The Rangers Home Opener Sunday night against Toronto had all the makings to be a very special night. Unfortunately, it seemed as if MSG Network was showing The Walking Dead as the Blueshirts zombified their way to a 6-3 loss to the Maple Leafs.
Looking to get on the scoreboard first, the Rangers had a nice first 3 minutes of the game. Unfortunately, they play 60. They also like to play with a full complement of players, That wasn't the case either, as Mats Zuccarello, who has been beat up on in the first two games, sat out with what appears to be a shoulder injury. He's listed as "day-to-day" (aren't we ALL day-to-day?), so Kevin Hayes made his Rangers debut. It didn't help.
The PK gave up the first goal of the game as Cody Franson was left completely open sneaking in from the right point. He rifled one from the top of the circle past the King for a 1-0 Toronto lead.
The Rangers kept it close and got the equalizer as soon to be new Daddy Rick Nash made a great play to stay onside, made a beeline for the far post, and redirected a gorgeous Martin St. Louis pass up and over James Reimer. The 4th Nash-ty goal of the year tied the game at the end of the first.
Things unraveled for the Rangers and Lundqvist in the 2nd period. Phil Kessel took a redirected pass off of a Ranger skate and wired one into the net for a Power Play goal and a 2-1 lead at 5:19. It only took two and a half minutes to double the lead from one to two goals as Nazem Kadri found the twine from in front and a 3-1 Toronto lead. Less than two minutes later, JAmes Van Riemsdyk picked the pocket of Ryan McDonagh, went in on a breakaway, and tucked one just past Lundqvist for a 4-1 lead. The Rangers would again cut into the lead as Lee Stempniak potted one as the Toronto defense pushed the net off the moorings. Video review ruled that Stempniak was in the act of shooting before the net was moved, and a good goal was signaled. However, any momentum from that goal was stifled 59 seconds later, as Toronto took a 5-2 lead on a goal by Tyler "Get The" Bozak (if you don't know that reference, listen to the Mr. Throwback Thursday podcast on iTunes - it's FREE!) Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, perennial Ranger killer David Clarkson scored for Toronto to make it 6-2, and put a bench under the King at 15:13 of the 2nd period. Cam Talbot came in and held down the fort the rest of the way.
Derick Brassard did score a somewhat meaningless goal in the 3rd period to make it a 6-3 final score.
The Rangers take on the vastly improved Islanders tonight at 7PM - stay tuned for a New Blue (P)Review of that game coming up very shortly.
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