Strong Effort By Rangers Not Enough Against High Powered Leafs

Zak Chiger Updated: Dec 22, 2018

The Rangers headed into their matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs following a comeback win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. And despite a solid effort against one of the best teams in the NHL, the Blueshirts ultimately fell 5-3 to the Leafs in Toronto.

“We got to learn from our positives and take it into tomorrow.” #NYR Marc Staal https://t.co/K47zFjFJQN
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 23, 2018

Neal Pionk – The young defenseman got the Rangers on the board with a slapshot from the point that deflected in off of a Leafs player. The goal was Pionk’s fifth of the season as the rookie continues his solid campaign for David Quinn and the Rangers.

Pionk from the point! Tie game.https://t.co/nDY772TrFr | #HockeyNight pic.twitter.com/l8ttOpJFgk
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 23, 2018

Neal Pionk has recorded 32 points in 60 career NHL games (0.53 points per game). Since he made his NHL debut on Feb. 9, 2018, Pionk ranks 19th among NHL defensemen (min. 60 games played) in points per game. #NYR
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 23, 2018

Kevin Hayes – The hottest forward for the Rangers over the last couple of weeks continued to pick up points as he scored a goal following a ridiculous play by Filip Chytil. Chytil put the puck through his own legs, got a shot off from his stomach and Hayes was there to put in the rebound. The goal was the tenth of the season for Hayes and it brought the Rangers within two goals.

Filip Chytil with a great between the legs dangle. Hayes finishes it. 3-2. pic.twitter.com/NVLb5o46md
— Flintor (@TheFlintor) December 23, 2018

Spoke to Filip Chytil tonight. Asked him about the Rielly dangle. Chytil says he feels confidence growing. Knows the dog days of winter are coming — getting lots of help from veteran teammates learning to help his body recover. Important as guys can hit the “rookie wall”
— Matt Larkin (@MLarkinHockey) December 23, 2018

Chris Kreider – The Rangers got within one on a redirect of Marc Staal’s point shot that first hit the aforementioned Hayes before going in off of Kreider. The BC alum leads the Rangers with 16 goals on the season, and he is on pace for the best goal production of his career.

“You have to take away the good, learn from the bad.” #NYR Chris Kreider after a hard fought battle tonight against Toronto. https://t.co/qkoTo07l3H
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 23, 2018

Alexandar Georgiev – The backup netminder kept his team in this game as he made 31 saves against the high-octane Maple Leafs offense, including 24 saves in the first two periods alone. Georgiev had himself a solid night despite the loss. All you can ask from your goaltender against a team like the Leafs is to give you a chance late in the game, and Georgiev did just that.

Next Game: The Rangers will try and enter the holiday break with a win as they host the Flyers tomorrow night at The Garden. Puck drops at 7!

LETS GO RANGERS!!

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