Hot Thomas ends Rangers' winning streak at three

2010-11 Game No. 19; Home Game No. 11		Rangers' Record: 10-8-1
VIDEO: TORTORELLA POSTGAME
• Full Highlights | HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME		• Melrose Credit Union Save of the Game

GAME RECAP By Jim Cerny, newyorkrangers.com The Rangers wore their brand-new Heritage jerseys for the first time in a game on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden and they put forth a collective effort worthy of the team’s 85-year history the jerseys represent. Unfortunately, the Rangers ran into the hottest goaltender in the National Hockey League, Boston’s Tim Thomas, and as a result dropped a 3-2 decision to the Bruins despite outshooting Boston by a 36-20 margin. “I have no problems with how we played,” said Rangers head coach John Tortorella. “Thomas was certainly the difference.” Thomas, who has now won 10 of his first 11 starts this season, entered played on Wednesday with a league-leading 1.32 goals against average and a league-best .960 save percentage. The 2008-09 Vezina Trophy winner has also posted an NHL-best four shutouts after blanking the Devils 3-0 on Monday night. On Wednesday Thomas stopped 34 of 36 Rangers’ shots, only allowing goals to Brandon Dubinsky in the second period and Marian Gaborik in the third. He was at his best in the final period when he made 15 saves against a desperate Blueshirt push. “We generated a lot of chances and deserved better than we got,” said Gaborik, who matched Ryan Callahan with a team-high six shots on goal. “Thomas was good. So we just have to look at the positives.” After Gaborik pulled the Rangers within a goal of Boston at 3-2 ... • READ THE FULL STORY | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME Derek Stepan registered the only assist on Marian Gaborik’s third-period goal, and has now tallied three assists in the last three games. He had entered the game tied for eighth in the NHL rookie scoring race with four assists and seven points. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. M. Gaborik 2. B. Dubinsky 3. R. Callahan

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THE BIGGER PICTURE There was one reason the Rangers didn't get at least a point out of this game, and his name was Tim Thomas. Facing a hot goalie is an unfortunate part of NHL life, but the Rangers once again outworked their opponents, as the shot totals alone would indicate.

RANGERS LEADERS Time on Ice -- Staal (25:35) Shots -- Gaborik, Callahan (6) Hits -- Staal (6) Blocks -- Three players tied (2) Takeaways -- Four players tied (1) Faceoffs Taken -- Dubinsky (17)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. BOSTON
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Brandon Dubinsky	Artem Anisimov	Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov	Erik Christensen	Marian Gaborik
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle	Ruslan Fedotenko
Derek Boogaard	Derek Stepan	Sean Avery

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Steve Eminger
Matt Gilroy	Michael Sauer
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, Staal, Girardi, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Callahan.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky	Marian Gaborik
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Erik Christensen

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Matt Gilroy

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Ryan Callahan	Brandon Dubinsky
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ruslan Fedotenko	Artem Anisimov

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Staal/Eminger	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Michael Sauer