Erik Christensen hasn’t had a two-goal game since March 29, 2007. On Valentine’s Day, Christensen showed the New York Rangers fans some love by scoring two goals and assisting on another one in an impressive 5–2 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers played a lackluster first period in which they found themselves down 2–0.
“We stunk. I don’t know what happens with our starts, I don’t, but it’s something we have to continue to work on, ”Rangers head coach John Tortorella said.
However, the script played out differently for the Rangers this time. Instead of letting the unlucky breaks deflate them, they fought back in the second period with an astounding four goals.
Sean Avery scored on a penalty shot 1:40 into the period. He started out moving right and then shifted all the way across the goal to the left side to score from a sharp angle.
“Give him credit. It was a great shot and obviously, it got us right back into the game,” said Tortorella.
Christensen was also a major component of the inspired play in the second period. He assisted Vinny Prospal for the Rangers second goal and then contributed two goals of his own, including an unassisted effort stemming from a takeaway in his own zone.
Lundqvist played another stellar game and finished with 27 saves. Tortorella credited the goalie, “I thought Hank made some key saves at key times, especially when we were at 2–0, just to allow us to stay in it.”
The effort in the second period lifted the Rangers even without the presence of Marian Gaborik and Michael Del Zotto. Gaborik missed another game due to his lacerated thigh even though he saw limited duty on Friday night against Pittsburgh.
Del Zotto got tangled up with the Penguins Evgeni Malkin minutes into the game on Friday and left with a lacerated abdomen from Malkin’s skate. He received 50 stitches but said during the game, “I feel a lot better today.”
Meanwhile, captain Chris Drury reached a monumental milestone in his career. His empty net goal in the third period gave him his 250th career goal and 600th point. “I thought I’d be playing for the Yankees by now so to get 250 here is pretty good,” Drury said.
“It’s probably 250 and 600 more than anyone thought I’d ever get.”
The win pulls the Blueshirts into a tie with the Lightning for ninth place with 63 points, one point behind eighth-place Montreal.
The Rangers now take a break for the Olympics and resume play Tuesday, March 2 at Ottawa. Drury, Gaborik, Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, and Olli Jokinen will display their skills in Vancouver while Tortorella will serve as Team USA’s assistant coach.
The Rangers played a lackluster first period in which they found themselves down 2–0.
“We stunk. I don’t know what happens with our starts, I don’t, but it’s something we have to continue to work on, ”Rangers head coach John Tortorella said.
However, the script played out differently for the Rangers this time. Instead of letting the unlucky breaks deflate them, they fought back in the second period with an astounding four goals.
Sean Avery scored on a penalty shot 1:40 into the period. He started out moving right and then shifted all the way across the goal to the left side to score from a sharp angle.
“Give him credit. It was a great shot and obviously, it got us right back into the game,” said Tortorella.
Christensen was also a major component of the inspired play in the second period. He assisted Vinny Prospal for the Rangers second goal and then contributed two goals of his own, including an unassisted effort stemming from a takeaway in his own zone.
Lundqvist played another stellar game and finished with 27 saves. Tortorella credited the goalie, “I thought Hank made some key saves at key times, especially when we were at 2–0, just to allow us to stay in it.”
The effort in the second period lifted the Rangers even without the presence of Marian Gaborik and Michael Del Zotto. Gaborik missed another game due to his lacerated thigh even though he saw limited duty on Friday night against Pittsburgh.
Del Zotto got tangled up with the Penguins Evgeni Malkin minutes into the game on Friday and left with a lacerated abdomen from Malkin’s skate. He received 50 stitches but said during the game, “I feel a lot better today.”
Meanwhile, captain Chris Drury reached a monumental milestone in his career. His empty net goal in the third period gave him his 250th career goal and 600th point. “I thought I’d be playing for the Yankees by now so to get 250 here is pretty good,” Drury said.
“It’s probably 250 and 600 more than anyone thought I’d ever get.”
The win pulls the Blueshirts into a tie with the Lightning for ninth place with 63 points, one point behind eighth-place Montreal.
The Rangers now take a break for the Olympics and resume play Tuesday, March 2 at Ottawa. Drury, Gaborik, Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, and Olli Jokinen will display their skills in Vancouver while Tortorella will serve as Team USA’s assistant coach.
