Rangers vs. Canadiens: Four Unanswered Goals Propel Blueshirts to Fourth Win In A Row
Goals by DeAngelo, Buchnevich, Pionk and Zibanejad help Rangers complete comeback.
The New York Rangers got off to a rough start after surrendering a goal within the first half minute of play, but the team stormed back with four unanswered goals to cap off a 5-3 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens. The victory was the Rangers’ seventh of the season, and their fourth in a row. Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves in the victory, and improved to 5-6-1 on the season.
1-0 Canadiens
Tomas Tatar (4) - Assists: Jordie Benn (1) and Jeff Petry (10)
The Rangers fell behind 23 seconds into the game after a shot off the stick of Tomas Tatar squeaked through the pads of the Henrik Lundqvist. The play started after an offensive faceoff loss by the Rangers, one that saw both centers thrown out of the drawn. Montreal gained possession and moved up the ice and from there it was all Tatar.
1-1 Tie
Chris Kreider (7) - Assist: Kevin Hayes (3)
The Blueshirts tied things up toward the end of the period after Kevin Hayes attempted a cross crease pass, which was blocked, and then got the puck back and to the stick of Chris Kreider for an easy tap in.
2-1 Canadiens
Tomas Tatar (5) - Assists: Phillip Danault (7) and Brendan Gallagher (2)
Tatar picked up his second goal of the game on a bit of a broken play. Brady Skjei was in front of the net without a stick, and that allowed Danault to throw the puck on goal. Tatar was left undefended and he was able to redirect the puck past Henrik Lundqvist. It was a really sloppy play, and one that the Blueshirts wish they prevented.
3-1 Canadiens
Max Domi (9) - Assists: Brendan Gallagher and Jeff Petry (11)
Domi scored one of his easiest goals of the season on the power play as he was left all alone in front. For some reason all four Rangers were on the same side of the ice and that allowed Gallagher to dish a pass to the front of the net. Domi simply pulled the puck to his backhand and put it up and past Lundqvist.
3-2 Canadiens
Tony DeAngelo (2) - Assists: Kevin Hayes (4) and Jimmy Vesey (2)
At this point of the game things were sloppy, and the Rangers and Canadiens split time killing penalties. In this situation the Blueshirts just had their power play expire and he fired one off the post and in. The goal was created with great puck movement and a series of screens that blocked Carey Price’s vision. The goal was DeAngelo’s second of the season, and highlighted how his ability to get pucks through traffic make him an asset to the team.
3-3 Tie
Pavel Buchnevich (4) - Assists: Marc Staal (3) and Kevin Hayes (5)
The Rangers tied the game after an alert Pavel Buchnevich but home a rebound that Price couldn’t keep under control. Marc Staal took the initial shot which Price bobbled before it was slammed home by Buchnevich. It was a huge goal for Buchnevich who was recently scratched for back-to-back games, and it happened because he was standing in front of the net. These greasy goals are always appreciated by the coaching staff, as it shows a willingness to go into an area where you may get whacked to make a play.
4-3 Rangers
Neal Pionk (2) - Assists: Chris Kreider (4) and Mika Zibanejad (7)
The season is young, but this is already a contender for Ranger goal of the season. Pionk took the puck end to end, and drove hard to the net and slid the puck past Price to give the Blueshirts the lead. The replay showed Pionk pick up a burst of speed, and he looked like a running back who picked up a seam and drove it all the way to the end zone. It was a huge goal for Pionk, and was the game-winning goal.
5-3 Rangers
Mika Zibanejad (6) - Assists: Vladislav Namestnikov (4) and Brady Skjei (6)
Zibanejad scored the Rangers’ fourth unanswered goal, and it was another one created by tenacity and determination. The Rangers won a battle at the blue line, and Zibanejad took it toward the net. His initial chance failed, and he was quick to hop on the rebound and put it past Price to give the Rangers an insurance goal. The goal came 56 seconds after Pionk’s, and it brought the crowd at Madison Square Garden to their feet.
The Rangers are off on Wednesday and Thursday as they start a mini road trip with stops in Detroit on Friday November 9, and Columbus on Saturday November 10.
They will return to MSG on Monday November 12 vs. the Vancouver Canucks.