NHL: New York Rangers at Dallas Stars - Source: Imagn

3 reasons why New York Rangers beat Dallas Stars 3-1

Modified Dec 21, 2024 05:54 GMT

The New York Rangers entered Friday night's game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center in disarray. They had lost 11 of their last 14 games, seeing their lead in the Eastern Conference and Metropolitan Division evaporate.

Additionally, the team was surrounded by rumors of internal turmoil, with reported allegiances forming against embattled general manager Chris Drury. Captain Jacob Trouba was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, while former No. 2 overall draft pick Kaapo Kakko was dealt to the Seattle Kraken after publicly criticizing his coach's decision to make him a healthy scratch.

The good news for the Rangers was that those negative feelings were temporarily put on hold as they defeated the Stars 3-1 to secure a much-needed victory.

It was an ominous beginning for New York, as Roope Hintz scored his 14th goal of the season less than two minutes into the game to give Dallas a 1-0 lead.

However, midway through the opening period, Reilly Smith scored shorthanded to tie the score at 1-1. Vincent Trocheck followed with another goal, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

Neither team scored in the second period, and the third remained deadlocked until Chris Kreider sealed the win with an empty-net goal, taking advantage of Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger being pulled for an extra attacker.

3 reasons why New York Rangers beat Dallas Stars 3-1

#1. Igor Shesterkin returned to form

It wasn't long ago when Igor Shesterkin signed the richest contract in NHL history for a goaltender, but his performance has mirrored the New York Rangers' struggles. Entering Friday, Shesterkin had won only two of his previous six games.

Against the Stars, Shesterkin looked more like the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, making several key saves on high-percentage opportunities after allowing the game’s opening goal.

#2. The Rangers' penalty killing came through in a major way

One consistent bright spot for the New York Rangers has been their penalty kill, which ranks second in the NHL.

The Stars had seven power-play opportunities during the game, but the Rangers successfully killed them all.

#3. They weren't distracted by Matt Rempe's ejection

Hard-nosed Rangers forward Matt Rempe, recently recalled from the American Hockey League, was ejected for the fourth time in his young NHL career after elbowing Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen in the head.

The incident occurred in the third period as the Stars were pressing for the tying goal. Instead of unraveling, the New York Rangers killed off the major penalty and maintained their composure, avoiding what could have been a disastrous turn of events.