Road Warriors 

By: Mike Rifkin

One of the most challenging things to do in any sport is to win on the road. On Monday night, the Anaheim Ducks and New York Rangers each completed undefeated road trips. For the Ducks, this is the fifth time in franchise history that the team swept a road trip of at least four games; the last occurred in 2013. For the Rangers, it is the first time in franchise history that the team swept a five-game road trip. 

For the Ducks, they defeated the Blue Jackets, Bruins (last year’s President’s Trophy winner), Flyers, and Penguins. For a team that I didn’t have high expectations for, this is very impressive. On the road trip, Mason Mactavish had three goals (two on Monday against the Penguins) and seven points. Frank Vatrano had five goals, two of which were scored on the power play. Unfortunately for the Ducks, goaltender John Gibson left the game Monday night with an undisclosed injury. 

The Rangers swept a Western Canada trip beating the Kraken, Flames, Oilers, Canucks and Jets. Artemi Panarin scored four goals and had 10 points on the road trip. Adam Fox had six points over the last four games. Mika Zibanejad scored his first two goals of the season in the last two games, including the OT winner on Monday. Igor Shesterkin didn’t give up more than three goals in any game of the trip.

Two teams who had different expectations at the beginning of the season both just did something very impressive here early in the season.