Derek Stepan tricks the Devils as Rangers streak hits 8! (NYR 3 vs. NJD 1)
Derek Stepan celebrates his 2nd of three with MSL 12.27.14 (Photo: Jared Silber/Getty Images)
Derek Stepan had quite the night at MSG. It began with a shorthanded goal, followed by a PP marker and ended with an even strength tally. These goals were nicely spaced out in all three periods.
RANGERS 3 vs. DEVILS 1
NJD at NYR 12.27.14 (ESPN)
The game started with plenty of controversy as both JT Miller and Matt Hunwick were scratched. Rangers color analyst, Joe Micheletti commented that AV doesn’t like his players to sit to long.
Unfortunately he further compounded the notion put forth by Larry Brooks that he doesn’t trust Miller. “Contemplating (NJD) possible lineup, I just felt it was the best thing for the team,” Vigneault told reporters. “I thought the last game a couple of players could have played better and he (Miller) was one of them.”
This will be a story to follow in the coming days for sure, but the good news is that the Rangers keep rolling.
Late in the first period with Dominic Moore in the box, Travis Zajac couldn’t handle a bouncing puck and Derek Stepan was off to the races. He made a deke and squeaked under Schneider’s pads for his first of the game shorthanded.
In the second period, Stepan deflected an MSL point shot for a power play goal and he capped the hat-trick in the third. Stepan’s hatty almost didn’t happen as Rick Nash’s empty net was disallowed just about a minute earlier. But all’s well that ends well and the Rangers have now won 8 in a row.
NOTES
For more on #NYR‘s 8th straight win, hat tricks & more check out our postgame notes & graphic https://t.co/Sp95Nxch4j pic.twitter.com/6J35xcNkWu
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2014
600 games, time flies.. So many great players I’ve had an opportunity to play with. Great people as well! Thanks for the support guys!
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) December 28, 2014
#NYR @DerekStepan21 gets the hat trick and then gets the Broadway Hat! pic.twitter.com/nkoYWTyE65
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2014
#NYR win streak now at 8 games! This is the first time NYR have had a streak this long since Dec. 27, 1974 vs. BUF to Jan. 11, 1975 at STL.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 28, 2014
BTW, Lundqvist and some teammates skated on their own Friday, despite NHL shutdown. Commitment.
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) December 28, 2014
Henrik Lundqvist: “I think we believe in each other a lot right now. We believe in the system and the way we are playing.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) December 28, 2014
AV wants Glass’ presence on fourth line. Has all season. Hasn’t wavered. Not in scratch convo RT @RS02NY @AGrossRecord How is Glass playing?
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) December 28, 2014
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