Jimmy Vesey, New York Rangers
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Alexander Georgiev was superb as he embodied the phrase “bend but don’t break,” Jimmy Vesey picked up some hats and the New York Rangers came away with a big win. 

  • New York Rangers 6 (31-32-7 69 pts)
  • Carolina Hurricanes 3 (30-28-11 71 pts)
  • NYR Goals Mats Zuccarello (13,14) Jimmy Vesey (13,14,15) Vladislav Namestnikov (22)
  • CAR Goals Teuvo Teravainen (20) Lee Stempniak (2) Victor Rask (13)
  • NHL, Final, Boxscore
  • Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

The New York Rangers got a much-needed win on home ice Monday evening, with some youngsters hitting some NHL “firsts” in the process. Winger Jimmy Vesey had his first NHL hat trick, Pavel Buchnevich recorded his first three-assist performance, and Alexander Georgiev recorded 41 stops for his first win at Madison Square Garden.

Just over halfway through the game’s first period, Mats Zuccarello got things started. Mika Zibanejad won a faceoff back to Neal Pionk, who appeared to miss the net wide on purpose. Tthe puck bounced back to the back door and Zuccarello tapped it home for his 13th of the season.

Five minutes later, the Carolina Hurricanes got things tied up on a three on two rush. The Hurricanes had great zone entry, and youngster Teuvo Teravainen batted home a rebound.

In the second frame, Buchnehich makes a phenomenal individual effort, winning a draw to himself, and sliding a pass over to Jimmy Vesey. Vesey was back door and tapped it home for his 13th of the season.

As consistent as the sun coming up, a former Ranger scored a big goal for the opposition as Lee Stempniak cleaned up a rebound in front off a Jeff Skinner shot. The Rangers lost the draw as Skinner made a very nice play cutting across the middle of the ice and getting his shot through traffic.

Buchnevich collected his second assist of the net on the power play in the second frame. The Rangers won a draw and Buchnevich decided to throw the puck on net from the blueline. Vlad Namestnikov was waiting in the high slot, and just got enough of a redirect on the puck to beat Scott Darling.

But just like they did all night long the Hurricanes fought back and tied the game minutes after Vladdy gave the Rangers the lead. Victor Rask blasted home a loose puck from the blue line. Georgiev was screened by numerous players and never stood a chance.

The Rangers took the lead off of some strong neutral zone play, which they had clearly improved on tonight. Buchnevich and Vesey combined to make a strong defensive effort in the neutral zone. Vesey was able to collect a loose puck right around the faceoff dot and beat Darling high for his second of the net.

Georgiev, who made 41 stops on the net, was phenomenal in shutting the door with the one-goal lead. Georgiev looked much more poised in following his rebounds and looking through traffic.

Zuccarello and Vesey added full ice goals to cap off the night.

The Rangers return to the ice Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. ET against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The game will be on NBC and nationally televised.

 NEXT: Is Mats Zuccarello Rangers' Next Captain Or Trade Chip? 

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Neal Purcell
Neal Purcell has a tremendous passion for New York Rangers hockey and the sport of hockey in general. A graduate of SUNY Cortland in Upstate NY, Purcell coaches both a high school hockey team and a travel team in the winter. Purcell is also a part of a small family business in the Central New York Region.

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