SB Nation New York - Lightning 3, Rangers 2 (SO): Blueshirts Cough Up Two Leads In Losshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-12-09T00:50:04-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23850822011-12-09T00:50:04-05:002011-12-09T00:50:04-05:00Lightning 3, Rangers 2 (SO): Blueshirts Cough Up Two Leads In Loss
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<p>The ice was heavily tilted in their favor: despite being down two key defensemen in <span>Marc Staal</span> and <span>Michael Sauer</span>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> were facing an undermanned, struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> team minus one of their best players in forward <span>Martin St. Louis</span>. It only got worse when the Blueshirts, learning from their lackluster starts in the previous few games, scored in the first period. On this night, however, it all didn't matter as the Rangers couldn't put Tampa Bay away, ultimately losing 3-2 in the shootout.</p>
<p>When captain Callahan sniped a power-play goal in the first period via a <span>Brad Richards</span> pass, it looked as if this game would easily be within the Rangers' grasp. They outshot the Lightning 13-7 in the frame, but could not get anything else past Mathieu Garon. That -- and the Rangers' 1-for-6 power play that was unable to put the dagger in the Lightning's chances in the third period (0-for-3 in the final frame), cost the Rangers the win.</p>
<p>In the second period, Tampa Bay tightened things up on defense, limiting the Rangers to only six shots on net, but getting 14 themselves. Eventually, <span>Ryan Malone</span> would convert on an easy goal after a blind, back-handed clearing attempt from Ryan McDonagh. The sophomore defenseman had a rough stretch, also commiting a penalty 30 seconds after essentially giving away the goal.</p>
<p>The Rangers have proven to be resilient, however. Killing off one of their four penalty kills, <span>Artem Anisimov</span> potted an easy goal off some swift passing from <span>Michael Del Zotto</span> and Brandon Dubinsky. In celebrating his goal, Anisimov cocked his stick back like a rifle and proceeded to "shoot" at the Lightning net, prompting a lengthy scrum afterward. The young Russian was ultimately assessed 16 minutes in penalties (which included a 10-minute misconduct) as altogether, there were 11 penalties from the scrum.</p>
<p>One minute, 57 seconds left in the third period -- after the Blueshirts managed five shots on net -- <span>Dominic Moore</span> scored his own shorthanded goal to tie the game up, on a rising backhander that deflected off of McDonagh's stick. The Rangers would dominate the overtime period, but Giguere's tremendous effort preserved the chance for his team's win. Moore was the only one to score in the shootout.</p>
<p>What's so disconcerting about this loss was that the Rangers had a chance to take care of a team that had lost five straight and was without one of its stars. Instead, they allowed the visitors to stay in the game, were a bit careless and sloppy at times, and it doomed them. They'll have a Friday practice to clean up their game, before playing on back-to-back nights.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.8.2011 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>OT</th> <th>SO</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td class="highlight">3</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> </span></td>
<td>1</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">2</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/12/9/2622848/tampa-bay-lighting-new-york-rangers-score-recap-artem-anisimov-dominic-mooreJimmy Hascup2011-12-08T12:57:18-05:002011-12-08T12:57:18-05:00New York Rangers Vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Blueshirts Look To Begin New Streak Without Michael Sauer
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<p>The New York Rangers will take on the Tampa Bay Lighting on Thursday at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. EST, MSG) for the second time in five days (they won 4-2), and each team will likely be doing likely be without a key player. <span>Michael Sauer</span> is sidelined with a concussion, which was received after he was leveled by Toronto's Dion Phaneuf on Monday, and he is considered day-to-day, but should be re-termed "week-to-week." Tampa Bay's second-leading scorer <span>Martin St. Louis</span> (22 points) took a puck to the eye in the early-morning practice, and he is unlikely to play, either.</p>
<p class="p1">Thus, the Rangers will be playing with a depleted defensive core -- with added responsibilities abound, but they won't have to go against one of the "Big Three," which is important because the reeling Lighting (11-14-2)have struggled to score goals this season. Tampa Bay is also in the midst of a five-game losing streak, meaning the Rangers have a great opportunity to rekindle their home success after their first loss since October -- and bounce back from a poor showing against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Maple Leafs</a></p>
<p class="p2">Without Sauer, a stay-at-home defenseman who loves to play physical, the Rangers will utilize <span>Steve Eminger</span> in a second-pairing role. The 28-year-old has been superb in his third-pairing role (only one point, negative-2 rating), but he's only averaged 13:10 per game -- for a reason. Coach John Tortorella has limited the minutes of Eminger and <span>Jeff Woywitka</span>, tactically playing the two against the other team's third and fourth lines. Thursday -- and for the foreseeable future -- Eminger will be asked to step up big time. How he fares will determine whether the coach is forced to break up his shutdown pair of <span>Ryan McDonagh</span> and <span>Dan Girardi</span>.</p>
<p class="p2">In their current five-game skid, Tampa Bay has been outscored 20 to 8. <span>Steven Stamkos</span> leads the way with 16 goals and 30 points, but besides that (and without St. Louis) the offense has been scarce. Overwhelmingly, while Tampa Bay is not scoring enough, they're giving up way too many goals, too, ranking third in the league in goals given up. This is a prime opportunity for the Rangers to get back on track.</p>
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<h3>Next Game</h3>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> <br><span>@ <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Thursday, Dec 8, 2011, 7:00 PM EST</span><br> Madison Square Garden</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/12/8/2621019/new-york-rangers-schedule-2011-game-time-tv-information-preview-recap-scoreJimmy Hascup