New York Rangers’ strong third period catalyzes comeback win

Having lost their last four at home, the New York Rangers came out slow against the Carolina Hurricanes. Following two goals by former Ranger Viktor Stalberg the Rangers used a long power play and strong 3rd period by Rick Nash to gain the victory.

In a feature here at Blue Line Station, we provide thoughts and analysis following every Rangers game. Make sure to stop by after games to see what you might have missed!

Before the game the Rangers introduced honorary coach Bryce Rogerson and his one day contract as a part of the Garden of Dreams foundation.

Game Action:

• After a slow first few minutes, the Rangers gained their first real scoring chance 4 minutes in. Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan gained the zone with momentum and generated two dangerous shots that Cam Ward fought off.
• Shortly after, the Hurricanes work their way into the Rangers zone and began to apply pressure. After Carolina generated 2 shots from the point, ex-New York Ranger Viktor Stalberg puts his fifth goal of the season past Lundqvist from the high slot, Hurricanes up 1-0.
• The Hurricanes fourth line continued to be trouble for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist was forced to make another stop at the goal crease on Stalberg as he blows past Brady Skjei. Carolina continued to dominate the zone time during the first 10 minutes of the hockey game.
• Derek Stepan took the first penalty of the game for either side 11 minutes in, a hooking call. The ensuing Hurricanes power play is a strong one, generating 4 shots, and multiple chances in close. The Rangers penalty kill fights it off.
• A minute later, the Rangers get pinned in their own zone on a Kevin Klein turnover. He loses the puck to Jay McClement who gets the puck to Viktor Stalberg yet again for his second goal of the game.

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• As the first period comes to an end Madison Square Garden is a ghost town. At one point the Hurricanes had 5 unanswered shots, and are leading 8-7, and are playing like the faster team. Hurricanes lead by a score of 2-0.
• The second period starts much the way the first ended with the Hurricanes controlling the zone and cycling down low. After some sustained pressure, Marc Staal gets his stick up high on Teuvo Teravainen for Carolina’s second power play of the game.
• The Hurricanes second power play is much less effective. The Rangers generate a short handed chance as Jesper Fast and Ryan McDonagh work for a 2-on-1. Carolina is unable to get any pressure, getting just one shot on goal during the 2 minutes.
• The Rangers use the penalty kill to gain momentum and control zone time for the next several minutes. With a little under 11 minutes to go, Kevin Hayes gains the zone and eventually Nick Holden comes up with the puck in front of Cam Ward to net his third of the season, Hurricanes lead 2-1.
• After quite some time of uneventful play, Lundqvist is forced to make a tough save on an odd-man rush with 3 minutes left in the period. The Rangers return the favor when JT Miller sends a shot past Ward that hits off the cross-bar.
• Just 30 seconds into the third period, the Rangers generated a turnover in the defensive zone on a blocked shot. Rick Nash broke out of the zone and turned on the jets up the right wing and puts one past Cam Ward with a backhand shot, Rangers tie the game 2-2.

• After the goal the pace of the game slowed down considerably. The Hurricanes proceed to ice the puck three straight times 3 minutes into the period.
• With 11:45 left in the third the Rangers gained their first power play of the game on a high stick by Jay McClement. The Hurricanes are extremely aggressive in their pursuit of the puck and New York continues to miss both Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich.
• After dislodging the net on a collision Oscar Lindberg and Matt Tennyson mix it up after the whistle, both taking roughing calls. The teams took the ice 4-on-4 for almost the complete two minutes.
• Ron Hainsey took a hooking penalty late in the 4-on-4 and adamantly fought the referees on their decision. His attitude and response garners the Rangers another 2 minutes, a 4 minute power play follows.
• After gaining the zone and establishing a cycle, Brady Skjei gets a shot through to Ward. Rick Nash picked up the rebound and fired a shot of his own, after which Jimmy Vesey picked up the scraps for his 8th of the season. Following a Bill Peters offsides challenge the Rangers took the lead 3-2.
• Following the second half of the 4 minute power play, the Rangers continued to apply pressure in the Hurricanes zone. New York worked the puck down low, cycling behind the net. Jesper Fast is stopped at the goal crease on a jam in opportunity.
• The Hurricanes did their best to make the final minute of play interesting for the New York Rangers after pulling their goalie. Henrik Lundqvist made a few slick saves but the Rangers primarily keep them to the outside.
• Final Score: New York Rangers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 2

Final Thoughts:

• The Rangers definitely got away with a win in this one, seeing the Hurricanes dominate play for the majority of the first two periods.
• Another aspect of New York’s November downturn that continued was their inability to outshoot their opponent, even in a win. If the team continues to win games they are outshot in, there will be whispers reminding of last season’s tendencies.
• The injuries continue to be apparent for this team, particularly on the special teams. Although Vesey and the Rangers were able to capitalize on the 4-minute power play, both units have looked completely different without Zibanejad and Buchnevich.
• Speaking of the four-minute gifted by Ron Hainsey, the Rangers continue to do a fantastic job playing whistle to whistle, refusing to get involved once the play is blown dead.
• It would be inappropriate to recap this game without mentioning the star of the 3rd period, Rick Nash. Nash took the team on his back and was a monster in the third, generating chance after chance. He looked liked the fastest man on the ice on his goal, which happened to be a beautiful back-handed shot.
• Finally, it may not have been pretty but Henrik Lundqvist quietly stole the game for the Rangers in the first 2 periods. Without Lundqvist cleaning up some of the high quality scoring chances given to the Hurricanes this game could have been out of hand. He’s won 10 straight against the Hurricanes at Home.

Next: New York Rangers Dealing With Early Season Home Struggles

• Next up for the Rangers will be Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres Thursday night. Perhaps we will see Alain Vigneault spark his team by inserting Adam Clendening for Kevin Klein after a anther rough showing.