Rangers Top Panthers For Fifth Straight Victory

(AP Photo)

The New York Rangers came into this game with a four game winning streak in which they gave up only two goals, having shutout Chicago and Buffalo. Against the Panthers, who are desperately trying to capture a wild card spot in the play offs.

The first period was all Rangers, as James Sheppard scored his first goal as a Blueshirt, but Florida rebounded for 20 shots on the Ranger net in the second. But the “Goal Buster” stop all 20 shots and kept the Rangers on top.

In the third, Matt Hunwick scored his first goal as a Ranger to give New York a 2-0 lead. Brandon Pirri put the only puck past Talbot, as Cam fought off 38 shots to tie a career high for saves in a game.

The only down point of the night, was when Marty St. Louis was hit behind the Florida net and looked to hyper-extend his right leg. He skated to the bench where the trainer took a look at him, but when he skated off the ice to the locker room it was gingerly.

After the game, Coach Alain Vigneault said that “it doesn’t seem to be anything serious, but we we’ll know more tomorrow”. Here is to hoping that AV is correct.

Scoring:

NYR: James Sheppard (6), Assisted by Dominic Moore & Matt Hunwick

NYR: Matt Hunwick (1), Assisted by Dominic Moore & Jesper Fast

FLA: Brandon Pirri (15), Assisted by Nick Bjugstad

Team Stats                              FLA                               NYR

Shots on Goal                         39                                  34

Power Play                              0 for 3                           0 for 2

Hits                                         17                                  21

Face Off Wins                        36                                  26

Blocked Shots                         8                                    36

Giveaways                              9                                     9

Takeaways                             12                                  10

3 Stars of the Game:

3^rd Star: James Sheppard: 1 Goal

2^nd Star: Matt Hunwick: 1 Goal and 1 Assist

1^st Star: Cam Talbot: 38 Saves on 39 Shots for a SV% of .974

Goalie Stats:

Dan Ellis: 32 Saves on 34 Shots for a SV% of .941

Cam Talbot: 38 Saves on 39 Shots for a SV% of .974

Broadway Bits:

The Rangers once again find themselves in first place in the Metropolitan Division and the entire NHL; with 95 points and only 17 loses in 68 games played.

The only other time they had more points in 68 games, was the 1971-72 season when they had 101 points in 68 games. That year they were led by the GAG Line (Goal a Game) of Jean Ratelle, Rod Gilbert and Vic Hadfield. The D was led by Brad Park and Eddie Giacomin and Gilles Villemure manned the goal.

The Broadway Blueshirts will look more like the Black and Blueshirts tomorrow. They blocked 36 shots, which is a season high. Both Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh were credited with six each.

The Rangers now have a 29-0-1 record when leading after 2 periods and a 23-1-3 record when leading after the first period.

The Blueshirts went 3 for 3 on the Penalty Kill and are now 16 for 17 over their last five games (94.1%)

Cam Talbot tied a single-game career high with 38 saves over the three periods.

Matt Hunwick had a goal and an assist, two shots on goal, and posted a plus 2 Rating.

James Sheppard scored his first goal as a Ranger, had three hits , two shots on goal, blocked two shots and posted a plus one Rating.

Dominic Moore finished with two assists.

Jesper Fast had an assist and posted a plus one rating in 11:46 of ice time.

The NY Rangers have a record of 44-17-7 for 95 points in 68 games.

They hold a 5 point lead over the NY Islanders and have 3 games in hand.

They hold a 7 point lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins and have 1 game in hand.

They have an 11 point lead over the Washington Capitals and have 2 games in hand.

They have a 2 point lead over the Montreal Canadiens and have 1 game in hand.

They have a 4 point lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning and have 2 games in hand.

They have a 2 point lead over the Anaheim Ducks, Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues. They have 2 games in hand on the Ducks and Predators and 1 Game in hand on the Blues.

The Rangers have 14 games left to play and will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday at 7:00PM, at MSG.