Rangers vs Stars: Rangers Win Sixth Straight Game at MSG
The New York Rangers rattled off their sixth straight win at Madison Square Garden this evening as they defeated the Dallas Stars 2-1 in regulation. Filip Chytil scored the game-winning goal on a wicked wrist shot and extended his goal streak to four straight games. The Rangers were able to close out the win with a solid defensive effort in the third period to crawl back within two points of the division lead. Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Stars
Tyler Seguin PPG - Assists: Esa Lindell (6) & Jason Spezza (10)
After an absolutely dominating period by the Dallas Stars in the offensive zone, they were finally rewarded early in the 2nd period with a power play goal. Tyler Seguin was the recipient after he ripped a wrist shot through traffic in front and gave the Stars the early 1-0 lead. Henrik Lundqvist never even saw the shot coming with Jamie Benn posted up in front of the net.
1-1 Tie
Jimmy Vesey (7) - Marc Staal (4) & Brett Howden (8)
About seven minutes after the Stars’ first goal, Jimmy Vesey brought this game back to even with a highlight reel goal in the high slot. Much like Brett Howden’s goal earlier in the season, Vesey collected a pass in his skates and quickly shoveled the puck on net as he was falling to the ice. Ben Bishop had already dropped to his knees and was scrambling back into position when Vesey’s shot slipped through his legs. That goal gave both the Rangers and the crowd some life after a deflating start to this game.
2-1 Rangers
Filip Chytil (4) - Assists: Brendan Smith (3)
After finding the tying goal midway through the period, the Rangers had completely shifted the momentum back in their favor and had the Stars back on their heels. That eventually led to Filip Chytil’s masterful 1-on-2 effort to give the Rangers their first and only lead of the evening. Chytil did an excellent job of using the defender as a screen and absolutely bombed a shot past Anton Khudobin to make it a 2-1 game.
** Note: Ben Bishop left the game after the second period with a reported lower-body injury and was replaced by Anton Khudobin.
Following tonight’s hard fought win, the Rangers will have a scheduled off day tomorrow before their second meeting of the season with the New York Islanders on Wednesday night.