Rangers Vs Flames Recap: Rangers Score Four Unanswered To Defeat Flames 4-1
The New York Rangers scored four unanswered goals tonight as they defeated the Calgary Flames 4-1 at MSG, and improved to 6-2-2 on the season.
After a disappointing shootout loss against the Philadelphia Flyers last night, the New York Rangers responded tonight with a huge 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. Despite giving up an early goal, the Rangers scored four unanswered goals in the final 40 minutes to overcome a one goal deficit. Antti Raanta had another strong game in between the pipes tonight, and improved to 2-0-0 on the season after the Rangers made his job easy in the third period.
It took the Rangers a bit of time to get going in this one, and understandably so, but once they did, the Flames had no answer for the Rangers offensive zone pressure. As a result of the Rangers slow start, the Flames were able to take advantage and came away with an early goal just 3:06 into regulation. Marc Staal gift wrapped the opportunity for the Flames after he coughed up the puck, and handed the puck right to Johnny Gaudreau.
Gaudreau made a beautiful behind the back pass over to Jiri Hudler, and he tapped it into the empty net with Raanta attempting to get back over. It was a horrible defensive breakdown, and the Rangers found themselves fighting out a hole to start this game.
Finally, midway through the second period, the Rangers found their game in the offensive zone, and they were able to slip two goals past Jonas Hiller. Oscar Lindberg started the Rangers four goal outbreak by converting on an unbelievable feed from Kevin Hayes from behind the net, and knotted the game up at one. A short time later, Dan Girardi notched his first goal of the year as he jumped up into the high slot, and ripped a shot home on the blocker side.
From that point on, the Rangers continued to pressure the Flames in their own end and they piled on two more goals in the third period. After a massive scramble in front of Hiller, the puck slid out to Kevin Klein at the point and he shoveled a quick shot back towards the net. Deryk Engelland attempted to block the shot with Hiller still down, but it wound up deflecting off of him and into the back of the net.
About two minutes later, Derick Brassard closed out the scoring and chased Jonas Hiller with a booming wrist shot from the right faceoff circle. Hiller was unable to locate the puck with Chris Kreider setting up in front of the net, and the Rangers took a 4-1 lead halfway through the third period. The Flames were unable to generate many chances in the closing minutes, and only tossed five shots on goal in the third period.
After dropping an extra point last night, it was important for the Rangers to respond with a big game tonight and they did just that. The Rangers will now have some time to regroup after another set of back to back games before welcoming in the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday night.
Thoughts?
