The Good: The Rangers started the scoring just 35 seconds into the game off the redirection of a Callahan pass to super rookie Carl Hagelin. Roughly 4 game minutes later, Brad Richards received a pass in stride from Jeff Woywitka that somehow got through two Panthers players and Richards shook his goal drought with a goal past Clemmensen at 5:10. The Rangers third goal in the first period was just a result of hard work along the boards by Hagelin and Richards. Richards eventually found Del Zotto cross ice at the point who shot the puck off of a Panther defenseman and past Clemmensen (who was subsequently pulled for Theodore) for a 3-0 Ranger lead at 15:37. The Rangers final goal from Dubinsky that made it 4-0 in the second period was just a result of hard work and determination. Dubi received a pass from McDonagh at the Florida blueline, muscled his way around Versteeg and drove to the net and got a backhanded shot stickside past Theodore.
The Bad: The Panthers ruined Lundqvist's shutout bid on a play that was a bit unlucky for the Rangers. Panther defenseman Erik Gudbranson took a shot from the point that was blocked by McDonagh. Unfortunately for the Rangers, the puck deflected to his right, right to Matt Bradley's stick who got backhander past Hank at 9:28 of the second period.
The Ugly: Sure was nice to see the Rangers come out flying to start the game rather than sleepwalk through the first 15 minutes of the game before waking up. However they did take their foot off the pedal a bit for the remainder of the game and relied a Hank who got a ton of help from the post and crossbar last night. If they were looking forward to Monday's Winter Classic, they made sure they gave themselves a good lead. Regarding the suckerpunch by Kopecky on Del Zotto, these two teams meet again January 5th back in the Garden, which promises to be one interesting game. Love Tortorella's reaction to the punch too.
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