Henrik Lundqvist‘s spectacular night helps the New York Rangers shutout the Ottawa Senators, 3-0, at Madison Square Garden.
- Ottawa Senators 0, (8-5-6, 22 points)
- New York Rangers 3, (10-9-2, 22 points)
- OTT Goals: None
- NYR Goals: Kevin Hayes (5), Michael Grabner (9), Mika Zibanejad (10)
- NHL, Final, Boxscore
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
This was the first time that the New York Rangers faced the Senators since Ottawa knocked them out of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Out of the gate, the Rangers gifted Ottawa with two powerplay opportunities, but they were able to keep Ottawa off the board thanks to seven saves by Henrik Lundqvist in the period, including this brilliant save.
Ohhhhh what a save by Hank. #NYR pic.twitter.com/KVv0mN9Akh
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) November 20, 2017
It felt like Ottawa controlled play because of how they controlled most of the play, but it was the Rangers who had the shot edge in the period.
As this one progressed it had the feel of being a one-goal game and it was important to get the first goal. That feeling only increased as this one progressed.
Kevin Hayes has been playing well defensively all season for the Rangers and now his offense is starting to come. Hayes beat Craig Anderson with an absolute snipe shot just under the right post and in to give the Rangers the early lead.
What a SHOT by Kevin Hayes. Top-shelf. 1-0 #NYR. pic.twitter.com/Xp3RHyWZQj
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) November 20, 2017
After the goal, the Rangers absolutely shut down Ottawa’s offense. Even though Ottawa was able to manage eight shots on goal, but there was a stretch where they could barely manage to get one shot on Henrik Lundqvist.
The second period may have been the Rangers best defensive period of the season. It was important that they kept the lead going into the second period considering how they lost against Chicago last Wednesday and they didn’t want their losing streak to reach three.
With the game as tight as it was the Rangers who came out in the third aggressive and got another goal to inch closer to snapping their losing streak. Michael Grabner was able to tip the Marc Staal past Anderson for a 2-0 lead.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 20, 2017
But this one wouldn’t come easy for the Rangers as they had to kill off a five-minute major. Brendan Smith received the major and a game misconduct penalty for a hit Mark Borowiecki.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 20, 2017
The Rangers penalty kill had to come up big and they did only allow one shot on goal during the five-minute penalty.
Some really strong penalty killing on that 5-minute major. Nash was excellent. pic.twitter.com/3WABiiNXIp
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) November 20, 2017
Mika Zibanejad would add an empty net goal and secure the 3-0 victory for the Rangers who next play Wednesday night in Carolina.
