TEMPE, Ariz. — A historic individual feat was at stake for the Rangers heading into this game against the Coyotes.
After Saturday’s upset 8-5 win over Arizona at Mallett Arena, the Blueshirts immediately huddled around Jonathan Quick in a team hug. The 38-year-old netminder passed Ryan Miller for the most wins by an American-born goaltender. Ranked 392nd in NHL history.
It was no mean feat against one of the worst teams in the NHL, but the Rangers brought the team together for one individual accomplishment.
But the only reason it was possible was because of countless other milestones.
“I try my best not to think about it, but the reality is there,” Quick said. He made 27 saves in front of a crowd that mostly favored New York, and a Rangers chant every 10 minutes let the home team know they were there.
“It’s kind of a good feeling to get it done and start over. Focus on what’s really important and focus on winning the division here and winning the conference.”
The Rangers continue to push towards that goal after becoming the first NHL team to reach 50 wins this season.
Aside from Quick’s place in U.S. hockey history, the Rangers did so on the back of other notable honors.
- Alexis Lafreniere had his first career five-point night and hat trick.
- Chris Kreider scored his 300th goal in 12 years with the Rangers.
- Adam Fox assisted on the final empty-net goal that clinched the victory, earning him his 300th career point.
“I think it was [an important win]” said head coach Peter Laviolette. “I thought we played a pretty good first and a pretty good third. I thought we got a little errant defensively in the second period.”
Needing to break a 3-3 tie at the start of the third period, the Rangers took the lead in the final period with five goals to the Coyotes’ two.
But it wasn’t a pretty win for Rangers, who seemed to fall back every time they created a sizable lead.
Despite three consecutive goals from Kreider, Zach Jones, and Barclay Goodrow (shorthanded), the Rangers allowed Arizona to score twice in a row, making it a one-point game at the 14:26 mark of the final frame.
Artemi Panarin’s fifth empty-net goal of the season and Lafreniere’s third goal of the night, also on empty net, gave the Rangers the cushion they needed to close out the game.
Ten different Rangers ended up on the scoresheet, a testament to the team’s attacking effort.
Ryan Lindgren also scored three points for the second time in his career.
The 26-year-old defenseman said the entire team was aware of how Quick was on the precipice of history and didn’t need to talk about it beforehand.
The postgame team meeting was longer than usual as pucks wrapped in tape labeled with each feat were passed around the locker room.
The golden Arizona sun filled the air with cheers and cheers.
Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” was playing in the background.
“We do this year-round,” Quick said. “It’s a fun team to be a part of. These guys work hard every day. They push each other. That’s what you need. That’s what all great teams have.”
