Backup goaltenders in Antti Raanta and Scott Darling put on a show, but in the end, it was the New York Rangers edging the Chicago Blackhawks.
- New York Rangers 1 (19-9-1, 39 pts)
- Chicago Blackhawks 0 (17-8-4, 38 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Not until the 14-minute mark of the third period did we actual see the game’s first goal, courtesy of Marian Hossa. Finally, after 45-minutes and change of spectacular goaltending put on by a pair of backups, one of the skaters finally put one home.
Or, at least, we thought he did.
Score a big one for New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault as it was his challenge that reversed the Hossa goal due to an offside.
#NYR challenging that the play was offside.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 10, 2016
NO GOAL!!
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 10, 2016
Instead, the teams played on and the Rangers capitalized on overtime when Nick Holden tallied his fourth of the season off a beautiful feed from Derek Stepan just 55 seconds into overtime:
Just 55 seconds into OT Nick Holden nets his fourth of the season off a beauty of a pass from Derek Stepan. 1-0 #NYR win. pic.twitter.com/XeaLgxry1t
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 10, 2016
The story of this night, however, were the goaltenders, the backup goaltenders, to be more specific. New York’s was special. Antti Raanta, who received his second consecutive start solely based on a coach’s decision, stopped all 26 Blackhawk shots he faced throughout the evening. The win now improves his season mark to a nice and tidy 7-1 record.
Oh, Hank, you better start playing some solid hockey soon. Antti Raanta robs the Blackhawks. Still scoreless. #NYR pic.twitter.com/uOGQy7UZ0Q
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 10, 2016
How about that old-school double-stack save?
His counterpart, Scott Darling, was equally brilliant in coming up with 36 saves on 37 shots. Only that last goal did he and his team in on this particular night.
The defensive effort from the Blueshirts was extremely noteworthy. Granted, the Hawks were without Jonathan Toews, but outshooting them 37 to 26 is another noteworthy feat without Rick Nash, Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich in the lineup. Jimmy Vesey made his return to the lineup after an injury scratch in Winnipeg. He was on the ice for a total of 12:02 on Friday night.
Now two points clear of the idle Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Metropolitan Division, the Rangers will return home and welcome in the hated New Jersey Devils for a Sunday affair at Madison Square Garden.
Catching up with #NYR alum Steve Larmer in Chicago tonight to talk about that final shift in '94 and more! pic.twitter.com/q4V7pbcRQB
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 10, 2016
#GreatScott! pic.twitter.com/Nq7jkdrKS1
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 10, 2016
Lots happening right here pic.twitter.com/9SUQqy1wnM
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) December 10, 2016
