In Montreal, Patrick Kane’s first goal with the New York Rangers came on the power play in the middle frame to tie the game with the Canadiens, 2-2.
“The first two games with not much practice time, having some time off away from the rink, it probably could have gone a little bit better,” Kane said. “But it’s nice to get a few practices in and obviously it was a long, long four, five days just waiting for this one to try and get going here and get back on the score sheet. So nice to get one.”
It was on the same power play that Kane committed a gaff that led to a shorthanded goal by the Habs’ Josh Anderson and a 2-1 lead.
Igor Shesterkin, who had another so-so night in the Rangers net, made 22 saves in the win.
Montreal took advantage of sleepwalking Rangers defense and scored 35 seconds into the game for a 1-0 lead.
The Rangers improved to 36-19-9.
Artemi Panarin assisted on all three regulation goals for the the Rangers.
“We’ll take that game,” Panarin said. “It’s maybe not the best game for us, but it tries to build the team.”
The win gave the Rangers a big two points in the playoff race as the New York Islanders downed the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-3, in overtime on Thursday.
The Islanders trail the Rangers by five points, but have played three more games than the Blueshirts.
Alexis Lafreniere scored his 14th of the campaign to tie the game, 1-1, in the first. He planted himself above the crease and deflected a shot from Adam Fox, the goal came off the power play.
“I think they played really well,” Lafreniere said. “We gave them maybe a little too many 2-on-1s, 3-on-2s, and ‘Shesty’ was good for us tonight, so it’s good to get the win, and two losses in a row, it’s good to get back winning.”
Mika Zibanejad scored the only goal on penalties for the deciding marker in the win.
Alex Belzile restored the Habs lead at 2-1 headed to the middle frame.
Montreal dropped to 26-33-6.
In the second period, Jacob Trouba scored off a wrist shot from the right circle after the Canadiens defense let him skate free on the right side, his goal tied it, 2-2.
Montreal has lost four straight.
“We battled hard again, and we just came out one goal short, and we’re going to find a way to get that goal,” Belzile said.
Kane’s first point as a Ranger came on the Trouba goal with the secondary assist.
Kane’s goal came off a wrister from the left top of the left circle in the second period.
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Sam Montembeault made 30 saves in the Montreal loss.
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