Rangers Vs. Hurricanes Recap: Lundqvist, Rangers Shutout Hurricanes 3-0 At MSG
The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes tonight by a final score of 3-0, and earned their sixth straight win of the season.
The New York Rangers kept their current winning streak intact for at least one more night, as they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes by a score of 3-0 at Madison Square Garden. Henrik Lundqvist earned his first shutout of the season in the win, and also passed Mike Richter for most career appearances and saves in a Rangers uniform. As if those accomplishments weren't enough, Lundqvist made several jaw dropping saves tonight and left everyone in awe of his awesomeness.
Jesper Fast, Rick Nash, and Ryan McDonagh all tallied a goal tonight for the Rangers, with the first two goals coming just 11 seconds apart in the first period. The Rangers took control of the game just nine minutes into the game as Jesper Fast ripped a slap shot past Cam Ward from the right faceoff circle. Emerson Etem did a great job of tying up Brock McGinn, which allowed the puck to land right on the tap of Fast, and he finished the rest.
Just 11 seconds later, Rick Nash caught a beautiful pass from Mats Zuccarello, and tucked the puck around Ward for his second goal of the season. Funny enough, Nash actually shot this puck on net this time around, and was credited with his first "actual" goal of the season. After a two goal first period, the middle frame didn't provide much action, aside from a few penalties.
The Rangers eventually closed out the scoring just 13 seconds into the third period, after Ryan McDonagh unleashed a booming slap shot from the point. The puck wound up taking a strange bounce off of Ron Hainsey in front of the net, and slipped behind Ward to make it a 3-0 game. With the Rangers going into shutdown mode in the third period, Lundqvist decided to spice things up a little bit and absolutely robbed Victor Rask off to the right side of the net.
That save appeared to take the life out of Carolina late in the game, and the Rangers were able to hold down the fort for the closing minutes. That win now gives the Rangers six straight victories, and gives them a four point cushion atop of the Metropolitan Division. There will be another big test coming p on Thursday as the Rangers welcome in the 11-3-1 St. Louis Blues.
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