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Madison Square Garden seemed like an exciting place to be last night. With the New York Rangers just coming off of a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ranger fans everywhere hoped they would be able to break the streak and come out on top against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Unlike the game against their former teammates Ryan Callahan, Anton Stralman, and Brian Boyle, all who are currently on Tampa Bay, this game against former teammate Michael Del Zotto, now on the Philadelphia Flyers, had a different energy. Del Zotto ended up being absent for a majority of the third period due to a lower-body injury he faced late in the second period by NY’s Dan Girardi.
Just a few days after Tampa Bay left NY with a win, the Rangers geared up to face the Flyers, the same team they beat in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 2013-14 NHL season. The Broadway Blueshirts, who actually donned their white sweaters in last night’s game, were extremely dominant in their battle against the Flyers.
Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein’s goal in the first period, assisted by Carl Hagelin, set the tone of the game. There was just something about that goal that made you feel like the game ultimately belonged to the Rangers. Rick Nash, who now ranks second in goals scored, scored a power play goal in the second period, with an assist by Martin St. Louis and Derek Stepan, making this his 13th goal of the season.
Though Cam Talbot is the backup goalie for the Rangers, he may have a new claim to fame after last night. With 31 saves, he picked up his fourth career NHL shutout, and as if that wasn’t exciting enough for the young goaltender, it was his first win of the season. Talbot’s shutout bid could have ended numerous times during the game, especially by Wayne Simmonds of the Flyers, but the energetic goalie would not allow that to happen. It was his fourth time of the season starting and filling in at the net for Henrik Lundqvist. He played exceptionally well and he proved to Ranger fans that he is definitely a key member of the team.
Overall, the Rangers are aware that this is just one game, and they know that they need to come out on top in any of their upcoming games. The Rangers beat the Flyers with a score of 2-0.
