Rangers vs Golden Knights: Rangers Fight Back But Fall in Overtime to Vegas
After blowing a three goal lead last game against the Arizona Coyotes, the New York Rangers returned to action this afternoon against the Vegas Golden Knights. Despite a lackluster effort in front of Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers tied the game early in the third period to force overtime. Unfortunately, it took just two minutes into the overtime period for Vegas to come away with two points in their possession. Here is today’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Rangers
Brady Skjei (3) - Assists: Pavel Buchnevich (5) & Kevin Hayes (16)
Much like last game, the Rangers came out flying right from the opening draw in this game, and were rewarded with a goal just 1:13 into regulation. After being pinned in their own zone for a few moments, the Rangers caught a fortunate bounce that sent Pavel Buchnevich and Brady Skjei in a 2-on-1 rush. Buchnevich fed Skjei would a beautiful saucer pass from the far side and Skjei tapped home the easy goal to make it a 1-0 game.
1-1 Tie
Reilly Smith (7) - Assists: Colin Miller (14) & Jonathan Marchessault (15)
That one goal lead would only last for about ten minutes as Reilly Smith quickly evened things back up for the Golden Knights. The goal was a result of a pretty ridiculous bounce off of end glass, which sent the puck flying back over the net and in behind Henrik Lundqvist. Reilly Smith was able to get enough of the puck to shove it over the goal line, and made it a 1-1 game.
2-1 Golden Knights
Paul Stastny (1) - Assists Max Pacioretty (9) & Alex Tuch (13)
Following a pretty mediocre end to the first period, the Rangers were absolutely smoked in the second period for a good portion of the period. The Golden Knights were able to take their first lead of the afternoon with Max Pacioretty setting up Paul Stastny for his first goal of the season. The Rangers had left Lundqvist out to dry on numerous occasions during the game, and this was another prime example of that.
2-2 Tie
Mika Zibanejad (11) - Assists: Kevin Hayes (17) & Mats Zuccarello (9)
Despite holding on for dear life thanks to Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers evened the game on the power play at the 12:10 mark of the second period. This was the first time all period that the Rangers were able to get sustained offensive zone time, and it ended with a bomb of a shot from Mika Zibanejad.
3-2 Golden Knights
William Carrier (7) - Assists: Tomas Nosek (5)
With the Rangers finally looking to turn the corner after a miserable period, Vegas quickly jumped back out in front with a goal coming from William Carrier. The Rangers were burned on yet another odd-man rush chance into the zone, and Carrier was able to take his time picking a corner from the right side of the net.
3-3 Tie
Chris Kreider (15) - Aissts: Kevin Hayes (18)
The Rangers clearly knew they needed to be better after that second period, and they came out with a much better effort in the third period. That eventually lead to Chris Kreider’s 15th goal of the season that tied the game yet again for the Rangers. The play was created seemingly out of nothing with Kreider skating through the neutral zone and whipping a quick wrist shot over the shoulder of Marc-Andre Fleury.
4-3 Golden Knights
Alex Tuch (12) -Paul Stastny (1) & Colin Miller (15)
For the second straight game, the Rangers brought the game to overtime, but were unfortunately dealt the same result. After the Rangers nearly ended the game at one end of the ice, Vegas quickly countered the other way on another 2-on-1 chance, and Alex Tuch iced the game. There wasn’t much room for Tuch to shoot from after receiving the pass from Paul Stastny, but he somehow flipped the puck past Henrik Lundqvist from the goal line.
Following this afternoon’s rough loss in overtime, the Rangers will look ahead to Tuesday night’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden.