of that shift. Just waiting for the opportunity to put some pressure on them […] Once we did get the puck, I just tried to chug up the ice and give ‘Smitty’ (Reilly Smith) an option. He made a great pass.” Carrick’s goal was the first overtime tally and second game-winner of his career.
It is nice to say the Rangers weren’t saved by their goaltender. As good as Igor Shesterkin was in this game, Jacob Markstrom had to be better on the other end to keep the Devils in this game. He made some incredible saves in overtime.
Adam Fox also scored a goal in this game, his first of the season not on an empty net. He has 31 assists this year (he added one in this game), but his goals have been few and far between. He would never admit this, but I think his MCL required a bit more time to heal than expected, and it limited him at the start of the season. Recently, and in this game in particular, his play has shown that he is fully healthy and that his legs are back. It’s great to see him succeed, as his offensive contributions from the blue line, especially on the power play, are fundamental for the success of this Rangers team. Fox now has five points (1 G, 4 A) in three straight games and six assists in his last seven games.?
On Saturday night, the Rangers will head to Vegas to play the Golden Knights, who currently lead the NHL with 59 points. However, the struggling Islanders shut them out 4-0 last night in a physical, successful, and uneventful hockey game. The Rangers will have to play a similar game if they want to beat Vegas this weekend. Both Chris Kreider and Filip Chytil are traveling with the team today on their three-game road trip to Las Vegas, Denver, and Salt Lake City, according to Arthur Staple, although both players are injured right now.
Turnovers continue to cost the Rangers goals against, but overall, things have improved on Broadway since the calendar flipped to 2025.
The final game of the 2024-25 Hudson River Rivalry will take place at the Rock on April 5. The Rangers will travel to Las Vegas on Saturday night, and the 2025 Alumni Classic will take place at the Garden on Saturday afternoon.
Knicks
Tonight at 7 PM on MSG and NBA TV, the Knicks will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in a marquee matchup and rematch of a great game last week.
Then, on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM, the Knicks will host the Milwaukee Bucks in another big matchup (MSG).
?
And now, here is your weekend roundup:
Schedule:
Tonight 1/10:
Saturday 1/11:
Sunday 1/12:
That will do it for this report. Have a great weekend!
Definitely some exciting games and energy!