New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Cancuks: Post Game [Game 5]

As the training camp roster starts to dwindle down, and the opening night roster starts to get put in its place, the New York Rangers wanted to fine tune their opening night lineup, as they faced a familiar face in John Tortorella and his Vancouver Canucks.

The Rangers, were a team looking for their second preseaon win, as well as the Canucks. Both teams were looking to find their identity in this game, and continue to understand the new systems that the coaches were trying to implement. And if you asked me, the Rangers looked like they were understanding the new system that Vigneault was trying to implement.

The Rangers would fire 5 of the first 6 shots of the game, before a penalty by Marc Staal, really changed things and turned things around for the Vancouver Canucks. A nice play and setup, would lead to a powerplay goal scored by Henrik Sedin, to give the Canucks an early 1-0 lead. Interesting to note that Lundqvist got bumped pretty good and fell over, as Henrik Sedin put it right past him. A missed goalie interference call, got Lundqvist angry as he started to talk to the referee’s about the non-call right away. It wouldn’t matter as the Rangers would still continue to pour the shots on, but could not put one past Roberto Louongo, who was making easy saves as the Rangers were just placing their shots right at Louongo’s chest. A shot from the point, by defenseman Frank Corrado, would give the Canucks a 2-0 lead, and it would hold as the first period would end. The Rangers dominated the period, in the shots category, out shooting the Canucks 17-8, but had trouble finding the back of the net. And had trouble stay out of the box.

The second period started and it was more of the same for both teams. While the Canucks were scoring the goal, and really taking over the play because of what was shown on the scoreboard, the Rangers really had an issue shooting the puck in other areas. This was really allowing Louongo to have a really easy evening as he really wasn’t being tested. Henrik Sedin, would score his second of the game a 1:12 into the second period. But, if you thought the Canucks were done scoring, boy were you wrong. The Rangers just couldn’t respond, or find good scoring chances to beat Louongo on this night. Another Canucks powerplay goal was scored by Ryan Kesler, as he made it 4-0, and then near the end of the second period Hunter Shinkaruk added a goal to make it 5-0. Once again the Rangers outshot the Canucks 10-9, but could not get one in the net.

The third period started with goaltender Henrik Lundqvist on the bench, something that wasn’t planned as Lundqvist was suppose to start the entire game. So, backup Martin Biron played the third period stopping all 3 shots he faced, making it another easy period for the veteran backup. Things got chippy 12 penalties were called between both teams in the third period, but this showed that the Rangers can really play their own and not back down for an altercation. Yet, this game was an ugly one for them, as Roberto Louongo got a 41 save shutout, and the Rangers would drop this game, and third straight, 5-0.

The Rangers close out their preseason apart of Frozen Fury, against the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drops at 10:30PM, on MSG.

Goal Summary

VAN