Varlamov steals show as Rangers fall to Avalanche

2011-12 Game No. 71; Home Game No. 35	Rangers' Record: 44-20-7
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GAME RECAP Associated Press Colorado rookie Gabriel Landeskog broke a second-period tie, and Semyon Varlamov made 41 saves to lift the Avalanche over the Rangers 3-1 on Saturday night. Landeskog gave the Avalanche the lead, and Varlamov made it stand up as playoff-hopeful Colorado finished a 2-0-1 Eastern road trip. Defenseman Matt Hunwick got the Avalanche even in the first period after Mats Zuccarello gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead. Paul Stastny added an empty-net, power-play goal with 13.1 seconds left to make it 3-1. The Rangers got back goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (flu), captain Ryan Callahan (bruised foot) and defenseman Michael Del Zotto (hip), and they had their chances against Varlamov, but only got one puck past him. Zuccarello, in his fourth game back with the Rangers since being recalled from the AHL last week, netted his first of the season 10:43 into the game. The 5-foot-7 winger worked his way to the front of the net, got his stick on Dan Girardi's shot from the right wing boards, and steered it between Varlamov's pads - even with Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson leaning on his back. It was Zuccarello's first goal since March 6, 2011 -- a span of 16 NHL games -- and the seventh of his NHL career. The goal also was the first in three games scored by someone other than the potent line combination of Marian Gaborik, Richards, and Carl Hagelin, who had netted the past seven. • COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY

PHOTO OF THE GAME STAT OF THE GAME The Rangers out-shot the Avalanche 42-20. The Blueshirts’ 42 shots on goal marks a season-high, and is the most since they registered 47 shots on goal against the Islanders on March 15, 2011. This was the third time this season the Rangers posted 40 shots in a game. THREE STARS (selected by newyorkrangers.com) 1. Lundqvist 2. Callahan 3. Zuccarello

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THE BIGGER PICTURE A loss is a loss, but the Rangers were beaten by a hot goaltender rather than themselves. The Blueshirts played their game, executed their style of play in all zones and had more shots than in any game this season. And a Semyon Varlamov refused to let them win.

RANGERS LEADERS Icetime -- Girardi (27:02) Shots -- Callahan (7) Hits -- Erixon, Rupp (3) Blocks -- Bickel (3) Takeaways -- Dubinsky (2) Faceoffs -- Richards (26)

NEW YORK RANGERS LINEUP VS. COLORADO
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Carl Hagelin	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky	Derek Stepan	Ryan Callahan
Ruslan Fedotenko	Brian Boyle	Brandon Prust
Mike Rupp	John Mitchell	Mats Zuccarello

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Ryan McDonagh	Dan Girardi
Marc Staal	Michael Del Zotto
Tim Erixon	Stu Bickel
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Biron Starting Lineup: Lundqvist, McDonagh, Girardi, Hagelin, Richards, Gaborik.

POWER PLAY UNITS
FORWARD LINES
Left Wing	Center	Right Wing
Ryan Callahan	Brad Richards	Marian Gaborik
Rupp/Boyle	Derek Stepan	Mitchell/Hagelin

POINT MEN
Left Point	Right Point
Michael Del Zotto	Mats Zuccarello
Tim Erixon	Dan Girardi

PENALTY KILLING UNITS
FORWARD UNITS
Forward	Forward
Callahan/Fedotenko	Stepan/Hagelin
Brandon Prust	Brian Boyle

DEFENSE PAIRINGS
Left Defense	Right Defense
Marc Staal	Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto	Stu Bickel