NEW YORK RANGERS POST GAME NOTES

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES AND QUOTES

October 29, 2010 – New York Rangers 3, Carolina Hurricanes 4 (Game No. 9, Home No. 5)

Click Here For The Official Game Summary

The Rangers were defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-3, tonight at Madison Square Garden, to conclude their three-game homestand (1-2-0).  New York is now 4-4-1 overall, including a 1-3-1 mark at home.

The Blueshirts tied their season-high with two power play goals in five attempts (8:10), and have now notched four power play goals in the last four games (4-19, 21.1%).

New York registered a season-high, 43 shots on goal, including 18 in the second period.  The 43 shots were the most by the Rangers since they recorded 44 shots on goal in a 5-0 win vs. the Islanders on Mar. 24, 2010.

Ryan Callahan notched the Rangers’ first goal, on the power play, at 4:06 of the second period, and added an assist to extend his scoring streak to five games (three goals, five assists over the span).  He also led all skaters with seven shots, tied of the game-high with five hits and logged 20:30 of ice time.  With two points in the contest, Callahan has now recorded three consecutive multi-point performances.

Brandon Dubinsky tallied an even strength goal at 15:43 of the third period to extend his scoring streak to four games, registering five points (two goals, three assists) during the stretch.  Dubinsky also led all forwards with 20:47 of ice time, and currently ranks first among team forwards with 21:27 of ice time per game.

Marc Staal registered a power play goal at 12:24 of the second period, and registered three hits in 22:17 of ice time.  He has now recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in 13 meetings head-to-head against his older brother, Eric Staal, who has registered four goals and five assists in those contests.

Artem Anisimov tallied the primary assist on Callahan’s power play goal and registered four shots in 19:38 of ice time, and has now recorded four points (two goals, two assists) in the last five games.

Michal Rozsival registered one power play assist, three hits and two blocked shots in 23:15 of ice time.  He has now recorded five points (one goal, four assists) in the last five games, and leads all team defensemen in scoring with seven points (two goals, five assists).

Erik Christensen and Alex Frolov each recorded an assist on Staal’s power play goal.  Christensen also registered four shots and won eight faceoffs in 13 attempts (62%).  Frolov has now tallied a point in five of nine games this season.

Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves in net and is now 3-3-1 on the season, including a 1-2-1 mark at MSG.  He has now stopped 30 or more shots in five of his seven appearances this season.

Dan Girardi registered a game-high, six blocked shots and recorded three shots and three hits in 21:20 of ice time.  Girardi is currently ranked second in the NHL with a team-high, 31 blocked shots on the season.

Michael Del Zotto logged a game-high, 23:54 of ice time, and registered three blocked shots in the contest.  Del Zotto ranks second on the team and 19th in the league, averaging 24:21 of ice time per game.

The Rangers will return to action tomorrow, October 30, when they will face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre (7:00 p.m.), to close out their back-to-back set.  The game will be televised live on MSG Plus, and can be heard on AM 1600 WWRL.  Please note there is no morning skate scheduled prior to the contest.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on the team’s work ethic…

“We did a lot of good things.  I still think we have to close up our neutral zones at times.  I still think our gaps need to be better.  Defensively we still have to work on things but I am not unhappy about the work ethic of the hockey club tonight.  We did a lot of good things that way.” 

Henrik Lundqvist on tonight’s game…

“It is very disappointing. It was a pretty good game.  I thought we played pretty well.  A lot of chances both ways.  It is a tough way to lose a game.  I thought we played pretty well.  Their power play played pretty well.  It is a little frustrating when you lose that late in a game when you have a chance to get a big win.”

Marc Staal on tonight’s game…

“Both goalies played great, (Cam) Ward has been playing well all season long. We were getting good opportunities around the net in tight. We were working them in low and finding pucks in the crease.   We were unable to squeak a few by when we needed them but we did create a lot of offense and that’s something that we can bring into tomorrow and try and build on.”

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