NHL: New York Rangers Win Exciting Game in the Shoot-Out, Staal Hurt?

Today the Rangers hosted the Ottawa Senators in the first of a home-and-home preseason series. For those who missed the game here is a goal-by-goal box score:

First Period

No Goals Scored in the First Period

Second Period

10:36- Brian Boyle shot the puck top-shelf over Senator goalie Brian Elliot. Assists on the goal go to Brandon Prust and Dan Girardi, 1-0 Rangers.

15:55- Derek Stepan scores short handed on a two-on-one with Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko got the lone assist on the goal, 2-0 Rangers.

19:36- Jason Spezza cuts the Rangers lead in half with a late third period goal, 2-1 Rangers.

Third Period

:40- Erik Karlsson ties the game for the Senators early in the third period, tied 2-2.

5:32- Jason Spezza scores giving Ottawa a 3-2 lead.

6:31- Derek Boogaard ties the game on an excellent pass from Brandon Prust. Assists to Prust and Brian Boyle, tied 3-3.

11:44- Chris Campoli scores a power-play goal to give Ottawa a 4-3 lead.

16:01- Marc Staal scores a dazzling goal, tying the game at 4-4. Assists to Brandon Dubinsky and Steve Eminger.

Overtime

No Scoring in Overtime

Shoot-out

NYR- Alexander Frolov shot first but was stopped by Brian Elliot.

OTT- Jason Spezza was denied by Henrik Lundqvist trying to go low.

NYR- Young-star Derek Stepan scored an amazing shoot-out goal giving the Rangers a 1-0 Shoot-out lead.

OTT- Daniel Alfredsson scores high on Lundqvist, tying the shoot-out 1-1.

NYR- Erik Christensen scores a slick goal for the Rangers, giving them a 2-1 shoot-out lead.

OTT- Peter Regin is stopped by Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers win 5-4 in the shoot-out.

My "Star of The Game"

Derek Stepan: What a game by the Rangers top prospect!  An excellent short-handed goal during the second period than an outstanding shoot-out goal. If this performance does not get him on the team, I don't know what will.

Marc Staal Hurt?

Marc Staal was shaken up following his huge game tying goal and did not play after that goal. He slid into the boards feet first, and needed help to the bench. I would not be too worried for now. Jim Ramsey did not spend too much time with him on the bench, so it is likely that he is okay.

Vinny Prospal

Prospal will not skate for two weeks, leaving him out of the lineup for the first week of the season. Another spot opens on the Rangers roster as veterans get injured.

Game Tomorrow

First let me apologize, I have constantly said that the Rangers were playing Sunday night. They are NOT playing Sunday night. There final game of the preseason is tomorrow night in Ottawa, and on Sunday will be final roster cuts.

Final Notes

Very impressive games coming from Derek Stepan, Brian Boyle, Derek Boogaard, Brandon Prust, Ruslan Fedotenko, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, Henrik Lundqvist, and Steve Eminger. I believe Stepan will definitely have a spot on this season's roster, and Brian Boyle will continue to battle Tim Kennedy for the final center spot.

I do not think Dan Girardi had a very good game today. Same goes for Erik Christensen. I did not notice either of them on the ice today, and I was relieved when Tortorella placed Stepan on the first line instead of Christensen. He has not looked good throughout the preseason.