In Newark, the New York Rangers found themselves in a close match with the Devils on Sunday.
Mika Zibanejad late power play goal proves winner for the New York Rangers
After squandering a three-goal lead, the Rangers needed Mika Zibanejad‘s late power play marker to help them win, 5-3, to keep pace with the Boston Bruins.
“I think we move the puck and we attack [on the power play],” Zibanejad said. “I think we play at a higher tempo, moving the puck and supporting each other. We work hard to get the puck back and we’re scoring right now, so that’s huge for our team.”
After falling behind by three, the Devils rallied to tie on a goal in the middle frame and two more in the third period.
Mikhail Maltsev got the rally started with a goal in the second period
“We tried to battle back but at the end of the night, a lot of penalty calls against us that hurt momentum,” Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said.
Marian Studenic *first NHL goal) and Nico Hischier scored in the third to make for a tense 20 minutes of hockey for the Rangers, who needed the two points.
Ryan Strome iced the game with a power-play goal with 25 seconds left in the game.
PK Subban hooked Strome off the puck on a breakaway, and the goal was awarded to Strome.
Alexandar Georgiev got the start for the Rangers and left in the first period with just over two minutes left on the clock. He had made 10 saves before being helped off the ice.
“I felt the pain on the side of the [left] kneecap and couldn’t really bend the knee or put any pressure on it,” Georgiev said. “Our doctor fixed it pretty quick and I knew I would be good to play in the second period.”
Igor Shesterkin iced the final 2:19 of the opening frame and made two saves.
Georgiev took over the crease to start the second period and finished the game.; he 25 saves for the win.
“If you’re going to make the push, you’re going to need everybody contributing and it can’t be just a line,” Rangers head coach David Quinn said. “Usually players take turns making a difference night in and night out. It can’t just be a line or a guy, so that’s kind of what we have going right now.”
The Rangers were 3-for-6 on the power play, including Chris Kreider’s goal to open the scoring in the first period.
“I don’t care how many leads you blow; it doesn’t matter if you find ways to win and that’s what we did,” Quinn said. “That being said, we certainly understand that if we’re going to have success, we’ve got to play better.”
Vitali Kravtsov pushed the lead to 2-0 with his first NHL career goal in the first period.
“I feel so good and so exciting,” Kravtsov said. “It’s unbelievable feelings to score your first goal and something to tell my kids.”
Alexis Lafreniere extended the lead to 3-0 in the sixth minute of the middle frame. He scored off a backhand after kicking the puck to his stick.
Lafreniere was pushed into the Devils goalie as the puck crossed the goal line with both players sprawled on the ice.
“It doesn’t matter if [the Bruins] win or lose if we don’t win, so we tried to just settle down when they scored the tying goal,” Zibanejad said. “We had a very good power play opportunity late in the game. We converted and got away with two points and that’s all we care about. Taking care of business and making sure we win hockey games.”
Mackenzie Blackwood made 21 saves in the loss.
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