Rangers vs Jets: Rangers Blow Third Period Lead and Fall to Winnipeg 4-3
After coming away with a surprising 4-1 win over Toronto Maple Leafs, the New York Rangers fell back into the loss column this evening against the Winnipeg Jets. The Rangers held a one-goal lead heading into the third period, but the Jets answered with two quick goals to steal the game from the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 save on the night but will likely want one or two of the goals back that were scored this evening.
1-0 Jets
Mark Scheifele (29) - Joe Morrow (5) & Kyle Connor (22) - 4:58 1st Period
The Winnipeg Jets came out absolutely flying in this game, and were rewarded for their efforts just 4:58 into the first period. Mark Scheifele was able to make some space for himself off to the right of Henrik Lundqvist, and ripped a low shot on the ice to give the Jets the early 1-0 lead. Jow Morrow picked up the primary assist on the goal with a beautiful cross-corner feed from the blue line to setup Scheifele for the goal.
2-0 Jets
Mark Scheifele (30) - Blake Wheeler (56) - 18:36 1st Period
Mark Scheifele struck again later on in the first period and registered his 30th goal of the season with a wicked wrist shot from the high slot. Scheifele was able to use the pick in front by Blake Wheeler and toe dragged around the screen to give himself a deadly shooting lane. Henrik Lundqvist didn’t stand much of a chance, and Scheifele picked the left corner of the net to give the Jets a two-goal lead.
2-1 Jets
Mika Zibanejad (24) - Chris Kreider (19) & Mats Zuccarello (24) - 0:38 2nd Period
After a pretty miserable first period, the Rangers responded to David Quinn’s message between periods and came out looking for revenge. Mika Zibanejad picked up his 24th of the season just 38 seconds into the second period and brought the Rangers back within a goal. The goal came off of an off-angle shot by Zibanejad and he was able to bank the puck off of the post and in behind Connor Hellebuyck.
2-2 Tie - PPG
Pavel Buchnevich (10) - Ryan Stome (8) & Tony DeAngelo (11) - 19:19 2nd Period
Following a pretty dirty hit by Dustin Byfuglien, the Rangers went on the power play late in the second period and came away with the tie heading into the locker room. Pavel Buchnevich finished off a beautiful setup by Ryan Strome in the high slot, and deflected the puck over Hellebuyck’s shoulder to make it a 2-2 game.
3-2 Rangers - PPG
Mika Zibanejad (25) - Kevin Shattenkirk (13) & Mats Zuccarello (25) - 0:57 3rd Period
The Rangers came all the back from down to goals, and added their third goal of the game just 57 seconds into the final frame. Once again, it was Mika Zibanejad working his magic and the Rangers cashed in on a weird pinball style goal to give themselves a 3-2 lead. The puck wound up deflecting off of two defensemen in front of the net, before it finally made its way behind Hellebuyck and crossed the goal line.
3-3 Tie
Joe Morrow (1) - Mark Scheifele (38) & Ben Chiarot (9) - 5:22 3rd Period
Unfortunately for the Rangers, Winnipeg answered right back just four minutes later with a goal coming from Joe Morrow. Much like the Rangers goal, Morrow’s shot found its way through a ton of traffic in front of Henrik Lundqvist, and slipped through his legs in the crease.
4-3 Jets
Andrew Copp (6) - Mason Appleton (7) & Tyler Myers (14) - 7:21 3rd Period
Winnipeg continued their pressure following the tying goal, and eventually completed the comeback of their own at the 7:21 mark. Andrew Copp was able to corral a loose puck on an errant pass from Mason Appleton, and somehow slipped the puck under Henrik Lundqvist from a strange angle. Copp’s goal would hold up as a the game-winner with the Rangers failing to convert on several high quality chances late in the third period.
Following tonight’s rough loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Rangers will have two days off before returning to action on Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres in Upstate New York.
