The New York Rangers came into Glendale, Arizona looking for a win in the first of back to back games on the West Coast this weekend.
- New York Rangers 1
- NYR scorers: Jimmy Vesey (9)
- Arizona Coyotes 1
- ARI scorers: Anthony Duclair (9)
- Final, NHL, Boxscore
- Venue: Gila River Arena, Glendale, AZ
The New York Rangers came into Arizona ready to face a weak team with only 10 wins on the season. The Arizona Coyotes and Anti Raanta wanted to get number 11 in a big way. It was a desert showdown as the two teams exchanged hits, shots and great saves by Raanta and Henrik Lundqvist. The battle needed more time to decide on a winner as the teams went into overtime, then a shootout where the Rangers defeated the Coyotes 2-1.
The New York Rangers were outplayed and outshot in the first period of tonight’s game and Jesper Fast made sure every Ranger fan and teammate knew what he thought as he was interviewed by John Giannone between the first and second period. Fast told Giannone their first period was “embarrassing” and bemoaned a “lack of battle”.
In case you missed it: Jesper Fast, one of the most even-tempered interviews on the Rangers, called their first period “embarrassing” and bemoaned a “lack of battle battle” during his intermission interview w/ @MSGNetworks. Angry and accurate.
— John Giannone (@jaygeemsg) January 7, 2018
Former Ranger Anthony Duclair scored a power-play goal in the first period for the Coyotes. Somehow the only goal Lundqvist gave up in the first period.
Only took a New York minute for Duclair to score on the power play. pic.twitter.com/Cv4hUuVaNZ
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) January 7, 2018
The Rangers Jimmy Vesey answered with a second-period goal as he stole the puck from Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larson and scored high on the short side against old friend Raanta.
Watch out when @19Vesey takes full flight. #NYRvsARI pic.twitter.com/8SX3lwnb2O
— NHL (@NHL) January 7, 2018
The third period ended tied at one as the teams headed to overtime. Arizona controlled the puck most of the overtime and even had a late power play when Brady Skjei took a slashing penalty the Rangers killed off, so the dreaded shootout would decide it.
Mika Zibanejad scored on his attempt.
Zibanejad scores pic.twitter.com/GyUieLDQpF
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 7, 2018
Then Henrik stops his old friend Derek Stepan to close out the shootout win 2-1.
And Hank stops Stepan to end it pic.twitter.com/Vjh5Rfp1Pc
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 7, 2018
Congratulations to Henrik Lundqvist. With tonight’s win, Hank now has 424 career wins, passing Tony Esposito for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list.
Henrik Lundqvist earned his 424th career NHL win in tonight's contest, passing Tony Esposito for sole possession of eighth place on the NHL's all-time wins list.
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) January 7, 2018
