The No. 1 seed New York Rangers got goals from Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, Brian Boyle and Brad Richards, and 30 saves from goalie Henrik Lundqvist en route to a 4-2 win over the No.8 seed Ottawa Senators, to give them a 1-0 lead in their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series.
Rangers Vs. Senators, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Rangers Take Game 1, 4-2
Callahan opened the scoring 12:01 into the first period when he corralled a rebound off a shot from the point, sliding the puck just between the goalpost and the left skate of Senators goalie Craig Anderson. Anton Stralman and Artem Anisimov received assists on the goal.
New York extended its lead late in the second period when Gaborik picked up a loose puck and slipped through Anderson’s five hole with 3:36 remaining. That was followed by a snap shot by Brian Boyle in the final minute of the period that gave the Rangers a 3-0 lead entering the final 20 minutes.
Early in the third period, Carl Hagelin forced a turnover on the forecheck and fed Brad Richards to give the Blueshirts a 4-0 lead with 17:45 to play. The Senators would add a pair of goals late, with Daniel Alfredsson tipping in a point shot to break Lundqvist's shutout and Erik Condra scoring on a wrist shot with 2:19 to play.
Aside from the scoreboard and control of the action, Game 1 could not have been more even on the stat sheet. The Senators out-shot the Rangers 32-to-31, hits were even at 37 apiece and Ottawa held a 35-to-32 edge in the face-off circle.
Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
For more on the Rangers, check out Blueshirt Banter. For updates on the Senators, visit Silver Seven.
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