SB Nation New York - Rangers Squeak Past Thrashers In SOhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-01-22T23:41:44-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/17143142011-01-22T23:41:44-05:002011-01-22T23:41:44-05:00Rangers 3, Thrashers 2 (SO)
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) – <span>Mats Zuccarello</span> scored the winner in the shootout as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> took a 3-2 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/atlanta-thrashers">Atlanta Thrashers</a> at Philips Arena.</p>
<p>Zuccarello was the second shooter for New York and he went from the backhand to the forehand before sliding a low shot past <span>Ondrej Pavelec</span>. Niclas Bergfors was the last chance for the Thrashers, but <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> made a blocker save on the backhander for the win.</p>
<p><span>Brian Boyle</span> and <span>Wojtek Wolski</span> each had a goal for the Rangers, who came into the game having lost four of six. Lundqvist stopped 20 shots in the win.</p>
<p><span>Nik Antropov</span> and <span>Anthony Stewart</span> both scored for the Thrashers, who have lost six of seven. Pavelec stopped 29 shots in the loss.</p>
<p>“We need to win, there’s no doubt about it,” Atlanta head coach Craig Ramsay said. “We have to be willing to pay the price in the third period to win games. Everybody has to be involved and we have to find a way to win.”</p>
<p>The Thrashers got the only goal of the first period at the 6:47 mark when <span>Tobias Enstrom</span> blasted a shot from the high slot that Antropov tipped past Lundqvist.</p>
<p>Pavelec turned aside 11 shots in the opening frame to keep the Rangers off the board.</p>
<p>However, New York tied the game 2:43 into the second as Wojtek Wolski redirected a pass in front of the net by Pavelec for his ninth goal of the season.</p>
<p>With just 1:59 to play in the second, Atlanta regained the lead as a snap shot from <span>Bryan Little</span> at the left circle hit Stewart, who then swept it in from in front for his 12th goal of the year.</p>
<p>Boyle scored on a wrister from the slot with 5:19 to play in the third to tie the game.</p>
<p>“I’ve said it all year long, it’s an easy team to like,” said New York head coach John Tortorella about his group. “We played as a team and you have to give them high marks tonight since we found a way to win.”</p>
<p>Atlanta plays in Tampa Bay on Sunday…The Rangers play at Washington on Monday…Atlanta took a 6-4 decision in New York on October 27 and had won six of seven in the series prior to the setback…Neither team scored on the power play as Atlanta had three chances and New York two.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/1/22/1951046/rangers-3-thrashers-2-soJoseph Fortunato2011-01-22T13:51:53-05:002011-01-22T13:51:53-05:00New York Rangers At Atlanta Thrashers: Returning To 'Defense-First' Hockey The Key For Rangers
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>The New York Rangers (27-19-3) don't want to allow the injury excuse to creep into the reasons they've struggled as of late, but with only two wins in their past six games -- and an uncharacteristic 4-1 loss to a playoff-pushing Carolina team -- it's crucial for them to pick up points however they can as the first half of the season draws to a close. Tonight, they'll attempt to get back on track and return to "defense-first" hockey against the eighth-place Atlanta Thrashers (23-18-8).</p>
<p>The key part in this game will be New York improving upon its defensive effort from the past game in which too many breakdowns allowed for a number of odd-man rushes and prime scoring chances for the Hurricanes. In some sense, it was a wild game, unusual of the type of gritty performances the Rangers have flourished in this year. The Rangers will most certainly look to be tighter and simpler on defense tonight. The goals will come, so long as they keep creating the chances they've been getting as of late.</p>
<p>The last time the Rangers and Thrashers played each other was back on Oct. 27, a 6-4 Thrashers victory that saw the Rangers cut a three-goal deficit with 15 minutes left in the third period down to one (an empty netter made it a two-goal loss).</p>
<p>With all of the nitpicking of the Rangers' play of late, the Thrashers have played worse, with five losses in their past six games (that included one overtime loss, one shootout loss and a shootout victory). Over this stretch, they've allowed 28 goals. After allowing four or more goals in four straight appearances, <span>Ondrej Pavelec</span> seems to have found his early season form again, with only two goals against in his past two. The Thrashers are led points-wise by a group of defenseman -- <span>Dustin Byfuglien</span> (16 goals, 25 assists) and <span>Tobias Enstrom</span> (eight goals, 32 assists). <span>Andrew Ladd</span> is the only other player with over 30 points; he's got 38 points and is tied with Byfuglien for the team lead in goals.</p>
<p>The top two lines (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="../../nhl/players/55186/sean-avery">Sean Avery</a>-Artem Anisimov-Marian Gaborik<span></span> and <span>Wojtek Wolski</span>-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello) will remain the same, while youngster <span>Chad Kolarik</span>, who had an impressive Rangers' debut, will join the Brandon Prust-Brian Boyle combination. <span>Brodie Dupont</span> will make his NHL debut tonight on the fourth line, with <span>Dale Weise</span> being a healthy scratch.</p>
<p><span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> will be between the pipes tonight for the Blueshirts.</p>
<p></p>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget events clearfix">
<div class="next_game">
<h3>Next Game</h3>
<div class="pane-body">
<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/atlanta-thrashers">Atlanta Thrashers</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Saturday, Jan 22, 2011, 7:00 PM EST</span><br> Philips Arena</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr class="widget_boundry_marker">
<p><br id="1295721679039"></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/1/22/2328485/new-york-rangers-at-atlanta-thrashers-returning-to-defense-firstJimmy Hascup