Rangers unable to complete comeback in DC

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Less than 24 hours after the Rangers traded Mats Zuccarello to Dallas, the Blueshirts suited up for a Sunday matinee in the nation’s capital. It was a back and forth affair that ultimately saw the home team score the game winner with just 40 seconds remaining in overtime.

Chris Kreider – The Rangers got off to a fast start in this one as the newly formed line of Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Jimmy Vesey got the Blueshirts on the board just 21 seconds into the first period. Vesey sauced a beautiful pass over to his fellow Bostonian, Kreider, and the power forward deposited the puck into the net for his 26th of the season.

Kreider is on pace to have the best offensive production of his career, as it seems the veteran is putting it all together under the tutelage of David Quinn.

Brady Skjei – The young defenseman has had some ups and downs this season, but his offensive abilities shone in this one, netting a pair of goals, including the marker sending the game to overtime. His first goal was not one for the highlight reels, but it all counts just the same. Skjei picked up a loose puck, circled out to the blue line and threw the puck towards the net. Fortunately for the Rangers, the puck had eyes and it beat Phoenix Copley to pull the Rangers within one.

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For an encore, Skjei took a shot that got a fortuitous bounce off of former Rangers forward Carl Hagelin and beat Copley to send the game to overtime.

Jimmy Vesey – Much like Skjei’s first goal, Jimmy Vesey’s tally left a lot to be desired if you’re a Capitals fan, but he tied the game for the Blueshirts just 21 seconds into the third period. Vesey took Zuccarello’s spot alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, and it seemed like Vesey was playing with a little bit of an extra step on the top line for David Quinn’s squad.

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Vladislav Namestnikov – Vlad Namestnikov is slowly getting his scoring touch back. Namestnikov scored on the power play today to bring the Rangers within a goal in the third period. Neal Pionk took a shot that redirected off of the skate of Namestnikov and into the back of the net.

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Henrik Lundqvist – It certainly wasn’t a pretty game, but Lundqvist did enough to keep his team in the game and ultimately secure the overtime point. His defense didn’t help him out a whole lot today, which meant Henrik needed to make some dazzling stops, including this one early on.

But, perhaps the most important moment from today’s action, at least in the eyes of the fans, came in the postgame when Lundqvist was asked about his relationship with former teammate Mats Zuccarello.

Next Game: The Rangers are back in action on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Puck drops at 730!

LETS GO RANGERS!!

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