The New York Rangers made their only appearance this season in Sunrise and defeated the Florida Panthers 5-2 at BB&T Center on Wednesday night. The Blueshirts won for the ninth time in ten games and the 13th time in their last 17. The Cats fell for the second straight game and finished their holiday homestand with a 2-1-1 record.
There was only one goal in the opening period as the Rangers moved ahead 1-0 at 16:42. Martin St. Louis carried the puck back up to the top of the zone and fed Kevin Klein. His slapshot was deflected by Chris Kreider in the slot area.
In the second period, New York(20-11-4) extended their lead just 1:29 into the frame. Carl Hagelin sprinted down the left side into the Panthers zone and set up Ryan McDonaugh for a quick shot which was saved by Al Montoya. Derick Brassard found a half-open net and swept in the rebound.
The Blueshirts gained a three-goal cushion on their first power play at 14:28 as McDonaugh ripped a slapshot from the top of the zone for an unassisted goal.
The shutout was broken by Florida(19-10-9) with 3:22 left in the second. Jonathan Huberdeau picked up a loose puck in his own zone and sent a long lead pass to Tomas Fleischmann at the Rangers blue line. He skated on Henrik Lundqvist and snapped a shot over the blocker for the tally.
The Cats cut the deficit to 3-2 at 7:39 of the third period on the power play. Dave Bolland was on the left wing and connected with Aleksander Barkov in the slot. His short pass to his right was then one-timed by Jimmy Hayes for his 11th goal this season.
The Rangers got up by two goals again at 9:51 when a puck went off the left skate of St. Louis in the crease area and through the legs of Montoya. The play was started by Kreider behind the Panthers cage as he placed a pass to Stepan in the slot for a one-time slapshot. Dominic Moore added an insurance goal with 4:25 left in regulation.
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