Second period lapse does in Blueshirts against Islanders (NYI 3 v NYR 0)

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Marc Staal and the Rangers watch as the clock hits zero versus Islanders (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Fans at the Garden were entertained to some classic hockey for 20 glorious first period minutes. After trading chances the Rangers found a sequence in which they could have scored the game’s crucial first goal. It didn’t happen and the Rangers paid for it later.

ISLANDERS 3 vs. RANGERS 0

NYI at NYR 1.13.15 (espn)

Rick Nash had gained a step on his defender and took a shot that slid by Halak but hit the right post. Derrick Brassard followed the play up and shot at a gaping net mouth only to hit the same post and watch the puck slide at the line to hit the left post. Three posts in less than three seconds could have been the difference for the Rangers who totally lost their legs in the second period.

The Islander came out for the middle stanza and absolutely stormed the Rangers. First it was Anders Lee shaking off Girardi and batting one through Lundqvist. Next it was Nikolay Kulemin to give the Isles a 2 goal lead.

Still there was hope. The Rangers were awarded a late power play that could give them momentum for the third period. That hope was killed by Frans Nielsen and a shorthanded tally.

Lundqvist would be pulled after the period having faced 19 shots in the second alone. In total, Henrik saw 32 shots fired his way in just 40 minutes of play. The Islanders would finish the game with 44 shots to the Rangers 27. New York simply didn’t have it last night and you can blame the California trip if you like, but they lost and they deserved to.

“In the second period, there is no doubt we were a step behind in our execution,” a disappointed Alain Vigneault said in his press conference. Dan Girardi lamented, “It’s unfortunate that was our effort tonight.” Meanwhile, one of the few Rangers to show some resistance to the Islanders attack, Dan Boyle said “we didn’t have our usual energy…but we have to turn the page and move on.”

Derek Stepan was injured and we should have more news today. For now the Rangers are labeling it an upper body injury.

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By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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