NEW YORK RANGERS POST GAME REPORT

Tough Loss as Rangers Fall 3-2 in Carolina's Home Opener
@RNYRF Staff report

Despite 2 goals by Mats Zuccarello the Rangers couldn't pull out a victory in Carolina tonight losing their first game in the last four contests. Jeff Skinner was the Ranger Killer tonight with 2 goals and an assist instead of an apparent hat trick. Bryan Bickell wound up with the game winning goal instead with under a second left in the middle period while the Canes were on the power play. The Rangers defense definitely faltered during the contest with turnovers and a late 2nd period penalty taken by Captain Ryan McDonagh leading to the go ahead goal.

There were a few bright spots for the Rangers tonight as the "Hurricane Hunter" Mats Zuccarello picked up his 13th and 14th points in 14 games versus the Hurricanes.

Rookie Jimmy Vesey was all over the ice making offensive plays and back checking like a man on a mission, showing why he was so coveted during the summer as a UFA.

Pavel Buchnevich returned to the lineup after a five game absence and looked good at times but needing to shake off the rust.

Captain Ryan McDonagh became the first defenseman to post a six-game assist streak since Brian Leetch (Dec. 15 - Dec. 28, 2001).

Back to action on Sunday for the Rangers as they host the Tampa Bay Lightning, 7;00 PM at MSG.

FINAL GAME STATS 

NEW YORK RANGERS 2 CAROLINA HURRICANES 3

SOG: NYR 30 CAR 21

POWER PLAY:  NYR  1/2  CAR  1/1

GOALTENDERS:
New York - H. Lundqvist (18 SV)
Carolina - C. Ward (28 SV)

SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
08:31 New York PPG - Mats Zuccarello (3) ASST: Mika Zibanejad (6), Pavel Buchnevich (2) 1-0
12:34 Carolina Jeff Skinner (3) ASST: Noah Hanifin (6), Victor Rask (4) 1-1

2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
00:33 Carolina Jeff Skinner (4) ASST: Brett Pesce (2) 1-2
12:17 New York Mats Zuccarello (4) ASST: Ryan McDonagh (7), Henrik Lundqvist (1) 2-2
19:59 Carolina PPG - Bryan Bickell (1) ASST: Jeff Skinner (5), Victor Rask (5) 3-2

3RD PERIOD
NONE

PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
07:28 Carolina Justin Faulk - Delay of Game - 2 minutes

2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
09:20 Carolina Bryan Bickell - Hooking - 2 minutes
18:26 New York Ryan McDonagh - Tripping - 2 minutes

3RD PERIOD
NONE