Rangers vs Avalanche: Rangers Tie Game Late, But Fall 3-2 in Overtime to Colorado

The New York Rangers were able to salvage a point from tonight’s game as they were defeated 3-2 in overtime by the Colorado Avalanche. After trailing through two periods, the Rangers were able to rally back with a late third period goal by Pavel Buchnevich with 13 seconds remaining. However, an early overtime goal by J.T. Compher sent the Rangers home with just a single point as he ended the game in favor of Colorado at 2:50 of overtime.

1st Period

Mika Zibanejad (41) - Philip Di Giuseppe (3) & Adam Fox (33) - 6:28 1st Period

It seems like throughout every game, it’s only a matter of time before Mika Zibanejad finds a way to score a goal. Tonight, it took only 6:28 into the first period as Zibanejad ripped a quick wrist shot from inside the right faceoff circle. Pavel Francouz was unable to get his glove hand on the heavy wrist shot, and Zibanejad’s goal gave New York an early 1-0 lead in this game.

Tyson Jost (8) PPG - Gabriel Landeskog (22) & Cale Makar (36) - 11:27 1st Period

However, just a few moments later, Colorado was able to answer on the power play as they knotted the game up at one. Following a too many men call on the Rangers, Colorado went to work on the man-advantage and capitalized just 25 seconds into the power play. Tyson Jost broke into the zone following a pass from Gabriel Landeskog, and wired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Alexandar Georgiev.

2nd Period

Vladislav Namesnikov (17) PPG - Cale Makar (37) & Gabriel Landeskog (23) - 3:55 2nd Period

The Rangers’ penalty troubles carried over to the second period as Brendan Smith was sent off the ice for tripping Tyson Jost. Colorado was able to make quick work of the Rangers with the man-advantage yet again as Vladislav Namesnikov registered his 17th goal of the season. J.T. Compher made life difficult for Georgiev as he stepped right in front of the goaltender, and Georgiev never even caught a glimpse of the puck as it came in on goal.

3rd Period

Pavel Buchnevich (16) - Artemi Panarin (63) & Adam Fox (34) - 19:47 3rd Period

After having handfuls of scoring chances throughout the third period, the Rangers finally located the tying goal with 13 seconds remaining in regulation. Not so surprisingly, Artemi Panarin was the man who created the chance with an elevated centering pass through the crease. Pavel Buchnevich was able to deflect the puck out of midair and in behind Pavel Fancouz to send this game to overtime.

Overtime

J.T. Compher (11) - Cale Makar (38) & Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (13) - 2:50 OT

The Rangers continued to pressure during the overtime period, and following another puck off of the post by Mika Zibanejad, the Avalanche iced the game. Cale Makar’s wrist shot through traffic wound up redirecting off of J.T. Compher’s stick and deflected under the crossbar. Alexandar Georgiev read the initial shot as he reached for the puck with his glove, but the deflection was too much to handle and Colorado took the game by a final score of 3-2.

Despite losing in the extra frame, luck was on the Rangers side tonight as they were able to tie the game with less than 30 seconds remaining. With all of the chances they had throughout the night, the Rangers certainly deserved the point they were able to come away with. With the NHL expected to make an announcement tomorrow regarding the remainder of the season due to the coronavirus, the rest of the schedule remains in question. As it stands right now, the Rangers are scheduled to play the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night pending any cancellations the league may enact.