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Rangers vs Islanders: Rangers Give Up Lead Late But Score Early in Overtime

The New York Rangers won their fourth straight this evening as they knocked off the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime. The Rangers held a two-goal lead heading into the third period, but two quick goals by their division rivals sent this game to overtime. Artemiy Panarin and Mika Zibanejad connected on the overtime winner as the team broke a franchise record with their eighth straight win on the road.

1st Period

Artemiy Panarin (32) - Ryan Lindgren (10) & Tony DeAngelo (33) - 17:02 1st Period

After weathering the early push by the home team, the Rangers finally settled into their game during the second half of the period. That eventually led to Artemiy Panarin’s 32nd goal of the season, which broke a career high and gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Tony DeAngelo started the play off with a great hesitation pass over to Ryan Lindgren and Lindgren finished it off with an absolute dime of a pass. Artemiy Panarin was stationed all alone off to the right of the net, and slipped the puck under Semyon Varlamov.

2nd Period

Greg McKegg (4) - Brendan Lemieux (10) & Adam Fox (26) - 7:48 2nd Period

A little under eight minutes into the second period, the Rangers widened their margin once again with a deflection in front by Greg McKegg. Adam Fox did his thing in the offensive zone once again, and created the shot with a great pass from below the goal line. Brendan Lemieux, who was covering for Fox, ripped a one-timer off of the pass and the puck found its way into the net. Greg McKegg wound up getting credit for the goal after changing the direction of the puck just enough and throw off the goaltender.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (25) - Ryan Pulock (25) & Josh Bailey (27) - 17:04 2nd Period

It wouldn’t be a game against Jean-Gabriel Pageau if didn’t find someway to haunt the Rangers on the scoreboard. Nearing the end of the second period, a strange carom off of stanchion sent the puck right back into the crease. No one on the ice was expecting such a surprising bounce, and Alexandar Georgiev had his back turned assuming the puck went out play. However, the puck landed right in the crease for Jean-Gabriel Pageau and he tapped home his first for the Islanders.

3rd Period

Brett Howden (8) - Brendan Smith (4) & Ryan Lindgren (11) - 9:34 3rd Period

With the Islanders pushing hard early in the third period, the Rangers picked up a huge goal to put them back on top by a pair. Brendan Smith’s point shot wound up being deflected in the high slot by Brett Howden and the puck slipped under Varlamov’s glove hand. At the time, the Rangers looked like they were going to hand on, but the Islanders didn’t go down without a fight.

Jordan Eberle (14) PPG - Mathew Barzal (35) & Anders Lee (20) - 14:23 3rd Period

The Islanders started their comeback bid with just under six minutes remaining as Jordan Eberle scored on the power play. Eberle had just exited the penalty box following the 4-on-4 and Mathew Barzal set him up with a beautiful pass. Jordan Eberle was able to dance around the defenders in front of the net and slipped the puck by Georgiev to make it a one-goal game.

Brock Nelson (23) - Devon Toews (19) & Mathew Barzal (23) - 19:42 3rd Period

After giving up a goal just minutes prior, the Rangers weren’t able to contain the Islanders attack and surrendered the tying goal with 17 seconds remaining. The Rangers were caught out on a long shift and looked absolutely gassed as the puck was pushed down low by Devon Toews. Brock Nelson was able to get a slight redirection on the puck and tapped the puck through the legs of Georgiev to send this game to overtime.

Overtime

Mika Zibanejad (29) - Artemiy Panarin (53) - 0:28 Overtime

Surprisingly for the Rangers, they appeared to hit the reset button after allowing two late goals and ended this game quickly in overtime. Artemiy Panarin was able to work his magic by drawing all three Islanders over to him, and dished a puck to open ice. Mika Zibanejad was absolutely flying into the zone, walked onto the puck and fired a rocket past Semyon Varlamov for the game winning goal.

Overall, the Rangers were able to get past the early pressure and found their game through the middle part of this game. However, the second half of the third period was an absolute nightmare as they handed a free point to the Islanders. Thankfully, the Breadman came up clutch in overtime with his pass and Mika Zibanejad sent the Islanders packing. Following their third straight win, the Rangers will look to keep the streak alive as they meet with the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday evening.

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