Despite having a pair of rookie defensemen on the ice and without their captain, the New York Rangers picked up an unlikely win against the Calgary Flames on Friday night.
- New York Rangers 4 (26-24-5, 57 points)
- Calgary Flames 3 (28-19-8, 64 points)
- NYR Scorers: Hayes (12) PPG, Grabner (22), Nash (17), Zibanejad (16) PPG
- CAL Scorers: Kulak (1), Lazar (1), Tkachuk (18) PPG
- Final, NHL, Boxscore
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
The New York Rangers, facing the real possibility of losing many of their fellow teammates as the trade deadline approaches and with their captain sidelined with an injury, found some youth and energy as they battled back from a one-goal deficit in the third period to win 4-3. The Rangers scored two power-play goals in the win but suffered another injury as goaltender Ondrej Pavelec left the game with a knee injury after the first period. Henrik Lundqvist came in relief and got the much-needed win.
The Rangers got on the scoreboard first, as Kevin Hayes scored a power-play goal. Anthony DeAngelo and David Desharnais had the assist as the Rangers took a 1-0 lead at 7:53 of the first period.
Calgary’s Brett Kulak scored his first NHL goal with a blast from the top of the left circle to tie the game at 1-1 at 18:15 of the first.
The Rangers outshot the Flames 20-8 in the period and were one for three with the man advantage.
The second period began strangely as Henrik Lundqvist came out to start the second period. It was announced that Ondrej Pavelec injured his knee and would not return to the game.
Pavelec out with knee injury, not sure when it happened, team says. Lundqvist starts 2nd.
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) February 10, 2018
The Rangers leading scorer Michael Grabner registered his 22nd goal of the year to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead at 11:52.
Unfortunately, that lead didn’t last long, as the Flames Curtis Lazar tied the score at 2-2 at the 12:37 of the second period.
Calgary took their first lead of the night at 18:27 of the second period on a power-play goal by Matt Tkachuk to give the Flames a 3-2 lead as the second period ended.
The Rangers were outshot 21-8 in the second period, Henrik made 19 saves in the period.
6:41 into the game, the Ranger who is just waiting for the word that he has been traded (sadly) Rick Nash scored his 17th of the year. The goal tied the game at three.
Then at 12:41 Mika Zibanejad scored another power play goal to give the Rangers a 4-3 lead. It was Mika’s eighth power play goal of the year.
The Rangers had to kill off a late power play when Kevin Hayes took a tripping penalty but held on for dear life and won 4-3.
Tonight at the Garden, @youcanplaynight was celebrated. It’s a program to show that hockey is for everyone as MSG was illuminated in the colors of the program.
#NYR @YouCanPlayTeam night @TheGarden. #HockeyIsForEveryone #NYRYCP ? pic.twitter.com/llA8S5Pp2O
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 10, 2018
The Rangers next game will be at Winnipeg Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.
