Girardi’s second-period goal lifts Rangers over Flames 4-1

“It was our third game in four nights”, Vigneault said.

Despite scoring only twice against the Flyers, the Rangers have totaled 10 goals over their last three games after netting only two in their previous three contests.

“Our record is really good, but we haven’t played a full 60 yet”. “I think you need to find a way to get that 60-minute game”. While it’s way too early to start talking in depth about races, the Flames are already seven points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot.

The New York Rangers scored four unanswered goals tonight as they defeated the Calgary Flames 4-1 at MSG, and improved to 6-2-2 on the season. Recently demoted to the third defense pairing with Keith Yandle, Girardi snuck down to the right circle and snapped a rebound of Emerson Etem’s shot past Jonas Hiller. “Luckily it went in”. The Flames also have struggled offensively as the win over the Red Wings marked just the third time this campaign they scored more than two goals in a game.

Hiller, who made 17 saves on 21 shots, was replaced by Joni Ortio in the third, who finished the night with five saves.

Raanta had 23 saves in a 2-1 win over Calgary while with Chicago on December. 14, improving to 2-0-0 in three career meetings. “Sure the result is not what we wanted, but last games we were badly outplayed where [Sunday] I thought we had our chances too”. “We found a way to win the game”. Until the Rangers got going – relatively speaking – after half the game had been played, it was possible to have watched the match without knowing the identity of Calgary’s goaltender, given that Hiller had so little to do.

It’s true that two of New York’s goals went in off of Calgary defensemen, but the Rangers didn’t feel they got into the rhythm of their game until midway through the second period. Stafford scored again on Devan Dubnyk just under 4 minutes later for his team-leading fifth goal this season. The rookie cut to the middle and tapped Kevin Hayes’ no-look, behind-the-back pass into the net. “That’s pretty impressive. That goal definitely got us going”. Marc Staal gift wrapped the opportunity for the Flames after he coughed up the puck, and handed the puck right to Johnny Gaudreau.

Hudler’s goal came 1:35 after the Rangers misfired on a golden opportunity to stake themselves to a quick lead.

The Flames continue the roadtrip against the New York Islanders on Monday.

Edmonton had led through Benoit Pouliot’s goal but Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar put the Kings on top.

“We couldn’t get a go-ahead goal and the cushion on them”, Flames coach Bob Hartley said. “It’s a head injury”, the spokesperson said. Gudas was not penalized on the play and there was no indication he would face any National Hockey League supplemental discipline. Derek Grant made his season debut for Calgary after being called up from AHL Stockton.