Rangers battle adversity to beat Carolina in a shootout, look to sweep tonight (CAR at NYR 7pm)
Mats Zuccarello scores the GWG shootout goal against Carolina (Photo: Gregg Forwerck/Getty Images)
Once again during this hot streak, Kevin “Optimus” Klein played the role of hero. His cannon from the point beat Cam Ward late in the third period to tie the game. Mats Zuccarello and Henrik Lundqvist would grab the extra point in the shootout and extend the Rangers winning streak to 5 games.
RANGERS 3 v. HURRICANES 2 (SO)
NYR at CAR 12.20.14 (ESPN)
“I thought the resilience our team showed not to let up,” Kevin Klein said after the game. “We just turned to each other and said to keep going,” and Klein did that by scoring his 7th goal of the season.
What a year Klein is having and it’s a surprise to him as well. He now leads the NYR blue line in both goals and points (7-4-11).
The Rangers started this game by outmanning and out chancing the Hurricanes from the drop of the puck. Cam Ward was standing tall and his defense was collapsing in front of him. The tactic made it very hard for the Rangers to get shots through.
Matter of fact, it was on a dominating shift by the “KID LINE” of Hayes, Hags and JT that an errand pass by Hayes led to a 2-1 break and a Chris Terry goal. That’s hockey.
JT Miller would score on a partial breakaway to tie the game early in the third only to see Jeff Skinner wipe it away just 26 seconds later.
“As a team we played really well, and I think we deserved to win,” Lundqvist told Blueshirts United. The King was still upset with his play on the second Canes goal. “I made a mistake there and it could have cost us.” Ultimately the Rangers kept working and found a way. “I think we deserved this one,” a relieved Lundqvist explained.
New York will now head home after an extremely successful road trip. The Rangers went 4-0 and outscored their opponents 14-5 (excluding shootout goal). A win tonight against the Hurricanes would put them even with the Washington Capitals for third place in the Metro with a game at hand.
If NY can pick up the two points they can start to separate themselves with Washington. The Rangers will host the Caps on Tuesday at the Garden. Washington will be playing the second of a back to back after hosting Ottawa on Monday.
GAME 31: CAROLINA HURRICANES at NY RANGERS, Madison Square Garden, NY 7:00 EST
NY will look to sweep their home and home series with Carolina and extend their winning streak to six games.
Daily Faceoff’s Goalie Matchup
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FULLTILT FORECAST
As the Rangers have heated up, so has the forecast to the tune of 16-14. It’s been quite a run for the Rangers as all the parts are starting to hum.
Last night’s game was kind to the Hurricanes. The Rangers should have won by a larger score in regulation. That happens tonight it epic fashion. Here’s to a rout!
NYR 7 – CAR 2
NOTES:
#NYR @HLundqvist30 has won four consecutive road games during one road trip for the first time in his NHL career.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 21, 2014
#NYR credited with a season-high 41 hits tonight, as 15 different skaters had at least one and six different skaters had at least 3.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 21, 2014
#NYR have outscored opponents, 19-8, during the five-game winning streak and outscored opponents, 15-5, during the four-game road trip.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 21, 2014
#NYR Broadway Hat for J.T. Miller! pic.twitter.com/P6eEl7JQnO
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 21, 2014
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