Rangers vs Blues: Rangers Score Four Unanswered and Top Blues 4-2
Following a mini two-game losing streak, the New York Rangers jumped back into the win column tonight against the St. Louis Blues. After going down 2-0 in the first period, New York rattled off four straight goals to defeat St. Louis 4-2 in regulation. Pavel Buchnevich had another impressive night as he registered two points, while Jimmy Vesey was credited with the game-winning goal.
1-0 Blues
Vladimir Tarasenko (30) - Brayden Schenn (34) & Ryan O’Reilly (45) - 14:35 1st Period
The Blues took the first lead in this game as Vladimir Tarasenko scored from an impossible angle, and put St. Louis up 1-0. Brayden Schenn created the chance by making a short pass over to Tarasenko, who was positioned on the goal line. Despite having no room to shoot, Tarasenko put the puck on net and it somehow popped over Alexandar Georgiev’s right pad from in close.
2-0 Blues
David Perron (21) - Jaden Schwartz (25) - 15:02 1st Period
Just 27 seconds after the opening goal, the Blues came right back down the ice and doubled up their lead. New York was caught puck watching as Jaden Schwartz flew down the right side of the ice, and everyone forgot about David Perron at the top of the crease. Schwartz made a quick pass over to Perron, who tipped home the puck and gave St. Louis a commanding 2-0 lead.
2-1 Blues
Ryan Stome (17) - Unassisted - 2:22 2nd Period
The Rangers needed a quick response and they got just that early in the second period. Ryan Strome was able to bring the Rangers back within a goal at the 2:22 mark after tapping home a loose puck in the crease. Jordan Binnington was unable to handle the initial shot by Vladislav Namestnikov, and wound up dropping the puck behind him. St. Louis was unable to clear the crease, and Strome poked home his 17th goal of the season.
2-2 Tie
Pavel Buchnevich (19) - Mika Zibanejad (41) - 3:42 2nd Period
A little over a minute later, the Rangers came back to tie the game on Pavel Buchnevich’s 19th goal of the year. Chris Kreider was able to make an excellent play on Colton Parayko and prevented him from getting a clearing attempt on the puck. Mika Zibanejad was able to collect the loose puck, and immediately fed a cross-ice pass over to Buchnevich on the far post. Without any hesitation, Buchnevich one-timed the puck past Binnington and knotted up the game at two.
3-2 Rangers
Jimmy Vesey (17) - Brett Howden (15) & Vinni Lettieri (1) - 5:47 3rd Period
Early in the third period, the Rangers fought all the way back from down two goals and finally took their first lead of the evening. Jimmy Vesey was able to cash in on another rebound given up by Jordan Binnington, and shoveled the puck into the empty net. Just seconds prior, Binnington made an excellent sprawling save on Brett Howden, but he was unable to recover on the second chance.
4-2 Rangers
Chris Kreider (27) - Pavel Buchnevich (17) & Neal Pionk (18) - 19:52 3rd Period
With the Rangers just barely clinging to their 3-2 lead, they finally scored the insurance with eight seconds remaining in regulation time. Chris Kreider was able to settle down a centering feed from Pavel Buchnevich, and iced the game with his 27th goal of the season.
Following tonight’s comeback win, the Rangers will have a scheduled off day tomorrow before returning to action on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Flyers.