Vesey’s Multi-Goal Game Carries Rangers to Win Over the Bolts
Following a thrilling overtime victory over the Avalanche on Monday night, the New York Rangers faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning at MSG looking to continue their strong start to the second half of the season. Prior to the All-Star Break, the Rangers were limping toward the much-needed weekend off, as they had lost eight of their last 11 games. Now, the Rangers are riding a three-game win streak, as Jimmy Vesey’s multi-goal game helped carry the Rangers to a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night. Let’s take a look at how the Rangers came out on top against the Lightning.
Despite a combined 23 shots in the first period, the game would begin with a defensive battle between the two squads heading into the middle period scoreless. In the second, Vesey would give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 1:15, as his backhanded shot from the right face-off circle would go over the shoulder of goalie Andrei Vasilevsky and into the back of the net. At 17:46, center Johnny Brodzinski would extend the Rangers’ lead to 2-0, when he scored on a one-timer off a pass from Chris Kreider. The Lightning would cut their deficit to 2-1 at 5:29 of the third period, as winger Brandon Hagel would score off a quick wrist shot in the middle of the ice that went past goaltender Jonathan Quick’s outstretched left arm. At 18:57, the Rangers would put the game out of reach following an empty-net goal by Vesey to give New York the 3-1 final score.
In the win, Rangers’ goalie Jonathan Quick, who started his third straight game, would complete the game with 18 saves on 19 attempts. For the Lightning, Vasilevsky would finish the game with 21 saves on 23 attempts. The Rangers would gain the upper hand in shot attempts (24-19), blocked shots (22-9), and power-play opportunities (2-1). With the win, the Rangers will look to push their win streak to four games, as they travel to face the Blackhawks on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Lightning will aim to rebound, as they finish a back-to-back with a visit to Long Island against the Islanders on Thursday.
