RANGERS VS MAPLE LEAFS POST GAME RECAP 12/23

RANGERS FALL SHORT IN LOSS TO MAPLE LEAFS 3-2

Tonight the Rangers just didn't have it again, poor defense and lack ofpuck posession contributed to a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Rangers fell behind 1-0 on a William Nylander goal late in the first period after squandering a 5 on 3 man advantage just five minutes earlier in the period, but did kill off a 5 on 3 Toronto Power Playl in the second period. 

The Maple Leafs extended their lead early in the second period while the Rangers were battling a penalty kill carried over from the first period to make it 2-0 on a goal by Ron Hainsey. J

immy Vesey was able to cut the lead 2-1 just under two minutes later but Tornto was able tor regain the 2 goal lead on a goal by Austin Mathews just before the halfway mark of the period to make it 3-1.

The Rangers started a comeback in the 3rd when J.T. Miller scored to make it 3-2 at with 11:25 to go in the third, just 45 seconds later Michael Grabner scored what seemed to be the game tying goal. Toronto used their coach's challenge for an apparant offsides which was upheld on a video review from the Toronto War Room and the goal was negated as it was deemed that Kevin Hayes was just across the blueline before the puck putting the pay offsides.

With just 1:24 to go the Rangers looked to pull Henrik Lundqvist for the extra skater when Chris Kreider jumped over the bench a bit too soon sending the Rangers to the penalty box for too many men on the ice. The Rangers still pulled Lundqvist after the defensive zone faceoff but could not convert to tie the game. 

Henrik Lundqvist who was once agin so,lid in goal starting his 31st game of the season stopped 34 of 37 shots on goal.

The Rangers have now dropped their last two games including Thursday's overtime loss to New Jersey heading into the Holiday break. They will return Wednesday the 27th to host the Washington Capitals.

FINAL GAME STATS

New York Rangers 2 Toronto Maple Leafs 3

GOALIES:

NYR Henrik Lundqvist 34 SV

TOR Frederik Andersen 30 SV

SOG:

NYR 32 TOR 37

PPO:

NYR 0/3 TOR 1/6

PIM:

NYR 16 TOR 10

   

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
17:14    W. Nylander (7)
Assists: M. Rielly, A Matthews    1-0

2nd Period
0:50    R. Hainsey (3) (Power Play)
Assists: M. Rielly, M Marner    2-0

2:37    J. Vesey (8)
Unassisted    2-1

11:22    A. Matthews (14)
Assist: Z. Hyman    3-1

3rd Period
11:25    J.T. Miller (7)
Assists: P. Buchnevich, C Kreider    3-2

PENALTY SUMMARY

1st Period

3:00    Z. Hyman: 2:00 for Slashing M. Staal

3:00    M. Staal: 2:00 for Slashing Z. Hyman

10:01    R. Hainsey: 2:00 for Delay of Game

10:21    R. Polak: 2:00 for Boarding M. Zuccarello

12:01    D. Desharnais: 2:00 for Slashing C. Brown

13:31    M. Rielly: 2:00 for High-sticking M. Grabner

18:56    R. McDonagh: 2:00 for Delay of Game

2nd Period
3:54    R. Nash: 2:00 for Roughing R. Polak

3:54    R. Polak: 2:00 for Roughing R. Nash

12:43    K. Shattenkirk: 2:00 for Roughing L. Komarov

13:20    M. Grabner: 2:00 for Kneeing A. Matthews

3rd Period

8:33    N. Holden: 2:00 for Tripping N. Kadri

18:36    2:00 Bench Penalty for Too Many Men on the Ice
(Served by J. Vesey)