New York Rangers Don’t Flame Out With A Convincing 5-2 Win

Through the first ten minutes, there wasn’t much action. Halfway through the period, total of four shots on goal were registered by both teams, with the Flames owning three of them. One feature of the New York Rangers’ play tonight was the forwards coming back on defense. A prime example was Chris Kreider, who gave up the puck in his own zone. Instead of giving up, he skated back and was able to block the shot and push the puck to Henrik Lundqvist. That was probably the most noticeable thing of the period till the 11:22 mark of the period.

Rangers leading scorer Rick Nash took advantage of a turnover and scored his 19th goal of the season on a breakaway. Nash’s slick hands were witnessed by Flames goalie Karri Ramo up close and personal, as he went backhand, forehand and slid the puck past Ramo. The game’s first penalty was assessed to Flames forward David Jones for slashing on Rangers forward Jesper Fast. The Rangers were awarded the game’s first power play but nothing came of it. The second power play for the Rangers came from a hooking call on Jiri Hudler. Lundqvist, making his third straight start in goal, looked to be on his game. As the period ended, he had to stop two Flames odd-man rushes, shorthanded.

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With eight seconds left in the period, the Rangers made it 2-0 from a scrappy play from Kreider (5) on the power play. The play was started off the stick of Mats Zuccarello, who led a late period rush and put a shot on Ramo, who looked surprised. He tried to cover the puck after Kris Russell tapped back towards him. However, opportunity followed as the Rangers crashed the net and disrupted the calmness. The period ended with shots 8-7 in favor of the Flames. The Rangers appeared to not be sitting back, as they thwarted most of the Flames scoring chances through the first 20 minutes of the game.

As the second period started, no power plays were carried over thanks to Kreider’s late second power play goal. Despite not allowing a goal, the defense needed to tighten up a little bit to help Lundqvist enjoy his time in net. The Flames could be a dangerous team, when given space. And, some of their shots were off the post in the first period. Through the opening minutes, the team dictated pace of play and tilted the ice in their favor. In the first two minutes, the Rangers caused the Flames to turnover the puck three times, and giving Kreider two shots on goal and three-scoring chances. Unfortunately, the Rangers first penalty was called on Lee Stempniak for tripping, giving the Flames their first power play of the game.

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The Rangers scored a short-handed goal from Nash (20), making it his second of the game, and stretching the lead to 3-0. Assists were credited to Derek Stepan (13) and Dan Girardi (6). The first scrap of the game was between Tanner Glass and Dan Bowman. This was sparked by a hard hit on J.T. Miller earlier by Bowman, which left Miller a little out of sorts. Coincidental penalties were given to both players, with neither team receiving a man-advantage. The score was stretched to four goals off a wrap-around attempt from Stepan (3). The puck was pushed up ice from the stick of Martin St. Louis, who  was given his 13th assist of the season. Lundqvist (1) was also given a secondary assist. This prompted a goalie change, as Jonas Hiller relieved Ramo.

Forty-one seconds after the Rangers scored, the Flames finally got on the scoreboard as Hudler (13) tipped in a shot from Mark Giordano, who was credited with his 23rd assist. Matt Stajan (3) was also credited with an assist. At 7:10 of the period, a second penalty was called on the Rangers’ Carl Hagelin for hooking. Despite giving the Flames their second power play, the penalty kill unit was able to keep the Flames’ man-advantage scoreless. After a breakaway attempt by Ryan McDonagh, the Rangers were given their third power play of the game after Flames defenseman Raphael Diaz was called for holding. Even though they did not scoring (1 for 3 with the man-advantage), the team had the 4-1 lead, despite being outshot 16-9 heading into the locker room. Forty minutes down, twenty minutes to go.

At the first commercial break of the third period, it was mentioned that Miller was seen headed to the Rangers locker room, after suffering a shoulder hit from Girodano on a earlier play. On the MSG broadcast, it was revealed that he screamed a “colorful” metaphor heading to the bench. Near halfway of the period, Kevin Klein channeled his inner-goalie and bailed out Lundqvist, by clearing a near goal that deflected off him. That, and an earlier clear have made Klein a valuable defenseman to the Rangers this season.

A good sign was the reappearance of Miller on the bench. It appeared not to be too serious, which was a good thing. With 4:11 left in the period, Flames head coach Bob Hartley pulled Hiller in favor of the extra man. With the net empty, the Rangers capitalized on the opportunity as Hagelin scored his seventh of the season, making the score 5-1. Persistent pressure from the Rangers led to the score. Assists were credited to Kevin Hayes (13) and Stempniak (7). The Flames were able to get a one goal back, as the Flames scored on their third power play, making the score 5-2.  Curtis Glencross (6) was credited with the goal, with assists to Sean Monohan (10) and Dennis Wideman (9). Despite a late penalty on the Rangers, the team took the game 5-2. Shots were even for the period at seven each.

Three stars of the game were:

First Star- Rick Nash: two goals, +1, five shots, TOI: 15:56

Second Star- Henrik Lundqvist: 31 of 33 saves, save percentage of .935

Third Star- Jiri Hudler: one goal, +1, five shots, TOI: 16:53

For the Rangers, the game ended a three-game sweep of Western Canada. The team plays next on Saturday when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, NC.