NEW YORK – 23 year old rookie Dylan McIlrath scored his first National Hockey League goal and the New York Rangers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-2. Henrik Lundqvist recorded 18 saves on 20 shots for his 15th win of the year while Anders Nilsson made 17 saves on 20 shots for his eighth loss of the season.
Oilers were on a current six game winning streak and were 7-2-1 in their past 10 games coming into the Garden on Tuesday night.
Rick Nash picked up game-winner over Oilers – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Mats Zuccarello, McIlrath, Rick Nash and Jesper Fast all recorded goals to give the Rangers their 19th win of the year, jumping the New York Islanders for second in the Metropolitan division.
“It’s so much about focus, making good reads and good decisions with the puck,” commented Lundqvist. “When it’s there, when we play on top of our game and have that focus, I think we’re a really strong team”
Special teams played a crucial role in the Rangers victory, as they would have to kill three penalties in the first half of the third period as they held a 3-2 lead. Rangers finished five-for-six on the kill while the Oilers did their part as well, going four-for-five on the PK.
Perhaps the turning point of the game came after New York gave up a breakaway goal to Jordan Eberle 18:20 into the second period. With just :52 seconds left in the period the Rangers got awarded a power-play and Rick Nash made them pay, scoring with :39 seconds to go, giving them a one goal lead heading into the third.
With key injuries to Kevin Klein and Dan Girardi, the Rangers recalled their 2012 first round pick Brady Skjei who made his National Hockey League debut. Although his turnover lead to the late second period Eberle goal, his overall play was praised by players and coaches.
“Any player that expects to play in this League and become a regular is going to go through that, and a play like that can’t affect you,” remarked head coach Alain Vigneault.
After giving up five and seven goals in their previous two games (Calgary and Edmonton), the Rangers cleaned up their neutral zone play and were able to have more puck possession, something they’ve been lacking.
The Rangers next game will be on Thursday against the Wild in Minnesota at 8pm. Rangers recently put forward Jarret Stoll on waivers, who was claimed by Minnesota on Tuesday.
The Edmonton Oilers will look to get back to their winning ways when they play at the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
You must be logged in to post a comment.