Rangers upended by undisciplined hockey in Tampa (TBL 4 v NYR 3)
Martin St. Louis salutes the Tampa crowd. 11.26.14 (Photo: Scott Audette/Getty Images)
The Rangers found themselves in unfamiliar territory against Ben Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning – having a lead. NY was in control and up 2-1 late in the 1st period, when Rick Nash of all people lost his cool and took two penalties on one shift.
LIGHTNING 4 v. RANGERS 3
NYR at TBL 11.26.14 (ESPN)
Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like the officials had a great night either, as the tandem of Ghislain Hebert and Rob Martell bookended the night with two marginal calls on the Rangers.
The Lightning got on the board early in the 1st period on a terrible interference call on Mats Zuccarello. Steven Stamkos, laser beamed one top glove side on Lundqvist and NY was down.
New York would respond with 2 goals of their own, first by Zuccarello and then on the power play by Dan Boyle. Past the 5 minute mark in the first, Rick Nash lost his marbles and hit two Tampa players in the head on one shift.
On the ensuing double minor, former Ranger, Ryan Callahan would score his first of two tonight. From there it was all Lightning until late in the third period when Rick Nash would atone for his earlier sins by making it 4-3.
The game ended with Lundqvist pulled for an extra attacker and Chris Kreider being called for a cross check, thus ending any hopes for a comeback.
Jim Cerny of BlueshirtsUnited captured this quote from Alain Vigneault after the game. “They’re a good team, in my estimation they’re probably one of the best teams in the NHL,” stated head coach Alain Vigneault. “We were ready for this game, our guys knew what to expect. They made a couple more plays defensively and offensively than we did, and at the end of the night that was the difference in a one-goal game.”
The Rangers will enjoy Thanksgiving in Florida and then play the first of two against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday and Saturday.
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NOTES
“I was very touched by the ovation. I want to give them the proper thank you, they deserve that.” – @mstlouis_26 #NYR pic.twitter.com/vlGCTkAcLP
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 27, 2014
Lundqvist said it’s obvious how excited Callahan gets to play the Rangers and “prove to a lot of people what type of player he really is.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) November 27, 2014
Tanner Glass had a terrible night, but he wasn’t alone. I’m not sure AV takes him out against the Flyers. Look for Stempniak to replace Fast on Friday. Jesper Fast played only 8 minutes tonight.
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