Wow!

What a third period.  Holy crap.   The Rangers had been really frustrating for the first two periods.   They were hitting and winning face-offs, but they were also getting called for penalties including two majors and two ejections for Chris Kreider and John Moore.   Meanwhile, they killed all the penalties, but gave up three goals between kills on a couple of defensive lapses by MSL and softies.  Things looked awful.

But then Rick Nash put the team on his back.   He dug a puck out that led to an MZA assist to Klein.   Then he scored his own goal and it was 3-2.   There was another defensive lapse and suddenly it was 4-2.  But they did not give up.  Almost immediately, Brassard cleaned up a Hagelin rebound off the cross bar to make it 4-3.   And then, a few minutes later, Duclair, who had also been a force in the third scored his first career goal as he skated in and beat their goalie to tie it.  It was his first NHL goal and a huge one.   Literally, moments later, MZA who already had two assists scored the game winner for his first goal of the year.  

Huge games by Nash, Brassard, Duclair, MZA and Klein.   Hagelin was also flying and killing things.    Not such an elite game for MSL, Hank or even McD, who was a bit up and down again.  But a huge win being down 2 men and 3 goals.   This is their second big character win in their last couple.    And they managed to get back above.500.  They now have a four day break till Saturday.

Btw, I wouldn't be surprised with a personnel move or two during this four game lay off. Their scouts have been active and there were scouts all over the Garden again tonight.