An astonishing Ranger victory at MSG last night, surely using some pixie dust from the pre-game Centenial cele! After going down by 3-0 through the first 18:49 of the game, the Rangers were somehow able to get the game to OT for a win.
It all began with a pretty dreadful 3:37 midway through the first period. The Rangers gave up goals to Bolduc (7) at 12:41, Xhekaj (1) at 14:10 and Evans (5) at 16:18. On one goal there was some screening but Shesterkin really was not looking his best and the Garden faithful were restless.
And then came PP2. The second unit was able to get on the ice with about 40 seconds left in the power play and took full advantage. Laba (5) banged in his own rebound from a Cuylle (9) pass at 18:49, Sheary (7) with the secondary assist. 3-1 MTL.
Only seconds later, Panarin would be interfered with on a break away and was awarded a penalty shot at 19:08. Montreal’s rookie goalie was no match for Panarin (11) who used a deflection off the blocker side post to make it 3-2 MTL 🙄. This was Panarin’s first career penalty shot.
Some air was let out of MSG when at just 03:17 of the second, Anderson (6) would put a bullet from the slot past Shesterkin to put Montreal back up 4-2. But then came the NYR third line – probably the best line of the night – with Cuylle (9) somehow banking a wrist shot in from just behind the goal line at 07:22. 4-3 MTL, Robertson (3) and Laba (5) with the assists. Less than 40 seconds later, JT Miller (8) would tie the game at four, skating by the front of the net and backhanding a rebound past Fowler at 07:58. Robertson (4) and Sheary (8) credited with assists on the play and Robertson’s first two point game.
The third period saw no scoring and only five shots on goal by each team, so on to OT. The teams then traded a few misses and a few shots on goal before at 02:29 Montreal was called for a generous slashing penalty, putting the Rangers on the power play. In less than thirty seconds, JT Miller (9) would find the back of the net for his second of the night and the game winner. Zibanejad (14) and Trocheck (10) with the assists. Final score NYR 5 MTL 4.
Game summary below:
The Rangers next game is home against the Anaheim Ducks and many old friends, Monday evening 15 December at 19:00 EST. Telecast by MSG, Victory+ and KCOP-13.
83 responses to “Rangers 5, Les Habs 4 (OT)”
A win is a win.
If Les Habs had a regular goalie in net last night don’t think the outcome would be the same. Then again, if we had a $6M goalie in net probably wouldn’t have given up four…
Gavrikov with 27:56 and Schneider 23:40. Giddyup!
Question, does anyone remember the visiting team the last game the Rangers celebrated 100 years? Dave, and Kenny to a shot at them for not having been on the bench for the festivities. Was it the Islanders?
I’ve noticed the past few weeks that they are getting a lot of situations like with happened with Gavrikov on that one very long shift – seems they go for a change but are only able to get one guy off, resulting in a lot of extra time and different pairings.
Perhaps if one day they could manage to carry the puck from their own end into the offensive zone that wouldn’t happen very often.
those ceremonies fell like they take 100 years; don’t blame the opponent for missing; St. Louis being former NYR had Habs watch is my guess.
Interesting hit stats: Tro 6 Laba 5 Coolio, Mika, JT 3 ea
Beez – another downside of playing East-West hockey is the Opponents D stacks the neutral zone looking to pick off passes not having to worry about running back to retrieve pucks in Dzone
That was a bit of a telegraphed slapper by JT.
The ceremony is a bit long. From a coaching perspective, you should want your guys out there so they can see the future rewards of hard work and a long career instead of scrolling on your phone in the locker room
Took a lot of moxie to keep the game on after falling behind 3-0
Felt like half the coaches and team and fans were ready to toss hands up and walk out of the building.
Definitely needed that first PP
So was Coos at SantaCon yesterday?
What’s a SantaCon? When the fat guy promises presents but reneges?
https://www.thesportingtribune.com/2025/12/14/anaheim-ducks-new-york-rangers-chris-kreider-return-reunion-home-madison-square-garden
Good article for those who appreciate Kreider
No paywall
Mollie outdid herself.
“Star’s *(Miller?) OT Winner Propels Rangers Past Canadiens To Boost Wild Card Positioning.” 36 points into the season and she’s talking wild card positioning.
I’d take a Kreider and a Trouba on my team any time.
Oh, and went on a Pub Crawl with about 20 others in Ireland a few years back. Zowie!
What’s with the VERY odd pronunciation of Chmelar?
Has the Captain awoken or has he healed up?
Healed up some for sure; we was skating at 50%, should have been shut down when first diagnosed
Has Igor woken up yet for the game yesterday?
Not even half way thru season
Watching last nights game
This would be my order for McDonald award as of now
Carrick
Gavr
Laba
If they make the playoffs it will be becuase Igor drags them in
Anyone know of a “legal” site I can go to to watch the Giants game?
The NFL app won’t even friggin load to allow me to vpn it. Won’t load on the firestick, my tablet, my phone….worst app ever. This happens every week but this week we can’t solve it.
Btw, Matthew Schaefer has 2 more goals than Laughy and 4 more assists. Gotta love our Yakupov-level number one pick.
Watching Rangers not enough pain for one waekend?
you don’t watch the gmen so much as experience the phenomenon
We all can see that LaFluff is useless. My question is are we the only ones that see it? And why is he still on the roster? Trade him already.
Beezle You always provide great recaps of all games. Should write for the Post. This game can only give this team the confidence that they so badly need. We’re much slower than the Habs. They’re smaller but very fast. Our 3rd line. Wish we had two more
pens just choked another lead away. Up 3-1 in the 3rd now down 4-3. I hate the pens!
If add jets and giants wins they still don’t make playoffs
Thanks Lone!
The #Canes have activated defenseman Jaccob Slavin from injured reserve.
