RANGERS AT CANADIENS POST GAME WRAP UP 2/22

SHOCKED RANGERS FALL TO HABS 3-1

GEORGIEV SHINES IN LOSS

A tough game for the Rangers to start with began this afternoon when the Rangers recalled forward Vinni Lettieri from Hartford of the AHL. With Chris Kreider expected to return Friday or Sunday to the lineup all red flags went up. Just an hour before puck drop the Rangers made both Rick Nash and Michael Grabner healthy scratches for the game in Montreal with pending trades coming. Nash was seen leaving the team hotel this afternoon at 2 PM.

The Rangers came out tonight like they lost their best friend, and some had with the news of Nash and Grabner's scratching and upcoming trades. The defense had some mental brekdowns in the first bit rookie goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, making his NHL/Rangers debut played ith some fire and held off Motreal as long as he could stopping 39 of 41 shots on goal.

Kevin Hayes ws the lone scorer for New York but almost wasn't as his power play attempt was first overturned for a kicking motion. Upon review Hayes had touched the puck with his sick prior to it entering the net and the Rangers were 1 goal shy of tying the game with 3 minutes remaining in regulation. With Georgiev pulled and the extra attacker, Habs goaltender Antti Niemi was able to hold off the Rangers in the final minutes. Montreal added an empty net goal prior to the final minute to put the game away for good.

The Rangers have now lost their lst 5 games and return t action tomorrow at MSG vs the Minnesota Wild.

FINAL GAME STATS

RANGERS 0 CANADIENS 2

GOALIES:
NYR Alexandar Georgiev 39 SV

MTL Antti Niemi 32 SV

SOG: NYR 32 MTL 41
PPO: NYR 1/4 MTL 0/5
PIM: NYR 10 MTL 8

FO WINS: NYR 29 MTL 28

HITS: NYR 23 MTL 28

TAKEAWAYS: NYR 6 MTL 10

GIVEAWAYS: NYR 14 MTL 20

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
6:59 T. Plekanec (6) Assists: P. Byron, B Gallagher 0-1

2nd Period

3:50 J. Petry (10) Assists: N. Deslauriers, C Hudon

3rd Period
17:00 K. Hayes (15) (PPG) Assists: D. Desharnais, A DeAngelo 1-2
18:43 P. Danault (8) (EN) Assist: T. Plekanec 1-3

PENALTY SUMMARY

1st Period

2:30 L. Shaw: 2:00 Tripping

8:47 J. Gilmour: 2:00 Holding

15:21 A. Lehkonen: 2:00 Hooking

16:22  B. Skjei: 2:00 Holding the Stick

19:46 N. Pionk: 2:00 Slashing

2nd Period

5:13 M. Staal: 2:00 Hooking

19:23 K. Hayes: 2:00 Hooking

3rd Period

4:52 J.Benn: 2:00 Interference

15:23 C. Hudon: 2:00 Tripping

TEAM COMPARISONS

NY RANGERS
Players    G    A    +/-    SOG    PIM
M. Staal    0    0    0    0    2
C. McLeod    0    0    0    0    0
D. Desharnais    0    1    -1    1    0
P. Holland    0    0    0    2    0
M. Zuccarello    0    0    -2    2    0
K. Hayes    1    0    0    1    2
P. Carey    0    0    0    0    0
M. Zibanejad    0    0    -2    6    0
R. O'Gara    0    0    -1    1    0
J. Fast    0    0    -1    3    0
J. Miller    0    0    -1    2    0
B. Skjei    0    0    -1    1    2
P. Buchnevich    0    0    -2    4    0
J. Gilmour    0    0    -2    0    2
J. Vesey    0    0    -2    1    0
V. Lettieri    0    0    0    0    0
A. DeAngelo    0    1    0    5    0
N. Pionk    0    0    -1    3    2
Goalies    GA    SV    SV%   
A. Georgiev    2    38    .950   

MONTREAL CANADIENS
Players    G    A    +/-    SOG    PIM
T. Plekanec    1    1    2    2    0
K. Alzner    0    0    1    1    0
M. Pacioretty    0    0    1    4    0
P. Byron    0    1    1    0    0
B. Froese    0    0    0    2    0
N. Deslauriers    0    1    0    2    0
J. Petry    1    0    1    3    0
J. Benn    0    0    1    0    2
B. Gallagher    0    1    2    6    0
P. Danault    1    0    2    4    0
J. Morrow    0    0    0    1    0
L. Shaw    0    0    0    2    2
A. Galchenyuk    0    0    0    3    0
C. Hudon    0    1    1    3    2
J. Drouin    0    0    0    2    0
A. Lehkonen    0    0    0    3    2
N. Juulsen    0    0    2    2    0
V. Mete    0    0    1    1    0
Goalies    GA    SV    SV%   
A. Niemi    1    31    .969