NEW YORK | If we want to be simplistic, we can say that the Canadian lost this match in the space of four minutes and ten seconds in the second period.
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Between 11:09 and 15:19 of the second period, the Rangers turned a 0-1 deficit into a 4-1 lead.
“We played well in the first 29 minutes. Afterwards, it was a little difficult. Offensively we were there, but there were too many defensive errors which cost us the match,” commented CH head coach Martin Saint-Louis.
We think in particular of Mike Matheson who had a difficult evening, being on the ice for four Rangers goals. Arber Xhekaj was there for three opposing goals.
“Four goals in four minutes hurts. Before these four goals, we controlled the match, but we found ourselves losing 4 to 1 and we started to control the game again at the end of the second period, but the fifth goal hurt,” added St-Louis.
The players seemed a little stunned by what had just happened to them after the 7-4 defeat against the Rangers.
“We played a good first period, but we have to play 60 minutes,” insisted Cole Caufield. It’s difficult when they keep scoring, but we have to find a way to stop it.”
At the same time, it was obvious that the Rangers were not going to let this happen in their own building.
We are talking here about one of the best teams in the National League, which sits at the top of the Metropolitan section and which has just won a sixth game in a row.
“They had to talk to each other after the first period. This is a veteran team and they know what to do. We have to learn from this match,” said Caufield.
Learning to learn
Cole Caufield, Brendan Gallagher and Juraj Slafkovksy all spoke of learnings from this defeat, without specifying the nature of said learnings.
“Every action on the ice can influence the game. These are actions without the puck, not just those with the puck. All the actions, from both sides of the ice,” said Martin St-Louis, specifying that his team had started the game well.
Brendan Gallagher, who returned to the game after his five-game suspension, admits that the team found itself with a headwind when the Rangers opened the valves.
“Giving up four goals so quickly makes the building come to life and once it’s done, it’s hard to stop.”
Fantastic teammates
On a positive note, the top line again dominated the attack, producing three of the four goals. Caufield finished his evening with two goals and an assist, Slafkovsky scored a goal on a good wrist shot in addition to collecting an assist and Nick Suzuki added an assist.
“They are playing fantastic. If the other lines can contribute, we will see victories,” said Gallagher.
If we highlight the performance of Caufield, who has really regained his ease, that of Slafkovsky must also be noted.
The 19-year-old winger extended his streak of games with at least one point to seven. During this period, he amassed 11 points (6 g, 5 p). He is also the first player under the age of 20 in Canadian history to reach seven games in a row with at least one point.n to reach seven games in a row with at least one point.