New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Kevin Hayes scored the game’s only goal
early in the third period, keeping the New York Rangers surging with a 1-0
decision over the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden.
Cam Talbot also helped the Rangers earn a point in a ninth straight game by
coming up with 21 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season. New York
has won three straight and is 7-0-1 in its last eight.
The Flames received a strong 28-save effort from Karri Ramo, but had trouble
generating offensive chances in their opener of a seven-game road trip.
Hayes, bumped to the Rangers’ top line in place of an injured Rick Nash, broke
a scoreless deadlock three minutes into a strong third period for New York.
Derick Brassard set up the goal by beating Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman to
a puck sent into the Calgary zone by Ryan McDonagh, then sent a quick pass to
Hayes that the rookie one-timed into the top right corner of the net.
Nash, second in the league with 37 goals, was scratched during warmups due to
neck spasms.
The Rangers outshot Calgary by a 10-6 margin for the final frame, with Ramo
able to give the Flames a chance at the end with several good saves.
Ramo withstood a heavy barrage from the Rangers during the game’s initial
stages, denying New York’s best early chance with a spectacular diving glove
save on J.T. Miller from in close.
Talbot’s busiest work came near the end of the second, when he made two tough
stops on Josh Jooris moments apart during a 2-on-1 Calgary rush.
Game Notes
Prior to the game the Rangers recalled forward Oscar Lindberg from AHL
Hartford to make his NHL debut in Nash’s place … Flames center Matt Stajan
was not with the team to attend the impending birth of his child … Calgary
extended its franchise record by not allowing a power-play goal for a 12th
consecutive outing. The Flames have killed off 22 straight penalties during
that stretch … New York improved to 9-1-1 against Pacific Division teams
this season, while Calgary dropped to 8-13-2 versus the Eastern Conference.
