Holding a 3-2 lead with a few minutes to go in regulation, the New York Rangers give up two quickies to lose 4-3 to Boston Bruins.
New York Rangers 3 (16-5-2, 34 pts)
Boston Bruins 4 (13-8-1, 27 pts)
Eastern Conference, Final Box Score
TD Garden, Boston, MA
By Robby Sabo
When the puck with eyes deflected off of two New York Rangers‘ sticks (J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg), bounced off the post, off of Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask, and then into the net giving the Blueshirts a 3-2 lead with under 10 minutes to play, all of Rangerstown breathed a little easier.
This back-and-forth slug-fest finally felt in control.
Against this Boston team, however, nothing is in control.
The Bruins scored twice within the final 3:46 in shocking the Rangers by the final of 4-3 in Boston today.
First came the Jesper Fast penalty resulting in a power play goal by Ryan Spooner. Then, carrying all the momentum forward, came a shot off David Krejci’s stick that was deflected carelessly by Emerson Etem, fluttering past Henrik Lundqvist.
After Spooner’s goal the Bruins simply “out-toughed” the Rangers.
Every hustle play, battle along the boards, and physical confrontation was won by Boston. During one sequence the Bruins had Fast so angry that he flailed his arms to the officials after his helmet was dislodged.
Boston played playoff-type hockey during the final minutes and New York didn’t.
WATCH: David Krejci puts home the game-winner past Henrik Lundqvist to give the @NHLBruins a 4-3 win over @NYRangers https://t.co/LyOhAAK2SX
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 27, 2015
JT gets credit for the goal that gives #NYR the lead! #LGR pic.twitter.com/2YnCBguF13 — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 27, 2015
The @NHLBruins win a WILD one, 4-3! #ThanksgivingShowdown pic.twitter.com/BfwzrHD17H
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) November 27, 2015
It wasn’t all terrible for the Rangers. One man who made a noticeable difference was Dylan McIlrath, who was inserted for Dan Boyle. The big defenseman came up with a huge hit in the first period, as well as stepping in when teammate Derek Stepan was over on what could easily be deemed a late hit:
Although his 10-minute misconduct and two-minute minor led to the Bruins tying the game up at two, any Rangers’ fan would’ve had him do the same thing 10-of-10 times.
Oscar Lindberg (8) and Rick Nash (8) collected the other two goals on the afternoon, both at even strength:
New York’s defensive discipline and zone structure is a complete mess right now. It’s a theme that’s now carried over from their horrific 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens two night ago.
Stepan went directly to the locker room following the heavy hit in the second period and did not return.
The loss now gives the Rangers their fifth of the season and second straight regulation loss in quite some time. They’ll turn around quickly to face the Philadelphia Flyers at MSG tomorrow afternoon.
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