two goals and added an assist as the New York Rangers broke out of
their funk with a 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Monday night.
The Rangers netted two goals on five
shots in the first period and two more on only six more attempts in the
second to chase goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.
Gaborik did most of the damage as he
has all season since joining the Rangers this summer. His first of the
night gave New York a 2-0 lead and his second — the 10th this season —
made it 4-0. In between, Gaborik set up Vinny Prospal for another goal.
That was enough for the Rangers to
snap their three-game losing streak (0-2-1) that came on the heels of a
seven-game winning run. Artem Anisimov scored for the second straight
game, Enver Lisin added a third-period goal, and Henrik Lundqvist made
30 saves for the Rangers.
Phoenix seemed to get a bit of a lift
after former Rangers goalie Jason LaBarbera replaced Bryzgalov. The
Coyotes cut the deficit in half before the second period was over on a
goal by defenseman Ed Jovanovski and a short-handed tally by Vernon
Fiddler with 41 seconds left in the frame.
This wasn't the start the Coyotes
were looking for as they began a three-game road trip following a 3-1
homestand. Bryzgalov was in the nets for three of Phoenix's first four
road games this season and posted a 3-0 mark with a 0.97 goals-against
average — including two shutouts.
Phoenix allowed only five goals in its first four road games, but New York nearly matched that in 40 minutes.
Anisimov scored his third goal, and
second in two games, just 2:31 in. He reached back to corral a pass
from Brian Boyle, spun around in the circle with his back to the net,
and twisted to put in a shot as Zbynek Michalek tried to cover him.
Gaborik doubled the lead 7:39 later with a power-play goal.
Brandon Dubinsky, who was benched
for the second half of Saturday night's 5-4 overtime loss at Montreal
following a critical turnover, made up for his transgressions with a
perfect set up. Dubinsky streaked down the left wing into the Phoenix
zone, carried the puck behind the net and found Gaborik in the slot for
a quick one-timer.
New York finished the first period with only five shots, but held a 2-0 lead.
The onslaught continued in the
second, and the Rangers showed off their speed and transition game.
Lundqvist blocked Scottie Upshall's drive with his chest, and New York
quickly shifted to offense.
Gaborik and Prospal ran a
give-and-go with Prospal cutting to the net, shifting to his backhand
and beating Bryzgalov from in front at 6:05.
Gaborik struck again on the power
play 1:45 later, 57 seconds into Adrian Aucoin's tripping penalty.
Michael Del Zotto moved the puck to Prospal, who drew attention from
defenders in the slot. Prospal found Gaborik in the middle of the right
circle for another one-timed goal.
Phoenix got on the board on
Jovanovski's goal at 15:47 of the second, and Fiddler brought the
Coyotes within 4-2 on Fiddler's first of the season.
Lisin pushed New York's lead to 5-2 at 11:47 of the third.
Notes
Gaborik limped off with an
undisclosed injury in the third. … Fiddler's previous goal was scored
on April 7 against Chicago. … Lisin was acquired by the Rangers from
Phoenix during the offseason. … LaBarbera made 12 saves.