SB Nation New York - Rangers 4, Panthers 1: Three-Goal First Kickstarts Win As Rangers Regain First In The East https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-12-30T22:50:00-05:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24346362011-12-30T22:50:00-05:002011-12-30T22:50:00-05:00Rangers 4, Panthers 1: Three-Goal First Kickstarts Win As Rangers Regain First In The East
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<p>The sign of a winning team is one that bounces back after an atypical performance. Friday night against the Florida Panthers, the New York Rangers did just that, scoring three times in the first period en route to a rather easy 4-1 victory Friday night. New York has regained first place in the Eastern Conference and is the first team in the NHL to have 50 points.</p>
<p>In their game two nights prior against the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Capitals</a>, the Blueshirts were sloppy with the puck in vulnerable situations and their opponent cashed in on goals. The usually-surehanded squad, who has not been none for throwing passes into susceptible areas, committed three giveaways that led directly to goals.</p>
<p>But in their road game versus Florida, New York left no doubt that they were turning the page on a down performance, lighting the lamp 35 seconds into the game. <span>Carl Hagelin</span> deflected in <span>Ryan Callahan's</span> pass at the front of the net to give the Rangers a 1-0 edge. <span>Ryan McDonagh's</span> work along the defensive-zone boards and pass to Callahan also can't be discounted. Hagelin had a goal and an assist in the win.</p>
<p>Less than five minutes later, <span>Brad Richards</span> sniped a goal to to the far post as a pass from <span>Jeff Woywitka</span> hit off a Florida player to lead him on a break. And at 15:37, <span>Michael Del Zotto</span> converted a beautiful cross-ice pass from Richards to the weak side, slapping a puck that changed its original angle as a Panther deflected it, beating Scott Clemmensn and ultimately ending his night. Del Zotto was a plus-two on the night and is tied for the league lead with a plus-25. He also played a team-high 28:11. New York had 15 of its 25 shots in the second period.</p>
<p>The Rangers' game expectedly slipped a bit in the second and third periods, but got some sensational goaltending from <span>Henrik Lundqvist</span> to keep the cushion. <span>Brandon Dubinsky's</span> power back-hand move 7:41 into the second period pushed the Blueshirts' lead to 4-0 and gave his third of his four goals in five games. He also has five points in that span as his game has really elevated over the past couple of weeks.</p>
<p><span>Matt Bradley</span> would score about two minutes later on a Dubinsky turnover as McDonagh couldn't get a handle on the puck in front.</p>
<p>The third period was all about Lundqvist, as his teammates only managed two shots and the Panthers had nine. It's the type of third-period performance that reminds you just how lucky New York is to have a world-class netminder to rely on and is the biggest reason why it has legitimate playoff aspirations. He made 27 saves in the win.</p>
<p>The one negative to this game was that the Rangers took four penalties against a very good power play. The kill was great, though, but it's never a good idea to play around like that and expect to win every night.</p>
<p>Instead of heading to the Winter Classic with two losses, the Rangers will now face the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Flyers</a> at Citizens Bank Park with a feel-good win.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 12.30.2011 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> </span></td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">4</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> </span></td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>0</td>
<td class="highlight">1</td>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/12/30/2671875/new-york-rangers-florida-panthers-score-del-zotto-richards-hagelin-dubinskyJimmy Hascup2011-12-30T20:56:03-05:002011-12-30T20:56:03-05:00Rangers Vs. Panthers: New York Leads Florida 4-1 In Second
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">Rangers</a> (22-9-4) lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Panthers</a> (19-11-7) four goals to one half way through the second period of their Friday night game in BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Rangers scored three of their four goals in the first period and then another in the beginning of the second before the Panthers scored their first.</p>
<p>The Rangers got off to a fast start as left winger <span>Carl Hagelin</span> scored the team's first goal after just 35 seconds. Center <span>Brad Richards</span> scored the team's second goal five minutes later and then with five minutes left in the first, defenseman <span>Michael Del Zotto</span> scored to give the Rangers a 3-0 lead. After the three-goal first period, Panthers coach, Kevin Dineen, pulled goalie <span>Scott Clemmensen</span> and replaced him with <span>Jose Theodore</span>.</p>
<p>It didn't take too long for Theodore to allow his first goal as just seven minutes passed in the second period before the Rangers continued to pour it on by scoring their fourth goal, this one by left winger <span>Brandon Dubinsky</span>. After getting down in a 4-0 hole, the Panthers scored their first goal, by right winger <span>Matt Bradley</span>. </p>
<p>The Panthers have a long way to go and not much time to do it if they want to win this one. If they allow one more goal, it's likely over for Florida.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/12/30/2671674/rangers-vs-panthers-new-york-leads-florida-4-1-in-secondJason Garrison2011-12-30T12:02:07-05:002011-12-30T12:02:07-05:00New York Rangers (22-9-4) At Florida Panthers (19-11-7): Preview, Game Time, TV
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<p>The New York Rangers travel to the Florida Panthers on Friday night with one goal (besides winning) in mind: They have to protect the puck better in vulnerable situations. Against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a>, the Rangers were uncharacteristically sloppy in the neutral and defensive zones, and their opponent cashed in for goals on nearly every one of their gaffes.</p>
<p>Friday night (7:30 p.m. EST, MSG) New York will face a Florida team that has run into some tough times lately, but is still three points behind them. They won their last game, but only have three wins in their last nine games (earning points in six of them, though). This is the Blueshirts' last game before the Jan. 2 Winter Classic against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a>. It's crucial the Rangers don't discount this game because they're looking ahead to that one.</p>
<p>Part of what has made the Panthers the Southeast's top team and the Rangers a top team in the East is the fact that they haven't just given points away. Florida is also exceptional at home, with a 9-3-5 record. New York is 11-6-2 on the road.</p>
<p>The one thing the Rangers do have going for them is fewer injuries and great depth as a number of guys have stepped up this season. The Panthers have seven forwards out of the lineup and have been forced to play a lot of close games lately. They've also are close to signing former <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">Devils</a> center John Madden to help fill the void.</p>
<p>The main focus to stop the Panthers has to be their swift-skating first line and their puck-moving blueliners. <span>Kris Versteeg</span> leads the team with 38 points and 17 goals, while three defenseman rank fourth, fifth and sixth on the team in scoring. New York will look to capitalize on more chances than it did against Washington, none more so than a power play that has been nonexistent lately; it now ranks 20th in the league. The Rangers also need to be disciplined as Florida has the seventh-best man-advantage rate in the NHL.</p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a> <br><span>@ <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Florida Panthers</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><span>Friday, Dec 30, 2011, 7:30 PM EST</span><br> BankAtlantic Center</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/new-york-rangers/2011/12/30/2670576/new-york-rangers-schedule-2011-florida-panthers-game-time-tv-information-previewJimmy Hascup