New York Rangers newbie Matt Puempel tallies a hat trick in the desert as the Blueshirts best the Arizona Coyotes 6-3 on Thursday night.
- New York Rangers 6 (25-12-1, 51 pts)
- Arizona Coyotes 3 (11-20-5, 27 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Gila River Arena, Glendale, Arizona
But then Matt Puempel happened, again.
On the power play, with the game tied at three, Puempel tipped in one that beat Mike Smith that represented the game-winning goal.
Matt Puempel does it again, his second of the game and another PP tally for the Rangers. 4-3 in the third. #NYR pic.twitter.com/WlKxAU96qI
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 30, 2016
What was a close game late eventually turned into a lopsided 6-3 game. Puempel added another, his third of the night, with just 17 seconds to go in regulation. His hat trick led the way for a club who couldn’t shake the Coyotes. All three goals came on the power play.
Antti Raanta, starting in place of Henrik Lundqvist, who’s still out with the flu, stopped 19-of-22 shots. He was much better than 19 saves, though. He looked sharp all night and the goals that beat him were tough ones.
Nick Holden added his seventh goal of the season in the first period, putting New York up 2-0. Chris Kreider struck early in the second to yet again put the Rangers up two goals. J.T. Miller added an empty-net prior to Puempel’s last tally.
For Arizona, Christian Dvorak, Tobias Rieder, and the former Ranger, Anthony DuClair, each scored goals.
In total, the Rangers outshot the Coyotes 32-22 and finished 4-7 with the man advantage.
Next up for the third-place Rangers will be a Saturday night contest in Colorado against the Avalanche.
There's no doubt about this one belonging to Nick Holden. J.T. Miller makes the play. 2-0 #NYR early. pic.twitter.com/q3xF7KXA92
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 30, 2016
Good things happen when you throw it to the net. It was Puempel, not Holden. PP variety. 1-0 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/qkVCwNuiPT
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 30, 2016
1 hat trick and 1 #NYR Broadway Hat for Matt Puempel!! ??? pic.twitter.com/out3vErmBG
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2016
#NYR @HLundqvist30 and his sister Gabriella talk about tennis, hockey, fashion and more during intermission on @MSGNetworks. pic.twitter.com/wWKnCgLyvM
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 30, 2016
