The two Swedish-born goalies, Henrik Lundqvist and Frederick Andersen, went at it in the New York Rangers 2-1 shootout victory.
- New York Rangers 2 (39-19-2, 80 pts)
- Toronto Maple Leafs 1 (28-20-12, 68 pts)
- NHL, Final, Shootout, Box Score
- Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Finally, J.T. Miller found a loose puck in front of the net that provided New York with their 83rd third-period goal of the season (the most in the NHL) and, more importantly, the equalizer in a hotly-contested game.
J.T. effin Miller as the power play expires. Puck possession was the key on this one. 1-1 game, #NYR pic.twitter.com/FAo6pK4vi2
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) February 24, 2017
? all tied up! ? pic.twitter.com/BPeBgURuw4
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 24, 2017
For a struggling power play, puck possession got it done when Alain Vigneault‘s squad needed it most. (Officially, the goal came after the man advantage had expired.)
The goal set up a fabulous overtime frame that saw, for the most part, the Rangers put on severe pressure early. The way the frame ended, however, is something that’ll have traditionalist stumped as to why they’d ever want to get rid of the 3-on-3 overtime:
Just have fun watching the end of this 3-on-3 between the Rangers and Leafs. #NYR pic.twitter.com/YRkcVKMT3Q
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) February 24, 2017
In the shootout, Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad buried their chances as Henrik Lundqvist stopped two of the three shots he was tasked with:
Zuc, Zibs and Hank get it done in the shootout. #NYR win, 2-1. pic.twitter.com/K87kScOK1R
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) February 24, 2017
Speaking of No. 30, he was solid all night. Hank stopped 32 of 33 shots as he ultimately won a terrific goalie duel. On the other side, fellow Swede Frederick Andersen stymied the Rangers offense by stonewalling 37 of 38 opportunities. Without Anderson, the young Leafs would have been in trouble much of the evening.
Connor Brown was the only Leaf to score in the game, midway through the first period, his 15th of the season.
Next up for New York will be the crosstown New Jersey Devils at The Rock on Saturday night.
#NYR celebrate together on the ice after the shootout win! pic.twitter.com/ZOM849rLLm
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 24, 2017
AFTER 20: Connor Brown opened the scoring and the Leafs lead 1-0 at the intermission.#TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/82lcdHxdC4
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 24, 2017
Conor McDonald talks #NYR hockey with @MSGNetworks during the 1st intermission. #TogetherWeAre104 pic.twitter.com/bCuMPLkI4H
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 24, 2017
Here come your New York Rangers!! pic.twitter.com/4LJrwpHkMt
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 24, 2017
