October 11, 2009 - New York Rangers 3, Anaheim Ducks 0 (Game #5, Home #2)

Click Here For The Official Game Summary

• The Rangers defeated the Anaheim Ducks, 3-0, in front of a sold-out crowd (18,200) at Madison Square Garden to extend their winning streak to four games.
• New York has sold out 158 consecutive regular season games, dating back to November 5, 2005 against New Jersey; the last regular season non-sellout was October 31, 2005 vs. Montreal (17,697); including the playoffs, the Rangers sellout streak is now at 172 games.
• The Blueshirts improved to 4-1-0 overall, including a 2-0-0 mark at home; the Rangers are in the midst of a six-game home winning streak dating back to last season, and are 10-1-0 in their last 11 regular season games at MSG.
• New York tallied two goals in five power play opportunities, and have now registered five power play goals in their last three games (5-14, 35.7%).
• Rangers goaltender Steve Valiquette made 18 saves to record his fourth career shutout.
• Ales Kotalik opened the game's scoring on the man advantage at 2:14 of the third period to extend his goal-scoring streak to three games (three goals).
• Rookie Artem Anisimov registered his first career NHL goal with a power play tally at 14:22 of the third period; he has now recorded a point in each of the last two games (one goal and two points).
• Marian Gaborik collected an assist on Kotalik's power play goal, and has now registered at least one point in each of the Rangers five games this season (four goals and seven points).
• Two Rangers players - Michael Del Zotto (two goals and five points) and Vinny Prospal (one goal and five points) - collected one power play assist apiece to extend their respective point streaks to four games.
• Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi notched a shorthanded, empty-net goal with 1:59 remaining in regulation to seal the victory for New York.
• Sean Avery registered a power play assist and delivered five hits in his return to the lineup.
• The Rangers return to action tomorrow, October 12, when they will face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m.); prior to the game, the team's morning skate is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Madison Square Garden.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on Steve Valiquette...

"Valley (Valiquette) made some big saves at some key times.  He played very well.  I am happy for him.  He goes about his business.  He is kind of a forgotten man.  If we want to get where we want to be, he is going to have to play well for us and he certainly played well for us tonight."

John Tortorella on the defense...

"I think the strongest point of our defense is how they get up in the neutral zone.  There wasn't much zone time in our end zone.  That is due to them getting up the ice.  I thought all of the defense, including the forwards fore-checking was important to us.  We made some good defensive plays."

Steve Valiquette on having a shutout at home...

"It feels good.  It is such a team effort, so much goes into it.  It is not a goaltending record, it is a team effort."

Ales Kotalik on tonight's game...

"We played a solid game right from the start.  We knew they had a game yesterday, so we were pressing.  Some chances hit cross bars.  We had been saying to just stay with it (and) be patient, and things are going to happen for us.  They did (tonight).  We made a difference in the power plays.  That is why we are up there (in the standings)."