Rangers Recap: Rangers down Coyotes 5-2 (Gaborik Update)
I'll put this here since it's just that important. As per Andrew Gross:
Marian Gaborik, who left the ice late in third period after colliding with one of the Coyotes, spent a long time in the trainers room after the game but was not limping when he emerged.
Gaborik, who seemed to be flexing his right leg as he left the ice, would not specify the problem only to say it wasn’t related to his groin or hip, injuries that limited him to 17 games last season. Gaborik also wouldn’t speculate as to whether he’d be on the ice for the Rangers’ noon practice tomorrow or for their game Wednesday against the Islanders.
“We’ll see how everything is in the morning,” Gaborik said
So good news there. Still nothing official but I will take it. From the replays it did not look that bad but I didn't want to speculate. Although I will say that--as I said in the chat--him not coming out during a 5-2 lead meant nothing. With his history they were probably being very careful. Now onto the recap!
The Rangers came into the game tonight against the Coyotes looking to break a three game losing streak. They did just that in a 5-2 rout of the Phoenix Coyotes tonight. Marian Gaborik had two goals and an assist to help lead the Rangers (8-3-1) to their first win in over a week.
During that week the Rangers found themselves on the wrong side of the score sheet for a variety of different reasons especially the amount of penalties they were taking and the turnovers in the neutral zone. Both problems were non-existent tonight and the Rangers overpowered the Coyotes.
Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant making 32 saves in his 7th win of the year and 149th in his career. Vinny Prospal, Enver Lisin and Artem Anisimov were the other goal scorers for the Rangers in a complete 60 minute effort. The Rangers were able to keep the Coyotes to the outside most of the night, and simply overpowered them in the offensive zone. Don't sell the Coyotes short here either, they are a very good young hockey team who work very hard and are a tough team to play.
This was a big win for the Rangers, but was not without it's problems. Marian Gaborik limped off the ice after the game and did not come out to salute the crowd when he was awarded the number one star of the night. I will update when we figure out what happened, but as on 9:57 p.m. tonight, no one knows anything. (Updated above)
Here are some "slap shots" from tonight's game:
- The Rangers went 2 for 5 on the power play as they continue to covert on the power play.
- The more I think about it the more I like the trade for Lisin, he has been fantastic and really fits this system.
- It was nice to see Petr Pruchaback onto the Garden ice, the fans treated him well. So did the Coyotes who gave him 13:09 minutes of ice time, which was three minutes more than he played in his entire career under Tom Renney.
- Michael Del Zotto had two assists and played brilliantly on defense. He looks better and better each game he plays.
- Christopher Higgins might not have scored tonight but he played a great game. If he is not going to score I want to see more games like tonight.
- Donald Brashearrecorded an assist on the Anisimov goal, his first point as a Rangers.
- Both Higgins and Brandon Dubinskyresponded to the benching, both playing great games--Dubinsky even added two assists.
- Tell me that Marian Gaborik's second goal was not complete "eye candy." That's a goal a true sniper scores, so that means it's a goal the Rangers haven't seen since 1912. (I'm in a joking mood tonight)
- Prospalalso had a great game with a goal and two assists.
- Gaborik finished the game with two goals and one assist for a three point effort. Giving him an NHL high 10 goals and 8 assists for 18 points, second in the NHL behind Anze Kopitar who has 21.