The New York Rangers hosted the Dallas Stars at the World’s Most Famous Arena. Before the night began, the Blueshirts asked for 7 seconds of silence in honor of Rod Gilbert’s iconic #7. Rod’s family was introduced before the game and his wife Judy dropped the ceremonial puck, which was taken by Mika Zibanejad.

Gilbert passed away this summer at the age of 80. RIP Mr. Ranger.

Recap: Stars 3 vs Rangers 2 (OT)

The Blueshirts commitment to playing physical continued as they opened up the game with several big hits by Jacob Trouba and Ryan Reaves. At the 3:31 mark of the first period, Stars defenseman John Klingberg had to leave the game after getting blasted by Chris Kreider behind the net. Klingberg was tangled up with Alexis Lafrenière and was on his way down when Kreider made contact. He would return later in the period.

New York carried the play off their aggressiveness and even earned the first PP of the game. Tyler Seguin flipped the puck over the glass at the 6:16 mark but the Rangers could not convert despite excellent puck movement. Igor Shesterkin, was called upon to make a big shorthanded save at the tail end of the man advantage.

Late in the first, Patrik Nemeth put a pass into Nils Lundkvist’s skates that left him flat-footed. Stars rookie Jacob Peterson took advantage with just 35 seconds on the clock and that’s how the period ended.

The Rangers started the second period with the same physicality. In the opening minutes, Artemi Panarin led a 2 on 1 that Kaapo Kakko one timed off the post. Once again, frustration is evident among the players as they can’t seem to bury their chances so far early in the season.

Ryan Reaves took a penalty at 5:00 minutes, which Radek Faska scored on for a 2-0 lead. The Rangers came back the next shift and on a turnover, Panarin slid a puck to Ryan Strome alone in front. Braden Holtby proceeded to make a great save that only mounted the Blueshirt frustration.

Rangers turn up the heat

The Rangers to their credit continued to shoot whenever a shot presented itself. They finally broke through with 11:17 left when an Adam Fox shot deflected past Holtby to cut the lead in half.

New York didn’t let up after the goal. They continued to pressure the Stars in the offensive zone and K’Andre Miller’s point shot was deflected by Kreider who caused a screen in front to tie the game 2-2 .

The third period brought more of the same as the Blueshirts kept the heat on high. Almost midway through the final stanza, Holtby left the game with a lower-body injury. Anton Khudobin has to come in cold and was immediately tested on a Zibanejad shot that he just squeezed the pads to stop.

Dallas did hold on as best they could, and eventually found a way to win the game despite being out shot by a 29-16 over the span of the final 40 minutes.

In OT, Panarin turned over the puck that turned into an odd man rush. Miro Heiskanen then put the puck by Shesterkin to give the Stars a 3-2 win.

Asked afterwards about the winner, Shesterkin said, “I need to stop that.”

Notable Rangers

  • Igor Shesterkin played a strong game despite his .885 SV%
  • Nils Lundkvist was shaky at times but was effective on the PP, he played 14:19 and was a -1
  • Adam Fox played a team leading 25 minutes, scored a goal on 6 shots
  • The Rangers out hit (32/23) and out shot the Stars (33/26)
  • Chris Kreider led the team with 7 hits, he recorded 1 goal on 2 shots
  • NYR were let down by their PP again going 0-4
  • NYR PK gave up another PP, going 1-2

NHL Rumors

Vladimir Tarasenko is still looking for a trade and more here.

NHL Rumors: Tarasenko still wants a trade; league may suspend Evander Kane; Tkachuk and Sens at critical point

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