National Hockey League Friday Night Match Roundup -NHL Feature Part 2
New York Rangers stay atop with 4-1 win over Florida Panthers
It was a match between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, New York and Florida on Friday night as teams looked to secure their spots heading into the New Year’s holiday. The Rangers managed to keep the top number position over the Boston Bruins
by dominated the Panthers, 4-1, at the sold-out BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, United States.
New York stuck to their strategy of getting an early lead heading into the opening period as Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards and Michael Del Zotto added three straight, a scoring spree which kicked off in the opening 35 seconds of the first period and lasted
until the 15:37 mark.
Brad Richards was the star man for New York on Friday night as he scored his 13th goal of the season and nearly 10 minutes later, assisted Del Zotto on getting his fifth to take a comfortable lead heading into the next 20 minute mid-period.
"He certainly wants to do more," New York Rangers coach, John Tortorella, said. "He adds a lot of pressure on himself and I think it binds him up a little bit. I still think that's happening with his game, but he did some good things tonight. He just needs
to free himself up. With Richie, it's tough because he's really hard on himself and he's a thinker."
Brandon Dubinsky secured the match with his fourth at the 7:41 mark of the second period for New York’s fourth straight of the night while Florida was finally put on the scoreboard with Matt Bradley’s goal midway through, after which they failed to answer
with another.
The third period was intense as a number of players were penalised with various penalties including Mike Rupp and Krys Barch fighting and being awarded with 10-minute game misconducts along with a five minute major for exchanging fists.
This was the last game for New York before their 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, January 2.
Florida hosts the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday.
Martin Erat gets shootout game-winner to lift Nashville Predators over St. Louis Blues 2-1
With only a single goal in the opening period, both Nashville and St. Louis were headed into an uncertain overtime, followed by a shootout decider which they failed to capitalise on until finally Martin Erat scored the game-winner on the Predators fifth
attempt to nip the Blues, 2-1, at the Scottrade Center in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States.
"In the shootout, you've got lots of time to see what the goalie does, and he dropped the glove and I just tried to go high glove," Erat said. "I've been in this League a long time and I know how the goalies play.
Matt Halischuk scored the first goal of the Friday night contest against St. Louis for his eighth of the season in the opening two minutes while T.J. Oshie managed to level the contest a little over midway through to keep St. Louis alive in the match.
The remaining 40 minutes were scoreless as both teams failed to capitalise on various power play opportunities, especially the Blues who had four added man advantages throughout.
The Predators will be hosting the Calgary Flames on Sunday while St. Louis has to face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
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