Marian Gaborik and the New York Rangers Destroy Edmonton Oilers in Wild Game

Today, the New York Rangers took on the Edmonton Oilers in their final game of a four-game home stand. At Madison Square Garden it was "Kids Day" as families piled in to watch a hockey game between the New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers. Well, those fans got to watch more than just a hockey game.

The Rangers dominated the Oilers, defeating Edmonton 8-2.

Marian Gaborik played in his second game since returning from a shoulder injury on Thursday, and he was, as expected, the best player on the ice. Gaborik scored his 11th hat-trick of his career, and he added an assist in the win.

Marian Gaborik

His first goal came early in the first period after he jammed the puck between the legs of Oilers goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulan, and into the back of the net. (Gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead.)

His second goal came on a breakaway in the second period. Gaborik received an outlet pass coming from Erik Christensen, and Gaborik moved around Khabibulan, and flipped the puck into the back of the net for his second goal of the game. (Tied game 2-2.)

His hat-trick goal came late in the game with the Rangers already leading 7-2. Gaborik picked up the puck in the neutral zone, skated to a breakaway and ripped the puck passed Khabibulan for his hat-trick goal. (Gave Rangers 8-2 lead.)

Alexander Frolov

Wouldn't you know? A day after my article stating reasons NOT to give up on Frolov, he scores two goals for the Rangers, assisting them to their huge 8-2 victory.

His first goal came late in the second period. On the goal, Frolov received a pass from Erik Christensen, and he redirected the pass into the net for a goal. (Gave Rangers 5-2 lead.)

His second goal came midway into the third period. Frolov intercepted an Oiler pass, controlled the puck into the offensive zone and ripped the puck passed Khabibulan for his second goal of the game. (Gave Rangers 6-2 lead.)

Erik Christensen

Christensen was another forward who had a huge game for the Rangers, as he tapped-in with three assists.

Brian Boyle

Boyle scored the Rangers third goal of the game, which, in the end, was the Rangers' winning goal. Boyle skated into the offensive zone on a two-on-one with veteran forward Ruslan Fedotenko. Fedotenko skated with the puck into the offensive zone, reached the top of the faceoff circle, and passed the puck to Brian Boyle who shot the puck passed Khabibulan for the goal. (Gave Rangers 3-2 lead.)

Brian Boyle was also one of 10 skaters on the ice during a third period brawl.

Artem Anisimov

Late in the second period, Anisimov received a pass from rookie forward Derek Stepan, and the puck deflected off of Anisimovs skate and into the net for a goal. (Gave Rangers a 4-2 lead.)

Ruslan Fedotenko

Late in the third period, Fedotenko received a pass in the offensive zone from rookie forward Derek Stepan, and Fedotenko shot the puck passed Khabibulan's right pad for a goal. (Gave Rangers 7-2 lead.)

Derek Boogaard vs. Steve MacIntyre

These two heavyweights fought twice in the third period, Boogaard (Rangers) the clear winner in the first fight, and the second fight a draw (though MacIntyre could be given a small edge.)

Third Period Brawl

After Rangers agitator Sean Avery threw a huge hit on Edmonton Oiler forward Colin Fraser, Oilers defenseman Ladislav Smid came to rescue and urged Sean Avery into a fight. Avery threw one right-handed jab to Smids face, and down went Smid.

This fight was a catalyst for things that followed minutes later.

With the game in a commercial break, Sean Avery was being escorted to the Rangers locker-room after the fight. While being removed from the ice, Avery was confronted by two Oiler players. First, Oiler defenseman Ryan Whitney had a few words with Avery, then Oiler forward Theo Peckham went after Avery who was already headed to the dressing room.

Avery attempted a return to the ice surface to fight Peckham, but he was held back by the referee, and finally escorted to the dressing room.

But on the ice, a brawl began.

Every player on the ice surrounded the Rangers bench after a fight broke-out between Oiler forward Colin Fraser, and Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky (who was on the bench). All 10 skaters entered the brawl, but there were only two actual fights.

One was between Brandon Prust (Rangers) and Zack Stortini (Oilers), and the other between Brian Boyle (Rangers) and Theo Peckham (Oilers).

But back to the action near the Rangers bench.

Dubinsky and Fraser were going at it across the bench, Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger (on the ice) was throwing punches at Fraser, Rangers head coach John Tortorella, and forward Alexander Frolov were pulling Dubinsky away from Fraser, Rangers rookie defenseman Michael Sauer (on the bench) kept multiple Rangers away from joining the mayhem and veteran forward Ruslan Fedotenko (on the bench) grabbed Oiler forward Ales Hemsky (on the ice) before he joined the fight.

In the end, there were 17 penalties issued during the brawl, which occured midway through the third period (exact time was 11:18, Rangers led 5-2).

Brandon Dubinsky/Sean Avery

Brandon Dubinsky may be subject to a suspension after joining an on-ice fight while being on the bench. He was given 10-minute misconduct penalty, and was escorted to the Rangers locker-room along with Brandon Prust, Brian Boyle and Sean Avery.

Sean Avery may be subject to suspension due to his altercation with Theo Peckham while being escorted to the dressing room.

We will likely find out sometime tomorrow prior to their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Martin Biron

Biron won another game for the Rangers, stopping 19-of-21 Oiler shots.

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