Garand Holds Firm as Rangers Keep the Garden Perfect
The Anaheim Ducks fired more pucks at the net, but the New York Rangers got the chances that mattered, and Dylan Garand made sure the extra Anaheim volume went nowhere in a 5-2 Rangers win at Madison Square Garden.
Anaheim took 62 shot attempts to New York's 56, yet the Rangers' looks were far more dangerous. By expected goals (how many goals a team's chances were worth), New York sat at 4.81 to Anaheim's 2.9. The Rangers scored five, right about what their chances earned.
Garand was the steadying hand at the other end, stopping 29 of 31 shots and turning aside 13 of 14 from the dangerous areas in front. With Igor Shesterkin on injured reserve, that is the kind of night New York needs from him.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice in just over 12 minutes, Alexis Lafrenière set up two, and J.T. Miller and Gabe Perreault added goals. It could have been worse for Anaheim: Tye Kartye rang one off the post as well.
The Rangers stay perfect at home at 5-0-0, while the Ducks drop a third straight game.
