Rangers Vs. Capitals: New York Rangers Get Much Needed 6-3 Win Over Washington
The New York Rangers put on an offensive show tonight in the nation's capital and earned a hard fought 6-3 win. The Rangers had goals from five different players tonight, including a pair from Ruslan Fedotenko. With this win, the Rangers were able to break out of a mini losing streak, and look to carry the momentum into the Garden tomorrow afternoon.
After seeing the first period of this game, you would think it would be a battle of the defensemen and goaltenders. However, in the second period Marian Gaborik got the Rangers on the board first with a finesse 2-on-1 finish. Derek Stepan's passing ability has continued to impress, and he was the one to set up Gaborik once again.
The Rangers went 0-for-3 on the power play in the first period, but finally got the much needed power play goal from Artem Anisimov. Anisimov showed great patience on this play, threw the puck on net (which the Rangers need to do on the PP), and it 's way through Michal Neuvirth.
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Just about a minute later, the Rangers were able to grab a 3-0 lead after a bad turnover by the Caps defenseman. Ryan Callahan made a great play to knock the puck loose, and Feds picked up the puck and scored. Again, you would have never guessed it would be this type of offensive game from the opening period.
Again, just under a minute later, Troy Brouwer was finally able to get the Capitals on the board with a tap in. Henrik Lundqvist had trouble with the original shot from John Carlson, which fell right in the crease. With about eight minutes left in the second frame, Michael Sauer took a very questionable holding penalty on Alex Ovechkin. The penalty eventually lead to a John Carlson goal with a bomb from the point, to cut the Rangers lead to a single goal.
Brian Boyle was finally able to get his second goal of the season, and it couldn't have come at a better time. There was a made scramble for the puck, and Boyle tapped home the loose puck in front. Also to note on the goal, Carl Hagelin registered his first NHL point, and John Mitchell notched his first point as a Ranger. In my opinion, this goal was the turning point in this game.
The Rangers carried their momentum into the third period, and it took just four minutes to put another one in. Ryan Callahan made an excellent pass to Brad Richards, who redirected the puck over the pad of Neuvirth. That goal gave the Rangers a commanding 5-2 lead in the 3rd period.
Alex Ovechkin who was shut down all night by Dan Girardi was finally able to break his home scoring drought. Ovechkin let an absolute rocket of a shot go, through the legs of Girardi, and beat Henrik Lundqvist high over the shoulder. This goal was no one's fault, it was just a really great shot by Ovechkin.
As if one goal wasn't enough, Ruslan Fedotenko tapped in his second goal of the evening. Ryan Callahan made another great pass, which found Fedotenko right on the doorstep for the tap in.
Overall, this was a great game played by every single player and another outstanding game by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Probably the best save of the night was Henrik's save on Joel Ward. I'm actually still in shock he made that save, but that's Hank for you!
The Rangers will be back in action tomorrow afternoon at 2:00, when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers. This game will give us a good preview of what is to come on January 2nd, at Citizen's Bank Park. Here are tonight's three stars of the game, along with the recipient of the Broadway Hat.
