Indoors and outdoors, the New York Rangers succeeded over the Islanders, taking the season series.
During Friday night’s home game against the Islanders, the Rangers proved they could quickly assimilate indoors for the first time in eight games, in order to get the win.
At 3:29 in the first period, Brian Boyle gave the Rangers an early 1-0 lead by redirecting Marc Staal’s shot from the center of the blue line.
Even with the game tied by Okposo in the second period, the Rangers moved along in the fight for the puck.
Derrick Brassard scored the tie-breaking goal with 7:46 left to play in the third period. A few minutes later, Brad Richards continued to bury the puck in the net, making it 3-1.
"We have found a certain comfort level with the way we're playing," Staal said. "We know what we have to do to win hockey games,” according to Nanaimo Daily News.
The Islanders pulled Nabokov for an extra skater advantage, only for it to add to their loss.
With one second left, Ryan McDonagh sent the puck rapidly flying down the ice and straight into an empty net goal, securing a 4-1 win over the Islanders.
Henrik Lundqvist displayed an abundance of skill throughout the game with 38 saves and was without a doubt, the star of the game. Staal was credited with two assists, according to espn.go.com.
Winning three straight games and six of eight, the Rangers are displaying great comfort in the way they play hockey. The Rangers will host the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, February 2.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons