Despite dominating nearly the entire game, the Rangers were forced to mount a furious third-period comeback against the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. But led by the inspired play of Marian Gaborik, that's exactly what the Blueshirts did, skating to a 5-2 victory after spotting the visitors a 2-0 advantage.
Gaborik---who had four points on the night -- assisted on Marc Staal's game-tying goal 7:36 into the third period and then scored the game-winner with 7:03 left to play -- assisted by Staal.
Trailing all night the Rangers finally tied the score in the final period of play scoring off a beautiful rush up ice. After Gaborik flew up left wing with the puck, he started a perfect Tic Tac Toe passing sequence to Michael Del Zotto down low, with Del Zotto in turn finding Staal wide open in front for his first of the season at 7:36.
Five minutes later Staal unloaded a rocket from the left point which was deflcted by Gaborik as he leaped in the air in front of Toronto goaltender James Reimer. The puck found the back of the net and the Rangers had their first lead at 12:57 of the third.
Brian Boyle iced the victory by deflecting Del Zotto's shot past Reimer at 17:08 on the Rangers 40th shot of the night. Gaborik scored into an empty net with 1:15 to play.
Saturday saw the Rangers debut of forward Benn Ferriero, who was acquired from Pittsburgh on Thursday. Ferriero played a feisty game, providing the Rangers a dose of energy playing on a line with Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin in the first two periods before centering Ryan Callahan and Taylor Pyatt in the third.
• COMMENT ON BLUESHIRTS UNITED | PHOTO GALLERY
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STAT OF THE GAME
The Rangers have now recorded a point in 11 of their last 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs, posting a record of 9-2-2 over those 13 games. New York has also outscored Toronto 48-25 during the stretch. |
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| (selected by the local media) |
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| 1. Gaborik |
2. Staal |
3. Richards |
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Maple Leafs
Rangers
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