The Rangers came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 in overtime. The overtime hero Alexis Lafrenière made an incredible play knocking down an attempted clear by the Bruins goalie, Linus Ullmark, and backhanded it past him to win the game.
What a play by Alexis Lafrenière, unreal hand eye coordination for the game winner #nyr #nyrvsbos #nhl #hockeytwitter pic.twitter.com/WJUzvPkgyg
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) October 3, 2021
The Bruins big three of Patrice Bergeron, David Pastrnak, and Brad Marchand lead the Bruins to a 3-1 first period lead. All three members of “The Perfection Line” scored and it looked like it might be a long night for the Rangers. Then Sammy Blais deflected in a Nils Lundkvist shot on the power play with 50 seconds left in the first to narrow the deficit to one.
Nils making things happen. ? pic.twitter.com/3euXJZWuOj
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 2, 2021
That was Nils Lundkvist’s second assist of the period. He also made a great pass to set up Ryan Strome’s goal.
Pass ✔️
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 2, 2021
Finish ✔️ pic.twitter.com/wcu1yamjW5
After settling down defensively in the second and third periods. Kevin Rooney got taken down half way through the third period on a shorthanded break away setting up a penalty shot. Rooney would then bury the penalty shot to tie the game at 3. Then Lafrenière would win the game 1:38 into overtime with an incrediable play.
The old shorthanded penalty shot to tie it. pic.twitter.com/jjiO979mW9
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 3, 2021
Gerard Gallant
A much happier Gerard Gallant talked with the media post game. He said he was much happier with the team’s effort tonight and said he would have been disappointed if the team did not respond after yesterday’s beatdown in New Jersey. While he said he was happy with most of the teams play today we did say Kevin Rooney’s big goal stood out. He also talked about the Rangers upcoming bonding trip that he thinks it will help the new coaching staff get to know the players better.
A much happier Gerard Gallant talking post game about the @NYRangers Rangers comeback win. Said everyone played well but Kevin Rooney’s big goal stands out. Very happy with how the team responded after the bad loss Friday night. #nyr pic.twitter.com/ktVkRTLOOH
— Kyle Hall (@KHallNY) October 3, 2021
Sammy Blais
Blais didn’t have a game last night in New Jersey, finishing with a -3 +/- rating but he was all over the ice tonight. He finished with a goal, 8 hits, and 4 shots on goal. I have been impressed with Blais so far this preseason. He had a very strong game in the first Bruins game as well. He plays a physical game but he has some offensive skill. Blais should be locked into a bottom 6 role now.
Alexandar Georgiev
Georgiev has not looked great in his two appearences this preseason. He allowed 3 goals tonight in his two periods of play. He gave up 3 goals in a period and half against the Islanders earlier this week. Thats 6 goals in four and half periods of action. Not great.
Nils Lundkvist
Nils now has 3 assists in the 3 preseason games he has played in and tonight he played a team high 21:17 minutes. He has looked great on the power play and has not been pushed around in the defensive zone. Nils has made some great passes, but more impressive is his shot accuracy. He hits the net when he shots which can’t be said for other Rangers defenseman. I think Nils right now is the clear front runner to make the team on the third pairing.
Training Camp Notes
A very cool story from the Hartford Wolf Pack training camp. The team signed Rangers legend Vic Hatfield’s grandson Victor Hatfield to a camp try-out. Unlike his grandfather Victor plays defense. He played a few games last year in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose. He also played three seasons in the OHL with the Barrie Colts. It would be very cool to see another Hatfield in a Rangers jersey.
Upcoming Schedule
The Rangers have two preseason games left. They head back to MSG to play the Devils Wednesday night and then wrap up the preseason next Saturday against the Islanders.
Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.
