New York Rangers Vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Postgame Wrap-up

Tonight featured a rematch of an Original Six contest from last month, where the Maple Leafs got the better of the New York Rangers 6-3. This time around, the Blueshirts travelled north of the border to the Air Canada Centre in Toronto to exact some revenge on the team that embarrassed them in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd.

With less than one minute into the game, the Rangers got on the board. Chris Kreider (4) tipped in a slapper from Kevin Klein (2) on the blue line. A secondary assist was credited to Mats Zuccarello (4). The first penalty of the gamecame at the 7:41 mark of the first period. Conor Allen was called for roughing Maple Leafs’ forward Leo Kamarov. As a result the first power play to Toronto. Shortly into it, another penalty was called on Carl Hagelin for hooking Nazim Kadri, resulting in a five one three. The Maple Leafs made the Rangers pay by scoring from Phil Kessel’s goal (8). Assists were credited to James Van Riemsdyk (5) and Dion Phanuef (5). Fortunately, the Rangers were able to kill the second power penalty putting the team back at even strength. Derek Stepan tried to make his season debut known by taking the puck hard to the net after receiving a pass from behind. Jonathan Bernier was there to stuff the chance and Stepan skated away smiling at his efforts. The first penalty to the Maple Leafs was called on Josh Leivo for interference on Mike Kostka, giving the Rangers their first power play of the game. For the first minute of the man-advantage, the Rangers were not able to take the advantage. A short-handed goal was scored by Peter Holland (2) off a pass from Leo Kamarov. And just like that, the Rangers found themselves down 1-2. Near the end of the period, the Maple Leafs struck again. Richard Panick found the back of the net by scoring his third of the season off a pass from Cody Franson (5) and Nazem Kadri (2). Before letting the game get out of hand going into the locker room, the Rangers retaliated off the stick of Mats Zuccarello (2). Assists were credited to Chris Kreider (6), his second point of the game, and Stepan who earned his first point of the season. The period ended with the Rangers being outshot 8-16. In a period that was dominated by the Maple Leafs, the Blueshirts did a good job of getting some scoring chances and getting the lead down to one, instead of being down by two.

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The second period opened with the Rangers needing to build off how they ended the first period. At the beginning of the period, Rick Nash lead a strong rush on the Leafs as he skated around Dion Phaneuf and took the puck hard to the net. Bernier stood tall in his crease and blocked Nash’s attempts. Hopefully, it was a wake-up call for the Rangers to play better this period. The scoring chances increased for the Rangers, with Zuccarello having the best opportunities. However, Bernier kept the puck out and weathered the storm. A second Rangers power play was earned off a penalty from Phaneuf. Despite good puck movement, the Rangers weren’t able to capitalize and remained down by one goal. The goal drought was broken by a Rangers goal from Carl Hagelin (3) off a feed from Dominic Moore (4). The Rangers finally were rewarded for their relentless pursuit of the puck and took advantage of a Leafs’ turnover, resulting in a 3-3 tie. The period ended with the Rangers playing a better period and outshooting Toronto 14-10.

With the game tied at three, which team would come out in the third and want it more? The first two minutes opened up with Toronto playing tighter and put together a couple of scoring chances on Cam Talbot. The Rangers found themselves stuck in their own zone. At the 4:33 mark, Nash scored his 11th goal of the season into a wide-open net, giving the Rangers the one goal lead 4-3. Immediate assists were credited to Martin St. Louis (7) and Derick Brassard (7). Not to be outdone, the Leafs answered back with a goal of their own from Roman Polak (2) on the blue line. In a what appeared to be a good old fashioned shootout, the game became tied at four. A near scare in the corner was seen as Dan Girardi was caught up high by an accidental skate blade after a check on Kadri. Fortunately, the Iron Man was ok and remained on the bench. After a bad giveaway from the Rangers, the Leafs took the lead at 14:26 from Komarov (1) with an assist credited to Jake Gardiner. And just like that, the Rangers were down by a goal, the score being 5-4 with a little more than five minutes left. With less than two minutes left, the Rangers pulled the goalie in favor of the extra skater. As the clock reached :00, the game ended with a Rangers defeat 4-5 to the Leafs. The Rangers outshot the leafs that period 13-5.

According to the NHL, the three stars of the game were:
First Star- Leo Kamarov (one goal, one assist, +2)
Second Star- Nazem Kadri (two assists, three shots, three hits, 15:13 ice time)
Third Star- Chris Kreider (one goal, one assist, +1)

The Rangers lost a missed opportunity to pick up two points when they had the lead in the third. The team’s record drops to 6-5-2 as they return home to get ready for tomorrow’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.