Despite a strong comeback, the Rangers losing streak has extended to five games after John Tavares leads the New York Islanders in the shootout.
- New York Islander 4 (3-3-1, 7 points)
- New York Rangers 3 (1-5-2, 3 points)
- NYI Goals: Anders Lee (3), Brock Nelson (4), Matthew Barzal (1)
- NYR Goals: David Desharnais (2), Mats Zuccarello (2), Kevin Hayes (2)
- NHL, Final (SO), Boxscore
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Head coach Alain Vigneault has been preaching to the Rangers about having a good start. This has been a major dilemma this year for the Rangers and it continued in this one. Chris Kreider put the Islanders on the power play just 1:30 in and they would cash in.
Anders Lee would score the Islanders first powerplay goal of the season banking in the rebound on a Ryan Pulock shot for the early lead.
Anders with the POWER-PLAY GOAL. ? #Isles pic.twitter.com/UGxdzXMGBd
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 19, 2017
Despite falling behind early again, the Rangers would take advantage of an icing call that went in their favor. After winning a faceoff, David Desharnais deflected the Kevin Shattenkirk shot past Jaroslav Halak to tie the game at one.
Desharnais deflection ties it at one apiece. #NYR Shattenkirk with the assist. pic.twitter.com/N80mSD6QqE
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 19, 2017
Just 1:04 after Desharnais tied it, Brock Nelson would give the Islanders a 2-1. Nelson was left all alone in the slot after a Rangers turnover and took advantage of the defensive breakdown.
Brock Nelson snags his fourth of the season with help from Ladd. 2-1 #Isles in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/BEeKaKNlqE
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 19, 2017
The Rangers came out flat to start the second period and the Islanders would cash in on that with Matthew Barzal scoring his first career NHL goal. Barzal somehow got the puck past Henrik Lundqvist who was hugging the post 1:15 into the second. Lundqvist was in position but wasn’t able to make the save which put the Rangers in a bigger whole entering the third.
B?A?R?Z?Y. His first official NHL GOAL!! ?? Congrats @Barzal_97! pic.twitter.com/0XoxyaDUjl
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 20, 2017
Despite playing a poor 40 minutes, the Rangers came out and dominated in the third period. Mats Zuccarello would bring them to within after putting the loose puck in the back of the open net. Now the Rangers only trailed by one and continued to apply the pressure.
A Kevin Hayes pass would deflect off Brendan Smith‘s skate and past Halak, but it was determined that Smith had kicked the puck.
NO GOAL after review. Distinct kicking motion, but the play has HEATED up. #NYR #Isles lead 3-2 in third. pic.twitter.com/Xb5F6Nyjbq
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 20, 2017
This didn’t crush the Rangers spirits though as Hayes got a shot at an impossible angle past Halak to tie it.
The Rangers have DOMINATED this third period and Kevin Hayes goes coast-to-coast to tie it at three. #NYR #Isles pic.twitter.com/RYPcmVjHOx
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 20, 2017
This game would require a shootout where John Tavares would win it for the Islanders.
The NOW hockey superstar (John Tavares) beats the FORMER superstar (Henrik Lundqvist) in the shootout for the win. #Isles #NYR pic.twitter.com/5p49CytRCE
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) October 20, 2017
The Rangers will try to break their five-game losing streak when they get back in action Saturday against Nashville Predators. The Islanders will return home Saturday where they’ll face the San Jose Sharks.
