Chris Kreider and the New York Rangers found a way to slip past the pesky Carolina Hurricanes on Kids’ Day at Madison Square Garden.
- New York Rangers 3 (17-8-1, 35 pts)
- Carolina Hurricanes 2 (9-10-5, 23 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Not until a game-winner from Chris Kreider with 7:35 remaining in regulation did the home Blueshirts actually tally a goal that wasn’t matched:
Chris Kreider jumps on one to provide the Rangers with a 3-2 lead. #NYR pic.twitter.com/35jpId6suz
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 3, 2016
Just under five minutes later, Kreider exploded for his second goal of the period, his sixth of the campaign:
GOAL! @ChrisKreider again!!! #NYR up 4-2 with 2:49 left!!
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2016
For the first time all game, New York felt what it was like to own a two-goal lead.
Earlier in the frame, it was Michael Grabner who scored the big one, his 13th of the season. Jesper Fast made an incredible play in the neutral zone while Brady Skjei picked up the primary assist. Though the Canes reviewed the goal for a possible offside, it was too close for the officials to overturn:
Wow, that offside was close. Lucky No.. 13 for Michael Grabner. What a play by Fast. 2-1 #NYR. (2-2 now after Canes hit back quickly.) pic.twitter.com/mCIRGMqLCf
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 3, 2016
The lone Ranger who scored prior to the third period was Derek Stepan, who sneaked one past goalie Michael Leighton to open the scoring on the day:
Count it!! #NYR ? @DerekStepan21!! pic.twitter.com/eOjLSi4niS
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2016
Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26-of-28 shots on the day and really kept his team in it at times. The Canes out shot the Rangers in the game 28-23 and owned a 25-11 edge after two periods of play. It wasn’t until that final period where New York actually adjusted their game and started playing a simpler brand of hockey against a tough Carolina defense.
For the Canes, Viktor Stalberg (7) and Victor Rask (9) lit the lamp. Leighton stopped just 19-of-23 New York shots on goal.
The Rangers have now won 13th straight games at home against the Hurricanes. Next up for the Rangers will be the New York Islanders in Brooklyn on Tuesday night.
Sign him! #NYR pic.twitter.com/mahRjBMQxN
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 3, 2016
#NYR win it 4-2 over Carolina!! pic.twitter.com/f1En50jggO
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2016
James from @NewRoLH lining up with @HLundqvist30 on Kids Day here @TheGarden #JrRangers pic.twitter.com/hj6vFDU3dm
— Junior Rangers (@JuniorRangers) December 3, 2016
.@realmikefox cheering for #NYR @TheGarden today! pic.twitter.com/KQ8IHQSdcV
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 3, 2016
[Final] #Canes 2, #NYR 4#CARvsNYR pic.twitter.com/92bozpCfJD
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 3, 2016
[Goal GIF] @VictorRask ties the game from up top! #Redvolution #CARvsNYR pic.twitter.com/dVh424aUjZ
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 3, 2016
[HIGHLIGHT] @VStalberg beats Lundqvist with a wrister in the second period. #Redvolution #CARvsNYR pic.twitter.com/4NVCLkw5ay
— Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) December 3, 2016