Jimmy Howard outduels Cam Talbot in Detroit (DET 2 v. NYR 1 OT)
Abdelkader FIFA’s this one in the net (NHL.COM)
The Rangers went down in OT in Detroit thanks to a late penalty call on Derek Stepan who was irate with the refs when it was signaled. Stepan felt Gustav Nyqvist was holding his arm and caused the infraction. Mats Zuccarello later shrugged it off and said “It’s hockey. Sh*t happens.”
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RED WINGS 2 v. RANGERS 1 (OT)
Det 2 v NYR 1 (ESPN)
The game seemed to be have it’s share of controversy as Justin Abdelkader scored on what looked like a distinct kicking motion. As per the Situation Room in Toronto:
At 6:12 of the first period in the New York Rangers/Detroit Red Wings game, video review supported the referee’s call on the ice that the puck deflected off Justin Abdelkader‘s skate and stick before crossing the New York goal line in a legal fashion. According to Rule 78.4 “If an attacking player has the puck deflect into the net, off his skate or body, in any manner, the goal shall be allowed.” Good goal Detroit.
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I have yet to see a clear video from within the crease that shows his stick touched the puck along with his skate. The screen cap above clearly shows the puck going off his foot.
Dan Girardi would knot the game at 1 late in the 1st period but the Rangers could have had more. Jimmy Howard stole the show and the game from the Blueshirts with save after save. Not even the lively boards of the Joe Louis Arena could get him as he made a huge stop off of them on a puck that was landing in the middle of the crease with Martin St. Louis at the doorstep.
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Marek Zidlicky making his Wings debut would cash in during OT. Sweeping in from the point he chipped it over Talbot, but it looked like it went in off his body too. Still, the Rangers were able to salvage a point in hostile territory and a hot goalie. Stepan who didn’t want to talk about the penalty said, “We found a way to get a point. Girardi found a way to make two big blocks in the last 40 seconds and Cam made a great save late.”
Rangers are now in first place over the Islanders but tied in points with 2 games in hand.
NOTES
Zuccarello adds that if the Rangers “play like this every night, we have a good chance of winning.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 5, 2015
Keith Yandle on joining the Rangers: “It’s nice to know before a game you have a chance to win every night.” — Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 5, 2015
McDonagh hit puck, then hit Zidlicky’s foot? shin? stick? Officials count it either way. Final 2-1 Detroit in OT
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 5, 2015
Multiple Rangers say they didn’t get enough traffic in front of Howard to jump on second and/or third opportunities — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 5, 2015
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