The New York Rangers took their two-game point streak back to the Garden ice, but the Calgary Flames proved to be a tough opponent.
New York Rangers 1
Calgary Flames 4
NYR Goals: M. Zibanejad (3) PPG
CLG Goals: J. Gaudreau (4, 5), G. Hathaway (1), G. Hathaway (2)
Venue: Madison Square Garden
Here’s Johnny!
As in Johnny Gaudreau, the Calgary star the New York Rangers could not contain in any way Sunday night as the Blueshirts got manhandled, losing 4-1 to the Flames.
Following two solid games last week, the New York Rangers returned to the ice for their first game since Wednesday hoping to continue their two-game point streak (3 points in last two games). The Rangers outshot the Flames 45-26 for the game, but as has been the case most of this season, could not take advantage of all the scoring opportunities the team created throughout the game.
The Rangers again made lineup changes, as Fredrik Claesson was injured in practice on Saturday afternoon, this opened the door for Adam McQuaid who had been a healthy scratch for the last two games. Ryan Spooner and Anthony DeAngelo (third game in a row) were the other scratches.
The Rangers line combination for Sunday’s contest was a little of the same and a little surprising, especially on defense where the coaching staff paired up Kevin Shattenkirk and Marc Staal.
#NYR in warmups:
Kreider-Zibanejad-Fast
Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello
Vesey-Howden-Buchnevich
McLeod-Namestnikov-Lettieri
Skjei-Pionk
Staal-Shattenkirk (oh boy)
Smith-McQuaid
Lundqvist (backed up by Mazanec)
Per @BrettCyrgalis— RangerProud (@RangerProud) October 21, 2018
The Rangers outshot the Flames 12-11 in the first period but ended the period down 1-0 as Calgary Flames star Johnny G. scored on a quick backhander with 3:00 exactly remaining in the period.
Just keep spinning, spinning, spinning. #CGYvsNYR pic.twitter.com/Jgt0u9jJuV
— NHL (@NHL) October 21, 2018
The second period started off as the first period ended. With the Rangers playing hard and getting plenty of scoring chances yet unable to beat Flames goaltender David Rittich. Garnet Hathaway scored a backbreaking goal as 12:21 of the second period, giving the Flames a 2-0 lead after the Rangers had put a lot of pressure on the Flames.
The Rangers were outplayed for the rest of the second period with Gaudreau hitting a milestone as he gave the Flames a 3-0 lead with just under six minutes left in the period. Gaudreau recorded his 300th goal on a beautiful scoring play as the Rangers defense continued to have trouble containing the superstar.
That move, though. Real, real good. #CGYvsNYR pic.twitter.com/JkfqK8FZKI
— NHL (@NHL) October 22, 2018
The Rangers again outshot the Flames 13-10 and again they had a giant goose egg on the scoreboard.
The third period started slowly as there were only four shots on goal between both teams. Following a Flames penalty that was drawn by Brett Howden, The Rangers finally got on the scoreboard with a power play goal by Mika Zibanejad. Neal Pionk and Mats Zuccarello assisted on the third goal of the year by No. 93 as the Rangers now trailed 3-1.
The Rangers game came to life following the Zibanejad goal, but could not score a goal even as the pressure continued to mount. Shot after shot, save after save, Rittich stoned the Rangers from getting any closer as the Flames won the contest 4-1. The Flames scored their fourth goal with 1:51 to go on a breakaway by Hathaway.
Henrik Lundqvist took the loss and now has a record of 2-4-1.
The Rangers will host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night and then will head out on a five-game West coast road trip.
