New York Rangers Win On Last Minute Heroics From ‘The Zucc’

The New York Rangers train kept rolling right along in Sunday evening’s Original Six matchup.

With their win, the Blueshirts’ current win streak was extended to nine games. They gained sole-possession of the Eastern Conference over the Montreal Canadiens, and are currently the best team in the NHL with 30 points, a franchise record through the team’s first 18 games.

The win didn’t come easy, as the Maple Leafs didn’t roll over. They tested Rangers backup Antti Raanta early, peppering the goalie with eight shots to the Rangers three through the first 12 minutes of the opening period.

Raanta had to fight off at least three quality scoring opportunities to help keep the Rangers in the game.

The team was down by one goal to start the second period.

That’s when the captain Ryan McDonagh received a cross-ice pass from Mats Zuccarello to bury the puck past Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier, who was making his return from injury.

For McDonagh, it was his third of the season and importantly, got the Rangers back in the game, squaring things up.

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A good sign for Rangers fans was how the team responded going down a goal. To open the period, their play improved on the ice by controlling the pace of play and getting back to Rangers hockey.

Later in the period, a strange play from center ice resulted in giving the Rangers the lead, 2-1.

Derek Stepan tried to dump the puck into the Toronto zone. It found its way towards Bernier, who misplayed it resulting in sneaking under his pads.

However, the game was tied again off a tiring shift for the Rangers, who could not gain control of the puck. Toronto’s Joffrey Lupul was able to put a rebound past Raanta to even things out at two. The rookie defenseman Dylan McIlrath was pushed out of position by Lupul, which gained him the space in front.

McIlrath needs to do better job of establishing presence in net, not be pushed out of the play, if he wants to improve his game.

Fortunately, not many mistakes were seen from the rookie, which was a good thing.

With the game tied at two, the scoring combination of Derick Brassard and Zuccarello struck again. Zuccarello, who has been the Rangers best player on the offensive side of the puck this season, made a crafty pass in front after acting like he was going to skate behind the net.

For Brassard, it was his sixth goal of the season, giving him two goals in his past three games.

But it was the late game herorics of Zuccarello that enabled the Rangers to come out on top.

After Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf tied the game again with a wrist shot from the blue line, things looked like they were going to head for overtime. However, the Zucc decided to end things in regulation.

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In the closing minute, a strong effort by McDonagh keeping the puck in the offensive zone helped keep the play alive. After he fired a shot on Bernier, which resulted in a rebound opportunity. Zuccarello proceeded to do what Zuccarello does best: SCORE!

Zuccarello finished the night with three points, and had a direct hand in two of the Rangers goals tonight.

The Rangers off for the next four days, when they travel to Tampa Bay for a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Final with the Lightning.