Rangers Vs. Maple Leafs Recap: Rangers Blowout Maple Leafs 7-1

The New York Rangers absolutely decimated the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight by a score of 7-1, and put on their most offensively dominant performance all season long. Just to give you an idea of how dominant the Rangers were, 15 different Rangers picked up points tonight, and Dominic Moore picked up two goals of his own as well. Surprisingly enough, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello were two of three Rangers who didn't pick up a point tonight, but they were extremely active tonight in the offensive zone.

Aside from the first shift of the game, the Rangers completely outworked the Maple Leafs all game long, and were winning all of the puck battles in all three zones. For the second time in three games, the Rangers were able to pick up the first goal of the game, and they grabbed a 1-0 lead seven minutes into the first period. At first it appeared as if Dan Girardi's was the recipient of the first goal, but it was later credited to Carl Hagelin who got a piece of the puck on the way in.

Ten minutes after Hagelin's goal, Dominic Moore chipped in his second goal of the season as he completely fooled Jonathan Bernier, and beat him through the five hole to make it 2-0. It was an absolutely perfect road period for the Rangers, and they were able to jump out to a two goal lead as well.

During the second period things continued to go in the right direction for the Rangers, and they wound up chipping in three more goals to extend their lead to 5-0, which tied a season high in goals. Benoit Pouliot picked up the first goal of the period off of a beautiful cross-ice feed from Marc Staal. Then four minutes later, it was Chris Kreider who dropped his shoulder and drove to the net while absolutely burning Cody Franson at the blue line. Kreider finished off his power move with a nifty move to the backhand, and slip it past Bernier for the 4-0 lead.

Two minutes later, with his best Kreider-like impression, Dominic Moore picked up his second goal of the game as he chipped the puck over the glove hand of Bernier. That would be the last goal that Bernier would allow as Randy Carlyle yanked his goaltender, and replaced him with James Reimer, who would finish out the rest of the game.

With a little over two minutes remaining in the period, the Maple Leafs finally got on the board courtesy of Joffrey Lupul after a wicked release from the right circle, and toasted Cam Talbot over his glove hand. Just prior to the goal, Talbot wound up denying Lupul on two rebound chances in front, but unfortunately for him, Lupul wound up finding the back of the net shortly after.

Much like the second period, the Rangers carried over their dominance once more, and were able to convert twice more to close out this high scoring outburst. Brad Richards picked up the sixth goal just nine minutes into the third, and ripped a shot through the five hole of Reimer on a 2-on-1 rush. Ryan Callahan made a terrific play in the neutral zone to win a puck battle, and was able to chip the puck up to Richards who made it count.

Finally, with about four minutes remaining in regulation, Brian Boyle closed out the scoring with a redirection in front on the power play, and it gave the Rangers an uncontested 7-1 lead. Cam Talbot was able to shutdown the Leafs for a majority of the game, and the Rangers eventually picked up the two points with a 7-1 win.

This was a huge game for the Rangers, as they've been offensively stale for a majority of this season, and maybe this was finally the coming out game that they needed. Tomorrow will be an off day for the Rangers as they make their way back to New York, and will take on the Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night at Madison Square Garden.