COMEBACK FALLS SHORT RANGERS LOSE TO PANTHERS 5-4
The Rangers had a loss before the game even started, number one center Mika Zibanejad was a late scratch just minutes before the game with what the the team called an upper body injury. Zibanejad had practiced with the team earlier in the day and skated in warmups before the game. No word on how the injury happened or when he will return to the lineup.
A horrific First Period for the Rangers which saw Henrik Lundqvist chased from the net after 3 goals given up on 6 shots on goal in favor of Backup Ondrej Pavelec.
The Rangers were able to mount a comeback in the second period with goals off the sticks of J.T. Miller, Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider. A waived goal scored by Kevin Hayes on a very questionable call by the official should have tied the game 4-4 but the call on the ice was incidental contact on goalie James Reimer by Rick Nash. Replays showed that Reimer had left the crease and was able to reset before Hayes skated in and slid one past him. The Rangers challenged the call but video review was upheld by the offices in Toronto.
With 6:32 remaining in the third period Chris Kreider scored his 2nd goal of the game to tie it up 4-4. But Florida took advantage of a giveaway by Nick Holden in the Rangers zone to retake the lead 5-4 with just 1:09 remaining in regulation. The Rangers pulled Pavelec for the extra attacker but failed to gain hardly any possession in the final minute of play.
David Desharnais who filled in for Mika Zibanejad tallied 2 assists in the game along with linemate Pavel Buchnevich. Linemate Chris Kreider tallied 2 goals, a 8 point night for the line.
The Rangers Win streak ended at 4 games and also ended their 8 game home ice win streak.
FINAL GAME STATS
New York Rangers 4 Florida Panthers 5
GOALIES:
NYR Henrik Lundqvist 3 SV
NYR Ondrej Pavelec 19 SV
FLA James Reimer 23 SV
SOG:
FLA 27 NYR 37
PPO:
FLA 1/2 NYR 0/3
PIM:
FLA 8 NYR 6
FO WINS:
FLA 32 NYR 29
TAKEAWAYS:
FLA 9 NYR 10
GIVEAWAYS:
FLA 10 NYR 11
HITS:
FLA 22 NYR 13
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
5:50 FLA A. Barkov (8) (Power Play)
Assists: K. Yandle, J. Huberdeau 1-0
9:35 FLA J. McGinn (4)
Assist: N. Bjugstad 2-0
16:47 FLA M. Haley (1)
Assists: C. Sceviour, K Yandle 3-0
2nd Period
4:04 NYR J.T. Miller (4)
Assists: M. Zuccarello, B Skjei 3-1
8:36 FLA J. Huberdeau (8)
Assists: M. Matheson, V Trocheck 4-1
9:26 NYR P. Buchnevich (9)
Assists: D. Desharnais, C Kreider 4-2
11:16 NYR C. Kreider (9)
Assists: P. Buchnevich, D Desharnais 4-3
3rd Period
13:28 NYR C. Kreider (10)
Assists: P. Buchnevich, D Desharnais 4-4
18:51 FLA D. Malgin (1)
Assists: M. Pysyk, J Huberdeau 5-4
PENALTY SUMMARY
1st Period
4:59 NYR B. Skjei: 2 Minutes for Interference of J. Huberdeau
10:53 FLA J. Reimer: 2 Minutes for Slashing S. Kampfer
(Served by M. Haley)
10:53 NYR S. Kampfer: 2 Minutes for Unsportsmanlike Conduct of J. Reimer
18:18 FLA V. Trocheck: 2 Minutes for Tripping B. Smith
2nd Period
18:13 NYR C. Kreider: 2 Minutes for Interference of A. Ekblad
18:24 FLAV. Trocheck: 2 Minutes for Tripping R. Nash
3rd Period
9:41 FLA A. Petrovic: 2 Minutes for Holding K. Hayes