The Rangers rallied for a 4-3 shootout win over the Canucks on Sunday. Like Friday against the Red Wings, New York was horrific in the first, but picked up their game as the contest wore on, Henrik Lundqvist was brilliant through out, making several key saves, including one where he stacked the pads to make a key save in the second period to keep the score at 2-0 and New York in the game. The offense woke up in the third and in the shootout, Kevin Shattenkirk and Rick Nash scored to keep the team alive before Jimmy Vesey won the game.
Game recap:
MSG Post-game:
Lundqvist entered the game having stopped 70 straight even-strength shots and 105-of-106 in the previous four games. A Paul Carey turnover resulted in Loui Eriksson's even-strength goal at 7:54 of the first, ending that streak. New York was off most of that period and were fortunate to be down only one. As noted above, this was almost a mirror image of Friday, though in that contest, New York entered the intermission tied at zero.
The Canucks’ lead grew to 2-0 at 7:21 of the second when Jake Virtanen buried an open shot after he won a wall battle with three Rangers — Marc Staal, Steven Kampfer and David Desharnais. Kampfer tried to kick the puck but it deflected away from the boards, where Virtanen pounced on it and beat Lundqvist top shelf. Lundqvist kept it 2-0 with that stacked pad save, allowing New York to half the deficit late in the period. Jesper Fast got his fourth goal (third in the past three games) at 17:40, thanks to good work on the cycle by his linemates, J.T. Miller and Michael Grabner, as well as Brendan Smith and Nick Holden, whose shot was redirected by Fast to make it 2-1 going into the third.
Michael Grabner, who was the Rangers' best forward, finally got one, picking up a pass off the boards to beat Jacob Markstrom low to the wide side. Those good feelings lasted just 41 seconds. Brendan Smith's clearing pass hit a seam on the glass by the stanchion, and instead of going around the boards, the puck deflected outwards. Thomas Vanek grabbed the puck and fed Sam Gagner for the open slot shot and goal.
Vesey started the game on the fourth line, but coach Alain Vigneault moved him up to play with Nash and Kevin Hayes as the game progressed. That move proved prescient, as Vesey tallied the tying goal. A pass by Hayes to open space was garnered by Nash, who performed a spin-o-rama and fed a wide open Vesey. A quick move across the royal road, left an open net for Vesey, who backhanded it home.
Vancouver dominated the overtime but were unable to beat Lundqvist, In the shootout Lundqvist and Markstrom were both solid, but Lundqvist made one more save than Markstrom and benefitted from New York's ability to the extend the shootout. On the 12th anniversary of Marek Mailk's goal in the 15-round shootout, Vesey ended it in round seven.
With the win, New York has won eight in a row at home and four straight in general. The Rangers are 10-4-2 at MSG and face Florida on Tuesday and Carolina at home on Friday. with Sunday's win, the Rangers are in the eighth spot in the East. Moving up the ladder will require winning on the road, much better starts at home, improved play 5v5 and better defense, especially in front of the net. The wins the last two games are nice but that doesn't mask the issues that exist. I love the criticism given to Kampfer today, forgetting how well he has played in general this season. With Ryan McDonagh out with a strained ab, Kampfer is likely the better option than Tony De Angelo, who is trying to find his game a Hartford. If a defenseman is needed, look for it to be Neal Pionk, though that will depend on how much longer McDonagh is sidelined. If Boo Nieves' hip is sufficiently healed, he should be back in the lineup Tuesday against the Paathers.