Rangers vs Coyotes: Late Goal Against Leads to Overtime Disappointment at MSG
Following a three day layoff, the New York Rangers returned to action at Madison Square Garden against the Arizona Coyotes. After jumping out to an early 3-0 lead, the Rangers slowly let that lead slip away and it eventually led to a disappointing outcome in overtime yet again. Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Rangers
Pavel Buchnevich (6) - Assists: Filip Chytil (6) & Jimmy Vesey (8)
The New York Rangers had some much needed additions to their lineup tonight with the return of Pavel Buchnevich and Mats Zuccarello. Their impact was evident pretty early on in this game as Buchnevich put the Rangers up 1-0 just four minutes into the first period. Filip Chytil made an excellent no-look pass off to the side of the net and found Buchnevich wide open on the far side of the ice.
2-0 Rangers
Kevin Hayes (8) - Assists: Mats Zuccarello (8)
The Rangers continued to have success on the power play later on in the first period with Kevin Hayes doubling up the lead off of a deflection in front of the net. This time around, it was Mats Zuccarello setting up the entire goal with a beautiful spin pass over to Hayes with was cutting across the high slot.
3-0 Rangers
Mika Zibanejad (10) - Assists: Neal Pionk (13) & Kevin Hayes (15)
Early on in the second period, the Rangers put up the three spot on the number one penalty killing units with Zibanejad’s tenth goal of the season. It was from his typical spot above the left faceoff circle and he absolutely ripped a wrist shot over the shoulder of Adin Hill. Chris Kreider provided the perfect screen in front of the net and moved out of the way just as the shot was coming in on net.
3-1 Rangers
Jordan Oesterle (3) - Assists: Clayton Keller (14) & Nick Schmaltz (13)
The Coyotes finally answered back with a power play goal of their own nearly five minutes later and finally broke the shutout of Henrik Lundqvist. Jordan Oesterle picked up his third goal of the season with an absolute cannon of a shot from inside the blue line, and went in after ticking off of Henrik Lundqvist’s glove hand.
3-2 Rangers
Josh Archibald (3) Assists: Derek Stepan (8) & Alex Goligoski (10)
After having control for a majority of this game, the Rangers let their lead quickly slip away in the third period. With under seven minutes remaining, the Coyotes planted the seed of doubt with a slam dunk goal by Josh Archibald from just above the crease. Derek Stepan setup Archibald with the pass after corralling the puck in the corner.
3-3 Tie
Oliver Ekman-Larsson (3) - Assists: Clayton Keller (15) & Nick Cousins (7)
The Coyotes would eventually tie the game at the 16:59 mark with an off-angle cannon by Oliver Ekman-Larsson which beat Lundqvist on the glove side. Ekman-Larsson caught the puck as it was on edge, and that slight change of direction gave Lundqvist trouble as it came on net.
4-3 Coyotes
Derek Stepan (7) - Assists: Nick Schmaltz (14)
After coming all the way back from three goals down, the Coyotes officially completed the comeback with 30 seconds remaining courtesy of Derek Stepan. The goal came after two crazy back and forth rushes at both ends of the ice before Stepan eventually capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush into the offensive zone. Stepan was able to snap a shot from just inside the faceoff circle and beat Lundqvist over the shoulder to give the Coyotes the 4-3 victory.
Following tonight’s collapse, the Rangers will have a scheduled off day tomorrow before returning to action on Sunday afternoon against the Vegas Golden Knights.