NEW YORK, NY – For one night at least, the New York Rangers broke out of a nasty funk that seen them sink to the depths of the division. With 21 points coming into the night the Rangers had had seen their quick start once again fade as they did last season.
But in Ottawa the Senators gave the Rangers what they needed most, a solid win and good all around effort from the net out.
Importantly, the Rangers picked up an excellent performance from Henrik Lundqvist in net who stopped 5 of 7 shooters in the shootout session. He had 35 saves on the night.
His effort was rewarded when recent call-up, PA Parenteau roofed a shot past the Senators’ netminder Brian Elliott.
As the shootout session was extended head coach John Tortorella was reportedly searching for a good shooter and Parenteau’s AHL record was good enough to get him the nod.
PA Parenteau. Photo courtesy of National Hockey League
Parenteau nearly made the game winning play with just over three minutes left in the contest when he fed Chris Higgins. Higgins found all pipe on the power play chance but Parenteau made no mistakes with his opportunity later.
The Rangers’ prize acquisition of the off season, Marion Gaborik, was johnny on the spot again in this game. On a two on one break out in a short-handed situation he raced up ice with the puck and found a streaking Vinny Prospal with a pass that Prospal only needed to touch into the left side of the net for the equalizing goal at the time.
The issue now is whether or not the Rangers can build on one of their more complete efforts of the season. As Lundqvist said in the post game interviews, this was a badly needed win. The Islanders have found their legs and are breathing down the necks of the Rangers and the rest of the division.
A full quarter of the season is gone and the club needs to make a run at points or the off season spending spree will have been for naught.
Contact lm.davis@prohockeynews.com
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