Rangers Fall In Shootout To Red Wings
Carlos Osorio/Associated Press
The Rangers were able to get a point against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night but fell just short in the shootout. Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard shined in net for Detroit as he registered 37 saves, including a save off a penalty shot in overtime from Brady Skjei. Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves in the shootout loss for the Rangers.
Entering tonight's game, the Rangers are the only NHL team that has 14 players who have recorded 13 or more points this season. In addition, the Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has eight players who have registered eight or more goals in 2017-18.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) December 29, 2017
Before the game, Vinni Lettieri was called up from Hartford to replace Chris Kreider’s spot on the roster. Lettieri was given the number 95, making him the first ever Ranger player ever to wear that number in a regular season game.
Lettieri will be the first #NYR to wear 95 in a regular season game. https://t.co/k4n03hP15D
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 29, 2017
With 2:25 remaining in the first, David Desharnais fed Jimmy Vesey all alone out in front to beat goaltender Jimmy Howard to open the scoring.
JIMMY VESEY STEALS THE PUCK AND FEEDS DAVID DESHARNAIS TO GIVE THE RANGERS THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/ID9OUoaIzJ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 30, 2017
The Red Wings would tie it up in the second off a goal from Andreas Athanasiou at 7:46 into the second.
ANDREAS ATHANASIOU BEATS NICK HOLDEN TO THE PUCK AND SNIPES HOME A BEAUTY! 1-1 pic.twitter.com/zYHD63ZJH8
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 30, 2017
Then, as the third period began, at 2:35, Boo Nieves fed Vinni Lettieri in the slot, who slid it past Jimmy Howard to score the first goal in his NHL career!
VINNI LETTIERI SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL IN HIS FIRST NHL GAME! pic.twitter.com/oYVOeMSftC
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 30, 2017
Scoring his second goal in 30 games, after a turnover from Boo Nieves in the defensive zone for the Rangers, Henrik Zetterberg buried one past Lundqvist to tie the game at 2. During a busy overtime period, Brady Skjei was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked heading towards the net after beating the Red Wings’ defense. The penalty shot was for naught, as Jimmy Howard stopped Skjei and kept the game tied at 2.
Jimmy Howard turns away a Brady Skjei penalty shot in overtime. #NYRvsDET pic.twitter.com/JQMRmBrjzV
— Nick (@nickseguin19) December 30, 2017
The shootout began with the Red Wings opting to shoot first, sending out Frans Nielsen, who would beat Henrik Lundqvist five hole to get the Red Wings on the board.
FRANS NIELSEN WINS IT FOR DETROIT IN THE SHOOTOUT! pic.twitter.com/rbyay4ad4p
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 30, 2017
Ultimately, Nielsen’s shootout goal would be the game winner, as Mats Zuccarello, Mika Zibanejad and Kevin Shattenkirk were all denied or missed their chances versus Jimmy Howard, who sealed the victory for the Red Wings.
The Rangers played a solid effort as they outshot the Red Wings 39 to 35, along with Henrik Lundqvist posting a .943 save percentage. That wasn’t enough for Jimmy Howard, who seems to step his game up against his hometown Rangers, by making 37 saves and posting a .949 save percentage. Howard is 6-3-3 lifetime against the Rangers with a 1.72 goals against average and .949 save percentage.
The Rangers will look to begin 2018 on the right track, as they play in the annual Winter Classic at Citi Field versus the Buffalo Sabres at 1PM on NBC (US) and SportsNet (CAN)
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