Rangers Avoid The Trap

It was the classic trap game. A high flying team, the Rangers, winners of 15 of 18, against a team struggling to stay relevant, tied for 12th in the playoff race. Add to that a goalie, Craig Anderson, who gives the Rangers fits, and you had the making of a Ranger loss. Almost, but not quite.

The Rangers on a goal by Kevin Hayes, 6th, took the lead in the second period, but the Senators wiped it out with two goals in just 63 seconds, took the lead and control of the game. That lasted til the 2:42 mark of the third when Kreider tied it with his 10th on a beautiful duo of passes from St. Louis and Staal. The winner, in OT, was scored by Hagelin, 9th, off a beautiful feed by Stepan.

The goalies were good in this Swedish dual. Lundqvist, now 23-9-3, made 33 saves. Anderson, 12-11-7, made 32 saves. Anderson came into the game with a 6-0-0 and a 1.1 GAA against the Rangers. So all the elements were there for a loss by the Rangers but this team has shown a grittiness and toughness that carries them through.

The Rangers are now a point behind  the Pens for second place in the Metro. They are 5 points behind the Islanders who they play next Tuesday on the Island. The Rangers have two games in hand on the Islanders and one game on the Pens. The Caps are one game behind the Rangers and the Rangers have two games in hand.

So let the games resume.

Related Articles by Categories