Rangers vs Red Wings: Rangers Lose Fifth Straight in Loss to Red Wings 3-2
The New York Rangers dropped their fifth straight game this evening in a 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. Detroit combined for two goals through 40 minutes, and Andreas Athansiou added a third period tally to put the Rangers away. Brendan Smith brought the Rangers back within a goal with nine seconds remaining, but the comeback bid came a little too late.
1-0 Red Wings
Frans Nielsen (10) - Taro Hirose (1) & Brian Lashoff (1) - 17:16 1st Period
The Red Wings came away with the first goal in this game late in the third period courtesy of Frans Nielsen. Taro Hirose made a great play in the neutral zone and chipped the puck to Nielsen in stride. Nielsen was able to collect the puck and made a strong power move around John Gilmour to create some space. Nielsen then finished off the move with a quick transition to his forecheck and slammed the puck past Henrik Lundqvist.
2-0 Red Wings
Andreas Athanasiou (27) - Jacob de la Rose (6) & Michael Rasmussen (10) - 4:30 2nd Period
Early in the second period, the Red Wings doubled up their lead with Andreas Athanasiou’s first goal of the evening. Jacob de la Rose absolutely burned the Rangers in the neutral zone, and created a 2-on-1 afte receiving a pass from Michael Rasmussen. Jacob de la Rose immediately fed a pass across to Athanasiou on the far side and he buried the puck on the far side.
2-1 Red Wings - PPG
Ryan Strome (14) - Kevin Shattenkirk (24) & Pavel Buchnevich (14) - 14:46 3rd Period
It took nearly 55 minutes, but the Rangers finally got on the board with a power play goal coming from Ryan Strome. Following some quick puck movement, the puck made its way out to Kevin Shattenkirk, who ripped a slap shot towards Jimmy Howard. The rebound kicked right out to Ryan Strome on the right post and he shoveled the puck home on the empty net.
3-1 Red Wings
Andreas Athanasiou (28) - Unassisted - 19:06 3rd Period
Andreas Athanasiou eventually put the game away for the Red Wings with under a minute to play, and put Detroit up by a pair of goals. Pavel Buchnevich had a golden scoring chance just prior to the goal, but was robbed by Jimmy Howard. The puck immediately kicked out to Athanasiou, who out-muscled Brady Skjei and scored on the yawning net.
3-2 Red Wings
Brendan Smith (3) - Brett Howden (13) & Neal Pionk (17) - 19:50 3rd Period
The Rangers made things interesting with under 30 seconds to play as Brendan Smith picked up his third goal of the season. Neal Pionk’s point shot generated a big rebound at the top of the crease, and Smith was in the right place to slam home the rebound. Unfortunately, the Rangers fell short on time and lost the game 3-2 in regulation.
Following yet another loss, the Rangers will have an extended break before returning to action on Saturday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.