Halak Beats Rangers…Again

The New York Rangers lost to the New York Islanders by a score of 4-2. For a box score, click here.

In recent years when it comes to Rangers-Islanders, there is one thing you can always guarantee. Jaroslav Halak will be named a star of the game. It’s inevitable. There are some teams goalies just have their number. Halak has the Rangers.

The Rangers looked to be doing everything right in the first period – had possession of the puck, put 16 shots on net, had three power plays while taking no penalties. And yet they ended the period down 2-0. The first came after Hayes was thrown from an offense zone draw. Vesey lost it clean and the puck ended up behind Lundqvist 13 seconds later. The second came just as a 4-minute Rangers power play expired. And that power play did everything but score so you knew the goal was coming.

The visitors would get within one just 56 seconds into the second when Halak lost sight of the puck (to the point he was looking for it in front of him not realizing it was already behind him). But the Islanders would get that one back less than two minutes later. It was just that type of game all night.

Marc Staal again pulled the Rangers within one before the halfway mark of the period after finishing a beautiful passing play with Miller, Kreider and Stepan. Pretty enough to watch again:

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At least there was something good on the night. But that was as close as the Rangers would get. The Islanders would add another when the Rangers once again went from having no penalties through 40 minutes to two over the final frame. And again the second one would burn them.

But the goals, and to a point the outcome, became secondary to another story – injuries.

First it was Puempel, who was hit with a high stick by Brock Nelson with seven minutes to go in the first period. (This is what led to the Rangers 4-minute power play.) Looked almost like a cross-check to the face. Puempel went down, stayed down for a bit and then finally headed to the locker room and didn’t return.

Then it was Nash, whose last shift was only 9 seconds just six and half minutes into the second. Before the buzzer sounded, he would be ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower body injury.

After the game, Vigneault announced Puempel suffered a concussion, which honestly was not a surprise as he looked out of it as he left the ice. Not sure if it was whiplash or what but makes Capuno’s complaining on the call look even more ridiculous. The news on Nash was better as he only tweaked his groin. Sounds like it will depend how he feels tomorrow on if he makes the road trip or not. Would be a huge loss for Rangers if he can’t but at least this should be a day-to-day injury.

Next up, the Rangers head west for a rematch with the NHL’s second leading scorer Patrick Laine and the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday. Laine had a goal when the teams played in early November. Hopefully the Rangers can shut him down this time.

 

(Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)