Rangers Overpower Canucks 6-2 as New York Extends Home Dominance

Madison Square Garden, renowned as the world’s most famous arena, sits steps from Broadway’s theatre district where triumph, tragedy and heartache unfold on the grandest stages. The Vancouver Canucks have experienced all three at MSG, historically authoring unlikely victories when defeat seemed certain and their coach’s job hung in the balance.

On a chaotic Nov. 8, 2016, an alleged bomb threat at MSG coincided with Donald Trump’s presidential victory, and the Canucks stunned the high-octane Rangers 5-3 to snap a nine-game winless skid (0-8-1). Vancouver broke a 2-2 deadlock in the third period, ending New York’s five-game winning streak as the NHL’s highest-scoring team and securing coach Willie Desjardins’ position amid the ongoing “Willie Watch.”

Sunday’s rematch lacked such drama, even with former teammates J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson facing off for extended stretches. Instead, the game highlighted Pettersson’s commitment to a responsible, two-way game — a potential silver lining in a grueling six-game, 10-day road trip that yielded more setbacks than progress in a 6-2 loss on the second half of a back-to-back.

Vancouver limited New York to one power-play goal and scored shorthanded, a modest positive in an otherwise difficult outing.

“We showed resilience to get ourselves back into it and started to swing momentum in the second, but not long enough to have a lasting impact,” said Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra. “Part of our daily work ethic is bringing the right attitude. It’s not a great feeling when you can’t put wins together and losses add up. That’s the test of our character at this point — to make sure we’re ready to work and address the issues that are biting us right now.”

Slow Start, Brief Push

Pettersson and Miller took the opening faceoff, but the ensuing 27 seconds told the real story. The Canucks were caught chasing, leaving the middle of the ice uncovered as Miller accelerated free. He found a wide-open Tye Kartye driving the net untouched to deposit a rebound for the game’s first goal — a sequence that suggested Vancouver’s game plan had gone missing.

“Any game you want to establish momentum right away with clean breakouts and a forecheck style of game,” Malhotra said before puck drop. “A lot of it comes down to a mindset early on, giving ourselves an opportunity. We’ve turned pucks over early on entries to feed their transition game. Going down in a game and being frustrated with it is obviously something we’ve seen in the past and we’re going to have to break that cycle.”

The top line atoned for the slow start when Jake DeBrusk struck for his third goal of the season. Vancouver won a battle along the boards with a strong forecheck, and DeBrusk converted a Jonathan Lekkerimäki feed, snapping a shot from a sharp angle past the short side.

However, the Rangers responded just 2:09 into the second period as Will Cuylle beat Kevin Lankinen through traffic. Vancouver then generated sustained offensive-zone pressure, with Linus Karlsson denied on two close-range chances. The momentum continued shorthanded when defenceman Elias Pettersson snapped a wrist shot home. But Kartye, set up again by Miller, broke the 2-2 deadlock moments later.

“Everybody feels like they’re underperforming,” Malhotra added when asked about Lankinen’s struggles. “He’s not getting the bounces and we have to do a much better job in front of him.”

The decisive blow came early in the third period on a power-play goal. Lankinen claimed interference on Miller, but the skates collided outside the crease, allowing Alexis Lafrenière’s goal to stand for a 4-2 lead as the Rangers improved to 4-0-0 at home.

“Bad third period and I thought our first two were pretty good,” said centre Drew O’Connor. “We were right in the game and gave one up on the PK and it kind of snowballed from there. We have to be better in the third. We definitely had to be ready for the start, but after that (goal) we responded pretty well for the most part. I thought our energy was good, but we can’t let it fade over the course of the game. Every game is a learning experience and we have to be a lot better defensively and help our goalies.”

Praise for Pettersson’s Complete Game

It is tempting to prioritize offensive positioning over defensive responsibility in pursuit of points. Pettersson, however, is earning praise from Malhotra for his diligence, predictability and productivity. Beyond his eight points (two goals, six assists) through seven games, it is the sum of a complete game — in concert with linemates DeBrusk and Lekkerimäki — that stands out. Pettersson also leads the team with 26 hits, adding four more Sunday, along with seven shot blocks on the season.

“Doing it the right way,” Malhotra praised. “Not cheating or blowing the zone, and their looks have come off a good forecheck and good hands to create quick strikes around the net, which is a very positive sign in not playing perimeter offence.”

Pettersson struggled in the faceoff circle — winning just six of 20 draws (30 percent) and two of 13 against Miller — but did not let it affect his overall play or demeanor.

Garand Embodies Draft Depth Value

The adage that an organization can never have enough goaltending found validation in Victoria native Dylan Garand. The 24-year-old made just his sixth NHL regular-season start Sunday with workhorse Igor Shesterkin sidelined for the season following a knee injury sustained Friday in Washington. Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after his right leg jammed awkwardly against the post while scrambling back into the crease.

Garand’s pedigree includes a 34-9-1 WHL record with the Kamloops Blazers in 2021-22, posting a 2.16 goals-against average, a .925 save percentage and four shutouts — early returns on a fourth-round selection by New York in the 2020 NHL Draft.

That same draft yielded no NHL games for Vancouver’s selections: defenceman Joni Jurmo (third round), winger Jackson Kunz (fourth), defenceman Jacob Truscott (fifth), centre Dmitry Zlodeyev (sixth) and defenceman Viktor Persson (seventh).

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