Henrik Lundqvist did all he could to hold off the Blackhawks, but it wasn’t enough for the New York Rangers.
- New York Rangers: 2 (21-14-5, 47 points)
- Chicago Blackhawks: 4 (19-14-6, 42 points)
- NYR goals: Nick Holden (3), Mika Zibanejad (12)
- CHI goals: Vinnie Hinostroza (2), Nick Schmaltz (8), Patrick Sharp (4), Jonathan Toews (11), Patrick Kane (17)
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
The New York Rangers played host to the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday night. Henrik Lundqvist drew the start for the Rangers, while Jeff Glass started for the Blackhawks. Check out the pregame report for the Original Six game.
The Blackhawks dominated the puck for most of the game, and while Lundqvist did everything he could to keep the Rangers in the game but they couldn’t quite pull it out, as Chicago iced the game with two empty net goals.
Brady Skjei got the game moving before many fans had even sat down, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone and setting Michael Grabner up for a shot. Brandon Spreckels makes a great argument for keeping Grabner beyond this season here.
Brady Skjei with a good play right off the hop that leads to a Michael Grabner chance #NYR pic.twitter.com/un4L8qecbx
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The game got off to a very fast pace, with both teams playing an up-tempo style. Neither team was able to establish possession in the offensive zone for long, but both were able to generate scoring chances.
Patrick Kane got an chance but Lundqvist stood tall to keep the puck out.
Henrik Lundqvist gets a piece of Patrick Kane's shot #NYR pic.twitter.com/FQrkvgrf5R
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The Blackhawks had some scoring chances as the middle of the period went on but were unable to beat King Lundqvist, including once in which he used the head-first save that he’s made so many times.
Henrik Lundqvist, using his head #NYR pic.twitter.com/Q5XWnJptRF
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Mika Zibanejad had a chance on the power play but rang his shot off the post.
Lundqvist continued his dominance in the net by making a stellar save to rob Nick Schmaltz.
Nick Schmaltz's power move to the net is denied by…guess who…Henrik Lundqvist. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/6j4mXCNDBF
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 4, 2018
Late in the period, Vinnie Hinostroza scored off of a pass into the slot by Jonathan Toews.
Vinnie Hinostroza breaks the ice at MSG after a nice centering pass from Toews. 1-0 #Blackhawls pic.twitter.com/NfZqmzQRFw
— Cristiano Simonetta (@CMS_74_) January 4, 2018
The Rangers answered right back with Nick Holden beating Glass off a nice backhand pass from Paul Carey. Boo Nieves also had an assist on the goal.
Another look at Nick Holden's goal. Great pass by Paul Carey #NYR pic.twitter.com/Z73Er6Ca7R
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Jesper Fast, who returned earlier than expected for the Winter Classic, had a breakaway chance that was denied by Glass late in the period, which would end tied at one.
I love Jesper Fast part 341433143341 #NYR pic.twitter.com/3Wyf7NJfJm
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Early in the second period Brandon Saad and Toews each had chances that Lundqvist stopped.
Another look at those ridiculous saves by Henrik Lundqvist. Nick Holden playing neither the man nor the puck is an interesting strategy #NYR pic.twitter.com/iEMNi7aZV4
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The Blackhawks got a 2-1 lead after Marc Staal was cross checked (with no penalty called) into a loose puck and it went across the line. Nick Schmaltz was given credit for the goal.
Unfortunate bounce as Marc Staal knocks the puck into his own net. Rangers will be down 2-1 #NYR pic.twitter.com/RVEdSkQ05D
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The Rangers got a 5-on-3 advantage and Mika Zibanejad took advantage to fire a one-time goal into the net to tie the game at two. Pavel Buchnevich and Mats Zuccarello got the assists on the goal.
Mika ?? pic.twitter.com/MsBrEz18j2
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 4, 2018
Kane used a nice toe drag to get a shot on Lundqvist late in the second but Lundqvist once again stood tall. Jimmy Vesey had a breakaway chance that was also stopped.
Henrik Lundqvist with another big save on Patrick Kane #NYR pic.twitter.com/7ZPvgnp7Qc
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Jimmy Vesey misses on a big chance #NYR pic.twitter.com/FQhNC4KPQd
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Those saves kept the game tied 2-2, which would be the score at the end of the period.
Bandon Saad started the third period off with a breakaway after Kevin Shattenkirk got caught out of position but Lundqvist stopped him.
Idk wtf Kevin Shattenkirk was thinking here #NYR pic.twitter.com/k7eSdn45Oa
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The Blackhawks got another chance after Holden’s stick shattered on a dump-in attempt, but Lundqvist made another great save.
John Forslund just now: "We're tied at 2 thanks in large part to Henrik Lundqvist"
That's what should be on his HOF plaque #NYR pic.twitter.com/g0zneCXeE4— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
Patrick Sharp put the Blackhawks up 3-2 after yet another odd-man rush.
Patrick Sharp SNIPES one past Henrik Lundqvist to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead #NYR #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/XczgSIX86p
— Fitz (@FitzyGSN) January 4, 2018
The Blackhawks did a good job keeping the Rangers form getting many chances after they took the lead as the third period wore on.
The Rangers pulled Lundqvist for an extra attacker late in the third but it backfired as Toews scored on the empty net to seal the win for the Blackhawks.
Lundqvist once again came to the bench after the Toews goal but Kane scored on the empty net to make the game 5-2, which would go on to be the final score.
The Rangers head out to Arizona to avenge this latest loss. They’ll face the Coyotes on Saturday night at 8:00 PM.
