Everything went right for Antti Raanta and the New York Rangers tonight as they dominated the New Jersey Devils 5-0.
- New York Rangers 5 (20-9-1, 41 pts)
- New Jersey Devils 0 (12-10-6, 28 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Coming off the grittiest victory of the season in Chicago, the Blueshirts needed a more complete performance to defeat the New Jersey Devils and extend their win streak to three.
That’s exactly what Alain Vigneault’s squad did.
Lead by strong special teams and yet another shutout performance from Antti Raanta, the Rangers cruised past their Metropolitan rivals 5-0.
After Adam Henrique’s goal was called back due to Henrique kicking the puck past Raanta, the Blueshirts got on the board through Chris Kreider. The Rangers executed a perfect cycle down low which resulted in Kreider sliding one between the wickets of Cory Schneider following a nifty pass from Mats Zuccarello.
Zuccarello finds Kreider to get the scoring opened against the Devils. 1-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/sCcZTKi2KY
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 12, 2016
How about J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes.
The two much-improved forwards connected for an absolutely beauty shorthanded goal, with Miller on the receiving end of a perfect feed from Hayes to double the lead. The goal put Miller atop the league lead in shorthanded goals, while Hayes’ assist means he now is tied for the lead in shorthanded points.
Now this one was something special. Hayes to J.T. Miller for the shorty. 2-0 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/pP4TCkdqzb
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 12, 2016
Brady Skjei was the next one to get involved, as he netted his first career NHL goal in the waning seconds of the second period thanks to a funny redirection of the stick of Devils’ forward Kyle Palmieri.
Watch #NYR @BradySkjei's first career @NHL goal!! pic.twitter.com/BymOPDZg3K
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
Brandon Pirri would go on to add one on the man advantage, ending his dry spell at 13 games. Jimmy Vesey would also join the party, netting his 10th goal of the season on the power play.
.@pirri91 gives #NYR a 4-0 lead!! pic.twitter.com/ajpOeHtXJU
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
Antti Raanta was outstanding once again. He continued to be patient in net and stopped 19 Devils shots that he faced. Now with three straight solid showings (two of them being shutouts), one has to wonder whether he or the struggling Henrik Lundqvist will be the starter when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town on Tuesday.
#NYR WIN 5-0!! ANOTHER SHUTOUT FOR @ARaanta31! And @BradySkjei gets his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/Vvq9ArI75F
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
.@ARaanta31 is the first #NYR goalie with a shutout in 2 straight team games since Mike Dunham in 2003. pic.twitter.com/wKnNO9WBLJ
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
With his goal in the 2nd, Miller is now tied for the NHL lead in SHG this year. With his assist, @KevinPHayes12 is tied for NHL lead in SHP.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 12, 2016
Final from The Garden. #NJDvsNYR pic.twitter.com/XvE2ozzZOr
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 12, 2016