Brad Richards pots game-winner as New York Rangers rout New York Islanders 4-2 -NHL Match Update
Former Dallas Stars superstar, Brad Richards, made the deciding shot late in the last period to keep the New York Rangers perfect for seven in a row, their longest winning streak of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season, handing the New
York Islanders their fourth straight lost, Tuesday night, at the sold-out Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, United States.
Richards showed why he was acquired by the Rangers over the offseason to a huge nine-year contract by having another brilliant performance.
"That's why we signed him for nine years", Rangers goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, said with a smile. "A guy like that has the tendency to step up at the right time".
Sean Avery made his presence felt by not only being involved in a four man fight early in the second period but by also scoring his second of the regular season and the opening goal of the night 14:43 into the inaugural period.
"Whenever you play in this building, it's up and down, and you never know what's going to happen", New York Rangers head coach, John Tortorella, said. "Richie has had some big plays for us early on here. I thought that it was probably one of his better games".
Frans Nielsen answered back nearly three minutes later with his fourth to level the contest.
Steve Eminger scored another Rangers goal for the tie-breaker, to give the visiting team a lead entering the third and final period of regulation.
Matt Moulson made the second and last goal for the Islanders nearly midway through the final period during their power play opportunity to once again level the match, but it was all Rangers dominance from there.
Brad Richards made the game-winner while captain, Ryan Callahan, potted the insurance goal in the final second before the buzzer to secure the match in the Rangers favour.
"It's frustrating", Islanders coach, Jack Capuano, said. "We played one of our better games".
New York Rangers have their next road game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday while the Islanders stay home to host the Canadiens two days earlier on Thursday.
Tags: