Kevin Hayes plays the hero in Colorado as Rangers win another (NYR 6 v COL 3)
Don’t let the score fool you, this was a 3-3 game late in the third period when Carl Hagelin broke the deadlock. If not for the rookie’s dominant play and Cam Talbot’s 14 saves in the third period, it could’ve been a different outcome.
RANGERS 6Â vs. AVALANCHEÂ 3
The Rangers’ had their dads with them last night and Kevin Hayes gave his pop a treat with a 1G – 2 A +4 performance.
[su_quote cite=”Blueshirts United” url=”https://www.blueshirtsunited.com/article/three-goal-third-lifts-rangers-6-3-victory”]”It was nice to score and get a couple of assists to help the team win, it’s what you go for every night,” said Hayes, who was a +4 Thursday. “It’s awesome having the dads in town. He’s probably pretty happy up there. I’m sure he’s calling back to my mom!”[/su_quote]
Alain Vigneault was also very pleased with the kid’s display of skill but reminded reporters that “it was one game”. The head coach has always been tough on rookies because he understands the “process” a young player must go through. It isn’t done to hinder a Hayes but to protect him from getting to high or to low and prepare them for a long NHL career.
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New York jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the strength of goals from Dan Boyle in the first and Hayes to open up the second. Hayes’ goal was a thing of beauty as he went coast to coast like butter on toast.
[su_quote cite=”AP” url=”https://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400564396″]”I was thinking, `get it deep,’ but there was no one in front of me,” said Hayes, a rookie who had the first multi-point game of his career. “The (defenseman) gave me some space and I cut it back.”[/su_quote]
Talbot who is now 3-1-1 in 5 starts as the #1 guy, had very little work early and gave one up when the Avs finally applied pressure. It was a long shot that got by Talbot with a Gabriel Landeskog tip in front. Mats Zuccarello would restore the 2 goal cushion with his 9th point in 7 games.
Then the Avs blitzed and tied the game in the third. First an MSL turnover that led to Jarome Iginla cashing in on a big rebound and then Jan Hejda getting his first of the season, when Cam didn’t track the puck very well.
Enter the hero once again as Kevin Hayes found Hagelin streaking in front with less than 8 minutes to play for the eventual game winner. Rick Nash with add to his tremendous goal totals (34) and Ryan McDonagh would close out the scoring with an empty net PP goal.
Talbot finished the game with his 4th consecutive under .900 SV% performance (.897) and 4th straight game of allowing at least 3 goals. Fortunately he has been lifted by the Rangers offense but you know he will have to play better and steal a game or three while Lundqvist is out.
“I thought Cam played extremely well.” Vigneault said after the game. “Not a tremendous amount of work in the first period, a little more in the second and they blitzed us in the third. He gave us a chance to battle back and win the game.”
In the end all that matters is the 2 points and the Rangers got them.
NOTES
Here’s another look at the King, Henrik Lundqvist talking to Cam Talbot’s dad over that Kevin Hayes goal! pic.twitter.com/mykccqf7cv
— FullTilt Rangers (@NYR_FullTilt) February 13, 2015
1-2-3, +4, the first star of the game and the #NYR Broadway Hat for @KevinPHayes12 pic.twitter.com/WEAuOFyb68
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 13, 2015
St. Louis and Stepan sat the last 7:58.
— Rangers Report (@rangersreport) February 13, 2015
St. Louis says of turnover that led to Iginla’s goal. “I never saw him coming.” Says it’s “not a good feeling.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) February 13, 2015
Talbot agrees with assessment that last 30 minutes of this game marked his best stretch of play since taking over as starter.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) February 13, 2015
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