Rangers set franchise records as they close out the season with a win (NYR 4 v WSH 2)
The regular season is over and boy what a campaign it was for the Blueshirts. Henrik Lundqvist notched his 30th win of the season and the Rangers set franchise marks for wins and points (53 W and 113 PTS) in the process.
Rangers 4 vs. Capitals 2
Kevin Hayes, who could very well be a huge contributor come this postseason opened the scoring with some nifty hand-eye coordination. Braden Holtby stopped a point shot and the puck went up in the air. Hayes tracked it and batted the puck past the surprised goalie.
Derrick Brassard increased the lead on a PP goal to close out the first period scoring in a game the Caps needed to have for home ice in round one. It was obvious from the get go that the Rangers were taking this last game serious.
[su_quote cite=”Jim Cerny of Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/historic-regular-season-ends-4-2-victory”]”We talked beforehand about getting into good habits because next week we start playing important games,” explained Lundqvist. “We wanted a strong performance, and I thought we played really smart. We set the tone with a strong first period, and I thought we managed the game really well.”[/su_quote]
New York struck quickly in the 2nd period as Dominic Moore snapped a wicked backhand over Holtby. The Rangers were now in total control and would get an empty net goal from Jesper Fast in the third to seal the deal and capture win 53 and points 112 and 113.
[su_quote cite=”Jim Cerny of Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/historic-regular-season-ends-4-2-victory”]”We understand now that we have to raise our level and that it’s a different animal (in the playoffs),” stated team captain Ryan McDonagh after the game. “It’s about just getting out there and executing now.”[/su_quote]
Now all that remains is who will their first round opponent will be. What we do know is that with Ottawa’s win this afternoon the Rangers can’t see them in the first round. That leaves Detroit, Pittsburgh and Boston as the three possible matchups.
RELATED: Potential First Round Opponent by Percentage
NOTES
Meanwhile in New York @TheGarden… #NYR pic.twitter.com/wbsdqT9ohp
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 11, 2015
#NYR @HLundqvist30 now has at least 30 wins in 9 of his first 10 NHL seasons, becoming the 1st goalie in NHL history to accomplish the feat.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 11, 2015
#NYR earned their 28th road win of the season-It’s tied for the most road wins an Eastern Conf team has earned in one season in NHL history. — New York Rangers (@NYRangers) April 11, 2015
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