On a night of celebration, the New York Rangers could not come through losing their seventh straight game.
- Detroit Red Wings 3 (26-26-10, 62 points)
- New York Rangers 2 (27-30-6, 60 points)
- DET Goals: Andreas Athanasiou (12), Darren Helm (8), Trevor Daley (7)
- NYR Goals: J.T. Miller (13), Jesper Fast (10)
- NHL, Final (OT), Boxscore
- Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
It was the night that the New York Rangers honored legend Jean Ratelle.
The Ratelle family watches 1️⃣9️⃣ go to the rafters! #NYR pic.twitter.com/kQzAUHF1uT
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 26, 2018
The Rangers looked like they could break their losing streak. But that was not the case despite a strong comeback effort as the Red Wings went on to win 3-2 in overtime extending the Rangers losing streak to seven.
It was the first official game that the team played since the trade of Rick Nash. The Rangers sent Nash to the Boston Bruins for a package including Ryan Spooner who made his Rangers debut against Detroit.
With all of the hoopla, there was still a game to be played.
Right out of the gate you knew this was going to be a long night. Jimmy Howard made an incredible save robbing Chris Kreider who was looking to score his first goal since returning from injury.
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) February 26, 2018
Howard always seems to play the best games of his career against the Rangers and this one was no different. On the other end of the ice, it was Henrik Lundqvist making his return to the lineup after backing up rookie Alexandar Georgiev that last two games.
Big save by Henrik Lundqvist on Dylan Larkin #NYR pic.twitter.com/gS0tcNXoZg
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
The strong early goaltending battle continued in this one. After Kreider just missed on a two-on-zero, Howard would stop Kevin Hayes alone in front.
Yeah it looks like Jimmy Howard is going to have one of those games tonight. Another stop, this time on Kevin Hayes #NYR pic.twitter.com/BIEN9xmuQS
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
Of course with all of the great goaltending in the first, the first goal of the game would be one that Lundqvist might want back.
Andreas Athanasiou uses O'Gara as a screen and sneaks a shot through Henrik Lundqvist. Red Wings up 1-0 late in the 1st #NYR pic.twitter.com/YLxwTN1wgN
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
Detroit would add to that lead early in the second as John Gilmour had an uh-oh moment. Gilmour fell down at the blueline leading to a breakaway and a 2-0 deficit.
John Gilmour falls down and Darren Helm scores on a breakaway to put the Red Wings up 2-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/zU1gMOxkQM
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
But newly acquired Ryan Spooner would make his presence known on the power-play.
J.T. Miller with an absolute snipe to bring the Rangers to within 1. Ryan Spooner picks up his first point with an assist #NYR pic.twitter.com/wh7vDQKBgJ
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
Spooner picked up his first point as a Ranger with a great pass to J.T. Miller and the Rangers looked to have some life in them. Then they didn’t.
Tatar scores to make it 3-1, but the Rangers are challenging for offside #NYR pic.twitter.com/yjsr8XrvxD
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
But video coach Jerry Dineen had a great find as he was reviewing the play. He saw that Detroit was offside and told head coach Alain Vigneault to challenge the play. The Rangers would win the challenge and only trail 2-1 after two.
You couldn’t have asked to have a more impressive debut than Spooner had. Watch his puck handling skills as he sets up Jesper Fast for the game-tying goal. It’s fitting that Fast tied was the one to tie the game as he will go down as the last Ranger to ever to wear the number 19.
Jesper Fast with a sick tip-pass to Kevin Hayes, then buries the rebound to tie the game at 2 #NYR #YourFavoritePlayersFavoritePlayer pic.twitter.com/F4TqgEKBME
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
This would go to overtime and Detroit would take the winners point on a deflection with 5.6 seconds to go.
Frans Nielsen with a beautiful pass that Trevor Daley tips through Henrik Lundqvist's five-hole with 5.6 remaining. Rangers lose 3-2 #NYR pic.twitter.com/am2F9ryifV
— Fitz (@FitzGSN_) February 26, 2018
The Rangers will be off until Wednesday night when they begin their Western Canada trip. Also, the trade deadline is Monday and more deals could be in the works.