Rangers vs Canadiens: Rangers Lose Second Straight to the Canadiens 5-3
The New York Rangers headed into the Bell Centre needing a much better effort against the Montreal Canadiens after being absolutely dominated by the Ottawa Senators. They were unable to get the job yet again, with the Canadiens winning the game by a final score of 5-2. Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Canadiens
Shea Weber (1) - Assists: Jonathan Drouin (12) & Max Domi (16)
The Rangers had yet another poor start to this game as the Canadiens were able to take an early lead just 3:53 into regulation. Jonathan Drouin was able to create plenty of space for himself but quickly found Shea Weber sliding in from the point. Weber absolutely unleashed a booming slap shot through traffic and beat Alexandar Georgiev under the arm.
2-0 Canadiens
Shea Weber (2) - Assists: Tomas Tatar (10) & Brendan Gallagher (6)
Weber was able to convert yet again later on in the period as he broke in all alone on a breakaway and snapped a shot under the crossbar. Brady Skjei made the hugh mistake of quitting on the play to dispute a penalty call, which allowed Weber to come in uncontested to make it a 2-0 game.
3-0 Canadiens
Artturi Lehkonen (3) - Assists: Paul Byron (4) & Jordie Benn (3)
The Canadiens continued the onslaught in the second period as they continued to haunt the Rangers with odd-man rushes, and Artturi Lehkonen made it 3-0. Alexandar Georgiev wasn’t too pleased with the chances against, and wound up snapping his stick in half out of frustration. You can’t really blame him either because the Rangers weren’t giving him much help at all on the defensive end of the puck.
4-0 Canadiens
Artturi Lehkonen (4) - Unassisted
The Rangers clearly didn’t learn from their previous self-inflicted wounds and Neal Pionk put the puck on a platter for Lehkonen’s second goal of the game. Lehkonen was able to force the turnover in front of the Rangers net, and he quickly shoveled a puck on net with Georgiev didn’t have much a chance at saving.
4-1 Canadiens
Jimmy Vesey (9) - Assists: Brendan Smith (5) & Mika Zibanejad (14)
Following the fourth goal of the game, David Quinn finally called a timeout to reel in his team, and they responded favorably moments later. Brendan Smith made an excellent play to pass back against the grain and found Jimmy Vesey cutting to the net for an easy tap-in at the top of the crease.
4-2 Canadiens
Ryan Strome (3) - Assists: Jimmy Vesey (5) & Mika Zibanejad (15)
Nearly six minutes after the Rangers first goal of the evening, Ryan Strome suddenly made this a game after slamming home a perfectly placed pass by Jimmy Vesey. Vesey did an excellent job of pivoting his body out of the shooting stance to feed Strome who was in a much better shooting position.
5-2 Canadiens
Tomas Tatar (11) - Assists: Kenny Agostino (4) & David Schlemko (2)
The Rangers couldn’t get much of anything going in the third period, and the Canadiens were able to regain their three goal lead with a goal from Tomas Tatar. Kenny Agostino created the entire play with his drive to the net, and Tatar was able to clean up the loose puck that was left in the high slot.
Following tonight’s loss, the Rangers have now lost their last two games and four of their last five games. They will have one more game tomorrow night to celebrate the jersey retirement of Vic Hadfield before they begin their bye week.
