Rangers Vs. Devils: Buchnevich and Pionk Connect For Overtime Winner in New Jersey
The New York Rangers opened their preseason schedule this evening at the Prudential Center as they faced off against their cross-town rival, the New Jersey Devils. Here is the full goal breakdown and some quick hits from tonight’s action.
1-0 New Jersey
Nick Lappin - Assists: Blake Pietila & Eric Gryba
The New York Rangers found themselves trailing very early on in this game after a breakdown in coverage led to the Devils first goal. Instead of following his man in the high slot, Cody McLeod was caught puck watching and let Nick Lappin slide down uncontested. Lappin had a wide open shot at the hash marks and buried the puck over Alexandar Georgiev.
1-1 Tie
Lias Andersson - Unassisted
With the Rangers still trailing, Lias Andersson took it upon himself to tie up the game and did just that on the penalty kill. Andersson did an excellent job of reading the play coming from Taylor Hall, broke it up cleanly, and transitioned the other way on a breakaway. The confidence was just oozing from Andersson all night long and he put it on full display with his cheeky flip shot over Keith Kinkaid to tie up the game.
2-1 Devils
John Quenneville - Assists: Ty Smith & Brian Boyle
Not even a minute after Andersson’s tying goal, the Devils answered right back on the same power play. John Quenneville absolutely wired a wrist shot from just above the left faceoff circle and put the Devils up 2-1. There wasn’t much of a defensive breakdown on this goal, but rather a perfectly placed shot that just snuck inside the post.
2-2 Tie
Pavel Buchnevich - Assists: Kevin Hayes
Later on in the second period, the Rangers had a power play of their own, and it took just two seconds to find the equalizer. Kevin Hayes’ faceoff win slipped right out to Buchnevich, who was stationed on the right point, and Buchnevich absolutely wired it past Keith Kinkaid. Many are expecting big things from Buchnevich this season, and this was hopefully a sign of things to come.
3-2 Devils
Nick Lappin (2) - Assists: Michael McLeod & Ty Smith
For the third time of the evening, the Devils took yet another lead lead with a power play goal coming from Nick Lappin. Michael McLeod was able to pull the Rangers out of position before setting up Lappin with a one-timer opportunity in the high slot. Marek Mazanec, who replaced Alexandar Georgiev late in the second period, made the initial save but the puck deflected in just under the crossbar.
3-3 Tie
Lias Andersson (2) - Assists: Chris Kreider & Kevin Hayes
With the special teams festivities still out in full force, the Rangers added another power play on the night with Lias Andersson’s second goal. Andersson was able to position himself in front of the net for a rebound, and the puck landed right on his stick for the easy tap in. Andersson had himself quite a night in New Jersey and this goal was the icing on the cake by sending the game to overtime.
4-3 Rangers (OT)
Neal Pionk - Assists: Pavel Buchnevich & Jesper Fast
The Rangers never led the game at any point in this game, but they were able to take home the last lead of the game. Just over a minute into the overtime period, Jesper Fast made a great defensive play to strip the puck from Jesper Bratt and sent the puck back to Pavel Buchnevich. With a mini 3-on-2 down low, Buchnevich quickly found Neal Pionk cutting to the far post and sealed the game with a beautiful tape-to-tape feed.
Following tonight’s victory in the preseason opener, the New York Rangers will be back in action this coming Wednesday as the Philadelphia Flyers visit Madison Square Garden.
