New York Rangers Take Over First Place After Win

Behind a three-goal effort and Talbot’s 29-saves, the New York Rangers defeat the Capitals

3. 95. Final. 1. 19

FIRST PERIOD

To open the game, both teams played a cautious style, feeling each other out. After some back and forth action at both ends of the ice, Carl Hagelin put the Rangers on the board first. At 8:20 of the period, the Rangers put the pressure on Braden Holtby by placing shots from both sides of the net. After some pin-ball action, the Hagelin took advantage of Holtby playing out of position. Assisting on Hagelin’s goal (15) were Kevin Hayes (18) and Dan Boyle (8). The Capitals answered back with a power play goal from the NHL’s leading goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin (45). After Boyle was called for interference, number eight let loose a wrist shot, which deflected off the stick of Rangers’ Jesper Fast. Assists were credited to Evgeny Kuznetzov (20) and Joel Ward (13). The game’s intensity started to pick up after the Rangers went empty on their first power play of the game. As the telecast went to commercial break, players on both sides converged for a “social meeting” behind the net. J.T. Miller gave the Rangers the one-goal lead as he put a wrist shot over the shoulder of Hotlby. Assisting on his seventh goal was Hayes again (19) who setup Miller with a smooth pass from between the circles.

To close the period, bad penalties by Dominic Moore (interference) and Ryan McDonagh (high sticking) gave the Capitals a five-on-three power play going into the second period. One thing the Rangers needed to control was their discipline. If they continued down this road, it might be a long night.

SECOND PERIOD

At the start of the second, the Capitals had at least one minute of a five-on-three man-advantage with two Rangers in the penalty box. NHL’s eighth-best penalty kill team was put to the test. Sheer robbery by Cam Talbot was witnessed, as a one-timer was ripped off the blade of Nicklas Backstrom. To the left side of the net, Talbot gloved the puck out of the air, leaving Backstrom shaking his head. . The Rangers stifled their power play and kept the Capitals at one goal. A big shoulder to shoulder hit from Dan Girardi on Capitals Jay Beagle was seen. After Curtis Glencross came in and said some words, the Rangers for their second power play of the game at his expense (roughing). Unfortunately, the Capitals didn’t relent and kept the Rangers at bay. The hard-hitting Ovechkin was penalized for an illegal check to the head of Miller, with 15 seconds past the half-way mark of the period.

No goals were registered by either team as the period ended.

THIRD PERIOD

No power plays were carried over from the second. The first six minutes of the period was dominated by the Capitals desperation. Several offensive opportunities were generated by the Capitals aggressive forecheck. They were able to keep most of the play in the Rangers zone. Talbot came up big again, as Ovechkin knocked a puck out of the air and put a wrist shot on goal, as he was wide-open in the middle of the Rangers zone. The Rangers netminder was able to kick the puck out, but had to make another reactive save on the rebound. All night, Talbot has had to come up with brilliant saves, while keeping his calm demeanor.

With 2:27 left in the period, the Rangers went by two goals. Martin St. Louis broke out of his goal drought and scored his 19th of the season. This came off an anticipating Chris Kreider, who jumped in front of the Capitals player and led the rush down ice. Kreider got his 18th assist of the season.

A scare for Rangers fans as Kevin Klein was hurt on a play near the end of the game. He was seen heading to the dressing room.

At the end of the game, the Rangers defeated the Capitals and found themselves all alone in first place of the Metropolitan division.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME

FIRST STAR-

Cam Talbot: 29 of 30 saves, .966 save percentage

SECOND STAR-

Matt Niskanen: 4 shots, 3 hits, 28:01 time on ice

THIRD STAR-

Kevin Hayes: 2 assists, 2 shots

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