Rangers vs Canucks: Canucks Defeat Rangers with Three-Goal Second Period
The New York Rangers were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks tonight by a final score of 4-1. The Canucks were able to score three unanswered goals in the second period after both Chris Kreider and Brendan Lemieux were ejected for checks to the head. While Kreider’s ejection was understandable, the officials completely whiffed on Lemieux’s accidental collision with Antoine Roussel.
1-0 Canucks - PPG
Brock Boeser (23) - Josh Leivo (9) & Bo Horvat (26) - 6:07 2nd Period
With the Canucks on an extended power play due to Chris Kreider’s five-minute major, Brock Boeser finally broke the scoreless tie. Josh Leivo made an excellent pass from the right corner and found Boeser all alone in the far faceoff circle. Boeser was able to immediately shoot a one-timer and beat Henrik Lundqvist over the shoulder.
2-0 Canucks
Tyler Motte (8) - Alex Edler (16) & Jacob Markstrom (3) - 9:34 2nd Period
A little over three minutes later, Alex Edler caught the Rangers sleeping with a quick outlet pass from his own goal line. Edler was able to catch Tyler Motte in stride, who broke in on a partial breakaway chance. Motte was able to fight off the backcheck by Neal Pionk, and slipped the puck around Lundqvist’s left leg pad.
3-0 Canucks
Tyler Motte (9) - Antoine Roussel (22) - 9:45 2nd Period
Motte added his second goal of the game just 11 seconds later after a loose puck in the high slot jumped right out into the open space. Motte was able to come in from the neutral zone and unleashed a heavy slap shot that beat Henrik Lundqvist clean on the shoulder once again. Brendan Lemieux was also assessed a game misconduct just prior to the goal after the collision with Antoine Roussel.
3-1 Canucks - PPG
Pavel Buchnevich (16) - Mika Zibanejad (39) & Tony DeAngelo (22) - 10:28 3rd Period
The Rangers finally got on the scoresheet midway through the third period with Pavel Buchnevich’s 16th goal of the season. Mika Zibanejad setup the entire goal with a beautiful saucer pass into the high slot and found Buchnevich with a shooting lane. Buchnevich didn’t get everything behind his shot, but it was enough to beat Jacob Markstrom and brought the Rangers back within a pair.
4-1 Canucks - ENG
Jake Virtanen (13) - Tanner Pearson (7) & Troy Stecher (19) - 19:35 3rd Period
The Canucks iced the game with under 30 seconds remaining in the game as Jake Virtanen scored on the empty net. After numerous failed attempts, Virtanen finally broke out of the defensive zone, flew around Neal Pionk, and gave the Canucks their fourth and final goal of the game.
Following tonight’s loss in Vancouver, the Rangers will have a scheduled off day tomorrow before returning to action on Friday night against the Calgary Flames.