Late Rangers push not enough to extend win streak
The Rangers hosted the league-leading Boston Bruins at MSG as David Quinn’s squad was looking for their fifth consecutive victory. It wasn’t meant to be, as Boston was able to hold off the third-period push from the Blueshirts in a 3-1 Rangers loss.
Mika Zibanejad – It took a while for the Blueshirts to get on the board, but it was the suave Swede cutting the deficit in half. With his team on the man advantage, Zibanejad’s wrist shot went off the post and in behind a screened Jaroslav Halak.
Ryan Lindgren – The former Bruins prospect had a strong game for the Rangers, even if he didn’t end up on the scoresheet. The Minneapolis native played his usual physical game, recording two shots and three hits. Lindgren was shaken up in the second period when he took a high stick from David Krejci that cut the defenseman below the eye.
Lindgren would also take a Brad Marchand cross-check from behind that would lead to a penalty on the Bruins forward. But it wasn’t just the physical play, as Lindgren was strong in his own end, as seen here stopping David Pastrnak from going to the net.
It’s only been a few months into the NHL career of Ryan Lindgren, but like his defense partner Adam Fox, the early returns on Lindgren have been nothing but positive.
Sloppy Play – From the start of the game, the Rangers looked out of sync, unable to make simple passes, not communicating in their own end, and, as always, not getting enough pucks to the net. And while the Rangers had 26 shots against Jaroslav Halak, they gave the puck away a whopping 20 times. Whether you’re playing the best team in the league or the worst, 20 giveaways in a game is not a recipe for success.
Alexandar Georgiev – The young Bulgarian made 31 saves against Bruce Cassidy’s Bruins, and he didn’t have much of a chance on either of the goals he allowed. The first goal, which was credited to Long Beach, NY native Charlie McAvoy, was a shot from the point that deflected off of Jacob Trouba and over top of the netminder before landing over the goal line. The second Bruins goal came with the Rangers on the power play. The aforementioned Jacob Trouba was unable to handle the pass from Buchnevich, leading to a Charlie Coyle breakaway. Coyle flipped the rolling puck over the glove of Georgiev for what would wind up as the game-winner. We don’t know how much longer Georgiev will be with the Blueshirts, but you know he won’t want this to be his last game with the Rangers.
Next Game: The Rangers will look to start a new winning streak in Chicago as they face the Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Puck drops at 8!
LETS GO RANGERS!!
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