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Rangers vs. Flames: Rangers Return From Road Trip With 5-1 Loss to Calgary

After putting together a four-game winning streak on the road, the New York Rangers returned home this evening with a brutal 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. New York fell behind by a pair of goals early in the second period, and weren’t able to gain much momentum in the offensive zone. Jacob Markstrom did have a solid out for Calgary, and when the Rangers did have their chances, he stood tall to shut them down.

1st Period

Christopher Tanev (1) - Johnny Gaudreau (7) & Elias Lindholm (1) - 18:50

The Rangers were able to keep Calgary off of the scoreboard throughout most of the third period, but a lot that was due to spectacular play of Igor Shesterkin. With a little over a minute remaining in the period, the Flames caught the Rangers on a 3-on-2 rush through the neutral zone. Nobody was back to pickup the weak side player, and Christopher Tanev slipped into the open space. Johnny Gaudreau set him up with a beautiful cross-ice feed and Tanev buried the quick wrist shot under the arm of Shesterkin.

2nd Period

Andrew Mangiapane (4) - Unassisted - 2:09

Just over two minutes into the middle frame, the Flames were able to double up their lead courtesy of Andrew Mangiapane. Patrik Nemeth completely misread the passing lane from behind his own net, and put the puck right on the tape of Mangiapane out in front of the net. Mangiapane was able to quick transition the puck to his forehand and absolutely ripped a snap shot over the shoulder of Igor Shesterkin.

3rd Period

Dryden Hunt (1) - Jacob Trouba (2) & K’Andre Miller (2) - 5:25

Despite being down for the entirety of the game, the Rangers came out strong early in the third period with several threatening shifts. The Rangers were finally rewarded for hard work in front of the net as Jacob Trouba’s initial point shot caused some chaos. Dryden Hunt was in the vicinity and found a way to chop the puck through traffic and in behind Jacob Markstrom. The goal gave New York and the crowd some much needed life as they looked to make a push in the final frame.

Blake Coleman (2) - Mikael Backlund (1) & Tyler Pitlick (1) - 8:13

Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Rangers would get on the scoreboard as Calgary stormed right back with a goal of their own. Mikael Backlund was able to force a turnover behind the Rangers’ net, and quickly fed a pass back out to Blake Coleman in the high slot. Coleman followed up his own rebound and shoveled a back hand shot under the crossbar to put Calgary back up by a pair of goals.

Mikael Backlund (1) - Blake Coleman (1) & Noah Hanifin (2) - 11:32

About three minutes later, things went from bad to worse for the Rangers as the Flames pulled away with their fourth goal of the evening. Mikael Backlund absolutely torched the Rangers through the neutral zone in transition, and stepped around K’Andre Miller entering the offensive zone. Backlund fooled Igor Shesterkin with a quick fake to his backhand, and absolutely sniped a shot under the crossbar on the far side.

Andrew Mangiapane (5) - Rasmus Andersson (3) & Dillon Dube (3) PPG - 19:55

The Flames added one more goal for good measure with under five seconds remaining in regulation time. A shot pass by Rasmus Andersson off of the end boards generated a huge rebound out in front of the net, and Andrew Mangiapane was camped out for the rebound. Igor Shesterkin nearly got back across the crease with a diving effort, but was unable to keep the puck out of the net.

It was pretty evident that the Rangers were still in hangover mode after returning from their four-game road trip. They looked exhausted right from the opening faceoff, and were never really able to convert on the chances that they did have in the offensive zone. The Rangers will have an extended three-day break to recharge before returning to action on Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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