NEW YORK (NY) – Carl Gunnarsson scored just 15 seconds into the game for the St. Louis Blues and they didn’t look back as they took down the New York Rangers 3-1 Tuesday night.
Carl Hutton made 32 saves in his first start of the year for the Blues, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 of 22.
Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad stayed scorching hot, recording his fifth goal in four games to tie the game at one, just two and a half minutes into the game. Brayden Schenn gave the Blues their lead back with 6:30 left in the first period and were able to hold the blueshirts off the scoreboard the rest of the night.
The Rangers had their opportunities, getting four total power plays but after scoring on their first attempt, they failed to record a shot in their next three advantages.
The second period did not provide much effort by both teams, as the Blues recorded eight shots while New York only notched six. After playing the Islanders last night, the Blues were able to play the game they wanted, silencing the crowd with a strong defensive game.
St. Louis had a 5-on-3 for 1:15 in the third period but were held off the scoreboard. The momentum the Rangers received after a strong penalty kill and a Michael Grabner breakaway weren’t enough to help tie the game. New York pulled Lundqvist and after failing to keep the puck in the zone, St. Louis broke out and Jaden Schwartz was able to find the empty net for his second of the year.
After starting the 2016-17 year 8-1 at home, the Rangers are 1-2 to start the 2017-18 year, and 14-17-4 in their last 35 regular season games.
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