Ryan McDonagh scored with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to
give the New York Rangers their second straight win. McDonagh’s goal was started by a great rush
by Brandon Dubinsky into and battle to maintain possession in the zone and Dan
Girardi while be pressured at the point fired wide and the puck bounced off the
back wall to McDonagh who fired it in for the win.
This was yet another game the Rangers had no business getting
even one point from, but Henrik Lundqvist gave kept them alive long enough for
the team to steal not one, but two points.
Lundqvist ended the night with 33 saves including numerous highlight
reel saves that bailed out defensive mistakes.
No save was better than the glove rob he did on Tom Kostopolous 8:23
into the game. Lundqvist is as locked in
as it gets right now having caused a team that overall could have zero points
right now to get points in four of their five games thus far.
Rest of the scoring:
Marian Gaborik got the Rangers on the board first with a
beautiful power play goal from the slot at 4:53. Gaborik started the play when
he covered for Michael Del Zotto at the point and kept the puck in the
zone. Gaborik worked the puck to
Richards at the other point who played it to Stepan low on the left wing side
and he fired a beautiful diagonal pass to a streaking Gaborik in the slot for a
wicked one-timer over Henrik Karlsson shoulder.
The goal was Gaborik’s fourth in just five games and the Rangers first
on the power play this season.
Calgary struck back quickly as only 58 seconds later Jarome
Iginla tied the game from right in front.
Dan Girardi had the puck hop over his stick which created a quick transition
play where Alex Tanguay fired the puck across to Iginla, who was alone in front
as McDonagh not expecting the quick turnover.
The Rangers took the lead again when Brandon Prust scored a
shorthanded goal while Marian Gaborik was in the box. Boyle stole the puck from Bouwmeester in the
corner and fed Prust in front for the shortie.
With just over five minutes left in the opening period Cory
Sarich checked Brad Richards into the boards and Kris Newbury took exception to
the hit. Newbury immediately skated over
and dropped the gloves with Sarich. It
was the kind of move that is great as a fourth liner standing up for
teammates. The problem with the move
however was Newbury got the instigator for it and the Flames made them pay on
the power play with Mark Giordano beating Lundqvist to tie it up 2-2. Lundqvist was very upset with himself after
the goal.
- Tim Erixon was phenomenal tonight and easily the third best defender for the Rangers. Dealing with the boos each time he touched the puck was enough, but to play as solid as he did, the kid is getting better with every game.
- Marian Gaborik is a completely different player to start the year as he is back to skating and attacking the front of the net again
- Dubinsky had his best game of the year.
