NHL: New York Rangers Defeat Boston Bruins: Quick Goals Were the Edge

The Boston Bruins continue their home series with the New York Rangers visiting the Garden for the first time this season.

Boston was riding a four-game win streak heading into tonight's game while the Rangers won their last game and wanted to begin a win streak anew.

The Bruins start Tuukka Rask for the second time this season after he lost the season opener to the Phoenix Coyotes and hope to bounce back to earn some more time between the pipes as to many, that game loss should not be squarely on his shoulders.

First Period

The scoring opened up on a puck that was all around the Bruins' net, but it was batted in by Artem Anisimov.  It was reviewed to see if it was a high stick, but the goal stood. NYR 1-0.

Just 25 seconds later, another odd goal is scored by Alex Frolov as the puck fluttered in the air in an arc, then seemed like Mark Stuart tried to bat it out of the air but either narrowly missed it or he nicked it with his glove, then sailed over Rask's head to go in. 2-0 Rangers.

The Bruins got one back on the power play by the Bruins' Captain, Zdeno Chara.  Chara ripped one to the left post to count it, and the B's were within one goal with just 4.3 seconds left of the opening frame. Rangers up 2-1.

Three fights broke out in the opening period with Mark Stuart mixing it up with Super Pest Sean Avery, then Shawn Thornton got into it with Derek Boogaard, then Milan Lucic was scrapping with Brandon Prust.

Second Period

Just 48 seconds into the second frame, the Bruins were setting up in the Rangers' zone. Mark Recchi passed to Chara, who passed back to Recchi.  Recchi misplayed the puck, and it left the Ranger's zone.  Marc Staal just got out of the penalty box to go off to the races as he quickly picked up the loose puck to go one-on-one with Rask.  Staal deeked Rask and popped the puck high glove side to regain the two goal lead.  3-1 Rangers.

Midway through the period, Nathan Horton got his fifth goal of the season as David Krejci slid a backhand pass to Horton.  Horton quickly wristed it past Hendrik Lundqvist to put the game back within a goal.  Horton has gotten at least a point in all games played so far this season.

No scoring in the third period and the Rangers win one at the Garden.

As hard as the Bruins played, the Rangers' defense was solid, their forechecking gave the Bruins little time to formulate a plan of attack and Lundqvist played very well.

Rask played equally well, and unfortunately, could not pull the win due to a couple of fluke goals and the sloppy play on the power play that ended up turning into a penalty shot-style goal.  This game was certainly not Rask's fault, and he should be put in between the pipes again.

Johnny Boychuk was slashed on the hand and had to leave the ice.  He tried to return but could not continue to play.  Hopefully it's just a bruise or a sprain.

Next game is the final home game before the B's hit the road, and the guests will be the Toronto Maple Leafs who had a very good start going 4-0 at the beginning of the season but has lost in the last three games.  Former Bruin Phil Kessel has yet to score on the Bruins since he was traded to the Maple Leafs, and he is on a tear with six goals to his credit.

This is Cory Ducey saying "Hit Hard, But Keep It Clean"