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Artem Anisimov registered his first NHL point
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Alexander Ovechkin may have scored three points in each of his first three games, but the Rangers were having none of it tonight. Despite being down twice in the game, the Blueshirts shown undeniable character by coming back to beat the Caps for the first regulation loss for the Capitals this season.
For boxscore click here
The lead changed four times on the night, but in the end it was two goals by Mairan Gaborik that proved the difference. Henrik Lundqvist had an up and down night, making some key saves, but letting in a rare goal from outside the blueline that he simply misjudged to allow the Caps to tie the game 2-2. Fortunately for Lundqvist the game was far from over, and a couple of wrist shots in the third period by Gaborik was enough to give the Rangers the win.
Not all was good for the Rangers however. Veteran blueliner Michal Rozsival got a taste of pine after a soft first period give away that gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead. Aaron Voros also drew the ire of coach Tortorella after an offensive zone penalty in the third period allowed the Capitals to go ahead 3-2 on the power play.
Turning point
A penalty by Voros in the offensive zone had allowed the Capitals to take a 3-2 third period lead. Less than 18 seconds later and Vaclav Prospal found Gaborik open in the slot, and what appeared to be a regulation save found it's way between Jose Theodore's pads to tie the game 3-3.
Team Report Card
A Ryan Callahan - A potential scratch before the game due to an injury suffered in practice, Callahan showed no ill-effects and turned a tiring PK shift into the Rangers first goal. Callahan worked hard, hit hard and generated scoring chances...all you could ask from him.
A- Marian Gaborik - Two indifferent periods had fans wondering whether there might be something wrong. Gaborik had a chance for a goal deflect between his leg in the second, but made up for it in the third with two goals, including the game winner.
B+ Ales Kotalik - Some have questioned his all-round game, but Kotalik has quietly put together a solid start to the season, including tonight's effort. His goal in the second was a pretty finish in close after a nice setup from Anisimov.
B+ Chris Drury - Would have been higher but had a couple of defensive missteps in the game. That said, Drury once again gave his all playing on the PK and on defense, but we'd like to see a little more offense.
B+ Dan Girardi - Girardi may very well have been the best defenseman for the Rangers in this game, which is a turn around from his first three games.
B+ Chrisopher Higgins - Six shots on the night to lead the Rangers, but he didn't find a way to get it by Theodore. Another solid night PKing.
B+ Vaclav Prospal - Solid, though not flashy game, Prospal's biggest contributions were defensively and the pass that set up Gaborik for the game tying goal.
B+ Marc Staal - Not a perfect game, but he did bounce back from his worst start to the season so far. Still looks a little uncertain offensively.
B Brandon Dubinsky - Quiet night for the third year man. Played solidly, but did not stand out.
B Wade Redden - Another workman like performance, not stand-out and we're still waiting for that offense.
B- Artem Anisimov - A nice pass to setup Kotalik for the Rangers' second goal earned him his first NHL point. Still needs to tighten up hig game.
B- Bryan Boyle - Not much to say about Boyle's game. Limited options for the fourth liner with the Rangers trailing for much of it.
B- Donald Brashear - Had another tough shot denied by the opposition netminder, but also took a penalty in the third period that could've cost the Rangers...fortunately it didn't.
B- Michael Del Zotto - Got caught out of position on the Capitals' first goal, but bounced back taking time from Rozsival. Setup Gaborik on the game winner.
B- Matt Gilroy - quiet night for the rookie. Didn't see the offense we've seen in recent games, but he put up solid minutes and didn't make any big mistakes.
C+ Enver Lisin - Another relatively quiet game for Lisin, and he may have to watch out for being the scratched player, or shifted to the fourth line when Sean Avery comes back.
C+ Henrik Lundqvist - One play can define a game. Especially when you're a goalie. Especally when you let in a goal from center ice. Lundqvist bounced back, but the goal he allowed could've cost the team.
C Aaron Voros - It's hard enough maintaining a position on the fourthe line, but Voros didn't do himself any favors with a penalty that cost the Rangers a power play goal against in the third period. Could find himself out of a spot on Sunday when Avery comes back..
D
Michal Rozsival - First "D" of the season goes to Rozsival who also appears to be the first player to end up in Tortorella's dog house. The veteran was guilty of a lacy turnover that lead to the Caps first goal, and then didn't get much better.
