Richards sticks it to old team as Rangers 5 game win streak snapped (CHI 1 vs. NYR 0)
Richards celebrates goal (Photo by Rebecca Taylor/Getty Images)
Last night at Madison Square Garden, Brad Richards got a bit of sweet revenge by scoring the only goal in a tight contest. Afterwards, he was nothing but gracious to the Rangers and their fans.
[su_quote cite=”NHL.com” url=”https://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014021050&navid=nhl:topheads”]”It’s a bonus to get one in this building against them, but not in a bad way,” Richards said. “I have nothing bad to say about this organization or New York. Everyone knows how much I love playing here. It was pretty cool to score against them and win the game.”[/su_quote]
BLACKHAWKS 1 v. RANGERS 0
CHI 1 v NYR 0 (ESPN)
The way the game was played by both teams, you knew this one was going to be decided by a goal. Hockey is a game of inches, maybe even centimeters because before Richards scored, Dan Boyle‘s shot was heading right into the net. Scott Darling came across to play the shot and just got a piece of his helmet on it to change its direction. Even then it could have gone in but hit the crossbar instead.
Now, the Hawks headed the other way and Brad Richards had corralled the puck and went behind the net. Matt Hunwick left his man to chase Richards but inexplicably stopped and reversed course instead of continuing pursuit. Tanner Glass went to the net to pick up Hunwick’s man and prevent the cross ice pass option. Jesper Fast then didn’t make the read and failed to pick up Richards who waltzed in front and scored the game winner.
That’s hockey! Almost win it one minute, lose it a minute later. The real concern has to be the Rangers lack of scoring in their last 7 games. 11 goals since scoring 4 against Nashville isn’t going to cut it.
Where are the Rangers top guns? During this 7 game drought, NY’s top 6 forwards have scored a total of 4 goals! Two of them were from Marty St. Louis and he isn’t in the lineup right now. Derick Brassard and Rick Nash have the other two goals.
TOP 6 OFFENSIVE OFFENSE
Derick Brassard – 7GP, 1G, 1A
Rick Nash – 7GP, 1G, 2A
Chris Kreider – 7GP, 0G, 2A
Mats Zuccarello – 7GP, 0G, 3A
Martin St. Louis – 6GP, 2G, 1A
Derek Stepan – 7GP, 0G, 0A
That ladies and gentlemen is the only issue and the Rangers will need to correct it.
NOTES
Per Elias: Rangers first NHL team to allow 1 goal or fewer in regulation in 8 straight games since Stars did so March 13–28, 2001.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossRecord) March 19, 2015
#Rangers‘ first regulation loss since Feb. 28, and just their second regulation loss since Feb. 8. They had been on a 14-1-3 streak. — Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey) March 19, 2015
Lundqvist’s wife is due any day now to have their second daughter. So he may not travel to Carolina but likely will next week to Ott/Bost
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 18, 2015
Lundqvist says he will not force getting back into a game. Sounds more relieved to be cleared than anything — Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) March 18, 2015
Hunwick goes behind the net chases Richards & stops. Glass covered the front. Blame Glass because? Hate blinds. pic.twitter.com/Vox6WMvk9f
— FullTilt Rangers (@NYR_FullTilt) March 19, 2015
HIGHLIGHTS AND INTERVIEWS
More About:New York Rangers Games