Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, and Henrik Lundqvist Lead in The Rangers Win

Monday night, the New York Rangers hosted the defending Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Black Hawks. The Rangers were coming off of an excellent 2-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, and rode the momentum from that game into this one.

An outstanding game was played last night, and it will be a game the Rangers look back on when the season ends. A complete effort was needed to beat the Black Hawks, and the Rangers gave it their all to win the game.

First off, possibly the hottest line in the NHL right now (Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Ryan Callahan) was outstanding in the victory over the Black Hawks. This line has scored consistently for the Rangers throughout the absence of Marian Gaborik, and last night they led the Rangers to victory.

The first goal for the Rangers was scored late in the first period while they were losing 1-0. It started with an excellent play by Ryan Callahan behind the net. Callahan threw the puck in the crease area, then Artem Anisimov poked the puck over to Brandon Dubinsky, who then finished it off by sliding the puck past Black Hawk goalie, Marty Turco.

This line continued their outstanding offensive pressure and forecheck throughout the game, and it paid off early in the third period when they once again scored a goal. The Rangers started the third period on the power play, and the game tied 1-1.

The Rangers quickly got the puck on net, and forced an offensive zone face-off about 30 seconds into the period. Ryan Callahan jumped off the bench to join his line mates on the power play after a delayed entrance due to ankle problems (he received stitches over his right ankle during the second intermission after blocking a shot).

Callahan quickly made his presence known to the Black Hawks, as he once again set up Brandon Dubinsky for a huge goal, his second of the game and assisted by Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov, again.

Both Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan were on the ice for the final minute of the game, and Dubinsky made a game-saving play. With about 10 seconds left in the game and the Black Hawks on the power play, Dubinsky slid across the ice to knock the puck out of the Rangers defensive zone.

The play wasted all remaining time in the game, and the Rangers are now victorious for the second game in a row.

Once again this line was the best for the New York Rangers. No matter what you would like to call them (Young-Star Line, Future Line, ABC Line, BAR Line) they are hot right now, and if they can continue their excellent play, they will help the Rangers go far this season.

The second best line consisted of Brandon Prust, Erik Christensen and Alexander Frolov. This line had a constant forecheck going for them, led by Brandon Prust, and they scored the game winning goal.

With the game tied 2-2 six and half minutes into the third period, the puck was dumped into the Black Hawks zone by young Rangers defenseman, Michael Del Zotto. The puck was quickly picked up by hard working Rangers forward, Brandon Prust, who then centered the puck to Erik Christensen.

With open ice to move, Christensen skated around multiple Black Hawk defensemen, carrying the puck like Jagr used too, and ripped a hard wrist shot past Turco, giving the Rangers a 3-2 lead.

The lead would stand, and the Rangers would win the game 3-2. Prust continued his outstanding play, Erik Christensen had a bit of a bounce-back game (hopefully he can play that way consistently) and Frolov once again failed to score. He, Frolov, had many opportunities to score, but he could not get the puck passed Marty Turco.

Next is the line of Sean Avery, Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. This line played with extreme offensive pressure, and created a very successful forecheck. Sean Avery continues his excellent play behind the net, and he continues to stir things up by throwing the puck in the crease.

Brian Boyle continues to use his huge body to his advantage, and Fedotenko played very well on the forecheck. This line will score a lot of goals if they can continue to play this way, and they will be a very good third line for the Rangers.

The fourth line had limited ice time but two players definitely stood out in last night’s victory. Derek Stepan and Evgeny Grachev played very well for the Rangers last night, forcing Black Hawk players to pass the puck, which forced multiple giveaways.

Both players received chances to score, and if they continue to work hard they will eventually contribute on the score sheet. Todd White did not play very well in the win, and he may become a healthy scratch once again Thursday night when the Rangers visit the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Rangers defense played very well in the victory, as each player contributed to the win.

Marc Staal and Dan Girardi played extremely well on the penalty kill, and helped the Rangers reach 30 blocked shots once again this season. Michal Rozsival played well on special teams, and he played a physical game for the Rangers, helping them to victory.

Michael Del Zotto and Mike Sauer both played well on offense, Del Zotto receiving an assist on the game winning goal, and Sauer was very close to scoring his first NHL goal. Steve Eminger also played well in the victory. He played a very physical game with a total of six hits.

In goal for the Rangers was Henrik Lundqvist, and for the second straight game he was spectacular. Though he allowed one very soft goal to Patrick Kane in the third period, he also saved the Rangers late in the game with two huge saves from within the crease. Hank played a huge role in the Rangers victory, as he totaled 35 saves in the 3-2 win.

Fast Facts

Dan Girardi and Ryan Callahan tied for the team lead with six blocked shots in the game, stunner, and Michal Rozsival was second place with four.

Steve Eminger led the team in hits with six, followed by Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, and Ruslan Fedotenko with five.

Brian Boyle and Erik Christensen both led the team with three shots on goal.

Michal Rozsival and Dan Girardi led the team with 26 shifts, and Dan Girardi received the most ice-time totaling 27 minutes and 23 seconds of time-on-ice.

Evgeny Grachev played eight shifts, took two shots on goal, missed two shots on goal, and had one takeaway.

Todd White was the only Ranger with a blank stat sheet.

Overall it was another excellent win for the Rangers.

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment below.