Rangers vs Jets: Rangers Blow Three Goal Lead and Lose in the Shootout
The New York Rangers have now lost three games in a row after they were defeated 4-3 in the shootout by the Winnipeg Jets. The Rangers blew a three goal lead in the third period, and Mark Scheifele put the final nail in the coffin during the shootout. Here is tonight’s goal breakdown.
1-0 Rangers
Jesper Fast (2) - Assists: Mika Zibanejad (16) & Marc Staal (5)
After a slow start to the game, the Rangers were able to finally convert on a pretty passing play that led to Jesper Fast’s first goal since opening night. Mika Zibanejad and Fast had a nice little give-and-go play that finished off with an absolute dime of a pass coming from Zibanejad near the goal line. Jesper Fast just had to get his stick on the puck as he cut through the crease, and gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.
2-0 Rangers
Marc Staal (2) - Assists: Ryan Strome (4) & Lias Andersson (2)
Midway through the second period, the Rangers were looking pretty scarce in terms of shots on goal, but on their fourth shot of the period, Marc Staal made it a 2-0 game. Ryan Strome made an excellent pass to find Staal all alone in the corner, and he snapped it over Connor Hellebuyck.
3-0 Rangers
Chris Kreider (14) - Assists: Mika Zibanejad (17) & Neal Pionk (12)
A few moments after Staal’s tally, the Rangers jumped out to a commanding three-goal lead with a deflection in front by Chris Kreider. That has been Kreider’s office all season long, and he converted yet again on a nicely placed shot by Zibanejad that allowed him to get just enough of the puck to cause a disruption.
3-1 Rangers
Mark Scheifele (16) - Assists: Blake Wheeler (30) & Josh Morrissey (10)
The Winnipeg Jets looked threatening all night long, but up until this point, it was all Henrik Lundqvist that kept this game scoreless. Unfortunately, the Jets were finally able to break the ice early in the third period, and the goals seemed to pile up from there. Mark Scheifele picked up the first goal on the power play as he shoveled the puck through Henrik Lundqvist’s legs before he got back into position.
3-2 Rangers
Jack Roslovic (2) - Mathieu Perreault (5) & Jacob Trouba (11)
Nearly two minutes later, Jack Roslovic brought the Jets back within a goal on a seeing-eye shot from just inside the blue line. There was plenty of traffic in front of Lundqvist, so it’s no surprise that he never picked up the shot until he flew past his shoulder.
3-3 Tie
Bryan Little (5) - Assists: Nikolaj Ehlers (8) & Jacob Trouba (12)
After the previous two goals by the Jets, this one seemed pretty inevitable with the way the third period was unfolding. The Rangers were caught puck watching after Nikolaj Ehlers shot was kicked away by Lundqvist, and Bryan Little quickly pounced on the rebound to even the game up at three.
4-3 Jets - Shootout
Following a back and forth overtime period, the Jets were able to take full advantage in the shootout and completed the comeback. Mika Zibanejad gave the Rangers some life in the second round, but Winnipeg came storming back with two consecutive goals from Patrik Laine and Mark Scheifele to end the game.
Following tonight’s disheartening loss, the Rangers will have a week off to regroup before returning to action next Saturday against the Florida Panthers.
