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Rangers Fall To The Montreal Canadiens A La Shootout In Original Six Matchup

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The Blueshirts took the trek up to Quebec to face off against the Montreal Canadiens in an Original Six matchup. Following their victory against Chicago, New York looked to replicate their identity that has led to much success so far this season. A stellar powerplay, blocking shots, and a relentless forecheck are just a few attributes that exemplify New York’s current position in the standings. A comeback that could have been falls short in the shootout. Montreal takes the crucial second point in a 4-3 shootout victory over New York.

Across the way, directing Montreal’s bench is a former Ranger in Martin St. Louis. His tenure with New York was a short one, but he will always be recognized as a fan favourite. The former Vermont Catamount is now behind the wheel of arguably the most historic franchise in the sport. St. Louis had a tough task at hand tonight trying to take down the best team in the Eastern Conference.

Rangers Takeaways From Original Six Matchup with Montreal

First Period Takeaway: A Long Drought Comes To An End

Centre Bell has always been deemed as a “ghost town” or haunted house-like whenever the Rangers pay a visit. Whether it’s their passionate fanbase or the largest capacity in the National Hockey League, a road trip in Montreal is always a challenge for New York.

The opening minutes of this contest belonged to the hosts, pinning the Blueshirts in their own zone early. Montreal threw everything and the kitchen sink at Jonathan Quick in the opening frame with one of their seven shots finding the back of the net.

The drought previously mentioned in the subheading of this section does not relate to New York unfortunately. Midway through the opening frame, Montreal opened the scoring thanks to Brendan Gallagher ending his lengthy goal-scoring drought. His sixth of the season was Gallagher’s first goal in 24 games.

Despite being down a goal for most of the period, New York showed multiple signs of life. Their shot selection while testing Sam Montembeault made you believe that they were going to bury a chance eventually. Even when New York showed signs of momentum, it was always with Montreal.

Second Period Takeaway: FOUR TIME! FOUR TIME!

A combined four goals were scored during the middle frame and the momentum stayed with the home team. In less than three minutes, the Habs made it a 3-0 game in just the blink of an eye.

Anyone in the hockey world would tell you that great things happen when you throw pucks on net. These articles, although sounding like a broken record, continue to preach an effective style of play. Sean Monahan would tend to agree.

Catching Quick off balance, Monahan threw a puck on frame that would translate into a goal. His tenth of the year would double Montreal’s lead, only to not stop there.

Briefly after Monahan’s tally, Joel Armia would make it 3-0. Left alone in the slot, Armia skated in towards Quick and slotted his shot through the five hole of the 37-year-old netminder.

New York would begin to dig themselves out of their three-goal hole with Vincent Trocheck getting on the scoresheet. With his stick in the air, an Erik Gustafsson shot found the blade of Trocheck then found some twine. Trocheck, who is on great form, earned his tenth of the year.

Four minutes later, the same line would capitalize again. Off the faceoff win, Trocheck slid a pass to Artemi Panarin who would notch his team-leading twenty-fifth goal of the season. Before you knew it, New York was back in the game.

Third Period Takeaway: Close But No Cigar

Desperate for an equalizer, New York continue to test Montembeault with everything that they had. They were destined to tie the game up and they did just that thanks to a former Norris Trophy winner.

Adam Fox‘s first goal since October 28 would come at the best time, tying the game up at three. The initial point shot was fired with traffic in the form of Will Cuylle in front of Montembeault’s cage.

Regulation and overtime would not be enough as this Original Six matchup would head to a shootout. Artemi Panarin failed to score on the backhand and so did Mika Zibanejad. Cole Caufield put Montreal up in the bottom of the second inning. It was all up to the hometown kid, Alexis Lafreniere, to extended the shootout but it was Montembeault who stood strong. Montreal would escape with a 4-3 victory. New York earns a hard fought point, yet the second was there for the taking.

Coming To Broadway: The 1994 Rematch

After that original six matchup, a tough test awaits. On Monday, New York will welcome Quinn Hughes and the Vancouver Canucks to Madison Square Garden. Vancouver is coming off of a ten-goal thriller, earning themselves two points in a 6-4 win over the New Jersey Devils Saturday night. Both Elias Pettersson  and J.T. Miller notched two goals each in their victory in the “Garden State”. The eldest Hughes, Quinn, is red-hot with 46 points in 38 games played. He also tallied three helpers against his two younger brothers.

Puck drop is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. EST from The World’s Most Famous Arena.

Main Photo: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Striano

Jeremy Striano

Jeremy is a lifelong sports fanatic and loves the game of hockey, specifically the New York Rangers. He is a graduate of both The Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) and Syracuse University. Along with hockey, Jeremy enjoys Broadway musicals and trying different beers!

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