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Rangers vs Bruins: Bruins Top Rangers in Defensive Battle at MSG

The New York Rangers came into this afternoon’s game riding a four-game winning streak, but, they were unable to outlast the defensively sound Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. The Bruins opened the scoring with a pair of late period goals, while the Rangers just couldn’t generate enough offensive zone time to wear down Boston.

1st Period

Charlie McAvoy (3) - Unassisted - 19:18 1st Period

With both teams playing extremely well on the defensive side of the puck, it was only a matter of time before a bad bounce ended up in one of the two nets. Unfortunately for the Rangers, it wound up being their net and the Bruins were able to take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Charlie McAvoy’s rather harmless point shot pinballed off of bodies in front of the net, and popped over the top of Alexandar Georgiev’s glove hand.

2nd Period

Charlie Coyle (14) - Unassisted - 18:42 2nd Period

New York had a massively opportunity to jump back into this game with a late power play chance, but instead, it wound up working against them. The power play was absolutely miserable all afternoon for the Rangers, and a costly turnover at the blue led to a breakaway chance the other way. Charlie Coyle was able to chip the puck to open ice, broke in all alone on Georgiev, and snapped a quick wrist shot under the crossbar to make it a 2-0 game.

3rd Period

Mika Zibanejad (25) PPG - Artemiy Panarin (49) & Ryan Strome (36) - 9:52 3rd Period

It took the Rangers nearly 50 minutes to finally break through on the scoreboard, but they were able to make it a game with a power play goal. Mika Zibanejad’s point shot somehow found its way through heavy traffic in front of Jaroslav Halak, and deflected in off of the left goal post. Pavel Buchnevich did an excellent job of providing the screen in front of the net, and the Rangers were able to pull back within a goal.

Patrice Bergeron (26) ENG - Brad Marchand (51) - 19:47 3rd Period

The Rangers really upped the pressure late in the game, and they pulled the goaltender in search of the tying goal. However, Boston did an excellent job of closing down every passing lane and eventually iced the game with an empty net goal. Patrice Bergeron picked up his 26th goal of the season and gave Boston their third straight victory.

It was an extremely frustrating game from an offensive standpoint because the Bruins are just so cohesive in their own zone. On a positive note though, the Rangers weren’t all that bad on the other end of the puck and stuck with the Bruins for a majority of this game. With their four-game winning streak now over, the Rangers will turn their attention to the Chicago Blackhawks, who host the Rangers this upcoming Wednesday.

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