The New York Rangers made it interesting yet again but, were able to hold on and take the final game of their four-game road trip.
- New York Rangers: 3 (5-7-1, 11 points)
- Anaheim Ducks: 2 (5-6-3, 13 points)
- NYR Goals: Kevin Hayes (3), Brett Howden (3)
- ANA Goals: Jakob Silfverberg (4), Rickard Rakell (3)
- NHL. Final (SO). Boxscore.
- Honda Center, Anaheim, California.
This New York Rangers’ road trip began just a week ago in a miserable fashion. A 4-1 loss to the Blackhawks and a 4-3 loss to the Kings had most in doubt that this trip would be anything but successful.
With their 3-2 shootout victory over Anaheim Thursday night, all of the frustration the start of the trip brought had gone completely out the window.
This affair went from being dull to start to an exciting finish. But, that did not mean there was trouble along the way. Yet again the Blueshirts blew a one-goal lead in the final seconds and yet again required the five minute three on three period to sort the final score of this one out.
Despite the great action, it required the shootout or skills competition as some call it, to determine the outcome. Alexandar Georgiev stopped both shooters he faced in the shootout as Mats Zuccarello and Mika Zibanejad would score the Ranger goals.
RangersTown reacts to Mika’s shootout winner in Anaheim!
Excited to come back ? to the #NYR fans @TheGarden on Sunday night.
Get your ? now ⬇️— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 2, 2018
A couple of players really stood out for the Blueshirts in this one. Brett Howden continued to show that he belongs after he went up against some of the games best centers this trip. He capitalized on a beautiful passing play between him and Jimmy Vesey to give the Rangers the 2-1 lead heading into the final minutes of the second period.
Tic. Tac. Toe. HOWDY!#NYR pic.twitter.com/fDKHZx7Sc0
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) November 2, 2018
Georgiev was equally as impressive as Howden was putting to rest any questions surrounding the 22-year-old netminder. He finished the night with 28 saves against 30 shots, having no shot to stop the Ducks two goals.
Kevin Hayes put the Rangers on the board early in the second period on the power play giving him a two-game points streak.
Rangers grab the 1-0 lead in Anaheim thanks to Kevin Hayes. #NYR pic.twitter.com/hnW4cK28N1
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) November 2, 2018
Pavel Buchnevich was a healthy scratch for the second game in a row. Head coach David Quinn felt it was important to give the lineup against San Jose another chance to build something and they did just that. Whether or not Buchnevich is in the lineup Sunday.
The Rangers return home Sunday when Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin pay a visit to the Garden.
