TORONTO – In a new age of speed and finesse, getting back to basics was the formula of winning ways for the New York Rangers at the Air Canada Centre for the Canadian forces night on Saturday.
Playing a crash and bang style, chasing down pucks and hitting anything that moved the Rangers found a way to keep the speedy Toronto Maple Leafs at bay outshooting and out playing the Leafs breaking a five game home winning streak for the 3-0 shutout.
The clinical planning of head coach John Tortorella gave the Rangers a winning formula that the Leafs couldn`t match. Stella play from Martin Biron in net and an impressive work rate from the Rangers fourth line gave the Rangers three goals from Mike Rupp, Brian Boyle and Derek Stepan.
Keeping the Leafs first line under control the Rangers reduced the Leafs to just 20 shots over three periods, a poor figure against the NHL leading Rangers.
The Leafs continue their homestand with games against Ottawa Senators, Minnesotta Wild before closing out the week against division rival Montreal Canadians. It’s likely James Reimer will get the start in net against the Sens if only to rest the impressive Jonas Gustavsson who was showing glimpse of fatigue on Saturday.
Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com
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