Rangers slay the “Monster”, edge Red Wings in OT (NYR 4 – DET 3 OT)
Jonas Gustavsson just quite get there as Brassard wins it 11.5.14 (Jared Silber/Getty)
There it was, right on the door step with Jonas Gustavsson (aka: The Monster) about to pounce on the loose puck. For certain, at 6’3″ he’d be able to reach it. Alas, The Monster would stretch, glove gaping, only to miss by a centimeter. Instead, Derick Brassard would find it and cash in for the OT winner.
New York Rangers 4 vs. Detroit Red Wings 3 (Overtime)
NYR vs. DET 11.5.14 via ESPN
The Rangers and Wings faced off at MSG for NBC’s Rivalry Night. Let me just say this, it hasn’t been a rivalry since there were only 4 other teams in the NHL! Regardless, it was still an excellent hockey game and a ton of fun to watch.
Rick Nash would open up the scoring on the PP off his rear end. Of course, it’s being labeled the “butt goal” by fans on social media and some other blogs. Can I just say something, it’s pretty silly. You’ll see at least 100 goals go in off a player’s ass this year.
In the 2nd period, the Blueshirts would grab a 2-0 lead on a tally from Marty St. Louis. Just moments before, Henrik Lundqvist would stop Gustav Nyquist on a penalty shot after Kevin Klein was called for covering the puck in the crease. That sequence was why hockey is one of the greatest games on Earth.
MSL celebrates goal 11.5.14 (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Then it happened, 2 Red Wing goals in 13 seconds. If you batted your eyelashes, you may have missed it. First a wicked snapshot by Jakub Kindle on the PP, followed by a bad angle bank shot by Daniel Cleary.
If we’ve learned anything this season, we know the Rangers have an unshakeable resolve. Even with the ice tilted toward Lundqvist in the 3rd period, they would bend but not break.
Glen Sather’s bargain basement off-season paid off nicely as Lee Stempniak put the Rangers up by 1. For those of you keeping score, that was his third of the season, Benoit Pouliot only has 1 and makes over 3 million more a season. Speaking of Slat’s dirt cheap acquisitions, Matt Hunwick had 2 assists and Mike Kostka added 1 too. Not bad work there by the old GM.
Detroit would tie it with 7.7 seconds left on a myriad of penalty calls that have me still shaking my head. But NY would prevail on a PP goal in overtime by Derick Brassard. It was a costly goal, because it wasn’t just the game the Wings lost, but Gustavsson as well. According to reports, he will be out with a shoulder injury.
By the way…I wonder what this Red Wings fan did after Brassard won it? Have a seat Bub!
GIF: Red Wings fan executes brilliant photobomb/taunt after game-tying goal in New York https://t.co/l4v4ybcujX
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 6, 2014
Looking Ahead
Derek Stepan looks set to make his regular season debut in Toronto against the Maple Leafs. Kevin Klein and Mats Zuccarello returned to action last night and instead of losing in a shootout like they did in their last 2 games, the Rangers won it in OT.
Watch out, the Rangers are getting healthier.
As for the Rangers PP, much maligned all year – they have now scored 3 power play goals on their last 7 chances.
RAGING RANGERS
1. Marty St. Louis – He’s heating up! Another multi-point performance with a goal and an assist. He now has 4 points in his last 2 games and 10 points on the season.
2. Derick Brassard – Big stick taps to the man who was forced into the number one pivot role and has done an outstanding job. He scored the game winner and has 5 goals and 11 points on the year.
3. Matt Hunwick – At first he was quietly getting it done, now he’s showing up on the scoresheet. When John Moore’s suspension is up he may not just waltz back in the lineup. If Dan Boyle returns before Moore’s suspension is up, he would take Kostka’s spot. Makes you wonder if AV would just so simply remove Hunwick, who now has 5 assists in 10 games.
REELING RANGERS
1. Anthony Duclair – His ice time is dwindling. Now is that a sign of where the Rangers are going with him, or a byproduct of not having the kid out there in close games? Answers soon to come.
2. Kevin Hayes – Same as Duclair. It will be interesting to see where these 2 players stand after Stepan returns.
3. Carl Hagelin – He’s had moments this season, but not enough. In fairness, Vigneault has bounced him around the lineup, so jury is still out on Hags this year.
HIGHLIGHTS & INTERVIEWS
FULLTILT FORECAST WINNER:
— NY Rangers News (@nyrgoal99) November 6, 2014
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