The Stars came into MSG losers of their last three games and the Rangers were winners of their last 10 out of 11 at home.
- New York Rangers 1
- Dallas Stars 2 (SO)
- NYR Goal Scorers: Rick Nash (8),
- DAL Goal Scorers: Julius Honka (1)
- Final, Box Score
“Welcome to the Ondrej Pavelec show” – Sam Rosen. That was the description of tonight’s game. The Dallas Stars outplayed the Rangers for the first two periods of the game. In the third period, the Rangers found their game, tied it up late on a Rick Nash goal, but lost in the shootout 2-1. Pavelec made 44 saves.
The Dallas Stars dominated the first period outshooting the Rangers 16-5. The only things stopping them from getting the scoreboard was the outstanding play of Ondrej Pavelec. He was on his game in the first period making save after save as the Rangers kept turning the puck over. Lucky for the Rangers the period ended 0-0.
Pavelec makes three saves in a row.
Three big saves by Pavelec. #NYR pic.twitter.com/HmB2Yn150R
— Dave Shapiro (@BlueSeatBlogs) December 12, 2017
As the second period began the Rangers found them down two men less than three minutes into the period. The Rangers killed off both penalties, 50 seconds they were down two men. Finally at 6:20 of the second, with the Rangers all on one side of the ice, Julius Honka scored his first goal of the season on a slapshot that beat Pavelec over his right shoulder.
A quick pass from Lindell and Honka had plenty of space to put this beauty in the back of the net. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/3NlfBzsyQy
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) December 12, 2017
The Pavelec clinic continued through the rest of the second period, as the Stars put up another 17 shots on goal to the Rangers five. The second period ended with the Stars leading 1-0.
When the third period began, it was apparent Alain Vigneault had enough of the lackluster effort. The lines to start the third period were now Chris Kreider,-David Desharnais-Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash-J.T.Miller-Pavel Buchnevich, Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-Jesper Fast. On defense, the pairings were now Marc Staal-Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh-Brendan Smith. The Rangers had scored 40 third period goals, and Vigneault was looking to find that scoring magic again tonight.
Pavelec continued to shine through the third period.
Pavelec stops Elie on the breakaway & Seguin's rebound pic.twitter.com/VTPtZi6tDJ
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 12, 2017
Mats Zuccarello stood tall as always with a little help from Kreider.
Small but mighty Zuccarello gets into it, Kreider comes in to push everyone down with his pinky pic.twitter.com/iwTVn2PFnl
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 12, 2017
Then at 16:29 of the third Rick Nash deflected a Brady Skjei shot from the point, and after a quick review, we had a tied game 1-1. The Ranger found what works best for them, their speed and their forecheck. They held the Stars to only eight shots on goal in the third period. The Rangers also had eight shots on net. A three period total of Dallas 41 and the Rangers 18.
Nash ties it up.
NYR finally tie it, with 3:41 to go in regulation. Nash from Skjei & Buchnevich. pic.twitter.com/xxAQY77gSb
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 12, 2017
The Rangers lose in the shootout 2-1 on a goal by Jason Spezza, but Pavelec’s superb play steals a point for the Rangers.
Spezza scores & the Stars win in the shootout. pic.twitter.com/wlg8hecYIX
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 12, 2017
The Rangers next game is Wednesday night in Ottawa.
