Rangers defeat Oilers in 5-0 Victory
Photo: cbc.ca
After a minor set-back loss to the Calgary Flames on Friday night, the Rangers bounced back from their snapped win streak and shut out the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night, 5-0.
Both Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash scored two goals each, and a power play goal by Derek Brassard. Unfortunately for Edmonton, two of those goals were short-handed scored by Zuccarello and Nash.
Henrik Lundqvist sat out tonight, deserving a much-needed rest. Cam Talbot earned his third shut out of the season, ending the game with 26 difficult saves. The Oilers kept the offense going, but Talbot was ready and stopped every single shot on goal.
The Rangers can really learn something on their Western Conference road trip: study, learn, and play west-coast style hockey. The Western Conference has some of the biggest names and most successful teams in the league. For the past six NHL seasons, four Western Conference teams have won the Stanley Cup. Those teams include the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, the Detroit Red Wings, the Los Angeles Kings, and the Chicago Blackhawks, who succeeded twice in hoisting Lord Stanley’s trophy. The Western Conference plays very offensively and their power play special teams are very developed. All Eastern Conference teams should be prepared when facing west coast teams, as they play on a completely different level of skill.
The Rangers, who now have a total of 88 points and 5th place in the Eastern Conference, may only need a few more wins the clinch their playoff spot. Boston and Pittsburgh already clinched their right to the 2014 post-season, and the Rangers are only a few points behind. Tonight’s win in Edmonton keeps them safe in second place in the Metropolitan Division.
(USA Today photograph)
