New York Rangers Recap: OT Loss On Opening Day
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the New York Rangers in overtime today 3-2, thanks to a power play goal by Jack Johnson.
Ryan McDonaugh was called for tripping 2:51 into the OT period, and the Kings capitalized. After a solid kill, the Rangers finally let up with fifty two seconds left, allowing a one timer.
The Rangers still receive a point from the tough match up, but after that battle, it's disappointing not to get the win.
Henrik Lundqvist was absolutely outstanding today, stopping shots all over the place. Lundqvist allowed three goals on thirty shots, while Kings goalie Jonathan Quick allowed two goals on twenty six shots against.
The Rangers started off slow, not registering a shot through what seemed like the first half of the first period. Anze Kopitar scored the first goal of the season ten minutes and fifty one seconds into the first period.
Ryan Callahan said "anything you can do I can do better," though, as he sniped a shot from the left corner past Quick for the Rangers' first of the year.
The second period did not see any goals, and the third got off to a slow start as well. Finally, 10:28 into the third, Marian Gaborik scored on a fight for the puck play. Brad Richards set up the goal, with Brandon Dubinsky helping as well.
The Kings responded, as Mike Richards zoomed one past Lundqvist to tie the game. Johnson ended it in OT, and the Rangers finished with a tough first loss of the season.
Follow me for more after the jump.
First, the defense.
-Michael Sauer made some outstanding plays throughout the game. He didn't make too many bonehead plays, either.
-Steve Eminger seemed a little lost, but he did get more time on ice than Tim Erixon.
-Speaking of Tim Erixon, the rookie was penalized for delay of game in the second. Other than that, the nerves didn't show much.
-Ryan McDonaugh's trip in OT led to the PP goal for the Kings. McDonaugh was fantastic besides that one play.
-Michael Del Zotto was reluctant to make certain plays, possibly ending some scoring chances. Despite that, he held his own on the ice. Big key for the Rangers this season will be Del Zotto's defensive play.
Onto the offense.
-Brandon Dubinsky fit in perfectly with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik. Dubinsky helped a ton on Gaborik's goal, and if the Selke Award was given based on one game, Dubsinky would win it.
-Richards and Gaborik complimented each other well in the first game. Hopefully that's a sign of things to come.
-Ryan Callahan's goal was a snipe, but the story of his game was that the Captain took eleven shots.
-Derek Stepan won three of his four face-offs, while Brad Richards won nine of his eleven.
-Stepan, Wotjek Wolski, and Mats Zuccarello were invisible. Tortorella buried the three on the depth chart very quickly, and they could not recover. More so for Wolski/Zuccarello than Stepan, though.
Thoughts?
Back at it tomorrow at 1 PM ET vs. the Anaheim Ducks.