Recap: Golden Knights Top Rangers 3–2 in OT After Controversial Late Call

Right back at it on home ice, the New York Rangers hosted the Vegas Golden Knights in the second half of a back-to-back. Immediately following their OT loss to the Colorado Avalanche the day prior, the Rangers looked to snap their winless streak as they came into this one 0-4 on the season in the second game of their back-to-back’s. A couple of changes to the lineup as Jaroslav Chmelar—who was called up last night—took the place of Taylor Raddysh on the fourth line. Additionally, Jonathan Quick saw his return to the Rangers’ net as he saw his first start since going on IR two weeks ago. 

Lastly, stick taps to Rangers Captain J.T. Miller as he was skating in the 900th game of his NHL career. 

First Period

Couldn’t have drawn up a worse start for the Rangers as it took Vegas just 36 seconds to find the back of the net. A defensive zone turnover allowed for Mitch Marner to have a chance with a 2-on-1. Marner dished it over to Brett Howden who had plenty of net to shoot at as Jonathan Quick struggled to get across, 1-0 Vegas. 

Miller and Trocheck had a chance of their own on a potential odd-man rush but the shot from Trocheck went wide. Aside from that, The Rangers were being outplayed significantly, especially every time that Howden line was on the ice as the former Ranger nearly had a second goal as he ripped a shot off the post soon after he made it 1-0. 

Nearing the midway mark of the opening period, Sam Carrick dropped the gloves with Keegan Kolesar in attempts to spark some life into his team after an incredibly lackluster start. 

Good intentions from Carrick but unfortunately, the Rangers continued to be honed in their own end of the ice and wouldn’t register another shot on goal until there was roughly six minutes left in the period. At this stage in the game, the Rangers were being out-shot 7-2, trailing by one, not great! 

The Rangers just did not show up for the opening period as they would come out of it down 1-0. Had it not been for a pair of posts and a couple strong saves from Quick, the Rangers easily could have fallen behind in this one three, maybe four nothing. Shots were 11-3 Vegas at least heading into the intermission as they would end up taking a couple off the board ahead of the second. 

Second Period

It was slowly but steadily turning into a much better period for the Rangers as they were gradually spending more time in Vegas’ end of the ice, generating some quality scoring chances. It was primarily the bottom six leading the charge as Jaroslav Chmelar had a couple of looks with Jonny Brodzinski finding the crossbar. 

With just under eleven minutes to go, the Rangers’ top line finally started to provide some spark in the offensive zone. Mika Zibanejad had a chance at the doorstep but sent the puck through the blue paint and wide. Moments later, he would find himself back in that position to tuck a loose puck home, tying the game up 1-1. 

The Rangers nearly had a lead on their hands as Conor Sheary found himself on a breakaway but was turned away by Carter Hart. Just a few minutes later, the Rangers would properly give themselves a lead as Alexis Lafrenière picked up a much needed goal to make it a 2-1 game. With just three points in his last twelve games, Lafrenière received a cross-ice pass from Zibanejad and fired a laser of a wrist shot under the crossbar. 

Both teams would be credited with the first penalty of the game as Chmelar and Ben Hutton got into an intense shoving match following a post whistle scrum which earned them coincidental minors. Cole Reinhardt would have to serve the penalty for Vegas as Hutton was cut and needed repairs but nonetheless, the teams would skate 4-on-4 for the next two minutes. This wouldn’t come as much of a benefit for either side as play continued without many threats of scoring chances. 

In the final minute of the period, Artemi Panarin was tripped up at the blue line but wouldn’t result in the officials arm going up. Later that shift, Panarin got the stick up high on Brayden McNabb which did indeed gain the officials attention, giving Vegas the first power play of the night. The Rangers did a good job of holding off the power play unit and wrapped up the period with a breakaway chance for Will Cuylle. While that wouldn’t result in a goal, the Rangers had a much better period as they now led 2-1.

Shots after forty were now 20-14 in the Rangers favor as they had 11 high danger chances in the middle stanza. 

Third Period

Vegas came out with a strong push to start the third but the Rangers were able to kill off the full two minute advantage and got some help from Quick who came up with some key saves to keep the score 2-1 through the first half of the period. Closer to the midway point, Sheary again found himself on a breakaway but just couldn’t find the back of the net as Hart made the save on the wrist shot.

As Vegas continued to push, Ivan Barbashev ended up with a breakaway with about seven and a half to go in the period. Once again, Quick came up huge for the Rangers and was able to turn away the quick backhand move. That did however, set up another extended shift in the Rangers end of the ice as Vegas was buzzing, looking to find their way back in this one.

With just under two minutes to go as Vegas was on the brink of breaking out of the zone and pulling Carter Hart, play was blown dead as Brett Howden and Will Borgen were assigned matching roughing penalties. Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan was furious with the call as this gave Vegas an advantage once they pulled the goalie. Because it was a 4-on-4, it would become a 5-on-4 with the net empty and the Rangers would not be allowed to ice the puck since it was technically even strength.

Of course once Vegas pulled the goalie they were able to set up in the offensive zone and noted Rangers killer Tomas Hertl would cash in on a rebound to tie the game up 2-2. An infuriating way for regulation to end as the Rangers would head to their second overtime in back-to-back nights.

Overtime

3-on-3 overtime would essentially start as 4-on-4 on account of Borgen and Howden coming out of the penalty box early in overtime. They would not be able to make the switch to 3-on-3 until a whistle occurred and sure enough, that next whistle wouldn't come until there was just under 17 seconds left in overtime. A solid rush from the Rangers gave Zibanejad a shot on a weird angle that Hart was able to freeze.

Low and behold, the Rangers lost the offensive zone draw and Jack Eichel wheeled right by everyone including Jonathan Quick on a breakaway as a silky move came as an incredibly disappointing end to the Rangers' night.

You hate to blame a result on the officiating but that decision to call matching roughing calls on such a weak shoving match that late in the game ended up impacting the result greatly. Not to mention a clear tripping call against the Golden Knights somehow went uncalled early in the overtime period as the Rangers would not have a power play throughout the entire 65 minute outing.

Just a brutal way to drop a point in what should have been a two point night. The Rangers get a bit of a break as they'll be off the next two days before hitting the road to visit the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday evening.