The
Rangers took the Islanders seriously as an opponent and then they handled their
business on their way to a convincing 6-3 win. New York had its stars show up
tonight with Henrik Lundqvist making done tremendous saves, especially early
on, Gaborik getting two goals and the power play cashing in on its chances. If
those three things continue the last 11 games then they playoff spot will take
care of itself.
The
Rangers came out with excellent energy and maintained it throughout the first
period. Marian Gaborik had an early breakaway, but could not covert. Moments
later Sean Avery took a boarding penalty. While shorthanded Brandon Prust gave
the Rangers the 1-0 lead. The Prust goal
was created by Ryan McDonagh who collapsed the defense with his move to the net
and his shot created the rebound for Prust. Late in the first Erik Christensen
extended the lead to 2-0 with a beautiful shot on the power play. That is how
the first ended.
The
team came out sluggish to start the second with goals by Matt Moulson and P.A.
Parenteau to tie the game.
New
York would respond with three goals of their own before the period would end.
The first was from Ryan Callahan off a beautiful behind the back pass from
Artem Anisimov. Marian Gaborik made it 4-2 on a gorgeous wrist shot far post.
Bryan McCabe would close the period with his first as a Ranger to bring the
lead to 3 at 5-2.
The
third period was academic, but Gaborik would get his second of the evening
before John Tavares scored to make the final 6-3.
- Lundqvist was excellent, especially in the first and he seems to be in a much better groove these last few games.
- Don’t know what has gotten into Erik Christensen, but I like it. He is producing points on a consistent basis and even more than that he is showing up at other points of the game.
- I expect Avery to be right back in the press box watching on Friday as he was awful tonight. He took three penalties and none of them of the “good” variety. The boarding call in the first he got lucky, at least from where we were, to not get more than two minutes and the one in the third cost them what in this game was a meaningless goal, but you cannot expect to be up four to be ok with giving up a goal down the stretch.
Big
thank you to Robyn (@njrobynf) for
letting me come tonight. Lots of fun had by all.
