Derek Stepan netted two goals and added an assist, leading a balanced New York offensive attack in which five different players scored goals, as the Rangers blew the Florida Panthers right out of Madison Square Garden Sunday night, 6-1.
Panthers Vs. Rangers: Stepan, Special Teams Help New York Blast Cats, 6-1
Derek Stepan scored two goals and the Rangers’ special teams was a big factor in leading New York to a 6-1 victory over the Florida Panthers.
New York have won their last two games and are now 7-1-1 in their last nine, and 14-3-1 in the last 18.
The Rangers showcased an impressive set of special teams units, as they shut down all seven of Florida’s power play chances, and employed a lethal power play of their own in Sunday’s contest, scoring twice in three opportunities with the man advantage.
Brad Richards opened the scoring with New York on the power play, as the Panthers took a too many men on the ice penalty midway through the first period. Richards skated in from the left point and wound up as if he was about to take a slap shot, but moved in closer. As Florida starter Jose Theodore anticipated the shot and went down into the butterfly, Richards whipped a wrist shot top shelf past the goaltender's glove side for his 11th goal of the season.
With Tomas Fleischmann in the box, Artem Anisimov batted home an Erik Christensen rebound past Theodore for his 6th of the year, staking the Blueshirts to a 2-0 lead at 17:27.
Before the public address announcer could broadcast the goal to the sellout crowd at MSG, the Panthers would strike back with the lone bright spot of the night for Florida. It was the first career NHL goal for rookie defenseman Eric Gudbranson late in the first period, beating Henrik Lundqvist with a shot from the blue line to pull the Panthers to within a goal at 2-1 after one.
As has been the case in recent weeks for the Rangers, a big second period outburst would blow open a close game.
Stepan’s spectacular end to end dash along the right wing boards, in which he pulled an outside inside move on Gudbranson at the Florida blueline, was the highlight of the night. After leaving Gudbranson behind Stepan moved in on Theodore, beating him far side under the crossbar for his sixth of the season at 5:45 to give New York some breathing room at 3-1.
Midway through the middle frame, Rangers' defenseman Steve Eminger's point shot deflected off Tomas Kopecky's stick and sailed high over Theodore's stick side for his second of the year and a 4-1 New York lead.
Six minutes later, Stepan would again be instrumental in a Rangers' goal. Carrying the puck along the offensive left wing boards, the second year skater was drilled with a hard hit by Mike Weaver. He was able to regain possession of the puck and fed Anisimov, who sent a shot towards the Panthers' cage that Theodore stopped. But the rebound kicked out to Marian Gaborik in the slot, and he backhanded the puck behind Theodore for his 15h of the season at 16:53 to make it a 5-1 New York lead.
Just 55 seconds later, Stepan buried a Michael Del Zotto rebound for his second of the night and seventh of the season, and the rout was on at 6-1.
The look Theodore gave the Florida bench appeared to be a “get me out of here” leer, and sure enough, Scott Clemmenson came on to tend to the Panthers’ crease to close out a scoreless third period.
Both Eminger and Del Zotto finished the night a +4 in the plus / minus ratings.
The Panthers' Gudbranson left the game in the third period after taking a high hit from Brian Boyle. The young defenseman left with what appeared to be an upper body injury, somewhere in the arm, wrist or hand area.
The defeat was the first in regulation for Florida in their last five, as they are 3-1-1 in the past handful of contests. After losing Friday night, 2-1, in overtime in Buffalo, Florida has now dropped their last two games, but still sit atop the Southeast Division standings. They currently lead the second place Washington Capitals by six points.
The Rangers are part of a three team dogfight in the Atlantic Division, and moved to within one point of the Eastern Conference leading Philadelphia Flyers. They are now tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for second in the Atlantic, but hold three games in hand on the Pens.
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