Rangers third period implosion costly in 4-3 loss to Oilers
The New York Rangers hosted Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers for the second of two meetings between these two teams this season. After playing a great two periods with incredible goaltending from Jonathan Quick, the Rangers fell apart in the third. Giving up four goals in a ten minute span, New York would not be able to battle back in this one as they fell by a final score of 4-3.
In the loss, Blake Wheeler had one goal while Mika Zibanejad registered one goal and one assist. Chris Kreider notched two assists as well. Will Cuylle also notched a goal as time was expiring. Despite the score, Jonathan Quick had another solid game. He bailed the team out multiple times in the first two periods. Unfortunately, this is his first loss in regulation all season.
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Edmonton Oilers 4 vs New York Rangers 3
The first period saw both teams trade chances for the better part of the frame. The Oilers got of to a 5-0 lead in shots, but the Rangers battled back with some close calls of their own. New York displayed lengthy offensive zone shifts with incredible puck control as the period moved along.
The Rangers, sustained pressure throughout the middle portion of the first would finally pay off. In what was one of the nicest goals of the season, Mika Zibanejad would deflect a pass from behind the net to a wide open Blake Wheeler for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Wheeler’s 6th point in his last five games.
The teams would each get some offensive looks as the first period began to wind down. Thanks to some fine play by Jonathan Quick and a huge block on a Connor McDavid shot, the Rangers would head into the locker room with a one-goal lead and 1:40 of power play time on deck to start the second period.
The second stanza got off to a wild start. On the remainder of the power play, Mika Zibanejad rifled a one-timer off Stuart Skinner’s helmet, dislodging it. The rebound went straight to Artemi Panarin, who fired it home. However, the play was blown dead due to Skinner being without a helmet. A tough break for the Rangers early on in the second.
The Rangers dominated the next several minutes of play. After starting the game down 5-0 in shots, they were now leading 13-7. New York would then get another power play opportunity. The highlight of the two minutes came from Jonathan Quick as he made an incredible cross-crease save following a defensive lapse by the Rangers.
The Rangers would then be put on the penalty kill for the first time in this contest. The 5th best short handed unit in the league was successful once again, and even came close to cashing in a short-handed goal by Chris Kreider.
It was then Jonathan Quick’s turn to steal the show. After a stellar glove save, the Rangers found themselves short-handed once again. Quick made several incredible stops in desperation style. He was able to bail the Rangers out time and time again on this penalty kill and keep the game at a 1-0 score.
The Rangers escaped the end of the second period and would take the one-goal lead into the locker room having blanked the Oilers for five straight periods of play.
Unfortunately for New York, the streak would end a five. After some sloppy defensive play, Zach Hyman was able to roof one over Quick for Edmonton’s first goal of the game, and first of the season against Quick and the Rangers.
Immediately following that, the Oilers found the back of the net once again, as Evander Kane slid one past Quick. This caused New York to take their time out and reset.
However, the Rangers continued to crumble as the third period continued. After another failed entry into Edmonton’s offensive zone, Warren Foegele walked in nearly uncontested and beat Quick high over the blocker side. After two great periods, the Blueshirts had seemingly fallen asleep.
The nightmare of a 3rd period continued on. A bouncing puck off a rebound found the stick of Ryan McLeod and with that, the fourth Edmonton goal in a ten-minute span. The Garden crowd went silent as the Oilers had completely flipped the script, wiping out a great two periods from New York.
The Rangers would try their very best to mount a comeback. With just over four minutes left, Mika Zibanejad would jam home a power play goal and cut the deficit to two. As time was winding down, the Rangers would score again with just 0.1 seconds on the clock. Will Cuylle would get the goal for the Blueshirts.
However, it would prove to be too large a lead for New York to overcome. The lifeless start in the third period would be enough to lose this one. The New York Rangers fall to the Edmonton Oilers by a final score of 4-3.
Rangers Notes
- Jonathan Quick stopped 24 out of 28 shots
- Blake Wheeler’s goal was his 11th point this season and 6th in his last 5 games
- Mika Zibanejad registered 2 points (1G-1A)
- Chris Kreider had two assists
- Alexis Lafreniere registered an assist, now has points in two straight games
The Rangers are right back at it tomorrow night as they host the Buffalo Sabres. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM ET at Madison Square Garden.
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