Rangers Vs. Canadiens: Montreal Canadiens End Rangers Streak At Seven
The Montreal Canadiens have ended the New York Rangers extended winning streaking tonight, with a 4-0 win. The Rangers had the chance to extend the streak to eight games, their longest since the 1970's, but failed to do so. However, the Rangers came out absolutely flat in this one, but the officiating didn't really help either.
Erik Cole got the Canadiens on the board first with a power play goal, just 3:45 into the first period. Michael Del Zotto made a bad pinch to try and step up on Cole and missed. Cole drove in and let go an laser of a shot, that beat Biron over the glove side.
The Rangers were held to just five shots through the first period, and again, also five through the second period as well. Just about halfway through the second period, Brian Gionta gave the Canadiens a 2-0 lead off a sharp angle shot, that somehow beat Biron.
Follow after the jump for more.
As I stated before, the officiating was just horrendous tonight in Montreal. Late in the second period, Michael Del Zotto was called for diving, after being tripped up by Frederic St-Denis. When going at top speed into the zone, and you catch a stick in the legs, you will fall and it will twist you around. To call diving on that play was just a miss-call.
Again in the third period, another questionable hooking call on Ryan Callahan, and the Canadiens went back to the power play. Nearing the end of the power play Tomas Plekanec let a slap shot go from far out, that beat Biron low to the blocker side, 3-0 Montreal.
If it wasn't bad enough, Andre Deveaux was whistled down for boarding after a solid check on Aaron Palushaj. Deveaux also received an extra two minutes for roughing, which I'm not even sure where that came from. Just three minutes later, Brandon Prust was called for roughing, after driving the net after Carey Price covered the puck. Still confused at how it was actually a penalty, but what can you do.
Brian Gionta notched his second goal of the game at the 13:47 mark in the third period. That ended the scoring for Montreal, and also the game for the Rangers. The Rangers were held just to seven shots in the third period, just two more than in the first and second period. Although it was a bad game, we can't get down on our first lost in seven games. The Rangers need to put this loss behind them and get back at it the next game, and make up for it.
The Rangers will face-off next against the Florida Panthers this coming Wednesday at 7:00. Hopefully the Rangers can turn around and get back to their winning ways.
