Chris Vallely

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

New York Rangers defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2. Strong effort from the Blueshirts tonight. Here’s the recap:

The Rangers opened up the scoring: Brady Skjei. Mats Zuccarello won a battle in the corner and set up Skjei in the slot for the goal. Derek Stepan drove the net on the backdoor, which forced Brady’s man, William Nylander, to cover him. Stepan didn’t get on the scoresheet, but his ability to crash the net, created the goal.

Skjei goal pic.twitter.com/15sPgXK184

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

It didn’t take long for the Maple Leafs to respond, however. New York allowed a clean entry into the zone. Rookie Mitch Marner threw a pass in front of the net from behind the goal line. Kevin Klein wasn’t able to locate his man, and Tyler Bozak was there to bury the shot. It was another example of poor defense by the Rangers. Unfortunately, there was nothing Henrik Lundqvist could do on that one.

Bozak goal pic.twitter.com/NVk8hyC3lA

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

Yet, New York was able to regain the lead. Brady Skjei’s point shot created some chaos in front of Toronto’s goal. Rick Nash provided the net front presence, which denied Frederik Andersen to make a clean save. Pavel Buchnevich made a skilled play to kick the puck to his stick. The goal was reviewed, but the call on the ice stood!

Buchnevich goal pic.twitter.com/6od5uqbN8d

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

New York killed a late penalty, and went into the locker room with a 2-1 lead. Rangers increased their lead midway through the second. JT Miller and Kevin Hayes continued their great chemistry together. Hayes drew two defenders in the slot, then slid over a one-time pass to Miller. JT’s shot ricocheted off Matt Hunwick’s helmet and past Andersen.

JT Miller, with a deflection off of Hunwick’s helmet pic.twitter.com/HRZ6kbje8D

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

Toronto added a shorthanded tally late in the second period, after an Adam Clendening turnover. Zach Hyman was rewarded for his tenacious work on the penalty kill. He was able to strip the puck away from Clendening, out waited Henrik Lundqvist, and put it top shelf.

Hyman goal pic.twitter.com/t3HegM30Oi

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

The first 10 minutes of the third were a defensive battle. Neither team really gave up scoring chances. Matt Martin drew a tripping penalty on Oscar Lindberg, and New York went to the penalty kill. But, it was the Rangers who would put one up on the board. Kevin Hayes made a breakout pass to spring Michael Grabner. This was the third breakaway chance for Grabner on the night and he cashed in! The goal was his 20th on the season.

Grabner goal pic.twitter.com/l7N9gx1ENT

— GIF Grand Maester (@myregularface) January 20, 2017

Grabner also added the empty net goal to seal the Rangers win! It was a great bounce back win for New York. Henrik Lundqvist looked much more comfortable in net. Hopefully the Blueshirts can build on this win. The next Rangers game will be this Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings in Joe Louis Arena. This will be an early afternoon game that will be nationally televised on NBC. Let’s go Rangers!

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