New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Evander Kane’s successful shot in the
fourth round of the shootout provided the difference in the Winnipeg Jets’ 1-0
decision over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Blake Wheeler also scored during the deciding phase and Ondrej Pavelec turned
in a stellar effort between the pipes for the Jets, turning aside all 38 shots
he faced between regulation and overtime and thwarting 3-of-4 New York skaters
in the shootout.
Pavelec’s first shutout of the season helped improve Winnipeg to 3-0-1 over
its last four games.
Henrik Lundqvist was outstanding as well in a 25-save performance for the
Rangers, now 4-1-1 over their last six outings.
After both goaltenders remained perfect through the five-minute overtime
period, each team managed to sneak an attempt through to begin the shootout,
with Wheeler answering Mats Zuccarello’s blast past Pavelec on the Rangers’
first try.
The next two rounds went without a goal and Pavelec made a glove save on
Martin St. Louis to start the fourth. Kane then sent a rising shot over
Lundqvist’s shoulder and into the left corner of the net to give Winnipeg the
two points.
Pavelec kept the contest scoreless with 10 first-period saves and the Jets
killed off two early penalties. He came up with 16 more stops in the second
before turning away 10 chances in the third.
The Rangers had an opportunity to pull ahead late when Winnipeg’s Andrew Ladd
was sent off for holding midway through the third period, but managed just one
shot during the 5-on-4 situation.
New York ended the night 0-for-5 on the power play. The Jets were 0-for-3
Game Notes
Lundqvist recorded the 52nd shutout of his career … The Rangers had a three-
game home win streak halted … New York defenseman John Moore began serving a
five-game suspension for illegal checking Minnesota’s Erik Haula in the head
during Monday’s matchup with the Wild … The Jets are 2-0-1 on a four-game
road trip that ends Sunday in Chicago.
