Rangers Shutout Blackhawks in OT

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Rangers were in Chicago at the “Madhouse on Madison” also known as the United Center, for the second game of their road trip and the first of three games in four nights. The Blackhawks were coming off a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and the Rangers were coming off a 2-1 loss to Detroit in OT. But that game was Wednesday and the Rangers had two full days off.

Both goalies, Corey Crawford and Cam Talbot were on their games and through 60 grueling minutes, not one goal was scored. The Rangers killed off FOUR Blackhawk power plays and stymied their high powered attack all night wrong.

Both teams had more than their share of chances and both Patrick Sharp and Marty St. Louis had a shot clang off the post. The action was fast-paced and thrilling, as the seconds clicked down to nothing on the scoreboard and off to OT they went.

And in OT, it took just 32 seconds for it to be finished. Derick Brassard back-checked, took control of the puck and sent it to Ryan McDonagh who passed it to Mats Zuccarello who controlled it in the Chicago zone and then fed Brassard who was filling the gap on the left side of the ice. Derick controlled the puck, wound up and beat Crawford to the short-side for the game winner and the second of two very valuable points.

The Rangers have now collected three out of a possible four points on the first two games of this road trip and will now face the NY Islanders on Tuesday night and the Washington Caps on Wednesday. Two of the BIGGEST games left on the schedule. I said on my Internet Radio show, “In the Crease” that the Rangers could win all three of these games and they have taken the first. Now they must keep the defense tight, keep the Penalty Kill going strong and score some timely goals. The Metropolitan Division AND the Eastern Conference are wide open and their for the taking for the NY Rangers. Let’s see if they can do it.

Scoring:

OT NYR: Derick Brassard (14), Assisted by Mats Zuccarello & Ryan McDonagh

Team Stats                              NYR                              CHI

Shots on Goal                         36                                  29

Power Play                              0 for 2                           0 for 4

Hits                                         22                                  11

Face Off Wins                        22                                  29

Giveaways                              1                                    8

Takeaways                             5                                    8

Blocked Shots                         18                                  8

Goalie Stats:

Corey Crawford: 35 Saves on 36 Shots for a SV% of .972

Cam Talbot: 29 Saves on 29 Shots for a SV% of 1.000

3 Stars of the Game:

3^rd Star: Corey Crawford: 35 Saves on 36 Shots for a SV% of .972

2^nd Star: Derick Brassard: 1 Goal, the Game winning goal in OT

1^st Star: Cam Talbot: 29 Saves on 29 Shots for a SV% of 1.000

Broadway Bits:

The Rangers are 10-1-2 in their last 13 games

This shutout of the Blackhawks is the first by the Rangers since January 25^th, of 1969 by Eddie Giacomin and the first in Chicago since December 25^th, 1966; also by Fast Eddie.

Derick Brassard came into this game with 11 points in his last 16 games, he now has 12 points in his last 17 games (2 Goals and 14 Assists)

The Rangers started this game ranked number 10 in the NHL on the Power Play: at 18.9% 34 for 180. They went 0 for 2 vs Chicago and are now 34 for 182.

They also came into the game ranked 10^th in the NHL on the Penalty Kill: at 82.6% 152 for 184. They killed off four Chicago Power Plays and now sit at 156 for 188

They are one of only two teams in the NHL in the Top Ten for the Power Play and the Penalty Kill

The Rangers will face the Islanders and the Caps in back to back games on Tuesday and Wednesday

They sit with a record of 40-17-7 for 87 points, good for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

They are only one point behind the Islanders but have 3 games in hand

They are two points in front of Pittsburgh, but have one game in hand

They are five points in front of the Caps and have 3 games in hand