NEW YORK — Vincent Trocheck’s exceptional playmaking skills were on full display as he recorded three assists to lead the New York Rangers to a solid 4-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. This marked Trocheck’s second three-assist performance in three games, underscoring his pivotal role in the Rangers’ offense.
Trocheck’s recent form has been remarkable, with three assists four times this season and three or more points in six games. His contributions were instrumental in the Rangers’ recovery following a disappointing 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Artemi Panarin, with a goal and an assist, and Chris Kreider, who scored his 20th goal of the season, were also key to the Rangers’ success. Goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin made 21 saves, bouncing back strongly after conceding six goals in the previous game. His efforts earned him a selection for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, slated for February 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
The Rangers (26-10-1) have demonstrated resilience this season, boasting a 10-1-0 record in games following a loss. Trocheck highlighted the team’s ability to make adjustments and respond positively after defeats.
The Blackhawks (11-25-2), meanwhile, faced their fourth consecutive loss despite a goal from Colin Blackwell and 28 saves by Petr Mrazek. They continue to grapple with a spate of injuries, missing key players like Tyler Johnson, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier, Taylor Raddysh, Seth Jones, and Taylor Hall.
Chicago’s coach Luke Richardson acknowledged the challenge of dealing with such extensive injuries, emphasizing the need for players to adapt to new roles and lineups.
The game saw the Rangers take control early, with Panarin’s first-period goal and Kreider’s second-period power-play goal setting the tone. While Blackwell managed to narrow the gap for Chicago, the Rangers’ solid play in the third period, marked by goals from Jacob Trouba and Jimmy Vesey, secured their convincing victory.
This match also featured notable individual milestones. Blackhawks’ rookie center Connor Bedard, selected for the All-Star Game, faced an intense matchup against Trocheck. Jaycob Megna made his debut for Chicago, and Rangers forward Brennan Othmann made an impactful NHL debut with five shots on goal in 12:26 of ice time.
Kreider’s achievement of nine seasons with 20 or more goals ties him for second in Rangers history, showcasing his consistent scoring ability over the years.
The Rangers’ commanding win demonstrates their ability to rebound from setbacks and maintain their competitive edge in the league.
UP NEXT
The Rangers look to continue their strong form, while the Blackhawks aim to overcome their injury challenges and snap their losing streak in their upcoming games.
