New York Rangers take advantage of struggling Detroit Red Wings 2-1 in Overtime -NHL Update
Detroit might be riddled with injuries, but Red Wings put up a good fight against Eastern Conference leaders, New York, as the Rangers edged the Western team, 2-1, in overtime on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at the sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York.
New York needed the win to keep their top spot in the conference and Atlantic Division as well since Pittsburgh Penguins are closing in, only down by three points now with 96 at the fourth number spot.
Henrik Zetterberg beat Henrik Lundqvist for the first goal of the night, giving Detroit a one point lead early on into the opening period.
Brad Richards levelled the contest with his 24th of the 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season as he took control of the puck from centre ice, dominated down to the Detroit defensive end battling off two players and firing it past
Ty Conklin.
Henrik Lundqvist was given the assist as Richards fired off with the puck on his own, turning out to be the lifeline goal for New York and helping them go into overtime.
Rangers’ captain, Ryan Callahan, took control later on in the contest when Detroit got hot and had a number of crucial attempts in the final 20 minutes of regulation by blocking a few himself. Callahan added the game-winner midway through overtime, giving
New York the hard earned win for their second straight.
"He just had an unbelievable third period and overtime," Rangers coach, John Tortorella, said. "He does so much for the hockey club. It's fitting that he gets the winning goal. I thought Ryan Callahan was our best player."
"It's a great play by everyone involved," added Callahan. "It was a good birthday gift. They tried to set me up in the second, but I missed a wide-open net. I had to respond back."
New York will be looking to continue their winning streak as Rangers have the next against Buffalo Sabres on Friday.
Detroit Red Wings will be kicking off a two-game home stand against a hot Carolina Hurricanes team on Saturday which will definitely be interesting to watch with the latter pushing towards a playoff spot.
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