Goal breakdown: Rangers snap losing streak, beat Carolina in shootout

The Rangers finally righted the ship in more ways than one. They ended their scoreless streak at a little over two hours, they ended their pointless streak at three games, and snapped their three game losing streak. The Rangers came out flat in the first –as per usual– but dominated the second, third and overtime periods. The game was eventually won in a shootout when J.T. Miller lost the puck, got it back, and shot it over Dan Ellis from a bad angle. That’s probably his new favorite move. On to the goals (not breaking down shootout goals):

That’s all the room Staal needs.

Canes 1, Rangers 0

The Canes won the board battle on the near side, a battle that they really had no business winning. They eventually cycled the puck to Joni Pitkanen on the weak side point. Pitkanen had a lot of room to move in, and he did just that. Meanwhile Eric Staal, who was a part of the board battle creeped to the bottom of the circle, where Ryan McDonagh should have been covering him. McDonagh wasn’t really in bad position, and the pass from Pitkanen threaded a needle, but that opportunity shouldn’t have happened. Once the pass gets through, there’s nothing Henrik Lundqvist could have done.

Yup, that’s a push.

Rangers 1, Canes 1

After Hank made an incredible save, the Rangers took the puck down the ice to the Carolina zone. Ryan Callahan did his best Rick Nash impression, and drove to the net with the puck to attempt a stuff-in. His initial attempt was stopped, but Pitkanen pushed him into Dan Ellis, knocking him down. Derek Stepan picked up the loose puck and fired it into the empty net. The Canes wanted an interference call, but this picture clearly shows that Cally was pushed by Pitkanen.

The Rangers didn’t show up until the second period, but after that they owned the game. Dan Ellis is the reason why the Rangers didn’t win the game in regulation or in overtime. With the way the Rangers played in the last three periods, they deserved to win. Of course, it would be nice if they played a full game, but baby steps. A win is a win. They played well for 45 of 65 minutes. Take momentum to New Jersey.