Friday night at Ball Arena in Denver, Braden Schneider scored his fourth goal of the season, giving him the NHL lead among defenseman since November 22.
The second-period goal was vital in the Rangers’ 2-1 shootout victory over the Avalanche, which was their third consecutive victory. The goal, scored less than five minutes into the second period, knotted the game at 1-1 and ultimately allowed the Rangers to force overtime before claiming the two points in the shootout.
Schneider told The Post that he was at the net fighting out a player when our forwards came back and made a terrific play to break up the play. “I noticed it was a 2-on-2 game the entire way up. When I looked up, there was no one in front of me. I assumed I would enter the play immediately. And Bread doing Bread things passed with flying colors. I just shot it on net.”
Bread, of course, is Artemi Panarin, who held onto the puck for the ideal amount of time as Colorado Avalanche players closed in on Filip Chytil at the opposing net. Panarin then gave the puck back to Schneider, who scored to tie the game.
Braden Schneider celebrates his goal during the Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Avalanche in a shootout.
Schneider has scored four goals in the previous ten games. After scoring in consecutive games at the conclusion of the Rangers’ California trip at the end of November, the 21-year-old defenseman scored in the Rangers’ victory over the Blues to kick off their current winning streak.
Rangers head coach Gerry Gallant exclaimed, “Good for him, he’s playing well.” “He was remarkable. Great child. The player shoots the puck and joins the rush. This is what we expect of him.”
The Rangers’ defensemen have accumulated 66 points, which is good for fourth-most in the NHL. The 14 goals scored by their defensemen this season ranks them ninth in the league.
The Rangers utilized the same lineup against the Avalanche that they did against the Golden Knights on Wednesday. Vitali Kravtsov was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game and the 19th time this season. Recently recalled from the AHL Wolf Pack, Jonny Brodzinski participated in his third consecutive game. The center took his customary position in the center of the fourth line between Sammy Blais and Julien Gauthier.
Ryan Carpenter was sent to AHL Hartford on Friday after clearing waivers… On Saturday, the Rangers will get the day off before returning to practice on Sunday.
»Braden Schneider picks up another critical goal in Rangers’ win«