Rangers vs Oilers: Rangers Unable to Break Oilers, Lose 4-1 at MSG

The New York Rangers took to the ice for the first time in seven days, and were defeated 4-1 by the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden. Kaapo Kakko opened the scoring with his first career NHL goal, but that would be all the Rangers could muster up on offense. The Oilers were able to keep the game close and scored four unanswered goals to take home the victory.

Here is this afternoon’s goal breakdown.

1-0 Rangers
Kaapo Kakko (1) - Ryan Strome (1) - 18:28 1st Period

Kaapo Kakko went scoreless during the first two games of the season, but he finally broke through this afternoon, and boy was it a good one. Ryan Strome did an excellent job of threading a centering pass through the middle of the ice, and put the puck right on Kakko’s tape in behind Oscar Klefbom. Kakko made a quick move to his backhand and shoveled the puck over Mike Smith to put the Rangers up 1-0.

Not a bad way to get your first, and at least it was a pretty play.

1-1 Tie
Oscar Klefbom (1) - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (3) - 6:45 2nd Period

Early on in the second period, the Oilers found the game-tying goal as Oscar Klefbom’s seeing-eye shot found it’s way through traffic in front. Pavel Buchnevich icing the puck just prior to the goal proved to be costly, and the Rangers lost the ensuing faceoff. Henrik Lundqvist was unable to pick up the puck through the group of bodies in front, and the puck just slipped past his glove hand.

2-1 Oilers
Connor McDavid (4) PPG - Leon Draisaitl (7) & Oscar Klefbom (3) - 9:44 3rd Period

Another self inflicted wound ended up in the back of the Rangers net as Brendan Lemieux was whistled down for a neutral zone interference penalty at 8:33. The lazy penalty lead to a big power play opportunity for the Oilers, and they took full advantage. The goal itself was nothing to write home about as Connor McDavid’s pass attempt deflected off of Jacob Trouba and in behind Lundqvist.

3-1 Oilers
Leon Draisaitl (3) - Connor McDavid (8) & Ethan Bear (1) - 13:12 3rd Period

Shortly after the Oilers’ power play goal, Edmonton doubled up their lead with another fortunate deflection in the crease. This time around, it was Leon Draisaitl’s shot from the goal line that gave Lundqvist trouble, and just barely slipped across the goal line. The third goal pretty much took the wind out of the Rangers’ sail and they stared down a two-goal deficit.

4-1 Oilers
Leon Draisaitl (4) - Darnell Nurse (4) - 19:45 3rd Period

With the goaltender pulled for the Ranges, Leon Draisaitl was able to make a great defensive play and broke in all alone on the empty net. The fourth goal sealed the game for Edmonton as they improved to 5-0 on the season.

Following this afternoon’s deflating loss, the Rangers will have another extended break before returning to action on Thursday night against New Jersey.