NEW YORK – It was a fairly conservative game by both teams but Henrik Lundqvist made 17 saves and the New York Rangers beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in overtime. John Gibson made 19 saves in his fourth loss of the season.
 Derick Brassard had a three-point night (2-1-3) with a secondary helper on the game winning goal that came from Mats Zuccarello (1-1-2) on the power play in extra time.
With both teams playing poorly as of late, they seemed to play a timid style to start the game, not taking many chances. The first goal of the night came from Ducks forward Corey Perry after some miscommunication between Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh and forward Dominic Moore. The team leading goal was Perry’s 11th of the year.
Giveaways tormented Anaheim as two simple defensive-zone errors led to both of Brassard’s goals. The first was at 17:30 of the first period when he blocked a passing lane and slid the puck to Gibson’s left, just inside the post. His second came off of a turnover from defenseman Josh Manson who held on to the puck too long before coughing it up to Zuccarello, finding Brassard wide open for a one-timer. The goal was Brassard’s 13th.
New York found themselves on the power play with five-and-a-half minutes left in regulation, but managed to find themselves fighting for a point when Rickard Rakell rifled a shot above Lundqvist’s glove 17:06 into the third.
The Rangers penalty kill proved reliable as they were a perfect 4-0, while the Ducks went 1-for-5, allowing the lone power play goal in overtime.
This was the last game before both teams go on break. The Rangers will come back and start a three game road stand in the southeast that begins in Nashville on Monday, December 28th against the Predators.
The Anaheim Ducks next game will be Sunday, December 27th vs the Philadelphia Flyers.
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