Less than 90 seconds into the game, Zeev Buium has his first point with the @Canucks
Clearly the Hobbits were holding him back in Minny
So Sad about Rob Reiner. He made some very good movies over the years.
Manmade Tragedy everywhere yesterday. Has the world always been this crazy?
Valley says shabby goaltending at both ends Saturday night. One is the $11.5 MM Man, the other was in his second NHL game. If Igor is going to drag them into the playoffs he has to do a 180 from the Habs game. 3 goals on 5 HDCs is no bueno. One of the hopeful signs for this team is that they have shown they can win when Igor is ordinary.
Got my ticket for the Kreider/Trouba return last night. Expensive for a Monday night game against a Western Conference opponent. Lots of material available for the video tributes. They’ll need a good editor.
Shesty usually starts slow and finishes strong
Canucks got a good return for QH. If he walks from MSP it’s an awful deal for the Wild. If the pick turns into a good player it could be in the Hodge/Middleton range.
Sully is giving Eyegore the defensive structure to put up Brodeur like numbers. So far he has been his erratic self. Quick is probably physically breaking down but so far has been more consistent. He may not hold it together for the whole season. His load will have to be managed
, igor is certainly looking like GM’s worst piece of work so far, quite a few options to choose from
still top 5 goalie but apparently not here
Of goalies with at least 16 GS:
Igor #9 in SV% (0.909)
Igor #8 in GAA 2.53
Igor #1 in TOI (1563:30)
Igor tied #1 in GS (26)
Igor tied #4 in Wins (13)
Igor tied #14 in Win% (0.500)
ORF
They better find a way because Twerkin is ordinary.
One thing I don’t understand is people in the NHL industry always say Igor is the best in the world and that drives me crazy. Think those people need to get there eyes check but he is the most overrated and over payed goalie in the NHL. I will give them that one.
I noticed the Islanders and devils beat the Ducks this past week. What are the odds that the rangers will beat the ducks tonight?
Lets see where he is in March
Speaking of the Ducks, who are you guys rooting for tonight?
Rangers to win
But hope Kreider and Trouba get yuge ovations and nice tributes
Kreider jersey should be in rafters
I think the trade re invigorated him. But still wish he were a ranger for life and kept rising in the franchise record books
Rooting for some Kreider goals and assists
Vince reporting that Zibanejad missed a team meeting, and will be scratched tonight.
Wow- Mika benched for being tardy to a team meeting! Mika Zihealthyscratchejad!
Someone hug Meeka
From GGMM:
Matt Rempe is no longer listed on LTIR, per NHL media site. Head coach Mike Sullivan called No. 73 a game-time decision this morning.
Listening back to audio from #NYR head coach Mike Sullivan, who said Mika Zibanejad missed a team meeting this morning “and so he will not play tonight. He will be available tomorrow.”
“Mika and I had a conversation about it. There are logistical challenges this city presents sometimes, but having said that, I think Mika understands the importance of the rules that we all expect of one another… Obviously, he feels terribly. The one thing about Mika is he’s an honest person. He’s a great human being. He takes responsibility for it. It’s certainly not something that we would like to happen. But having said that, we believe strongly in the process that we have in place. The process that we have I think is important for everyone to understand what the expectations are. Mika understands that as a leader of the team.”
For Olga: Connor Bedard will be re-evaluated in January, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill announced. Blashill added that Bedard won’t need surgery at this time.
Hopefully not triggering
Guy is a pro
Unfortunately for us the one CK20 records that will Stand the test of time is most GWGs in the playoffs.
Turn the page and now root for Sheary who has proven thar goals are not important and everything is relative…
Buffalo is making a GM change
Jarmo Kekalainen for Kevyn Adams
Disco Mika clearly dodging this match-up tonight, he and we both knew Kreider would score 40 again this year!
I have a feeling that Zibanejad might have missed the team meeting deliberately. Perhaps he doesn’t want to compete against his buddy at MSG?
Someone give me one good reason to watch the game tonight.
IMO that’s exactly why Zbag missed the meeting. That’s his way of boycotting just like he boycotted the whole season last year.
Trouba interview on mollies page also very good.
Handled it well.
Love the troubadoor !
Hope they do not just do a combo video
Separate videos with separate ovations are deserved
Could consider pregame even before puck drop
Maybe give a memento of some sort.
what makes Igor a top-5 goalie? I’d certainly love to feel better about it. top-10 okay, that’s what his stats say he is.
Do Strome and Frankie V get a video too?
hope Kreider gets a nice ovation and then Remper puts him through the boards…cleanly of course
Rempe can’t skate, like the wolf going after the road runner but I could see rempe trying and hitting nothing but the boards.
Regarding rempe, reality is he is todays NHL glorified goon who belongs in the AHL.
I hope Bobby o sold his ticket
At the least not in my section
just joking….Kreider doesn’t go near the boards
Actually he does
But haters gotta hate
My brother is there to boo him
My thoughts on tonight’s game. I will be shocked if they win it. Maybe another rebellion is about to begin. Hope I’m wrong.
Strome has already been back
Vatrano just had a cup o coffee for one fairly successful playoff run
Trouba a former captain who gave us a lot to cheer about deserves one
Kreider in a different stratosphere considering games played and playoff success and 50 goal season
/s
Mika boo out. Coaches decided. Miss a meeting.
Your bro should have sold
Maybe I’m a cynic, but I suspect Mika intentionally missed the meeting today. He may have been afraid he would instinctively hug Kreider after he scores tonight.
I will be surprised if they win tonight, but then again, I’m surprised any night they win with this roster.
Release the Remper!!
What are the Vegas odds for Strome, Vatrano, Kreider and Trouba all scoring tonight??? Is that a parlay??
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