Fight Card
No fights
Special Teams
The Rangers went 1 for 5 on the PP thanks to a goal by Gaborik in the third period. Overall the Rangers managed just 5:15 of power play time, so the statisic is a little misleading. Some of that time came after the Caps took penalties on the power play.
The PK was superb, and killed off two, two man advantages of greater than one minute long. Drury, Callahan, Higgins lead the way.
Lines
Vaclav Prospal - Brandon Dubinsky - Marian Gaborik
Christopher Higgins - Chris Drury - Ryan Callahan
Enver Lisin - Artem Anisimov - Ales Kotalik
Donald Brashear - Brian Boyle - Aaron Voros
Marc Staal - Dan Girardi
Wade Redden - Matt Gilroy
Michael Del Zotto - Michal Rozsival
Sean Avery - Injured (MCL)
Evegeny Grachev - healthy scratch
Henrik Lundqvist
Stephen Valiquette
Injury Report
Sean Avery once again missed the game with an MCL. Avery is now targeting Sunday's game with the Ducks at MSG for his first game.
Callahan was questionable for the game due to a injury suffered in the morning skate, but suited up and scored an important goal for the Rangers.
Facts & Stats
Evgeny Grachev was called up in case Callahan couldn't go, but was a healthy scratch.
The Rangers were 0-2-2 at the Verizon Center the last two seasons, and hadn't won in Washington D.C. since February 10th, 2007.
Current Streaks
Marian Gaborik - 4 games point scoring streak (4-2-6)
Michael Del Zotto - 3 game point socring streak (2-2-4)
Vaclav Prospal - 3 game point scoring streak (1-3-4)
Ryan Callahan - 2 game point scoring streak (1-1-2)
Henrik Lundqvist - 3 game winning streak
Milestones
Ryan Callahn - 1st goal of the season
Marian Gaborik - 1st power play goal, and first game winner as a Ranger
Artem Anisimov - 1st NHL point
NHL Debuts
None
Ranger Debuts
None
Season Debuts
None
Next Game
Sunday October 11th, v Anaheim Ducks - 5:00pm MSG
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Additional stories from this Author:
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7:00pm - MSG2
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| Ͼ UPCOMING SCHEDULE |
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Wednesday Feb 10th
7:00pm - Home
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Friday Feb 12th
7:30pm - Road
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Sunday Feb 14th
1:00pm - Home
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Tuesday Mar 2nd
7:30pm - Road
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Thursday Mar 4th
7:00pm - Home
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Complete Schedule
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December 24th, 2009
When was the last time the Rangers played on Christmas Day?
Answer...
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| ‡ STANDINGS |
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Team |
GP |
W |
L |
OT |
Pts |
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Capitals |
59 |
41 |
12 |
6 |
88 |
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Devils |
58 |
36 |
20 |
2 |
74 |
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| |
Penguins |
59 |
35 |
22 |
2 |
72 |
|
| |
Sabres |
57 |
32 |
18 |
7 |
71 |
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| |
Senators |
59 |
33 |
22 |
4 |
70 |
|
| |
Canadiens |
60 |
28 |
26 |
6 |
62 |
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| |
Flyers |
57 |
29 |
25 |
3 |
61 |
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| |
Lightning |
57 |
25 |
21 |
11 |
61 |
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| |
Bruins |
57 |
24 |
22 |
11 |
59 |
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| |
Rangers |
59 |
26 |
26 |
7 |
59 |
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| |
Thrashers |
57 |
25 |
24 |
8 |
58 |
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| |
Panthers |
58 |
24 |
25 |
9 |
57 |
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| |
Islanders |
58 |
23 |
27 |
8 |
54 |
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| |
Hurricanes |
58 |
21 |
30 |
7 |
49 |
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| |
Maple Leafs |
60 |
19 |
30 |
11 |
49 |
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| ? RANDOM RANGER |
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STEPHEN KRAFTCHECK
(1951-1953)
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Born: |
March 3, 1929 |
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Position: |
Defense |
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Games: |
127 |
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Goals: |
10 |
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Assists: |
18 |
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Points: |
28 |
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PIMs: |
75 |
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