The New York Rangers head into the bye week on a three-game winning streak as they defeat the Boston Bruins 3-2.
New York Rangers: 3
Boston Bruins: 2
NYR Goals: Chytil (9), Zibanejad (16), Zibanejad, PPG (17)
BOS Goals: Heinen (6), Marchand (19)
NHL, Boxscore
Venue: TD Arena
The New York Rangers played in their last game until after the All-Star break and made sure they would enjoy their extended vacation by defeating the Boston Bruins by a final of 3-2.
The first period was pretty even early on as the Blueshirts took three penalties. But with just over two minutes to play, center Brett Howden was hooked off the puck with no penalty called as he was deep in his own end. Boston stole the puck and Danton Heinen scored as he outmuscled Brady Skjei to give Boston a 1-0 lead.
Just 11 seconds later, Filip Chytil picked up the puck in his own end, rushed down the right side of the ice, cut in front and scored over the shoulder of Tuukka Rask.
When Chytil lifted the puck past the Bruins goalie, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy hit Chytil who collided into Rusk. As the Rangers celebrated, Rusk laid motionless and eventually was helped off the ice. Jaroslav Halak was forced to come into the game.
The first period ended tied 1-1 with the Bruins outshooting the Rangers 10-7.
The second period began with the Rangers going to the power play just 24 seconds into the stanza as Patrice Bergeron took a high-sticking penalty against Chris Kreider. The power play didn’t result in a goal, but the momentum sure helped the offense.
At 5:22, Mika Zibanejad netted his 16th of the year as he tipped in a Brady Skjei shot, giving the Rangers a 2-1 lead. The play developed by Mats Zuccarello winning the face-off clean back to the point.
Mika Zibanejad and Mats Zuccarello each extended their point streak to five games, and each player has recorded eight points over that span (each player has also tallied four goals and four assists over the span).
RangersTown is loud in Boston after #NYR take the lead! pic.twitter.com/1hqa7FD6xm
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 20, 2019
The Rangers dominated play for most of the second period, outshooting the Bruins 7-6 and scoring the only goal of the period.
The Boston Bruins started the third period with an expected push and was able to tie the game at two on a goal by Brad Marchand. Henrik Lundqvist attempted to shoot around from behind his cage but was slow to move the puck. Boston was able to get possession and get it to the front, finishing the play with the puck in the Rangers’ net.
The Rangers found themselves on a power play after Zdeno Chara took a delay of the game penalty at 9:05 of the period. This time the power play took advantage as Mika Zibanejad scored his second of the game and 17th of the year to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
Zibanejad rifled a hard shot just under the crossbar to the right of the Bruins goalie. The play was extended on a great stretch by defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk who assisted on the goal with Mats Zuccarello. It was Mika’s fifth goal in the last three games.
With 4:33 left in the contest, Bruins Chris Wagner hit Jesper Fast who did not have the puck. Adam McQuaid took offense to the hit and went after Wagner. The end result was a power play for the Bruins, but not before Fast was sent to the locker room for a concussion test.
The Rangers killed off that penalty thanks to some great save by Lundqvist and went on to win the game by a final of 3-2. For Henrik, it was his 446th career win, placing him sixth all-time.
That’s @NHL win 446 for Henrik!
He now has sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list passing Terry Sawchuk.
Congrats HEN-RIK! #NYR pic.twitter.com/vohQ6rgI0B
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 20, 2019
The Rangers’ next game will be Tuesday, Jan. 29 at home against Philadelphia.
Highlight Reel
Filip Chytil with a beautiful move to tie the game in the first period.
Mika Zibanejad gives the Blueshirts a 2-1 lead of a face-off win by Mats Zuccarello.
Zibanejad gives the Rangers a 3-2 lead with a power-play goal in the third period.
