The New York Rangers came into T-Mobile Arena with a few lineup changes and an appearance by their back up goalie looking to go into their bye week on a winning streak.
- New York Rangers (22-15-2, 46 points) 1,
- Vegas Golden Knights (29-10-2, 60 points) 2
- NYR Goals: Mika Zibanejad (13)
- VGK Goals: James Neal (18), William Karlsson (22)
- NHL, Final, Boxscore
- T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
The New York Rangers came into sin city looking to win back to back games on the west coast, but the Knights of Las Vegas had something to say as they defeated the Rangers 2-1 on some strong defense and great goaltending by Marc-Andre Fleury.
Before the game even started, you could hear the bells and whistles in Las Vegas. Not because of the slot machines in the Monte Carlo. It was all the noise created when head Coach Alian Vigneault sat both Brendan Smith and Pavel Buchnevich.
#NYR Tonight’s warmups. Smith and Pavel Buchnevich not taking rushes. AV not happy with Buch!
Miller-Zibanejad-Fast
Carey-Hayes-Zuccarello
Vesey-Desharnais-Nash
Grabner-Nieves-LettieriMcDonagh-Holden
Skjei-Shattenkirk
Staal-KampferPavelec.
— RangerProud (@RangerProud) January 8, 2018
Mika Zibanejad scored on a laser of a shot of the left glove hand of Marc- Andre Fleury to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
James Neal evened it up as another Ranger turnover cost them yet again.
The First period ended tied at one. Rangers outshot the Knight 11-10.
In the second period, the Golden Knights had the advantage in play and in the shots on goal department. Ondrej Pavelec held his own once again as the period ended as it began, tied at one. The Knights outshot the Blueshirts 14-6.
The third period started out well for the Rangers as the had the early edge in puck possession and a power play but failed to score.
Then William Karlsson scored his 22nd goal of the year on a beautiful stretch pass deep in the Rangers zone as all five Rangers were watching Reilly Smith skate with the puck. The Knights now lead for the first time in the game 2-1. It turned out to be the game-winning goal.
The Rangers had plenty of opportunities to tie the game up but fell short as the team continue to struggle to score goals. Ondrej Pavelec made 32 saves in the game.
Kevin Hayes was injured early in the first period and did not return. The injury was reported to be a lower-body injury.
The Rangers are now off until next Saturday afternoon where they will host the New York Islanders in a matinee game at 1 p.m.
