It looked like an outstanding defensive play by Straka, one that would preserve the tie, heading into the shootout but it ended up as one of the decisive plays of the year giving the Rangers a win with just three seconds left in OT. Stripping super rookie Evgeni Malkin of the puck, as Malkin was on a breakaway, Straka spun around, put the puck through the legs of defensemen Josef Melichar, passed to Jagr, cut to the net reaching the side of goalie Fleury, where he tapped in Rozsival's beautiful pass. Probably the most exciting ten seconds we have seen all year.
The three game winning streak will be on the line tonight against the Sabres at the Garden. With the Devil loss to San Jose last night the Rangers are now tied for first with the Islanders, who have a game in hand.
Jagr had another great game which pleased his adoring fans who continue to boo him every time he touched the puck. The guy they should be booing is Craig Patrick who as GM traded Jagr to Washington instead of the Rangers, out of spite that the Rangers fired him as GM years ago. Jagr was number one star and Lundqvist was number three. Jagr got his 12th goal of the year and leads the NHL in points with 36. He passed the great Stan Mikita in career points with 1468, making hi the greatest European scorer in the NHL.
Lundqvist played another great game. His GAA now is 2.80 and his save % is .904 and he now has 11 wins only two behind leader J. Giguere. The officiating was awful. The Rangers scored a goal and no one saw it, Hollweg was cut near the eye with a Pen stick and no one saw it and then they gave Jordan Staal a penalty shot on a play where he got off the shot. No way did that earn a penalty shot.
ICINGS:
AP
Straka's OT Goal Hands Rangers 2-1 Win
Daily News
Rangers Make Good On Henrik's Heroics
NY Post
Straka Of Genius
Sabres fall to Bruins as skid reaches 13 games
3 hours ago
Who the hell is "Strika"?
anonymous-It was a play on words. I wanted to say 'Straka Strikes'. It doesn't play to get cutsie, the Rangers know that. Sorry.