It was a roller coaster night for the Rangers’ special teams, which scored two goals but surrendered three in a 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden.
With the game tied, 3-3, Chicago’s Artemi Panarin scored his second power play goal of the night to put the Blackhawks ahead, 4-3. He later completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal with 1:11 remaining.
The game-winning goal was Chicago’s third power play goal of the night.
The Rangers’ power play came through with two goals on a double-minor that was assessed to Vincent Hinostroza when he high-sticked Dominic Moore late in the second period.
The Blueshirts wasted little time in the final period, as Derick Brassard ripped a power play wrist shot from the circle top-shelf over Corey Crawford’s glove to tie the game, 2-2. The goal was Brassard’s 20th of the season, setting a new career-high.
Less than two minutes later, Dan Boyle scored a power play goal of his own when he slammed his own rebound under Crawford on the side of the net to put New York ahead by a goal.
However the penalty kill came up short midway through the final frame when Andrew Shaw put home a pass in front from Teuvo Teravainen at 9:53 to tie the game at 3-3.
The teams traded chances until Keith Yandle was called for holding at 16:30, paving the way for Panarin’s power play goal that turned out to be the game-winner.
The night did not start as planned for the Blueshirts, who fell behind early in the first period when Chicago’s Andrew Desjardins broke through the slot and buried a pass from Teravainen at 3:30 to put the Blackhawks up 1-0.
New York settled down a bit and out-shot Chicago 10-to-6 in the opening 20 minutes, and appeared to tie the game early on the second period when Dan Girardi’s blast from the top of the circle beat Corey Crawford high.
Chicago, though, challenged the call and upon further review, it was determined Crawford was interfered with by Chris Kreider, negating the tally to the chagrin of the Garden crowd.
Kreider was later called for holding at 8:17, and on the ensuing power play, Panarin beat Lundqvist with a gorgeous wrist shot to extend Chicago’s lead to 2-0 at midway through the second.
The Rangers, though, got one back just 3:40 later when Oscar Lindberg scooped up a loose puck in the Chicago corner and fired a hard pass to Kevin Hayes, who held out long enough to beat Crawford low stick side to cut the Blackhawks’ lead to one. It was Hayes’ 10th goal of the season, and third goal in his last four games.
Lundqvist’s best sequence of the night came late in the second period with the Rangers down a goal when he denied Teravainen and Brandon Mashinter on a partial 2-on-0. Lundqvist turned aside a low wrist shot from Teravainen and denied Mashinter’s rebound with his left pad to keep New York within a goal. He finished with 15 saves.
Defenseman Marc Staal missed the game due to the birth of his second child. It is unknown if he will play Thursday in Toronto when the Rangers face the Maple Leafs at 7:30 on MSG Network.
By Matt Calamia
(Reprinted With Permission of the New York Rangers)
