Rangers California Dreamin’ Continues with 4-3 Victory Over Kings Thursday

Photo Credit
Andrew D. Bernstein/NHLI
via Getty Images

The New York Rangers West Coast road trip continued Thursday (01/09/15) in Los Angeles with a solid 4-3 win over the Kings. The Kings hadn’t played since Saturday while the Blueshirts were playing a back-to-back and it showed early on. Cam Talbot started in goal for New York giving Henrik Lundqvist a well deserved rest. LA scored two goals in the first six minutes of the game and the STAPLES Center was rocking but the second period was another story. The Rangers scored four unanswered goals to give them the 4-2 lead. Dan Boyle scored the first goal for NY at 10:27 in the first. Kevin Klein made it 2-2 at 2:31 in the second period and Lee Stempniak made it 3-1 nineteen seconds later on a beautiful move to the the high slot. Martin St. Louis made it 4-2 by scoring a power play goal at 8:17. Kings Anze Kopitar, visibly frustrated all game, embellished late in the third period drawing a bogus tripping call on Rick Nash. Justin Williams scored a power play goal, his second goal of the game to bring the score to 4-3 New York. The Rangers held on tight for the win. Their power play continues to shine going 2-for-4 and Dan Boyle has found his game. The Rangers out hit the Kings 33-24 and did better on faceoffs winning 47%. In the post game Captain Ryan McDonagh said “It was a great comeback win for us.” The Rangers second period was one of the best I have seen all season and the team is rolling. They close out the road trip this Saturday night in San Jose. The three stars of the game were Dan Boyle, Derick Brassard and Alec Martinez (LA).