Rangers vs Flames: Matthew Tkachuk’s Five-Point Night Downs Rangers 5-1
The New York Rangers dropped their third straight game this evening as they were defeated 5-1 by the Calgary Flames. Matthew Tkachuck had a hand in all five Flames’ goals tonight and gave the Rangers problems all throughout the game. Alexandar Georgiev turned away 23 of the 28 shots he faced, and played a relatively strong game to keep the Rangers alive for as long as he could.
1-0 Flames
Johnny Gaudreau (34) - Matthew Tkachuck (39) - 10:00 1st Period
Calgary caught the Rangers sleeping on the backcheck midway through the first period, and Johnny Gaudreau made them pay for their mistake. Matthew Tkachuck started the play off with a ridiculous flip pass from his own zone, and the puck landed right in front of Gaudeau. Johnny Hockey was able to beat Neal Pionk in a foot race for the puck, and slipped the puck past Alexandar Georgiev on the breakaway.
1-1 Tie
Neal Pionk (6) - Ryan Strome (13) - 11:10 1st Period
A little over a minute later, Neal Pionk made up for his defensive miscue with a goal of his own and brought the Rangers right back into the game. Ryan Strome made a excellent pass after he pulled at the blue line, and found Pionk cutting down the middle of the ice uncontested. Pionk was able to corral the puck and bombed a heavy slap shot past David Rittich on the blocker side.
2-1 Flames
Matthew Tkachuck (31) - Mark Giordano (52) & Michael Frolik (15) - 2:56 2nd Period
After giving up the tying goal in the first period, the Flames came out strong in the second and answered back with a quick goal. Matthew Tkachuck was able to deflect Mark Giordano’s wrist shot from the high slot, and beat Georgiev over the glove hand.
3-1 Flames
Garnet Hathaway (8) - Matthew Tkachuck (40) & Derek Ryan (20) - 4:06 2nd Period
A short time after Tkachuck’s tally, he was able to create another chance for the Flames, and Garnet Hathaway extended the Flames’ lead to 3-1. Matthew Tkachuck picked up his second assist of the night after shoveling a pass from the corner, and right onto Hathaway’s stick. The puck deflected ever so slightly and slipped between Georgiev’s right arm.
4-1 Flames
Michael Frolik (14) - Matthew Tkachuck (41) & Noah Hanifin (25) - 5:12 3rd Period
The Flames were able to answer with another early goal in the third period and this game quickly slipped away from the Rangers. Matthew Tkachuck continued to haunt the Rangers and setup Frolik after collecting the loose puck in front of the net. With Georgiev scrambling, Frolik flipped the puck over the goaltender and gave the Flames a three-goal lead.
5-1 Flames
Matthew Tkachuck (32) - Mikael Backlund (32) - 9:49 3rd Period
Matthew Tkachuck capped off his five-point night with one final goal on the scoresheet as he tapped home a pass off to the right of the post. Mikael Backlund made an excellent pass in traffic, and found Tkachuck wide open off to the side of the net. Tkachuck had the entire net to pick his spot, and deposited the puck to cap off his big night on home ice.
Following tonight’s blowout loss, the Rangers will be right back in action tomorrow night as they meet up with the Minnesota Wild.
