With just over five minutes left in regulation, Mats Zuccarello picked up a goal to break a 1-1 tie and send the New York Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Islanders in Brooklyn.
It was the first win for the Rangers in the Barclay’s Center.
Mats Zuccarello was credited with game-winner – file photo courtesy of Lewis Bleiman
“We battled, we were determined to get a win here finally,” Rangers center Mika Zibanejad said. “I thought we played right from minute one. We just battled hard, solid on the PK, solid on the power play, 5-on-5, I thought it was a really good win.”
The win snapped an ugly five-game losing skid.
Zuccarello’s goal was a deflection off his lower body.
“Either it’s a great redirect from him or it’s a really bad pass from Tony, I don’t know,” Zibanejad said. “But he’s got the soccer skills, and it’s nice that one bounce in for once.”
The Rangers improved to 18-19-7.
Alexandar Georgiev made 24 saves to get the win.
“That really would have crushed us in so many ways,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “[Georgiev] stood tall tonight. If you’re going to win hockey games, you’re going to need some big saves.”
Anthony Beauvillier scored the only goal for the Isles.
“We played better overall in spurts,” Islanders captain Anders Lee said. “It wasn’t a complete game by any means, but we had our opportunities, whether it be on the power play or a few chances 5-on-5. It wasn’t close to being a full 60 [minutes], which we needed.
“They get a pretty fortunate bounce to take the lead, and we couldn’t come back.”
Filip Chytil also scored for the Blueshirts.
The Islanders dropped to 24-15-4.
[WATCH: All Rangers vs. Islanders highlights]
Robin Lehner made 24 saves in the loss.
“It was a tough, tough battle. It was a good game, but they got a nice bounce at the end. We’ve got to put this one behind us and we play tomorrow, so we’ve got to get prepared for tomorrow. It’s a big game for us,” the Islanders’ Johnny Boychuk said after the loss.
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