Captain Clutch Powers Rangers to 3-1 Win

On a night when Ryan Callahan received the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, it was Chris Drury's two goals that led the Rangers to their most important victory of the season. Finally, someone took charge of this team. Finally, this team dominated a game and made a statement that they are not going down without a fight. The Rangers were aggressive on the forecheck throughout the game and caused havoc in front of Carey Price, which led to all three Ranger goals. Henrik Lundqvist was solid in net stopping 24 shots and Drury's line along with defensemen Staal and Girardi shut down the Canadiens' top line of Saku Koivu, Alex Kovalev, and Alex Tanguay.

In the first period, the Rangers started off slow by taking a couple of penalties. Once they killed the penalties, they elevated their game. Callahan and Drury's aggressive forecheck caused Mike Komisarek to turnover the puck, which led to Drury sniping the puck short side over Price's shoulder for the game's first goal. But before the period was over, the Rangers couldn't clear the puck from the crease and Montreal answered with a goal by Mathieu Dandenault.

The Rangers came out flying in the second period. The controlled the period from start to finish. Terrific individual efforts by Avery and Antropov helped the Rangers take the lead. Carey Price went to play the puck behind the net and it was Avery who flew in the deflect the pass. The puck then squirted to the front of the net and Antropov dove on his stomach and used his long reach to put the puck into an empty net. Be aggressive and forecheck and you will be rewarded!

Before the period was over, Drury struck again on a turnover caused by the relentless Ryan Callahan. Without a stick, he was able to keep the puck alive along the boards long enough for Drury to come and take the puck. Drury then sent a pass across to Naslund, drove to the net and deflected the pass from Naslund into the back of net. The Rangers ended the period with 15 shots and only allowing four.

In the third period, no goals were scored but the Rangers continued to attack and have puck control. Avery came close to make it a 4-1 game, but Komisarek blocked Avery's shot from going into the unprotected net.

The line of Avery, Gomez, and Antropov was very effective and cycled the puck well throughout the game. Antropov's size gave Montreal problems all night. Korpikoski played well controlling the puck down low in the offensive zone. Not many Canadien defensemen were able to knock him off the puck. Drury and Naslund had jump to their game and Ryan Callahan had yet another effective night collecting two assists and now has 13 points in his last 13 games.

The Rangers are currently one point behind Montreal for seventh place. They host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night and have the chance to clinch their 4th straight playoff birth. My only question going forward is How many games can the Rangers win without scoring on the power play? We will find out.