The New York Ranges are finding different ways to win and
different players to step each game as they extended their winning streak to
five in a 4-2 win over Tampa Bay tonight.
The hero this time was Derek Stepan who scored the game-winner with 3:19
left in the game and added an assist after being unsure if he would even play
this morning. Another game where it was
not pretty, but the Rangers are battling through constantly and when the final
buzzer sounds the result has them netting two points in the standings.
For the second straight game the Rangers gave up an early
goal to the opposition and building a hole they would have to dig out of. Tonight it was Steve Downie giving the
Lightning the 1-0 lead just 1:24 into the game. Downie was left all alone for a
slap shot that with the help of a Derek Stepan screen beat Henrik Lundqvist
upstairs.
Marian Gaborik had a breakaway mid-way through the first
period, but he lost control of the puck and made Garon’s job easy to cancel the
golden opportunity.
After the Lightning did everything but score the Rangers
came the other way and after a Callahan shot, Brad Richards picked up the
rebound and found Ruslan Fedotenko in front for the tying goal 6:38 into the
second.
The Rangers would be tested again as they gave up another late
period goal when Tom Pyatt scored with just 2:18 left in the second
period. This is one that Henrik
Lundqvist would love to have back as he was beaten five-hole from the left
circle.
New York answered the bell in the third period scoring three
times to turn the 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 win.
Artem Anisimov got it started 6:16 into the third when he made Ryan
Callahan’s forechecking pressure and a Derek Stepan pass pay off with the tying
goal. Stepan’s winner was a result of
Anisimov’s work leaving Stepan with an empty net to shoot at. Richards empty netter with to finish it off.
- The resiliency of the club continues to shine through on a nightly basis as they are finding ways to win and sticking with the system no matter what goes on during any moment of the game.
- Rangers need to stop giving up goes early and late in periods as eventually it will bite them.
- Anisimov was excellent all night, effective in all three zones
- Gaborik continues to skate like a man possessed and when he is skating there are few more dangerous in the game
- Michael Sauer needs more credit for just how well he is playing. Always understated in what he does, but so effective every night.
- Hagelin-Boyle-Mitchell continues to show well even without getting on the board tonight.
