In New York Sunday night, the Anaheim Ducks visited the Rangers and were left wondering how to catch up to the speed of the Blueshirts in a 7-2 loss at Madison Square Garden.
After a wildly entertaining first period that ended 3-2 in New York’s favor, the Rangers turned on the jets and stoned the Ducks the rest of the way.
Cam Talbot’s 36 saves were a back story to the Rangers offense Sunday – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“Obviously [we’ve] got the right type of character in here, not only skill players but guys who come to work every day,” said Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle. “It shows a lot, the way this team runs. It’s a big win for us.”
Yandle had three assists on the night.
“It’s just getting more and more comfortable, finding out guys’ tendencies,” Yandle said. “I think over the last week or so it’s come together more and more for me.”
The seven goals were the most yielded by the Ducks this season.
“Our guys in the past have proven they can get it done on the scoresheet; it’s just lately we’ve been competing in a lot of tight-checking, one-goal hockey games,” Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. “Every game is different. Cam [Talbot] made some big saves at the right time, and we caught their goalies a little bit off tonight.”
For New York, Derek Stepan broke out of a long slump with two goals.
“For 12 or 13 games I didn’t do much with the puck,” Stepan said. “I was doing a lot of things without the puck that I like, but I want to contribute offensively. To be able to do that and help out, it’s a good feeling.”
The Rangers chased starting goalie Frederik Andersen who was replaced by John Gibson.
“We weren’t very good from the goaltending on out; I hope it’s an anomaly,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “I’m embarrassed by it. We gave them an awful lot of easy plays.”
Cam Talbot made 36 saves for the win.
“Embarrassing, terrible,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “It’s a disgusting game. We didn’t have anything. We got smoked.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.