The New York Rangers are finally playing inspiring hockey.
On Tuesday night, the Rangers defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-0 in what was one of their most complete performances of the season.
From start to finish, the Blueshirts were dominant on all ends.
Offensively, the Rangers pushed the tempo and displayed their showtime style of offense we got so accustomed to seeing from this team last year.
Meanwhile, on the defensive end, the Rangers played a tight game as Ottawa was unable to generate many high-quality scoring chances.
A Rangers defense that was so shaky just a few weeks ago is suddenly rock-solid and Peter Laviolette gives credit to the team’s new additions on the blueline, Will Borgen and Urho Vaakanainen.
“For me, he’s a big reason why quieted down here a little bit and Vaakanainen, both of them,” Laviolette said about Borgen and Vaakanainen. “You are right about Will, he skates well, he is physical, he plays with an edge , he doesn't back down from anybody. I think he’s done a real good job.”
After 40 minutes of play, the Rangers led 2-0, getting goals from Alexis Lafrenière and Arthur Kaliyev.
It was in the third period when all the madness truly started to take shape though.
Rempe flashed off a nifty little backhand shovel move to score his first NHL goal since the 2024 playoff series against the Washington Capitals.
Fans at Madison Square Garden erupted in response and chants of ‘Rempe, Rempe’ rang loud across the world’s most famous arena.
"It was a lot of fun,” Rempe said. “It's pretty exciting, me and Eddy, one of my best buddies, to connect like that. I think that we've been playing really well together. I think we just keep it going."
Following Rempe’s goal, Brady Tkachuk bumped into Igor Shesterkin, which caused a big scrum. Shesterkin ultimately went after Tkachuk, something we rarely see goalies do.
"I just got couple punches from Tkachuk,” Shesterkin said. “To be honest, this was hit on me. Not really enjoy that, because I was between the pipe and him. I didn't want to jump there, but I saw he get on a fight between our guy and their guy, so I just tried to hold him, but he wanted to fight. It's tough for me because I cannot drop my gloves. If I do that, I will go to locker room."
Shesterkin got the last laugh since he was able to record a shutout over Tkachuk’s Senators, marking his second shutout in two consecutive games.
“For me getting the game in check has been really important. The guys have really bought into that and with that, we’ve gotten some really good goaltending behind it,” Laviolette said. “There were a couple big saves he’s had to make.”
Everything is turning around for the Rangers, and that’s because they have found their identity and are playing as one cohesive unit.
There’s a winning mentality in New York again, which has changed the entire complexity and energy around this team.
“These guys have been together, but I think once you start to win games, you come together,” Laviolette said. “Oftentimes a scrum, blocking a shot and the little things that keep a team together can always help. At the end of the day, winning is one of the keys of coming to the rink and feeling good about what you did on the ice and that builds confidence and that builds smiles.”
The Rangers will be back in action on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers.
