Rangers vs. Senators: Rangers Rally With Three Goals in Final Five Minutes

After nearly two periods of uneventful hockey, the New York Rangers flipped the switch in the third period to overcome a two-goal and defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2. Chris Kreider, Ryan Lindgren and Barclay Goodrow all scored for the Rangers to complete the comeback, and completely turn the tides in Ottawa after trailing for 41 minutes. Alexandar Georgiev had a relatively rocky game in the crease after allowing a goal on the first shot, and a questionable goal early in the third period. However, he did have a strong second period to keep the Rangers afloat with Ottawa pressuring in the offensive zone.

1st Period

Nick Paul (2) - Tim Stutzle (2) & Connor Brown (4) - 0:41

Under a minute into the game, the Senators were able to transition the puck out of their own zone and turn it into the game’s first goal at the other end. Tim Stutzle created the play with great speed through the neutral zone to step around Adam Fox, and found Nick Paul in the middle of the ice. Even with four different Rangers’ players in the vicinity, no one made a play for the puck and Paul was able to get off a quick wrist shot. Alexadar Georgiev was surprised with the quick shot and it beat him over the glove hand to give Ottawa the early lead.

2nd Period

No scoring.

3rd Period

Josh Norris (2) - Unassisted - 1:04

The Rangers had pretty much nothing going throughout the first two periods of this game, and a costly turnover by Artemiy Panarin burned New York on the scoresheet. While the turnover didn’t lead to an immediate manpower disadvantage, Josh Norris was able to carry the puck into the offensive zone uncontested. Norris fired a very low percentage shot from just inside the blue line, and Alexandar Georgiev completely botched the save as the puck slipped under his right leg pad.

Chris Kreider (4) - Artemiy Panarin (3) & Mika Zibanejad (5) PPG - 14:37

As bad as the afternoon was for the Rangers, they were able to pull back within a goal late in the third period with a power play goal from Chris Kreider. The trio of Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kredier and Artemiy Panarin had a rough day in Ottawa, but they certainly made up for it with a crisp passing play to get the Rangers on the board. Chris Kreider finished off a beautiful centering feed from Panain as he cut through the crease, and tapped the puck past Matt Murray. Murray wound up getting injured on the play as he stretched across the crease, and was replaced with Anton Forsberg for the remainder of the game.

Ryan Lindgren (1) - Adam Fox (4) & Chris Kreider (1) - 15:52

A little over a minute after their opening goal, the Rangers stunned Ottawa with the tying goal while skating at 4-on-4 after matching minor penalties to Jacob Trouba and Tim Stutzle. Adam Fox did was Adam Fox does best and completely took over the ice with a great move towards the goal line. Fox found Ryan Lindgren camped out at the top of the crease just like we all expected, and Lindgren redirected home his first of the season.

Barclay Goodrow (2) - Sammy Blais (3) & Jacob Trouba (1) - 17:57

As if the previous few minutes weren’t wild enough, the Rangers officially completed the comeback with about two minutes remaining in regulation. Chris Kreider did great work below the goal line to keep the play alive, and after a failed clearing attempt by Ottawa, the puck came to Sammy Blais. Rather than waiting, Blais immediately threw a shot towards the front of the net and Barclay Goodrow deflected the puck past Anton Forsberg. The goal gave New York their first lead of the evening as they erased a two-goal deficit in a span of 3:20.

As bad as the Rangers played throughout the first 40 minutes, they completely redeemed themselves in a five minute span. The win gives the Rangers a spotless road trip as they head back to New York with eight points in hand, and sit in first place of the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers will be back at Madison Square Garden on Monday night as they welcome in the Calgary Flames, who took a 4-3 win in Washington this afternoon.