Rangers vs Bruins: Zibanejad Scores Twice as Rangers Top Bruins 3-2
Coming into this game with a two-game winning streak, the New York Rangers picked up their third straight win with a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. Mika Zibanejad’s two goal game gave the Rangers the win midway through the third period, while Henrik Lundqvist passed Terry Sawchuck for sole possession of sixth place for all-time wins as a goaltender.
1-0 Bruins
Danton Heinen (6) - Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson (6) - 17:28 1st Period
The Bruins were able to take the game’s first lead late in the first period with a hard working shift by Jacob Forsbacka Karlsson in the right corner. Forsbacka Karlsson was able to outwork Brett Howden for a puck just below the goal line, and quickly fed the puck out to Danton Heinen in the high slot. Heinen was able to slightly deflect the puck on net, and beat Henrik Lundqvist under the arm to make it a 1-0 Bruins lead.
1-1 Tie
Filip Chytil (9) - Unassisted - 18:32 1st Period
A little over a minute later, Filip Chytil scored yet another highlight reel goal to bring the Rangers tied. Chytil’s goal was nearly identical to his goal the other night against the Carolina Hurricanes, and he was able to flip the puck over Tuukka Rask on the short-side. However, right after the puck went in, Chytil was rocked by Charlie McAvoy and the hit sent Chytil flying right in Tuukka Rask’s head. Rask exited the game following the incident, and Jaroslav Halak came in to finish the remainder of the game.
2-1 Rangers
Mika Zibanejad (16) - Brady Skjei (11) & Mats Zuccarello (15) - 5:22 2nd Period
The Rangers took their first lead of the evening early on in the second period as Mika Zibanejad picked up his 16th goal of the season. The goal came right off of the faceoff as Brady Skjei quickly shoveled a shot towards the net, and Mika Zibanejad deflected the puck in the high slot. There wasn’t much speed on the shot after the deflection, but Zibanejad got just enough on the puck to slip it through Halak’s five-hole and gave the Rangers a 2-1 lead.
2-2 Tie
Brad Marchand (19) - David Pastrnak (29) & Patrice Bergeron (27) - 3:24 3rd Period
Later on in the third period, the Bruins were able to find the tying goal following a mishap by Henrik Lundqvist behind his own net. Lundqvist attempted to play the puck on a Bruins’ dump-in, but wound up getting caught behind his net in a scrum and turned over the puck. David Pastrnak was able to feed the puck out to Brad Marchand in front of the net, and he slammed home the pass to even up the game at two.
3-2 Rangers (PPG)
Mika Zibanejad (17) - Kevin Shattenkirk (12) & Mats Zuccarello (16) - 9:05 3rd Period
Mika Zibanejad continued his clutch ways for the Rangers in the third period, and came away with the game-winning goal at the 9:05 mark. Zibanejad was able to score his patented goal of the power play by lining up the screen of Chris Kreider, and absolutely wiring a wrist shot past the goaltender. Jaroslav Halak never saw any of the shot with Kreider posted up in front, and that goal gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead.
Following tonight’s gutsy win in Boston, the Rangers will enter their scheduled bye week, followed by the All-Star break, before returning to action on January 29 against the Philadelphia Flyers.
