New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders 4-2 –NHL Thursday night Match Analysis
A few days remain until the 2012 Bridgestone National Hockey League (NHL) Winter Classic is to be played against the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers, but the former did not wait to show any power and how they could dominate as the Rangers thrashed
the New York Islanders, 4-2.
The Thursday night matchup on December 22, 2011, was considered one which would give fans a preview of what they could expect in the January 2, contest which will be held at the Citizens Bank Park, in which Rangers will be hosting Philadelphia Flyers.
Despite the fact that it could be a display of toughness, the Rangers did not use that as the excuse to show power in the Eastern Conference against the Islanders.
"We didn't talk about that", said defenseman, Dan Girardi. "We just talked about playing a three-game set here before Christmas. Obviously, we're two games into it and we have two wins".
At the moment, New York Rangers have the chance to overtake the conference with their 44 points. They will need only two more to tie their Eastern Conference rivals, Philadelphia and one more to take the top spot before heading into the break.
With their third straight victory, Rangers are certainly prepared to head in number one over the next few days.
The sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York, New York, United States, roared with joy as Brandon Dubinsky scored his second goal of the 2011-2012 NHL Regular season after having failed to score one in the past few weeks.
Rangers’ back-up goalie, Martin Biron, was in the net for the third straight game now and has not failed to impress. For New York’s head coach, John Tortorella, it is not about giving Henrik Lundqvist a rest but rather who is playing better at the time.
"You have to give Marty Biron some credit", Tortorella said. "It's not about giving Henrik rest, it's I have a good goalie and I can't call him a backup. He's winning games. There is no question Henrik is our number one guy, but if you want to get there
... your goalie can't be playing 75 or 78 games”.
Biron also earned a rare assist after sliding the puck to Stu Bickel who then setup Dubinsky for the one-timer.
P.A. Parenteau scored his sixth of the regular season quickly, only 18 seconds into the second period on the power play followed by Marian Gaborik to tie the leading goals in the league with Phil Kessel of the Toronto Maple Leafs with his 20th.
Michael Del Zotto extended the New York lead with less than five minutes to go in the second and put the Rangers ahead by two, giving them more than a comfortable lead heading into the final period of regulation.
Matt Moulson gave the Islanders a new hope of life on the power play opportunity with his 16th with more than 11 minutes to go, but as the final minutes approached, John Mitchell’s empty-netter set the record straight in favour of the Rangers.
"You shoot the puck enough and it's bound to go in", Dubinsky added.
New York Rangers are looking to overtake the East as they eye a fourth straight victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday while Islanders have the next at home against Toronto Maple Leafs.
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