New York Rangers vs Detroit Red Wings: After The Horn

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Final Score:

New York Rangers 3  Detroit Red Wings 0

First Period:

Chris Kreider got the first shot on goal in the first 30 seconds of the game but Marc Staal had the early scoring opportunity that Jimmy Howard denied. As the teams moved well Brian Boyle and Dominic Moore had some great movement and Boyle drilled a shot past Howard at the 5:13 mark. The assists from John Moore and Dominic Moore gave Dom his 200th point of his career. The teams continued to move very well and John Moore was spectacular. Ryan McDonagh took the game’s first penalty on a bad call at 14:59. McDonagh had a textbook hip check in the neutral zone. The referees evened things up with an interference call on Johan Franzen at 16:23. Neither team was able to convert on their opportunity. As the period came to a close, Gustav Nyquist gave Boyle a bump that took both players to the ice and managed to keep a hold on Boyle’s stick; no penalty called. The period ended with the Rangers out shooting the Red Wings 12-11.

Second Period:

Well, it only took 28 seconds for Kreider to make his way to his personal bench in the penalty box. Dan Girardi had to deal with Todd Bertuzzi yapping and jabbing at him during the penalty kill, but the Rangers kept the Red Wings off the board. So it took three high cross checks from Kyle Quincy, including one where the stick was across the back of Martin St. Louis‘s head, before the penalty was called. It was the hit into the boards that took St. louis down that finally got the whistle at 8:16. The Daniel Carcillo took his turn in the box for tripping Riley Sheahan at 11:08. Neither penalty yielded a goal. John Moore continued to play a very strong and very smart game. In a comedy of errors, the net ended up falling over on top of Lundqvist.

In the last 30 seconds of the period things got frantic. The refs seemed to not see

wrap up Benoit Puoliot as he was driving the net. The Rangers really pushed hard for the second goal but just couldn’t get it done. The Rangers third line, Puoliot-

–

seemed to be picking their chemistry back up. The Rangers went to the dressing rooms leading in shots 9-7 after the late flurry on Howard. Ok, one more…

Third Period:

Kreider tips a hard shot from McDonagh past Howard only 14 seconds into the period to put the Rangers up 2-0. The Red Wings continued to play like thugs and the refs continued to allow it. The Rangers finally got another power play chance as Howard was called for roughing against Puoliot, Bertuzzi served the time. The Rangers had a few good chances but, again, were unable to convert. As the teams continued to battle, Kreider netted his second goal of the period to make it 3-0 at the 12:11 mark. The Rangers held strong and Lundqvist earned his 300th career win and it was a shut out. The King wears his crown with pride and Girardi gave him the milestone puck. The Rangers were out shot 12-10 in the period, but they won the overall battle for the game.

TEAM STATS

Three Stars:

3) Derek Stepan– two assists

2) Chris Kreider- two goals

1) Henrik Lundqvist– SHUT OUT

My Three Stars:

3) John Moore

2) Chris Kreider

1) Henrik Lundqvist

I think it’s really important to note that Brian Boyle got the team started early and that first goal really gave the Rangers the edge they needed to continue their strong play throughout the game.

The Rangers take the ice next on Tuesday 11 March in North Carolina against the Carolina Hurricanes once again. Game time is set for 7:00pm