NYR TODAY TUESDAY 3/1

RANGERS VS BLUE JACKETS POST GAME REVIEW
Stepan's Shorthanded Goal propels Rangers over Columbus
@RNYRF Staff Report

Monday Night after a rumor layden Trade Deadline Day the newest New York Ranger Eric Staal joined his brother Marc on the ice of the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Centering the third line with winger Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg, Staal put in a solid performance for his first time in a "Broadway Blueshirt". The line didn't last long as Coach Alain Vigneault started to juggle his lines in the 3rd Period to give the Rangers a much needed "spark" in a game that most fans considered slow paced reuniting the line of Lindberg-Hayes-Stalberg for most of the period. The eldest Staal finished the game with 1 hit and 1 shot on goal in 15:43 of ice time.

Rangers backup Goaltender Antti Raanta put up a fantastic and a times spectacular 26 save effort earning himself the first star of the game filling in for Henrik Ludqvist whom Coach Vigneault gave the night off after having started in 25 of the last 26 games.

The Rangers started off the scoring to take the lead into the second period on a sneaky behind the net chance by Right Wing Mats Zuccarello banking the shot off of Columbus Goalie Korpisalo marking his 21st of the season.

The Rangers held the lead into the 3rd period until Jackets Cam Atkinson took advantage of a giveaway at the Columbus blueline by NY defenseman Dan Girardi and headed into the Rangers zone all alone on a breakaway putting the tying goal past Raanta just 3:46 into the closing period. With under 4:00 to play Rangers D-Man Marc Staal took what to be a questionable tripping call. Less than a minute later Rangers center Derek Stepan scored on a shorthanded breakaway making a a deke to the right side putting one past the Jacket's goalie Korpisalo putting the Rangers in the lead for good with 2:43 left in regulation. After a late flurry in the Rangers end Columbus was thwarted by Raanta on a beautiful save only to finally push one in over the goal line after the final buzzer.

In other NY Rangers news, Defenseman Dylan McIlrath made his debut at 4th line forward filling in for Jesper Fast ho was scratched with flu symptoms on the right of center Dominic Moore and Left Wing Tanner Glass. McIlrath only logged in 4:54 of ice time with 5 hits, no shots on goal and a 5:00 major for fighting when he dropped the gloves with Blue Jackets veteran tough guy Jared Boll, holding his own and besting Boll in the scrum.

The Metropolitan Division 2nd Place Rangers (37-20-6) return to action on the road Thursday March 3rd as they faceoff with division rival 4th place Pittsburgh Penguins (32-21-8).


Rangers hold moment of silence for Bathgate, Honor Hall of Fame forward, who died Friday at age 83 

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers held a moment of silence before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Monday in honor of Hall of Fame forward Andy Bathgate, who passed away Friday at age 83.

Bathgate, whose No. 9 was retired by the Rangers in 2009, played for New York for 12-plus seasons, beginning in 1952 and ending in February 1964, when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with Toronto that year and went on to play five NHL seasons after that, with Toronto, the Detroit Red Wings and the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing in 1970-71.

He scored 272 goals and 729 points in 719 games for the Rangers, and 349 goals and 973 points in 1,069 NHL games. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

Bathgate, who won the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player in 1958-59 when he scored a career-high 40 goals, had his No. 9 retired in a ceremony with Harry Howell, whose No. 3 was also retired. The Rangers previously retired No. 9 in honor of Adam Graves.

The Maple Leafs also held a moment of silence and video tribute prior to their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 3/1 
Max Bently C (1953-1954) Jocelyn Guevremont D (1979-1980) Allan Stanley D (1948-1954)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY MARCH 1
2012: Marian Gaborik scores his 30th goal of the season in a 3-2 win over Carolina.