Long write up here: what an incredible experience. Most fun I've had at a Ranger's game except, maybe, for one game against Dallas when Rick Nash scored the winner, falling on his ass, in the middle of a 10-game goal streak back in 13-14. I managed to upgrade my seat very cheaply at the last minute bc the Blackhawks suck and nobody wants to see them, so I was in the bottom section, ten rows up from the vistor's net from the start. By the time it was 4-2 people were emptying out, so we moved down to the glass and watched the last 10 mins or so from right against the glass in the corner. Unreal.
Watching that close really gives a different angle on the team. I rewatched the tv broadcast this morning, and what stands out to me is that, when the score was right there on screen the whole time, the game felt a lot closer than it did live. From the puck drop, basically, it felt like we dominated. The second period was more even, tilting slightly to the Hawks, but a lot of that was killing penalties. It was just obvious how outclassed the Hawks were: the Hawks fans were QUIET, frustrated, barely cheering, mainly because it was just so clear that we were gonna win.
On the game: Chytil for my money was the best player on the ice from minute 1 to 60. He was a force, so fast, disruptive on the forecheck, maddeningly (for the home team) honest on the backcheck, and a bull along the wall. That goal was a bullet shot. Kakko looks like he's reaching a new level of comfort in the league and he and Chytil have a really strong chemistry building. Kakko reads off Chytil very well. Up close, it was also clear that he's got a better understanding of how plays develop in this league. He had his head up, looking around at all times, wasn't bow-legged and surprised by anything. That chip pass to Chytil on the goal was a perfect example where he knew to anticipate the double team, with the pinch at the red line, and he just pushes the puck to a softer area where he trusts his teammates to do the work from there. He's got a sweet set of hands though, that's obvious.
Nobody had a really bad game, I thought. Staal struggles with the puck, but he's predictable. Howden, I thought, had a good game all said and done. He had some bad luck with the refs, but he looked engaged, made some good relief plays up the ice and on the cycle, and had a good chance on the breakaway. Gauthier seemed to get on the ice like five times, but every time he made something happen. I threw a vote to Trouba and to Lindgren. Trouba is a really good player. He's reads the ice very well, he's strong and the Hawks struggled to get through him all night. He needs a better partner though, because Brady is just too wobbly. His head is down at the ice all game, and he's a pretty unpredictable player. Lindgren is impossible not to love once you see him up close.
One last note: A lot of writing here, but as someone who's never seen an NHL game from closer than the 400s at MSG, this was an incredible time. We're a really talented team, that's clear. Shesterkin, though, is very real. That glove save he made in the second on a deflected shot was absolutely nuts. The camera doesn't do it justice. Nobody in the building could believe he caught that. I heard at least three people around me just say, wow, that's not even fair. At the end of the game, when Henke came out ot congratulate Shesterkin, I waved and pointed to the nameplate on my jersey (#30), and he threw me a half wave with a slight smile. It was a nice gesture, but he looks broken. Very sad to see.
(Me in the Heritage jersey above the G. What a night!)