Tempers aflame as Rangers top Calgary in overtime

Filip Chytil (two goals), Jacob Trouba (two monstrous hits), and Mika Zibanejad (two goals) were the stars for the NY Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers were making the big plays, getting the big goals, and delivering big hits all night, but couldn’t keep Calgary at bay in regulation, blowing a 3-1 lead in the third before tying the game late. Then it was Alexis Lafreniere, who is poised for a big second half, who ended it. The Kid Line all produced, and it was the most maligned this season that gave the Rangers the extra point.

Tempers took over the game for the first two periods, with Calgary taking exception to two clean hits by Trouba and one by Sammy Blais. The Blais hit led to a near line brawl, with several skirmishes breaking out after Blais laid out Milan Lucic, who took exception to the hit. Kudos to the refs though, who were crystal clear on what happened and why certain penalties were called and others weren’t.

https://twitter.com/NYRangers/status/1622767249013587969

The win gave Gerard Gallant his 350th career win, his 80th with the Rangers.

This was by far the most entertaining and probably the single best game of the season thus far for the Rangers, and possibly in the entire NHL. It had everything, and the icing on the cake, aside from the two points, was the Kid Line showing they are the Rangers true second line.

Rangers 1, Flames 0

The Kid Line is clearly the Rangers 2nd line, right? Adam Fox made a nice play after a board battle to chip the puck ahead to Kaapo Kakko, catching the Flames flat footed. Kakko led Filip Chytil with a beautiful lead off the boards, and Chytil beat Jacob Martksrom. Not so much a defensive breakdown, but the Flames were caught napping on the transition.

Flames 1, Rangers 1

Sometimes, hockey happens, and it happened for Blake Coleman. After a decent chance that was fended off by Ryan Lindgren and Jaro Halak, Coleman got a little lucky. His whack at the rebound went off Adam Fox’s stick, off Halak’s blocker, and through his legs. Just bad luck. Worth noting Artemi Panarin was F3 on the back check and peeled away from Coleman in front.

Rangers 2, Flames 1

Nazem Kadri misfired and turned the puck over, and Chytil was off to the races.

Flames 2, Rangers 2

Tyler Toffoli simply used K’Andre Miller as an added screen with Elias Lindholm in front. This came after Panarin jumped too early and had a too many men call against the Rangers.

Rangers 3, Flames 2

Another clean hit by Trouba, another fight, another powerplay for the Rangers. This time, PP1 made us remember what PP1 can do. What a passing play.

Flames 3, Rangers 3

A much debated goal for a kicking motion that was eventually allowed and called a deflected puck. Andrew Mangiapane wound up getting a step on K’Andre Miller, giving him enough space to turn his foot for the goal.

Flames 4, Rangers 3

A bad time for a bad goal by Halak, but the Rangers did turn the puck over in the neutral zone, which led to a 3-on-2. Still, that’s a goal Halak wants back.

Rangers 4, Flames 4

Don’t know how Calgary allowed Zibanejad to get that open in front. Two Flames around him, but no one near him. Terrible defense.

Rangers 5, Flames 4

Alexis Lafreniere read this beautifully, taking a straight line to the net knowing two Flames were trapped and he had a step on the third. His pass to Zibanejad was stopped, but Nikita Zadarov overskated the rebound, and Laf was there to tuck home the rebound.