NEW YORK – After turning their game around in a 4-2 win against Edmonton, the Rangers went back to their struggling ways, losing to the Wild in Minnesota. Devan Dubnyk made 21 saves on 23 shots for his 14th win.
Mikko Koivu – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Mikko Koivu helped the Wild continue their point streak at nine games, with his three point night (2-1-3).
Special teams turned out to be the deciding factor, as the Rangers went 0-2 on the power play and the Wild went 2-3. Rangers rank ninth in the NHL on the penalty kill while the Wild rank the same on the power play.
Antti Raanta started the game in net for New York, but after making three saves on four shots he had to leave the game when he took a slap shot to the face by Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella. The length of injury is not yet determined.
Coach Alain Vigneault commented on his injury, explaining “he obviously has a head injury but we will find out a little bit more”. With a game against the Winnipeg Jets less than 24 hours from the end of the game, Vigneault and General Manager Jeff Gorton will have to discuss who they need to call-up or dress as a back-up.
UPDATE: From Rangers official Twitter account “#NYR have recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg and defenseman Chris Summer from @WolfPackAHL. Ski has been assigned to Hartford.”
The first two periods would suggest a close game, however the third period would indicate a blowout. After scoring with less than 10 seconds in the second period, the Rangers cut the Wild lead in half, going into the second intermission down 2-1.
The Wild, however, would respond with a three goal outburst in the third period, solidifying their victory. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves on 31 shots in relief of Raanta.
Lundqvist remarked on entering the game late in the first period, saying “It’s tough to come in like that in the first…I felt good there in the second but in the third, I just need to be better. That fourth [goal] was a killer and I know that comes down to focus.”
The Rangers best chance came from a penalty shot that was awarded to defenseman Keith Yandle less than a minute into the game. He was shut down by the glove of Dubnyk.
The Blueshirts next game will be Friday against the Jets in Winnipeg at 8pm.
Minnesota will play next at Nashville on Saturday, December 19th.
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