The New York Rangers have now won 18 of the last 19 games when at home at Madison Square Garden. They beat the Carolina Hurricanes, breaking the losing streak and putting them back on the path of winning.
Both teams started the first period coming off losses in their last games. The New York Rangers picked up a power play early at 1:09 and Mats Zuccarello scored within seconds of the face off. This goal set the pace of the game and gave Zuccarello the points he’s been after.
#ZUUUUUUUUUUCC!!! #NYR @zuccarello36 has extended his point streak against Carolina to 11 games! #LGR https://t.co/GS1JgjHmyL
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 1, 2015
It was an active period. The Rangers were forcing a lot of turnovers in the Carolina end. They had a great penalty kill mid way through the period. A brief four-on-four with penalties from Eric Staal and Oscar Lindberg that didn’t produce any goals from either team.
Carolina drew another penalty allowing Lindberg to score another power play goal at 18:23 in the period. This ended the period leaving the Rangers up 2-0.
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Second period starts and the Hurricanes force a turn over early and Jordan Staal scored at 1:40 in the second. At this point in the game, the Hurricanes have been out shooting the Rangers.
Kris Kreider answers their goal by blasting one past Cam Ward once again putting the Rangers up by two. This goal resulted in a temper tantrum by Ward who busted his stick on the net shortly after.
Kevin Hayes, who had just finished his tripping penalty, came bursting out of the box. He intercepted the puck with a perfect pass to Derick Brassard who shot it into the net right past Ward. It was simply one of the most beautiful goals.
#NYR @KevinPHayes12 with the steal and assist to Brass to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead! #LGR https://t.co/N41rCiS7Ym
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 1, 2015
The Hurricanes score late at 17:59 to end the period 4-2 Rangers.
The third period offered a lot of scoring chances for the Rangers but they were unable to get them past Cam Ward. Carolina’s Chris Terry scored on a breakaway at 8:23 making it a one goal game.
With less than four minutes left in the period. A scuffle ensued between Mats Zuccarello and John-Michael Liles. Both were awarded coincidental minor penalties which resulted in two minutes of four on four play.
No other goals were allowed and the game ended in a win for the Rangers.
The New York Rangers were able to keep the home game winning streak alive but Carolina certainly didn’t make it easy. There was a little bit of pressure from the Hurricanes which offered a test for the blue-shirts.
The Rangers already had to adjust play without Derek Stepan due to broken ribs from the last game. It didn’t help to have Kevin Klein leave the game in the first period and not return due to a muscle strain.
In the end all that matters is the New York Rangers won and now they prepare to take on the New York Islanders.