Ryan Callahan and Henrik Lundqvist Lead New York Rangers to Huge OT Win

Monday night, the New York Rangers took on the Pittsburgh Penguins in what turned out to be an extremely exciting game.

It took overtime to get it, but the New York Rangers found a way to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.

First Period

The first period ended scoreless, but the Penguins led in shots 12-to-5.

Second Period

Midway through the second period, the Rangers finally broke through for the first goal of the game.

After a stretch of strong forechecking by the Rangers, a huge play by veteran forward Ruslan Fedotenko led to a goal.

Fedotenko picked up a free puck in front of the Penguins goalie crease, and quickly tipped the puck to Erik Christensen who whipped the puck passed Penguin goalie, Marc-Andre Fluery, for a goal.

The goal was Christensen's third of the season, giving the Rangers a 1-0 lead.

Third Period

The Rangers held their 1-0 lead until late in the third period.

After consecutive horrific penalty calls on the Rangers (one on Marian Gaborik, the other on Ryan Callahan), the Penguins took advantage and scored the game-tying goal.

The goal was not on a power play, but the Penguins used their power play momentum to score their goals.

The first goal was scored with about two-in-a-half minutes left in the third period by Penguin forward, Chris Kunitz. The goal tied the game at 1-1.

Only 28 seconds after they tied the game, Penguin forward Matt Cooke ripped a shot passed Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, and gave the Penguins a late 2-1 lead.

Henrik Lundqvist allowed his emotions get the best of him, and he took an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.

The Rangers were already losing 2-1, the game only had one-in-a-half minutes left in it, and the Rangers now had to kill a penalty.

Just as Rangers head coach John Tortorella called goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to the bench for an extra-attacker, the Rangers would find a way to score a huge game-tying goal.

Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky carried the puck into the offensive zone. After making a few moves, Dubinsky passed the puck off to Rangers defenseman Marc Staal, who would rip the puck passed Marc-Andre Fluery to tie the game at 2-2.

The goal came on the penalty-kill with less than one-in-a-half minutes left tin regulation, and it was Staals third goal of the season.

The Rangers would bring the game to overtime.

Overtime

The Rangers played very well throughout the overtime period, and it paid off at the end of the game.

With only 1:22 remaining in overtime, the Rangers would score their game-winning goal.

Rangers forward Ryan Callahan began a two-on-one with Brandon Dubinsky. Callahan passed the puck to Dubinsky, Dubinsky carried the puck into the offensive zone, gave the puck to Callahan, and Callahan slid the puck into the net for the overtime winner.

It was Callahans fifth goal of the season for the win.

Henrik Lundqvist

Lundqvist sat out for the Rangers previous two games due to an illness but put up a strong performance to make up for it.

Lundqvist saved 37-of-39 shots in the win, his biggest saves coming in the third period.

Henrik Lundqvist is back in action, and played a very strong game.

Brandon Dubinsky

Dubinsky had two assists in the Rangers victory.

Dan Girardi/Sean Avery

Girardi received a lot of stitches (no exact amount given) after taking a puck to the face in the third period. Girardi was tied for team lead in shots during the game with three. Sean Avery also had three shots on goal in the game.

Steve Eminger

Eminger led the Rangers in blocked-shots for the game with five.

Ryan Callahan

Not only did Callahan win the game in overtime for the Rangers, but he also led the team in hits with six.

Marc Staal

Staal led the team in ice-time totaling 29 minutes and 24 seconds of time-on-ice.

Three Game Win Streak

The streak continues for the Rangers, as this win gives them three in a row.

The Rangers next game is Wednesday when they host the Boston Bruins, and debut the Heritage Jerseys.