Trouba’s monster hits highlight the heated, chaotic slugfest between Rangers and Flames

Rangers captain Jacob Trouba was on a demolition mission in this case. (Getty)

There’s a new contender for the 2022-23 game of the season, and it came from nowhere.

Goals, big saves, playoff intensity, huge hits, fights and sheer mayhem, Monday’s Rangers Flames thriller had absolutely everything a hockey fan could want – especially for a Monday game in early February between two non-conference opponents the day after the space star break.

Rangers captain Jacob Trouba set the physical tone with just under six minutes into the opening frame, absolutely dismembering Flames forward Dillon Dube with a monstrous open ice strike before dropping the mittens on Chris Tanev – and earning a win in the fight – immediately then collision.

Trouba’s enormous check and the ensuing dispute set off a series of chaotic events over the remaining two-plus periods. Less than three minutes into the game’s first melee, Sammy Blais had an answer for Trouba and landed a heavy punch against the hulking Milan Lucic before tempers boiled over again.

The second period was a lot tamer than many might have anticipated after that rough opening picture, but that all changed when Nazem Kadri – who has dished out his fair share of penalties over the years – sliced ​​down the middle of the ice before being slapped by Trouba is crushed in what is arguably the biggest hit of the season so far. The puffy Rangers blueliner also had his second fight (and decision) of the night to follow.

Trouba, in this case, was a possessed man.

This angle is even more absurd.

Rangers scored on the ensuing power play to take a 3-2 lead, adding further value to Trouba’s insane sequence.

However, the troublesome Flames didn’t go away, instead completing their third comeback of the competition to end the game on three points after Andrew Mangiapane was disputed seven minutes into the third minute in what after a long review was called a good goal. although it appears to have occurred.

Calgary rode that wave and took the first lead of the night moments later before Mika Zibanejad reconnected them and set the table for a fitting, chaotic end in overtime when Alexis Lafreniere’s seventh goal gave Rangers a wild win secured the season.

Filip Chytil and Zibanejad – who got the main assist for Lafreniere’s OT winner – were also great for New York in that game, scoring two goals each while making 12 shots on goal.

catch all this? What a crap.

More from Yahoo Sports

Source