Rough first period dooms Rangers in loss to 'Hawks

2011-12 Game No. 56; Home Game No. 27	Rangers' Record: 37-14-5
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GAME RECAP Associated Press Jonathan Toews scored on a penalty shot to start Chicago's four-goal first period against Rangers backup goaltender Martin Biron, and the Blackhawks emphatically snapped a nine-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Blueshirts on Thursday night. Toews kicked off the spree just over a minute in, defenseman Nick Leddy doubled the lead 1:03 later, and Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa added goals to make it 4-0 before 10 minutes had elapsed. Corey Crawford kept things mostly intact the rest of the way, stopping 22 shots to help the Blackhawks earn their first win since they topped Florida on Jan. 20. Toews and Hossa both added assists in the first period, and defenseman Brent Seabrook set up two goals for the Blackhawks, who scored over three goals in a game only once during their losing streak (0-8-1). Chicago, which had 22 shots, was 0-6-1 during the first seven games of a nine-game trip. The Rangers went 0-for-7 on the power play and missed a chance to jump over Detroit to the top of the NHL standings as their four-game winning streak was broken. The Blueshirts had won eight of 10 (8-1-1) to open a seven-point lead over Boston. The Rangers came out much better in the second period, pressuring Crawford and drawing penalties, but the early deficit was too much to overcome. Defenseman Marc Staal wrecked Crawford's hopes of a shutout when he brought the Rangers to 4-1 at 3:04 of the second period with his first goal of the season. Carl Hagelin scored with 4:45 left to make it 4-2.  • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Blueshirts held the Blackhawks scoreless in three shorthanded situations (3:24 total). The Rangers’ penalty kill has now held opponents scoreless in the last four games (10 times shorthanded), and 18 of the last 23 games (57-for-62, 91.9 percent over the span). THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Staal 2. Hagelin 3. Eminger

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THE BIGGER PICTURE This was a game that could have really gotten out of hand. Instead, it ended up being a two-goal game, and the Rangers were generally the better team for the final 40 minutes. Afer their bad hiccup, the Rangers settled down in a true sign of their maturity.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Del Zotto (24:56) Shots -- Gaborik (4) Hits -- Del Zotto, Girardi (5) Blocks -- Boyle (3) Takeaways -- None Faceoffs -- Boyle (15)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. CHICAGO
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Artem Anisimov	Derek Stepan	Marian Gaborik
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Ryan Callahan
Brandon Dubinsky	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp	John Mitchell	Stu Bickel

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Anton Stralman
Marc Staal	Steve Eminger
Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist Starting Lineup: Biron, Staal, Eminger, Dubinsky, Boyle, Prust.

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

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Brad Richards
Staal/McDonagh	Anton Stralman

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle
Ryan Callahan	Derek Stepan

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Michael Del Zotto