Rangers lose to Detroit in OT - Regain 1st Place

For nearly two hours the score stood at 1-1.  The Rangers had the better of the play – and hit two posts but couldn’t score.  Cam Talbot was standing tall – making save after save in an almost Hank-like manner. 

Both teams scored in the first – the Red Wings more or less kicking the puck into our net and then Girardi getting the equalizer on the powerplay. 

And then – some of the most thrilling scoreless hockey you are ever likely to see.  It’s all been like playoff hockey these days – but this felt like Stanley Cup Finals playoff hockey.  Both teams all over each other – end to end action – great plays on both sides.  And the Rangers had the better of it but could not cash in.  Howard was amazing in goal – and Cam matched him save for save.

But at the end - the referees took over the game.  They sent Abdelkader off for hooking and Brassard off for slashing at 17:56.  And then - the killer.  At 19:13 Derek Stepan got called for holding when it was clearly Nyquist who was holding Step’s arm to try and get the call.

So the terrible stage was set.  Two minutes of 4 on 3.  A death sentence. 

But the first hurdle was the remaining 47 seconds in regulation.  If the Rangers could survive that – they’d get a point no matter what happened in overtime.  And with determination, gritty play, and some timely Cam Talbot saves – they got to the regulation buzzer still tied and got the point that put them in first place.

On to overtime where there were still 1:13 of 4 on 3 man advantage.  The Rangers couldn’t possibly kill it all off – but they tried.  And they made it through 1:09.  But then, after Cam made his 29^th and final save of the day there was a mad scramble in from and Zidlicky, I his first game as a Red Wing, found the puck and tipped it up and over Talbot.

But there was one last heroic attempt to keep the game tied.  Dan Girardi reached his stick behind Cam and swung at the puck, hitting it in mid air and keeping it out of the net momentarily.  But it hit the back of Cam’s legs and popped into the net.

2-1 Detroit.  Rough loss but we played very well and Cam, saving .935 deserved to win.

What Did We Learn?  We learned that the Red Wings are pretty tough at home and that Cam Talbot looks more and more like a number one goalie every day.

Uh, A Little Help?  Assists?  Just Nash and Brassard.

Did Special Teams Determine The Outcome Of This Game?  We scored on the powerplay – and Detroit's game winner was also on the powerplay.  

Where Do We Stand?  Ah, yes, the good news!  Your New York Rangers are once again 1^st place in the Metro at 39-17-7, tied with the Islanders but with two games at hand. 

Oh My - What Will Happen Next?  Gmae 2 of the tough road trip finds our boys in Chicago Sunday night to take on the Blackhawks..

Non-Sequitur of the day:  Happy Purim, yo!

Dave Pucks out – thanks!