NHL scores 2016: Rangers penalty kill Achilles’ heel in loss to Blackhawks

You can't win games if you're sitting in the penalty box.

The Rangers found that out the hard way against the Blackhawks in a 5-3 loss Wednesday night, where they allowed three power play goals to the team with the fifth-best extra man conversion rate in the NHL.

It's a shame, because New York was starting to outpace Chicago in the third period thanks to two power play tallies of their own before it all came crumbing down. Between both teams, six penalties were taken. By the end of the night, five combined power play goals were scored.

It originally almost cost the Blackhawks. Vince Hinostroza took a seat for four minutes after clipping Dominic Moore in the mouth and drawing blood at the end of the second. Two goals in the span of just under two minutes to start the third flipped the lead to the Rangers 3-2 and set the Blackhawks on their back foot.

And they were. The Rangers kept pressing, outshooting the Blackhawks by a score of 15-7 in the final frame. However, two costly penalties took it all away from the Rangers, as their penalty kill was not able to match the overwhelming intensity of the Blackhawks superstar special teams units.

The #Blackhawks have scored seven power play goals in the last two games.

— Eric Lear (@BHTVeric) February 18, 2016

To say the Rangers weren't pleased with their efforts, and even more so the calls of the officials on the ice, would be an understatement.

Lundqvist: "At some point [the refs] have to let us play. I do not agree with the last two calls, and that was the difference in the end."

— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) February 18, 2016

Or, the difference was the Rangers penalty kill, which is running at a 78.11 percent clip as the fifth-worst percentage in the NHL. Just something to chew on.

Chicago Blackhawks 5, New York Rangers 3
Colorado Avalanche 3, Montreal Canadiens 2
Minnesota Wild 5, Calgary Flames 3

1. Jarome Iginla had a goal taken away, then he scored two more

Though the scoresheet says Iginla had just two goals against the Canadiens on Wednesday, he really might have had a third here. Iginla appeared to have the Avalanche tied with the Canadiens on a dirty goal in tight, but the tally was waved off for interference on netminder Ben Scrivens. However, it might have all just been a convincing bit of acting that sold it to the referees.

Despite the goal that was taken away, Iginla nailed down one on his very next shift and then the game winner for Colorado in the dying moments of the match. How about that for justice?

2. Artemi Panarin records first career hat trick

Is there anything the Blackhawks rookie hasn't touched yet? Not only is Panarin the first rookie this year to hit the 20-goal mark, he has his first career hat trick in just 59 games played. The Calder Trophy could be within his grasp if he keeps this play up.

A hatty on the road. Not to mention the first of his NHL career. Yup, Panarin is tonight's @Vegas #RoadWarriorhttps://t.co/tu4O3qXfno

— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2016

3. Things go from bad to worse in Montreal as P.K. Subban gets benched

You know who the Canadiens might want out on the ice in a one-goal game with just two minutes remaining? The team's leading scorer P.K. Subban. Yet, the defenseman was benched for the final two minutes of their loss to the Avalanche, all because he lost an edge that lead to the game winner by Iginla.

"An individualistic play that cost us the game tonight"--Michel Therrien on Subban's turnover via @JFChaumontJDM https://t.co/DQ89O0g6vA

— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 18, 2016

The reaction on Twitter to the quotes and Subban's benching tells you all you need to know about the situation in Montreal right now.

I've long believed that Michel Therrien doesn't believe in PK Subban, and has been forced to hide that. Maybe it's all coming out now.

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 18, 2016

Matt Dumba accidentally scored an own goal for the Wild, with his face!

Jarome Iginla (@Avalanche) scored his 605th & 606th career goals to climb within two of Dino Ciccarelli (608) for 17th place in NHL history

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 18, 2016