It was an up and down return to the ice for the New York Rangers but, they manage to hold on to break their three-game losing streak.
- New York Rangers: 5 (14-12-3, 31 points)
- Florida Panthers: 4 (11-11-6, 28 points)
- NYR Goals: Mika Zibanejad (8), Vladislav Namestnikov (3), Matt Beleskey (1), Fredrik Claesson (2)
- FLA Goals: Keith Yandle (5), Jonathan Huberdeau (8), Aaron Ekblad (7), Aleksander Barkov (11)
- NHL. Final (SO). Boxscore.
- BB&T Center, Sunrise, Florida.
Following five days off in between games, the New York Rangers returned to the ice with a 5-4 shootout win over the Florida Panthers.
With the victory, the Blueshirts have swept the season series against Florida after they won the first two games in New York earlier this season.
It was not all pretty for New York who came out buzzing. They outshot Florida 12-7 and took a 2-0 lead after a period, but Florida would end up outshooting the Blueshirts 24-14 the rest of the way.
Despite seeing the negative side on the shot clock, New York managed to stay in it and would end up scoring three goals in the shootout to hold on for the important win.
They would have the lead three separate times but, Florida would come back each time to make this one interesting. Former Ranger Keith Yandle along with his teammate Jonathan Huberdeau was on a mission scoring a combined six points but, it wasn’t enough.
Here are the highlights:
It all started with the Rangers taking advantage of poor coverage in front of Florida’s net and Mika Zibanejad giving them the early 1-0 lead.
First ? of the #NYR Dads Trip presented by @Delta goes to @MikaZibanejad!
Stay tuned on @MSGNetworks pic.twitter.com/GNiqE30GI9
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 9, 2018
Later in the period while shorthanded, Kevin Hayes would use the body and get great position to help set up Vladislav Namestnikov for the short-handed goal and, a 2-0 Blueshirt lead.
1. first career SHG for Namestnikov
2. welcome back Vlad
3. Hayes !! pic.twitter.com/Xcl3M4lJWR— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) December 9, 2018
Florida would collect two goals in the first five minutes of the second period to tie this one up but, only until Brady Skjei got a shot through and a deflection from Matt Beleskey for Beleskey’s first goal as a Rangers and a 3-2 lead.
.@Matt_Beleskey picks a good time to score his 1st goal this season for the #NYR! pic.twitter.com/D7arSdY1tC
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) December 9, 2018
But once again, Florida would tie it and the Rangers would answer taking a 4-3 lead into the second half of the third period, and again, Florida would tie it up and send this one to overtime.
As the extra period was just about to expire, Namestnikov took the puck hard to the net and thought he scored the game-winning goal. It would be waved off after a video review showed Namestnikov hitting the puck past Roberto Luongo with his glove.
This Vladislav Namestnikov game-winner is CALLED OFF. Punched in off the hand. Still in OT. #NYR pic.twitter.com/vu7gx91ajU
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) December 9, 2018
For the second consecutive game, this one went to the shootout where Zibanejad and Kevin Shattenkirk would give the Blueshirts a 2-1 shootout lead. That all set-up Hayes for the game-winner and the Blueshirts breaking their three-game losing streak.
First Zibs, then Shatty, then Kevin Hayes as he wins it in the shootout 5-4 on the dad road trip. #NYR pic.twitter.com/PLImzxfqA7
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) December 9, 2018
New York will have the day off to celebrate the win Sunday. They return to the ice Monday when they face former Rangers Ryan McDonagh, J.T. Miller, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Anton Stralman, and the rest of the Tampa Bay Lightning in Tampa.
Have to love the way #NYR came out to start this one, they lead it 2-0 after one pic.twitter.com/3Gj8lZiSfA
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) December 9, 2018
That was a tough second period but, Blueshirts still have a chance to get two points in this one #NYR pic.twitter.com/L8NMvVAMD8
— Dom Renna (@drennaESNY) December 9, 2018
A gorgeous pass from Hoffman leads to a gorgeous goal from Yandle. pic.twitter.com/WU76SR4BwI
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 9, 2018
Huby scored a goal to earn his 300th @NHL point tonight vs. NYR! pic.twitter.com/4v6of05YpG
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 9, 2018
Ek marks the spot. pic.twitter.com/hUA7TiY8Z9
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) December 9, 2018